Prestigious medal awarded to neurogenetics leader

Professor Jozef Gécz, Head of Neurogenetics at the University of Adelaide, has received the 2024 Ramaciotti Medal for Excellence.

The medal, awarded by the Clive & Vera Ramaciotti Foundations, is presented to individuals who have made an outstanding discovery in clinical or experimental biomedical research which has had an important impact on biomedical science, clinical science, or the way in which healthcare is delivered.

Professor Gécz has discovered or co-discovered more than 350 disease genes across intellectual disabilities, autisms, epilepsies and, more recently, cerebral palsy, as well as novel disease mechanisms. His work has also helped to enhance genetic diagnostics rates of neurodisabilities across the world.

“It feels like magic to be awarded the 2024 Ramaciotti Medal for Excellence in Biomedical Research,” said Professor Gécz, who is also the Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation Honorary Chair for the Prevention of Childhood Disability at the University of Adelaide Medical School and Research Leader at the University’s Robinson Research Institute.

“This award is a tremendous recognition of what I, my team and my national and international colleagues, achieved in studying genetics and biology of neurodevelopmental disabilities.

“It provides me with a momentous encouragement and empowers me to research deeper into more equitable access to genomics for all disabilities and where genetic diagnosis informs better health pathways.”

Professor Gécz started his career in 1986 in Czechoslovakia, specialising in human molecular genetics and anthropology and trained as a Fellow at the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research in Marseille, France from 1991 to 1993.

He has worked in Adelaide at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital and the University of Adelaide since 1994, and founded the Neurogenetics Research Program in 2000.

Professor Laura Parry, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research), University of Adelaide, congratulated Professor Gécz on his award.

“The University of Adelaide is extremely proud that Professor Gécz’s significant contributions to the genetics of childhood neurological disorders have been recognised by this prestigious award,” said Professor Parry.

“Professor Gécz is an internationally renowned leader in human molecular genetics, and has transformed our understanding of the origin of childhood intellectual disabilities, leading to the better management and treatment of these conditions.”

Professor David MacIntyre, Director of the Robinson Research Institute, said Professor Gécz’s award is well deserved.

“We are delighted that Professor Gécz has received this much deserved recognition for his research on understanding genetic contributions to neurodevelopmental disabilities,” said Professor MacIntyre.

“This is truly impactful work that we are proud to have supported over the years.”

Professor Gécz thanked all who supported his nomination for the award, as well as medal funders Perpetual, Clive and Vera Ramaciotti Foundation and the Ramaciotti Scientific Advisory Committee.