Professor Kathryn North

MD FRACP

Job Title

Deputy Head of Institute for Neuromuscular Research

Head, Neurogenetics Research

Professional background

Professor Kathryn North did her undergraduate training at the University of Sydney and received a BSc (Med) (with distinction) in 1982 and an MBBS (with honours) in 1985. She subsequently trained as a physician (F.R.A.C.P), neurologist (A.A.N.) and clinical geneticist (H.G.S.A.) and in 1994, was awarded a M.D. for research into Neurofibromatosis type 1. In 1993, she commenced a postdoctoral fellowship at the Children's Hospital, Boston and Harvard University, where she developed her expertise in the molecular genetics of human skeletal muscle. In 1995, she returned to Sydney as the first recipient of the Career Development Award in Research from the Children's Hospital at Westmead and established the Neurogenetics Research Unit in 1996. In 1997, she was appointed as Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney, and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2000 and to Professor in 2002. In 2004 she was appointed Douglas Burrows Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health.

Special interest

Neurofibromatosis type 1, nemaline myopathy, congenital myopathies, muscular dystrophy, clinical trials

Positions of responsibility

Professor North runs the Neurogenetics Clinical Service at The Children's Hospital at Westmead, which caters for over 1500 patients with neuromuscular disorders and neurofibromatosis type 1.

She runs a clinical research team focussed on cognitive deficits in NF1, and clinical trials for neurogenetic disorders (NF1, and muscular dystrophy). Her research laboratory is focussed on gene discovery and mechanisms of disease in inherited myopathies and dystrophies. Professor North is also the Associate Dean of the CHW Clinical School and Head of the Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Heath for the University of Sydney.

Contact

Executive Officer (Leanne Mills ext 51903)
Further information at inmr.com.au