
Distinguished Professor Lyn Griffiths
Academic Division,Research Portfolio,
Office of the DVC & VP (Research)
Personal details
- Name
- Distinguished Professor Lyn Griffiths
- Position(s)
- Executive Director, IHBI
Academic Division,
Research Portfolio,
Office of the DVC & VP (Research) - IHBI Membership
Institute of Health Biomedical Innovation (IHBI),
IHBI Health Projects,
IHBI Biomedical Sciences - CDA - Discipline *
- Genetics
- Phone
- +61 7 3138 6102
- Fax
- +61 7 3138 6039
- lyn.griffiths@qut.edu.au
- Location
- View location details (QUT staff and student access only)
- Identifiers and profiles
-
- Qualifications
-
Doctor of Philosophy - Medicine (University of Sydney)
- Professional memberships
and associations Current appointments:
- Executive Director, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, QUT
- Director, Genomics Research Centre, QUT
- Member, Vice Chancellors Advisory Committee, QUT
- Member, Translational Research Institute, TRI Management Committee
- Director, Bridge Program
- Director, Bridge Tech Program
- Chair, Board of Censors, Diagnostic Genomics, Human Genetics Society Australasia (HGSA)
- Founding Member, Therapeutic Innovation Australia (TIA) QLD node
Professional membership:
- Member, American Society of Human Genetics
- Member, Australian Headache Society
- Member, Australian Society for Medical Research
- Member, Human Genetics Society of Australasia
- Keywords
-
Molecular Genetics, Migraine, Genomics, Genetic Analysis, Genetic Susceptibility, Gene Profiling, Clinical Trials
Biography
Professor Lyn Griffiths is Executive Director of the Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), QUT’s health and medical research institute.
An active and respected molecular geneticist with more than 28 years’ experience, Prof Griffiths has brought business acumen to medical research to increase IHBI’s influence and its impact on human health. She is a passionate advocate for translational research and believes it’s time for Australia to capitalise on its reputation for world-class biomedical research by unlocking its enormous commercial potential. In relation to this, she currently is Director of the nationwide and industry supported Bridge and BridgeTech programs, which provide commercialisation training for the pharmaceutical and medical devices industries, respectively.
Prof Griffiths’ own genetics research has led to diagnostic breakthroughs for several neurogenetic disorders, including familial migraine, ataxia, epilepsy and hereditary stroke. Her research has appeared in more than 350 peer-reviewed international journals, including Nature, the American Journal of Human Genetics, and Nature Neurology.
As the head of IHBI, Prof. Griffiths leads a 1,000-strong research team and sees it as her mission to inspire the next generation of Australian researchers to make the most of funding opportunities to improve human health. She has supervised 54 PhD students and 45 honours students to completion and has led by example when it comes to funding, attracting more than $39 million through national and international grants, industry collaborations, and philanthropy.
A fellow of the Queensland Academy of Arts and Science, Prof. Griffiths has also established several significant international collaborations the Texas Biomedical Research Institute, Oxford University, University of Vienna, the Italian National Research Council, the MS ANZ Gene consortium and the International Migraine Genetics Consortium.
Honours, Awards and prizes:
2017 HGSA, Sutherland Orator
2015 Fellow, Queensland Academy of Arts and Science
2015 Finalist, Life Sciences, Outstanding Achievement, Women in Technology
2014 Greppi Award, for the best international migraine paper Migraine Trust International Congress
2013 Gold Coast Overall Leadership Award International Women’s Day Festival 2013
2010 F1000 article factor 9 (8-9 Must read) for Nature Medicine 16(10):1157-60
2010 F1000 article factor 6 (6-7 Recommended) for Cephalalgia 31(3):264-270
2010 Research Excellence Award for Senior Researcher, Griffith University
2006 Smart State – Smart Women Finalist (Research Scientist Category);
2006 Finalist Queenslander of the Year
2005 Australian of the Year Finalist
2004 Australian Centenary Medal for Distinguished Service to Education & Medical Research
Research area: Professor Griffiths leads the Genomics Research Centre(GRC). Established in 1997, the GRC is a well equipped research centre including principal researchers, postdoctoral scientists, research assistants, postgraduate and honours students, and is funded by national competitive grants and industry collaboration and contracts. The main focus of research in the GRC is the identification of genes involved in common human disorders and the translation of this research into new diagnostics and therapeutics. Prof Griffiths has established significant genomic population resources for her research, including a unique case-controlled, multigenerational pedigree and genetic isolate from Norfolk Island. Recent studies at the GRC have mapped several migraine, CVD, MS and cancer gene loci and have implicated a number of candidate genes in disease susceptibility. The GRC undertakes regular NATA and HGSA accredited diagnostic testing for six human genetic disorders for Australasia and research to date has resulted in three fully granted and five provisional patent applications.
