Interests
Current Work
In his work, Miguel applies computational and statistical methods to generate biological insights and improve understanding of complex human brain-related traits. His interests range from brain structure to psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. He is also interested in bridging the gap between science, industry, and policy and decision-makers.
Personal Hero
Michael J. Fox
Words of Strength
Building bridges between people, cultures, and disciplines
Vision
Miguel believes we need to build bridges between researchers, clinicians, patients, NGOs, and policymakers to work together and address the pressing challenges associated with aging, brain health, and the relationship between mental health and chronic illness.
Strategy
Miguel leverages clinical, genetic and brain imaging and other biomarker data and advanced quantitative methods to understand brain diseases. He focuses on Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and self-harm, but has also researched conditions such as chronic pain and sleep disorders. He has also developed evidence-based policy reports for different organizations. One of Miguel’s personal goals is to advocate to increase the representation of underserved and understudied populations in medical research, so the benefits of research can be available to everyone. He is the principal investigator of the Australian Parkinson’s Genetics Study (APGS), and a co-investigator of TwinsMX: The Mexican Twin Registry, and the Mexican Network of Parkinson’s Research (MEX-PD).
Impact
Miguel is conducting genetics research about the genetic risk factors of neurodegenerative diseases and dementia in diverse populations. As part of his fellowship at GBHI, he was awarded a grant from the American Parkinson’s Disease Association (APDA) to expand the scope of the multi-site MEX-PD Parkinson’s cohort.
Motivation
Mexico, like the rest of Latin America, is culturally, ethnically, and environmentally diverse. Its population has a complex and mixed genetic makeup. This offers unique opportunities for genetics and medical research, including scientific questions pertaining to dementia and brain health.
Education & Experience
Miguel holds a PhD in Human Genetics from The University of Queensland (Australia) and a Master of Public Policy from the University of Oxford (UK). He was an NHMRC-ARC Dementia Research Development Fellow at Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School (USA) and the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute (Australia). He was Director of the Office of Science & Technology for the Mexican Congress. He is currently an Al & Val Rosenstrauss Fellow and Principal Investigator (Team Head) of the Computational Neurogenomics Laboratory at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, and honorary Associate Professor at the School of Biomedical Sciences of The University of Queensland.
Awards & Honors
Videos
Podcasts
SBS Español
Científico Mexicano Busca Curar el Parkinson con Proyecto en Australia
Featured Publications
News
Send
Miguel
a NoteHave ideas for global brain health or a collaboration? I would love to hear from you. Feel free to send an introductory note.
