Scientific Advisory Board
Rudolph Emile Tanzi, Ph.D.
Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board
Rudolph Emile Tanzi, Ph.D., a Harvard-trained neurobiologist, is director of the Genetics and Aging Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital.
Dr. Tanzi has been investigating human neurodegenerative disease at the genetic, molecular biological, and biochemical levels since 1980. He participated in Dr. James Gusella’s pioneering study of that led to the discovery of the Huntington's disease gene in 1983. This was the first disease gene to be found solely by genetic linkage analysis. Subsequently, Dr. Tanzi focused on studies of Down syndrome and Alzheimer's disease and went on to report the isolation of the first familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) gene, the amyloid b protein precursor (APP) in 1987.
In 1995, Dr. Tanzi also played a central role in the identification of the two other FAD genes known as presenilin 1 and 2. In 1993, he isolated the gene responsible for the neurological disorder known as Wilson's disease, that involves systemic copper toxicity. He has since continued his studies of FAD at the molecular genetic level while serving as a professor of neurology and neuroscience at Harvard University.
Dr. Tanzi has received numerous awards for his work including the two highest awards given for research in AD, The Metropolitan Life Foundation Award for Medical Research and The Potamkin Prize for Research in Pick's, Alzheimer's and Related Disorders. He has also received the French Foundation Fellowship Award, the Pew Scholar in Biomedical Sciences Award, the Nathan Shock, and the Alzheimer's Association T.L.L. Temple Award. His invited honorary lectures include a Nobel Forum Lecture, a Travelling Grass Lecture, the Paul Stark Lecture, and the Erna Struckman Lecture. Dr. Tanzi is also the co-author of the book "Decoding Darkness: The Search for the Genetic Causes of Alzheimer’s Disease".