Medical & Scientific Advisory Board
Mark Corbett, PhD
Mark (PhD, University of Sydney 2004), is a postdoctoral research fellow based at the University of Adelaide, Medical School. Throughout his career he has used innovative DNA and RNA sequencing techniques to implicate new genes in neurodevelopmental disorders including the first discovery of an epilepsy gene (TBC1D24) by short read sequencing. He has a long-standing interest in the genetics of X-linked intellectual disability contributing multiple gene discoveries and generating new biological insights into the mechanisms that govern the function of the brain. Collectively, his discoveries have led to genetic diagnoses for thousands of individuals living with neurodevelopmental disorders around the world.
David Picketts, PhD
Dr. Picketts obtained his PhD from Queen’s University (Kingston, Canada; 1993), completed PDF studies at the Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine (1997), after which he joined the University of Ottawa and the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. His research is focused on understanding the role of epigenetic regulators in brain development and neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). The Picketts laboratory has focused on the generation and characterization of transgenic mice that model different NDDs. His laboratory has characterized the first models of the ATR-X syndrome, NEDDFL syndrome (BPTF gene), and the BFLS syndrome (PHF6 gene) that have unraveled novel disease mechanisms for these disorders. In addition, his lab studies the interplay between two closely related chromatin remodelers of the ISWI family, SMARCA1 and SMARCA5, to dissect their complementary roles during forebrain development. He also volunteers his time and expertise to the ATRX Research Alliance as a Scientific Advisory Board Member.
A/PROF Matthew Hunter
DIRECTOR OF GENERAL GENETICS DEPARTMENT, MONASH HEALTH, MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
ADJUNCT CLINICAL ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF PAEDIATRICS, MONASH UNIVERSITY, MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
(Scientific Board of the Fragile X Association of Australasia)
Matthew obtained his medical degree through the university of Cape Town, South Africa. He trained in paediatrics and genetics in Brisbane and Melbourne. In 2014 he was appointed the Director of General Genetics at Monash Health. Matthew has 28 years of experience in clinical medicine, and 17 years in clinical genetics. Matthew is passionate about patient care in the Monash Genetics clinic. Matthew has studied and published on the clinical aspects of BFLS. His current research focuses on translation of genomics into clinical practice, deafness genetics and the genetics of intellectual disability syndromes and Fragile X syndrome.