Dr Dominik Froehlich

I am a neuroscientist with a broad background in genetics, neuroscience, and molecular cell biology. My research seeks to establish innovative new gene therapies for the group of devastating neurodegenerative disorders termed leukodystrophies - genetic diseases of the central nervous system white matter associated with an early onset, substantial mortality, and a lack of effective treatment options. My research has significantly advanced the understanding of these diseases and successfully utilised refined CNS-targeted gene therapy to rescue disease pathology in mice. I have over 13 years of experience in translational neuroscience including in vivo disease modelling and the development of targeted gene therapies.

At UNSW Sydney, I co-lead the CNS Gene Therapy group within the Translational Neuroscience Facility. I am a committee member of the UNSW Animal Care and Ethics Committee and engage with the non-scientific community through my work for two not-for-profit organisations. I am the Vice President and Scientific Advisor of Leukodystrophy Australia, an organisation that provides information, support, and advocacy to those affected by leukodystrophies. I am also Scientific Advisory Board Member to the Mission Massimo Foundation, aimed at accelerating the discovery of genetic variations responsible for childhood leukodystrophies and to translate these findings into clinical treatments.