Neurological Disorders & Stroke

Biography

Ricardo B. Maccioni M.D., Ph.D. is a Professor of Neurology at the Medical School, and Professor of Neurosciences, University of Chile. He also serves as the Director of the Laboratory of Molecular Neurosciences, Scientific Director of the International Center for Biomedicine (ICC) and Senior Investigator of the Brain/Mind Program in Chile. He has served as Associate Professor at the University of Colorado Medical School, Denver, U.S.A. He received his doctoral degree in 1975, and was a postdoctoral fellow at the National Institutes of Health, the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and a visiting scholar at and the Max Plank Institute for Biophysics in Germany. He is a world class scientist that has made some of the world leading contributions to the cell biology of neuronal cells and the study of Alzheimer’s disease. His discoveries on the role of tau protein in the pathogenesis of this disease, his neuroimmunomodulation theory of neurodegenerative disorders, the design of a new in vivo neuroimaging technology, novel biomarkers for its early diagnosis and innovative approaches for the treatment of this disease, are among his major contributions. On the basis of these and numerous other findings, he is considered among the leading investigators in Alzheimer´s disease. Dr. Maccioni was ranked among the three Chilean scientists with the highest impact factor in a recent study on science productivity. He has served as Associated Editor of the Journal of Alzheimer´s Disease, and the board of J. Alzheimer´s Reports, Journal of Neurochemistry, Therapeutic Advances in Chronic Diseases, Frontiers in Dementia and Archives of Medical Research. He is co-author with George Perry of the recent book “Current Hypotheses and Research Milestones in Alzheimer´s Disease”, among other 10 books in this medical field. Maccioni has made outstanding achievements in the training of 59 young scientist, and is the author of 146 publications in high-impact journals and 18 patents. His scientific findings are characterized by the innovative approaches to elucidate complex problems of modern medical research. He has received more than sixty research grants and several international prizes, including awards from the Alzheimer´s Association, the Milheim Foundation, Presidential Chair in Science, Chacellor´s medal of the University of Chile, and Doctor Honris causa at several universities. His leadership is further attested by being the founder of IMBO (Ibero-American Molecular Biology Organization), the Millennium Institute CBB, and the International Center for Biomedicine, a world class center of excellence. He has organized over forty international conferences with prominent neuroscientists from all over the world.He is a also member of the Innovation Circle of ICARE in Chile, the National Academy of Sciences, Scientific Director of Neuroinnovation and advisor for several important scientific institutions. He is also an elected member of the Danna Alliance for Brain Inititives.

Research Interest

In the field of technological innovation he has made contributions in monitoring new molecules for the treatment of Alzheimer´s disease.