Dr. Sina Shadfar is an early career research fellow and lecturer at Macquarie University’s Motor Neuron Disease (MND) Research Centre, where he is at the forefront of groundbreaking research into neurodegenerative diseases.

His journey began with a master’s degree in neuropharmacology from Yeungnam University in South Korea, where he explored how brain-protecting proteins could help fight Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. In 2017, his passion for neuroscience brought him to Australia, where he earned his Ph.D. in Neurobiology at Macquarie Medical School. His research uncovered new proteins that could be targeted for potential MND treatments, using advanced models like cell cultures, zebrafish, rodents, and even microscopic worms (C. elegans).

Dr. Shadfar has published 29 research articles in top-tier scientific journals,including Brain, Aging Cell, Translational Neurodegeneration and Molecular Neurodegeneration, shedding light on ways to combat neurodegeneration. His current focus is tackling aging as a key driver of MND. He has secured 6 major research grants and a fellowship to advance this mission. Notably, his latest project, backed by FightMND, is Australia’s first-ever mRNA therapy targeting aging in MND, a pioneering step toward new treatments.

His dedication has been recognized with 13 prestigious scholarships, awards, and international research fellowships. In 2018, he was selected for the prestigious FENS-IBRO Young Investigators Training Fellowship, allowing him to train at FMP Berlin, Germany.

Aging Neuroscience; Gene therapy: Neurodegenerative Disease;  Motor Neuron Disease

- MEDI 2200; Human Cell and Molecular Biology, Macquarie University, Australia
- MEDI2302; Cellular and Molecular Neuroscince, Macquarie University, Australia

- MEDI2300; Neuroanatomy, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Australia

- MEDI2900; Introduction to Medical Research, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Australia

- MEDI3301; Clinical Neurosciences, Department of Clinical Medicine, Macquarie University, Australia

-MEDI304; Advanced Clinical Science, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, Australia

- CBMS 201/ CBMS 602; Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Department of  Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Australia

- Advanced Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, South Korea, 2014-2017

Macquarie University, Australia

Emmaline Frogley, MRes Student, (Associate supervisor); 2025-Date

Fabiha Farzana, PhD Candidate, (Associate supervisor); 2023- Date

Matin Ramezani, PhD Candidate, (Associate supervisor); 2022-2026

Fabiha Farzana, MRes Student, (Associate supervisor);2021-2022

Tia Laquinto, Bachelor of Clinical Sciences Student (Academic mentor); 2020

Jaylen Collett, Bachelor of Clinical Sciences Student (Academic mentor); 2017

- NeuroAlliance Advisory Board, Australian Neuroscince Society, 2026
- Chair, Macquarie University ECR showcase committee 2026

- Neuroscience panel chair, Young scientist program 2025 (YSP 2025/ FAOMB), May 2025 Busan, South Korea

- Chair, ECR Enabling Scheme Grant Assessment Panel, Macquarie University (2025)

- Head of Selection Committee, Best Annual Publication Award, Centre for MND Research, Macquarie Medical School, 2022- date

-Macquarie Medical School ECR Representative, at Macquarie University ECR community (Dec 2024–present)

-President, EnCourage ECR Symposium, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University (Sept 2023)

- Member of Organizing Committee and panel Chair, Macquarie Neurodegeneration Meeting (MNM), Macquarie University, September 2021, 2022, 2023

- HDR students representative at  Macquarie University MND centre executive committee; 2019- 2021