Research support and funding: Prof Griffiths research has been supported by more than $39M in research funding through national competitive grants, industry collaborations and contracts, and philanthropic sources including NHMRC project grants, ARC Discovery and Linkage grants, ARC EIF and NCRIS grants, Qld Smart State grants as well as international funding from the US Migraine Research Foundation.
Research interests:
- Molecular genetics
- Genetic analysis
- Chronic disease
- Clinical Trials
Publications
- Ibrahim O, Sutherland H, Maksemous N, Smith R, Haupt L, Griffiths L, (2020) Exploring neuronal vulnerability to head trauma using a whole exome approach, Journal of Neurotrauma p1870-1879
- Dunn P, Maksemous N, Sutherland H, Haupt L, Griffiths L, (2020) Investigating diagnostic sequencing techniques for CADASIL diagnosis, Human Genomics
- Pettingill P, Weir G, Wei T, Wu Y, Flower G, Lalic T, Handel A, Duggal G, Chintawar S, Cheung J, Arunasalam K, Couper E, Haupt L, Griffiths L, Bassett A, Cowley S, Zameel Cader M, (2019) A causal role for TRESK loss of function in migraine mechanisms, Brain p3852-3867
- Sutherland H, Albury C, Griffiths L, (2019) Advances in genetics of migraine, Journal of Headache and Pain
- Schwarz N, Bast T, Gaily E, Golla G, Gorman K, Griffiths L, Hahn A, Hukin J, King M, Korff C, Miranda M, Møller R, Neubauer B, Smith R, Smol T, Striano P, Stroud B, Vaccarezza M, Kluger G, Lerche H, Fazeli W, (2019) Clinical and genetic spectrum of SCN2A-associated episodic ataxia, European Journal of Paediatric Neurology p438-447
- Benton M, Lea R, MacArtney-Coxson D, Sutherland H, White N, Kennedy D, Mengersen K, Haupt L, Griffiths L, (2019) Genome-wide allele-specific methylation is enriched at gene regulatory regions in a multi-generation pedigree from the Norfolk Island isolate, Epigenetics and Chromatin
- Bradshaw G, Haupt L, Aquino E, Lea R, Sutherland H, Griffiths L, (2019) Single nucleotide polymorphisms in MIR143 contribute to protection against non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in Caucasian populations, Genes p1-20
- Gormley P, Kurki M, Hiekkala M, Veerapen K, Häppölä P, Mitchell A, Lal D, Palta P, Surakka I, Kaunisto M, Hamalainen E, Vepsäläinen S, Havanka H, Harno H, Ilmavirta M, Nissilä M, Säkö E, Sumelahti M, Liukkonen J, Sillanpää M, Metsähonkala L, Koskinen S, Lehtimäki T, Raitakari O, Männikkö M, Ran C, Belin A, Jousilahti P, Anttila V, Salomaa V, Artto V, Färkkilä M, Agee M, Alipanahi B, Auton A, Bell R, Bryc K, Elson S, Fontanillas P, Furlotte N, Huber K, Kleinman A, Litterman N, McCreight J, McIntyre M, Mountain J, Northover C, Pitts S, Sathirapongsasuti J, Sazonova O, Shelton J, Shringarpure S, Tian C, Tung J, Vacic V, Wilson C, Boomsma D, Børte S, Chasman D, Cherkas L, Christensen A, Cormand B, Cuenca-Leon E, Davey-Smith G, Dichgans M, van Duijn C, Esko T, Esserlind A, Ferrari M, Frants R, Freilinger T, Griffiths L, Hansen T, Hiekkala M, Ikram M, Ingason A, Järvelin M, Kajanne R, Kallela M, Kaprio J, Kubisch C, Kurth T, Launer L, Lehtimaki T, Lessel D, Ligthart L, van den Maagdenberg A, Macaya A, Malik R, Mangino M, McMahon G, Muller-Myhsok B, Neale B, Nyholt D, Olesen J, Palotie A, Pedersen L, Pedersen N, Posthuma D, Pozo-Rosich P, Pressman A, Quaye L, Schürks M, Sintas C, Stefansson K, Stefansson H, Steinberg S, Strachan D, Terwindt G, Vila-Pueyo M, Wessman M, Winsvold B, Wrenthal W, Zhao H, Zwart J, Runz H, Daly M, Ripatti S, (2018) Common variant burden contributes to the familial aggregation of migraine in 1,589 families, Neuron p743-753.e4
- Bradshaw G, Lualhati R, Albury C, Maksemous N, Roos-Araujo D, Smith R, Benton M, Eccles D, Lea R, Sutherland H, Haupt L, Griffiths L, (2018) Exome sequencing diagnoses x-linked moesin-associated immunodeficiency in a primary immunodeficiency case, Frontiers in Immunology p1-9
- Dunn P, Albury C, Maksemous N, Benton M, Sutherland H, Smith R, Haupt L, Griffiths L, (2018) Next generation sequencing methods for diagnosis of epilepsy syndromes, Frontiers in Genetics p1-11
For more publications by this staff member, visit QUT ePrints, the University's research repository.
