Marc Tessier-Lavigne is a Canadian neuroscientist whose research on the development of the brain uncovered fine details of how Alzheimer’s disease is triggered. He investigates the formation of neural circuits in the brain and the response of nerve cells to injury, furthering our understanding of brain injury and neurodegenerative disease and helping to develop useful therapies.
Marc left academia in 2003 to drive research at Genentech, a medical biotechnology company that uses human genetic information to develop and commercialise medicines to treat patients with serious or life-threatening medical conditions. As Executive Vice President for research and Chief Scientific Officer, he oversaw a team of 1,400 researchers in therapeutics, oncology and neuroscience.
In 2011, Marc became the first industry executive to hold the position of President of the Rockefeller University, a centre for research and education in the biomedical sciences, chemistry, bioinformatics and physics in New York. Marc is also an advisory board member of the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, set up to fund breakthrough research to prevent, slow or reverse Alzheimer’s disease through venture-based philanthropy.
Professional position
- Professor of Biology, Department of Biology, Stanford University
Subject groups
- Biochemistry and molecular cell biology
Cell biology (incl molecular cell biology)
- Microbiology, immunology and developmental biology
Developmental biology
- Anatomy, physiology and neurosciences
Animal (especially mammalian) and human physiology and anatomy (non-clinical), Cellular neuroscience
Awards
Ferrier Medal and Lecture
On 'Brain development and brain repair: Molecules and mechanisms that control neuronal wiring'.
