Massimo Pandolfo is a leader in neurogenetics and translational neuroscience. He is Professor of Neurology and Director of the Laboratory of Experimental Neurology at the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) in Brussels, Belgium. He is also Chief of Neurology at the ULB-Erasme University Hospital in Brussels. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), member of the AAN Science Committee, chair of the AAN Translational Neuroscience and International Subcommittees, and member of the European Academy of Neurology Scientific Panels on neurogenetics and on translational neurology. In 1996, Dr. Pandolfo led the team that identified the Friedreich’s ataxia gene, and has since been at the forefront of basic, translational and clinical research on Friedreich’s ataxia. In addition to his seminal work on Friedreich’s ataxia, Dr. Pandolfo has contributed to the study of other inherited ataxias, of the genetics and pharmacogenetics of epilepsy, of several rare inherited neurological diseases (brain degeneration with iron accumulation, paroxysmal non-kinesogenic dyskinesia, aceruloplasminemia), and of the genetic predisposition to stroke. Dr. Pandolfo’s current research focuses on dissecting the pathogenesis of inherited ataxias and epilepsies and on the development of small molecule and gene therapy-based approaches for the treatment of Friedreich’s ataxia and other neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. Pandolfo obtained his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Milan, Italy, where he also completed his residency in neurology.

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