Locally-born scientist to receive 'Oscar' equivalent
A scientist born and raised in Guernsey has won an award considered to be the scientific equivalent of an Oscar.
Dr Andrew Singleton, who is director of the Centre for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias at the National Institutes of Health in Washington DC in the USA, is receiving a Breakthrough Award in recognition of his work identifying types of risk genes for Parkinson’s disease.
He is attending an award ceremony at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles tomorrow.
Dr Singleton, 51, was born in Guernsey and attended the Grammar School, before studying for his degree and PhD in the UK.
He moved to the USA in 1999 and spent time at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville for his post-doctoral studies, before moving to the National Institutes of Health in 2002.
Most of his laboratory’s work over the last 20 years has focused on the genetics of diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, and identifying the causes and risk factors associated with them.
His award relates specifically to discoveries made in relation to a gene called LRRK2, which, if it mutates, can cause a form of Parkinson’s Disease.
‘The LRRK2 gene is like a switch turning other things on, mutations can affect and change this switch and so our work has involved trials based on this,’ he said.
‘When we started 20 years ago there were only three or four people working on it, now there are thousands of researchers globally.’
He said that one of the proudest parts of his career had been building up teams and training people, and that he felt lucky to have been able to work with such capable individuals.
‘I’m fortunate to be receiving the award but really it’s on behalf of my entire team. The aim is always towards treating and curing the types of diseases we study, and the situation has certainly improved thanks to our research.’
He added that attending the ceremony would be ‘overwhelming’.
Hosted by James Corden, it is broadcast globally and features short films about the scientists and their work, presentations by celebrities and live music from world-renowned artists.
‘I think celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Robert Downey Jr. are meant to be there as well as all the scientists.
‘It’ll be a little surreal for sure but I’m looking forward to it.’
