Grant Parnell

Dr

BSc Hons Class/PhD

grant.parnell@wimr.org.au

Centre for Immunology and Allergy Research

Immunogenetics Group

EBV Molecular Laboratory

Currently open to PHD and Honours students in the topic areas of:

Immunology

Autoimmunity

Transcriptomics

Genomics

Grant Parnell

Biography

Dr Parnell lead the Immunogenetics Group of the Centre for Immunology and Allergy Research at The Westmead Institute for Medical Research. His research focuses on the interaction between the genetic and environmental risk factors for the development of autoimmune diseases. His major disease focuses are Multiple Sclerosis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and the interactions between the genetic risk loci identified by Genome-Wide Association Studies and the environmental risk factors Epstein-Barr Virus infection and vitamin D deficiency. Dr Parnell’s research to date has required the development of expertise in experimental design, laboratory procedures and bioinformatic analysis pipelines for large-scale omics studies.

Research interests

Autoimmunity, Multiple Sclerosis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Genetic risk factors, Epstein-Barr Virus, vitamin D

Adjunct roles

Senior Lecturer, School of Medical Sciences The University of Sydney

Current grants

MRFF July 2023-June 2025 Applying OCCAMS molecular razor to study the role of EBV in MS pathogenesis
MRFF July 2023-June 2025 A phase III, multicentre, randomised, double-blinded, placebo controlled clinical trial of SpironolacTOne and famciclovir in Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: the STOP-MS trial
Trish Multiple Sclerosis Research Foundation January 2020- December 2023 How vitamin D “Defining how vitamin D promotes tolerogenic dendritic cells to enable its use in combined therapy
Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia January 2020- December 2023 Targeting Epstein Barr Virus transcription factor EBNA2 to control MS

Affiliations

International Multiple Sclerosis Genetics Consortium (IMSGC), Australia and New Zealand Multiple Sclerosis Genetics Consortium (ANZgene)

Professional Associations and Organisations

2020-present Molecular and Experimental Pathology Society of Australasia Councillor

Awards and recognition

May 2021. University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Makers and Shapers Award for Teaching Excellence - Individual.