Distinguished Professor Lyn Griffiths

Director Genomics Research Centre

Doctor of Philosophy - Medicine (University of Sydney)

Distinguished Professor Griffiths is an active and respected molecular geneticist with more than 30 years’ experience. DProf Griffiths has brought a translational focus to medical research to increase QUT’s influence and its impact on human health as Director of the Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health which is focused on translating knowledge from genomics research. The Centre aims to discover better methods of diagnosing disease, develop targeted treatments based on genetic information, and train the next generation of translational genomics scientists. In addition, DProf Griffiths is a passionate advocate of the translation of medical research through commercialisation and is currently the Director of the MTP Connect and industry led Bridge and BridgeTech programs, undertaking commercialisation training for the pharmaceutical and medical devices-technology fields across Australia, respectively. DProf Griffiths’ own genetics research at the Genomics Research Centre has led to diagnostic breakthroughs for several neurogenetic disorders, including familial migraine, ataxia, epilepsy and hereditary stroke. Her research has appeared in more than 400 peer-reviewed international journals and she has obtained significant competitive and industry research funds to support her research team.

Honours, Awards and prizes:
2017    HGSA, Sutherland Orator
2015    Fellow, Queensland Academy of Arts and Science
2015    Finalist, Life Sciences, Outstanding Achievement, Women in Technology
2014    Greppi Award, for the best international migraine paper Migraine Trust International Congress
2013    Gold Coast Overall Leadership Award International Women’s Day Festival 2013
2010    F1000 article factor 9 (8-9 Must read) for Nature Medicine 16(10):1157-60
2010    F1000 article factor 6 (6-7 Recommended) for Cephalalgia 31(3):264-270
2010    Research Excellence Award for Senior Researcher, Griffith University
2006    Smart State – Smart Women Finalist  (Research Scientist Category);
2006    Finalist Queenslander of the Year
2005    Australian of the Year Finalist
2004    Australian Centenary Medal for Distinguished Service to Education & Medical Research

Research area: Professor Griffiths leads the Genomics Research Centre(GRC). Established in 1997, the GRC is a well equipped research centre including principal researchers, postdoctoral scientists, research assistants, postgraduate and honours students, and is funded by national competitive grants and industry collaboration and contracts. The main focus of research in the GRC is the identification of genes involved in common human disorders and the translation of this research into new diagnostics and therapeutics. Prof Griffiths has established significant genomic population resources for her research, including a unique case-controlled, multigenerational pedigree and genetic isolate from Norfolk Island. Recent studies at the GRC have mapped several migraine, CVD, MS and cancer gene loci and have implicated a number of candidate genes in disease susceptibility. The GRC  undertakes regular NATA and HGSA accredited diagnostic testing for six human genetic disorders for Australasia and  research to date has resulted in three fully granted and five provisional patent applications.

Research support and funding:  Prof Griffiths research has been supported by more than $39M in research funding through national competitive grants, industry collaborations and contracts, and philanthropic sources including NHMRC project grants, ARC Discovery and Linkage grants, ARC EIF and NCRIS grants, Qld Smart State grants as well as international funding from the US Migraine Research Foundation.

Research interests:

• Molecular genetics
• Genetic analysis
• Chronic disease
• Clinical Trials

Additional information