Dr. Bryan Traynor, M.D., Ph.D., is a neurologist and Senior Investigator at the National Institute on Aging, and adjunct faculty at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Traynor is best known for his work aimed at understanding the genetic etiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease, ALS. He led the international consortium that identified pathogenic repeat expansions in C9ORF72 as a common cause of ALS and FTD. He has over 200 publications in professional journals, including Neuron, New England Journal of Medicine, and Nature Neuroscience, and has received numerous awards for his work, including the NIH Director’s award, the Derek Denny-Brown award, the Sheila Essey award for ALS Research, and the Potamkin Prize for Research in Pick’s, Alzheimer’s, and Related Diseases.

He received his medical degree from University College Dublin medical school in 1993, a Medical Doctorate from University College Dublin in 2000, a Masters in Medical Science (MMSc) from Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2004, and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) from University College Dublin in 2012. He has been a Member of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (MRCPI) since 1996. Before moving to the NIH in 2005, he completed a Neurology Residency and an ALS/Neuromuscular Fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, and was an Instructor and Staff Neurologist at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. ♦