Distinguished Professor
Lyn Griffiths

Biography

Distinguished Professor Griffiths is a molecular geneticist with more than 30 years’ research experience. She undertakes research focused on identifying genes involved in common traits and disorders including migraine, cardiovascular disease, memory, dementia and concussion.  She is Director of the Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health which aims to discover better methods of diagnosing disease, developing targeted treatments based on genetic information, and training the next generation of genomics scientists. DProf Griffiths is a passionate advocate of the translation of medical research through commercialisation and is 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 and also led to the establishment of a new Defence Innovation Hub which is using next generational DNA technology to identify the remains of missing servicemen.  The Hub is utilising aDNA techniques, whole genome sequencing and genetic profiling of family reference samples to aid in this remains identification.  Prof Griffiths’ research has appeared in > 430 peer-reviewed international publications and she has obtained significant competitive and industry research funds to support her research team.

Honours, Awards and prizes:

• 2023 Award of Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia for significant service to genetics, and to research into neurological disorders
• 2022 4th James Lance Intl Migraine Oration - first migraine genetics and first female orator, 5th Lance-Goadsby meeting in conjunction with 10th ARCH
• 2020 Medical Technology Association of Australia: 2020 Outstanding Achievement Award
• 2020 Life Sciences Queensland Limited (LSQ) - the Globally Engaging Networking Event (GENE) Awards: Life Sciences QIMR Berghofer Women of Influence Award
• 2018 Fellow of the National Heart Foundation
• 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
• 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 $57M 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