Prof. Dr. Xandra Breakefield, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, United States
Prof. Dr. Xandra Breakefield is a pioneering geneticist and neuroscientist specializing in gene therapy and extracellular vesicle research. She earned her Ph.D. from Georgetown University and trained at NIH under Nobel Laureate Dr. Marshall Nirenberg. A Harvard Medical School professor and Massachusetts General Hospital researcher, she has made groundbreaking contributions to neurogenetics and dystonia. Recognized with numerous prestigious awards 🏆, including the Mika Salpeter Lifetime Achievement Award, she ranks among the world’s top scientists. A leader in gene and cell therapy, she serves on advisory boards worldwide 🌍, shaping the future of biomedical research.
Publication Profile
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Education
Prof. Dr. Xandra Breakefield 🎓 embarked on her academic journey with an A.B. in Biology from Wilson College (1960-1965), graduating cum laude for her outstanding performance. During this period, she also enriched her knowledge at American University (1964-1965), deepening her expertise in biology 🧬. Her passion for microbial genetics led her to pursue a Ph.D. at Georgetown University (1967-1971), where she specialized in microbial genetics 🦠. This strong educational foundation set the stage for her groundbreaking contributions to the field, establishing her as a distinguished researcher in genetics and molecular biology. 🌟
Professional Experience
Prof. Dr. Xandra Breakefield 🧬 has had an illustrious career in genetics and neurology. She has been a Geneticist at Massachusetts General Hospital’s Radiology Service since 2002 and a Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School since 1996. Previously, she held key roles in molecular neurogenetics at Massachusetts General Hospital 🏥 and directed the Division of Molecular Neurogenetics at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center. Her academic journey includes faculty positions at Yale University and Georgetown University 📚. Early in her career, she trained under Nobel Laureate Dr. Marshall Nirenberg at NIH, shaping her expertise in biochemical genetics. 🌟
Awards
Prof. Dr. Xandra Breakefield 🧬 has received numerous prestigious awards for her groundbreaking contributions to neuroscience and genetics. She earned the McKnight Neuroscience Development Award (1982-1984) and two Javits Neuroscience Investigator Awards (1985-1992, 1995-2002). She was honored with an Honorary Doctorate from Wilson College (1991) and an Honorary Master’s Degree from Harvard Medical School (1996) 🎓. Recognized globally, she received the Mika Salpeter Lifetime Achievement Award (2013) and the NIH Director’s WALS Speaker Award (2017). Ranked among the Top 1000 Female Scientists in the World (2022, 2024), her work continues to shape modern molecular medicine. 🌟
Research Focus
Prof. Dr. Xandra O. Breakefield focuses on neuroscience, gene therapy, and extracellular vesicles 🧠🧬🩸. Her research explores how extracellular vesicles facilitate cell-to-cell communication and their potential for delivering gene therapies to treat neurological disorders and cancers. She also investigates glioblastoma, a highly aggressive brain tumor, using cortical organoids 🧪🔬 to study cell-state heterogeneity and intercellular transfer. Her work has significant implications for precision medicine and targeted therapies 🎯💊. As a leading expert in the field, she collaborates on innovative projects integrating genomics, bioengineering, and molecular biology to advance treatments for brain diseases.
Publication Top Notes