
MBBS (Hons) FRACP PhD
Michelle Farrar is Professor of Paediatric Neurology at UNSW Sydney and specialist child neurologist at Sydney Children’s Hospital, leading the rare neurological diseases clinical and research programs.
Michelle’s team is focused on developing and translating innovative ways of providing the best possible care from the time of diagnosis, through treatment and beyond to people with rare neurological conditions, including neuromuscular, neurodegenerative and genetic diseases. The research program also integrates interdisciplinary genomics research, together with community and consumer involvement.
The team is involved in clinical trials investigating potential drug treatments, coupled with studies to define biomarkers to monitor therapeutic effect and genomics in newborn screening.
Society Memberships & Professional Activities:
2021-2027 NRMRC Investigator Grant: Improving health outcomes for neurological diseases in children with genomic technologies
2022-2027 MRFF: A national functional diagnostic program for therapy development in congenital muscle disease
2022-2026 MRFF: NEWBORN GEN SEQ TRAIL: NEWBORN GENomic SEQuencing in screening: Therapy Ready And Information for Life
https://med.unsw.edu.au/news/michelle-farrar-recognised-leonard-cox-award
Prof Farrar is a leading researcher in paediatric neuromuscular and rare neurogenetic disorders, successfully translating research to improve health practice and outcomes for patients, their families and the community. Her multidisciplinary team of researchers and clinicians lead projects to:
To undertake this work, Michelle’s team uses a variety of research designs and technologies including:
Michelle’s team also applies their clinical research approach to other neurological conditions, such as neurodevelopmental disorders, epilepsy and neuro-oncology and are passionate about creating an environment where people affected by these disorders are actively involved across all stages and types of research.
Michelle also has a strong commitment to improving the practice of medicine, thus connecting her research achievements to her activities in medical education and community and consumer engagement. As a regular contributor to the media, Professor Farrar is raising awareness in the community about early diagnosis and treatment of paediatric neuromuscular disorders and possibilities for carrier screening to allow couples to make reproductive choices.