Mohammad Shahnawaz

As an Associate Professor in the Department of Neurology at McGovern Medical School, my career has been dedicated to elucidating the molecular pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders (NDs) and translating these insights into transformative diagnostic tools. With over twenty years of expertise in the biochemistry of amyloidogenic proteins, I have spent the last 15 years at the forefront of developing highly sensitive biochemical assays for Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and related synucleinopathies.

My primary contribution to the field has been the adaptation and optimization of the Seed Amplification Assay (SAA) to detect seeding-competent misfolded oligomers in cerebrospinal fluid. My work has successfully established SAA platforms for the detection of Amyloid-beta, Tau proteins, and α-synuclein. These advancements, published in high-impact journals such as Nature, JAMA Neurology, and Cell Reports, have revolutionized our ability to differentiate clinically similar disorders. Specifically, my research has demonstrated the ability of SAA to distinguish Parkinson’s disease from Multiple System Atrophy with near-perfect sensitivity and specificity based on distinct aggregate strains.

As a lead Principal Investigator, my research program is supported by a robust portfolio of funding from the NIH, Department of Defense, MJFF, and TARCC. I hold several U.S. patents for the diagnostic application of SAA, reflecting my commitment to bringing academic discoveries into clinical utility. Beyond my laboratory investigations, I am an active mentor to postdoctoral fellows and research staff, fostering a rigorous environment for the next generation of translational scientists. I will serve as Co-Investigator of the Biomarkers Core, where I will provide essential expertise in SAA methodologies to enhance the molecular characterization and diagnostic accuracy of the proposed study cohorts.