Rate My Professor Michael Ricos

Dr Michael Ricos serves as a Research Fellow in the School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, College of Health, at Adelaide University. His research centers on epilepsy genetics, with a particular emphasis on identifying genetic mutations responsible for focal epilepsies and developing novel therapeutic strategies. Utilizing sophisticated approaches such as in silico modeling, cellular assays, and Drosophila melanogaster models, Ricos investigates the functional impacts of mutations in genes like KCNT1, which cause severe, drug-resistant epilepsies. His work also explores related mechanisms including chromosomal instability, oxidative stress, aneuploidy, and dysregulation of the mTOR pathway in neurological disorders.

Ricos has an extensive publication record highlighting his contributions to the field. Notable works include the 2016 Annals of Neurology paper 'Mutations in the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway regulators NPRL2 and NPRL3 cause focal epilepsy,' which identified novel epilepsy genes and has been cited over 200 times. Other key publications are 'Mutations in KCNT1 cause a spectrum of focal epilepsies' (Epilepsia, 2015), 'Mutations in mammalian target of rapamycin regulator DEPDC5 cause focal epilepsy with brain malformations' (Annals of Neurology, 2014), and recent advances like 'Identification of new KCNT1-epilepsy drugs by in silico, cell, and Drosophila modeling' (Annals of Neurology, 2025) and 'Drosophila expressing mutant human KCNT1 transgenes make an effective tool for targeted drug screening' (Scientific Reports, 2024). Earlier in his career, he contributed to understanding epithelial morphogenesis and cytoskeletal dynamics in Drosophila embryogenesis.

As a co-supervisor for PhD candidates, Ricos mentors students on projects developing precision medicines for KCNT1 epilepsy and elucidating focal epilepsy genetics via whole-genome sequencing. His interdisciplinary expertise bridges molecular genetics, neuroscience, and pharmacology, influencing advancements in precision medicine for neurological conditions.