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Biography

Prof Gabriele De Luca is a clinician-scientist in Clinical Neurology at the University of Oxford. He completed his neurology training at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, USA where he was Chief Resident and an Assistant Professor of Neurology.  During his time at Mayo Clinic, he won several clinical awards including the Robert J. Filberg Fellowship, an award given to the top Canadian trainee at Mayo Clinic, and the Henry W. Woltman Award, a prize given to the top resident/fellow for clinical excellence in Neurology at Mayo Clinic.  On completion of his Neurology training, he returned to Oxford supported by the prestigious AANF/CMSC John F. Kurtzke Clinician-Scientist Development Award. His research work has resulted in numerous publications and awards, including the prestigious Cavanagh Prize awarded by the British Neuropathological Society. He has been named as an Oxford University Hospitals ‘Leader of Tomorrow’ and ‘Champion for Change,’

Gabriele DeLuca

M.D., D.Phil., FRCPath, FAAN


Professor of Clinical Neurology and Experimental Neuropathology

  • Director of Clinical Neurosciences Undergraduate Education
  • Honorary Consultant Neurologist

Neuropathology of Neurodegeneration and Inflammation

Research Summary

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common central nervous system disease unsurpassed for its variability in outcome.  Clinical manifestations, disease course, and severity vary considerably among patients. Recent evidence suggests that genetic factors may contribute not only to MS susceptibility, but also to clinical, radiological, and pathological outcomes. While inflammation is a central theme in MS, neuronal/axonal injury and loss are important aspects of MS pathology and are likely responsible for the irreversible neurological disability commonly found in the disease. The relationship between inflammation, demyelination, and neuronal/axonal pathology in MS is not clear; further, the extent to which genetic variants influence pathological processes visible at the microscopic level is relatively unexplored.

Prof De Luca’s research focuses on genetic-pathologic correlations in MS.  He is also interested in the relationship between inflammation and neurodegeneration in not only MS but also in other neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's Disease.

Sources of Funding

  • Department of Defense, US Government (2021-2023)
  • Oxford-Quinnipiac Partnership (2020-2025)
  • National Health and Medical Research Council Project Grant (2019-2023)
  • UK MS Society Project Grant (2019-2023)
  • Medical Research Council (MRC) Project Grant (2015-2019)
  • Grant for Multiple Sclerosis Innovation, Merck Serono (2016-2019)
  • Medical Research Council (MRC) Doctoral Training Programme (2012 - 2016)
  • Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), NIHR Oxford (2012 - 2016)
  • Alzheimer's Research UK, Oxford (2014)
  • John Fell Fund, University of Oxford (2013-2014)
  • Goodger Scholarship, University of Oxford (2011 - 2014)
  • AAN/CMSC John F. Kurtzke Clinician Scientist Fellowship (2010-2013)

Recent Awards


2020 - Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology (FAAN)

2020 - A.B. Baker Teacher Recognition Award (AAN)

2019 - Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath)

2017 - Cavanagh Prize (British Neuropathological Society)

2016 - Young Alumni Award (The University of Western Ontario)

2015 - Leader of Tomorrow (Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust)

2015 - Emerging Leader (American Academy of Neurology)

2014 - Whitaker Prize for Excellence in MS Research (Dr Albert Joseph)

2014 - Association of Clinical Pathologists Prize (Dr Richard Hickman)

2014 - Du Pre Award, MS International Federation (Mr Richard Yates)

2013 - Student Prize for Best Abstract, UK MS Society Annual Meeting (Mr Richard Yates)

2012 - Medical Sciences Division Teaching Excellence Commendation, Oxford