Rate My Professor Prachi Mehta

Dr. Prachi Mehta serves as a Research Officer in the Macquarie Medical School at Macquarie University, where she is affiliated with the Motor Neuron Disease Research Centre within the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences. She earned her PhD in Genetic Studies in Parkinson’s disease from the University of Sydney in 2011, a Master of Applied Science in Molecular Biotechnology from the University of Sydney, a Master of Science in Bio-Medical Technology from Gujarat University, and a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Gujarat University. Originally from India, Mehta relocated to Australia in 2004. She commenced her research career as a postdoctoral research fellow following her PhD. To accommodate family responsibilities with her two children, she shifted to a part-time professional staff role before joining Professor Julie Atkin’s Cellular Biology and Therapeutics Team as a Research Officer in 2018. In this capacity, she manages the laboratory, supports PhD and postdoctoral students in their research and publications, and conducts independent investigations into neurodegenerative diseases. Mehta has also contributed to teaching, serving as a Lecturer for the MEDI304 Advanced Clinical Science unit in the Bachelor of Clinical Science program at Macquarie University in 2017 and 2018, and as a Demonstrator at the School of Biotechnology & Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Australia, in 2016. She participated as an Associate Investigator in the Macquarie University Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research project from 2017 to 2019.

Mehta is a medical researcher specializing in neuroscience and molecular biology, with a focus on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and TDP-43 pathology. Her expertise encompasses molecular cell biology techniques, protein biochemistry, immunofluorescence, histology, PCR, tissue culture, and grant writing. Key publications include 'Cofilin hyperphosphorylation triggers TDP-43 pathology in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis' (Brain, 2026), 'A slower-progressing TDP-43 rNLS8 mouse model for ALS: implications for preclinical and mechanistic studies' (NeuroMolecular Medicine, 2025), 'Pathological forms of TDP-43 in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) promote aberrant telomere elongation' (Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Molecular Basis of Disease, 2025), 'A transient protein folding response targets aggregation in the early phase of TDP-43-mediated neurodegeneration' (Nature Communications, 2024), and 'Protein disulfide isomerase endoplasmic reticulum protein 57 (ERp57) is protective against ALS-associated mutant TDP-43 in neuronal cells' (NeuroMolecular Medicine, 2024). She has produced 19 research outputs, advancing knowledge on protein misfolding, protective mechanisms, and preclinical models in ALS and related neurodegenerative conditions. Mehta has received the Nina Bushcomb Award (2019, MND Association of Victoria), Early Career Research Award (2017, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University), University of Sydney Postgraduate Award, Northern Clinical School/Ramsay Healthcare PhD Top-Up Scholarship, Centenary Scholarship Award, The Movement Disorder Society International Travel Award, Postgraduate Student Support Scheme Award, Beryl and Jack Jacobs National Travel Award, and Kolling Student Travel Fellowship.