Awards
Awards and recognition
- Type
- Academic Honours, Prestigious Awards or Prizes
- Reference year
- 2017
- Details
- Sutherland Orator
- Type
- Academic Honours, Prestigious Awards or Prizes
- Reference year
- 2015
- Details
- Fellow Queensland Academy of Arts and Science
- Type
- Academic Honours, Prestigious Awards or Prizes
- Reference year
- 2015
- Details
- Finalist, Life Sciences Outstanding Achievement
- Type
- Academic Honours, Prestigious Awards or Prizes
- Reference year
- 2014
- Details
- Finalist, Life Sciences Outstanding Achievement Award
- Type
- Academic Honours, Prestigious Awards or Prizes
- Reference year
- 2014
- Details
- Greppi Award: Best International Migraine Paper
- Type
- Academic Honours, Prestigious Awards or Prizes
- Reference year
- 2014
- Details
- Finalist, Life Sciences Queensland (LSQ) Industry Excellence Award
- Type
- Academic Honours, Prestigious Awards or Prizes
- Reference year
- 2013
- Details
- Gold Coast Overall Leadership Award International Women's Day Festival 2013
- Type
- Academic Honours, Prestigious Awards or Prizes
- Reference year
- 2010
- Details
- Vice Chancellor's Research Excellence Award Griffith University 2010
- Type
- Academic Honours, Prestigious Awards or Prizes
- Reference year
- 2009
- Details
- Pro Vice Chanceller (Health) Research Excellence Award Griffith University 2009
- Type
- Academic Honours, Prestigious Awards or Prizes
- Reference year
- 2005
- Details
- Queensland Finalist, Australian of the Year 2005
Research projects
Grants and projects (Category 1: Australian Competitive Grants only)
- Title
- Identifying novel gene mutations for molecular diagnosis of Familial Hemiplegic Migraine
- Primary fund type
- CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
- Project ID
- 1122387
- Start year
- 2017
- Keywords
- Migraine;Population Genetics;Pedigree Analysis;Molecular Genetics;Sequencing
- Title
- Identifying Michondrial Genome Variants Associated with Familial Migraine Susceptibility
- Primary fund type
- CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
- Project ID
- 1083450
- Start year
- 2015
- Keywords
- migraine;mitochondrial genetics;pedigree analysis;molecular genetics;sequencing
- Title
- Identifying glaucoma risk variants in the Norfolk island genetic isolate
- Primary fund type
- CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
- Project ID
- 1058806
- Start year
- 2014
- Keywords
- Glaucoma;Risk Factors;Sequence Analysis;Phenotype-genotype Correlation;Preventive Health
- Title
- The genetic basis of human memory
- Primary fund type
- CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
- Project ID
- DP130101921
- Start year
- 2013
- Keywords
- Human Memory;genetics;genome wide association study
Supervision
Current supervisions
- Ivestigating the Molecular Basis of Concussion Using Whole Exome Sequencing and Bioinformatics
PhD, Principal Supervisor
Other supervisors: Associate Professor Larisa Haupt, Dr Heidi Sutherland - Functional Association of Micrornas with Molecular Subtypes of Breast Cancer
PhD, Principal Supervisor
Other supervisors: Associate Professor Larisa Haupt, Dr Rachel Okolicsanyi - Identification of novel causative genetic and epigenetic factors in migraine
PhD, Principal Supervisor
Other supervisors: Associate Professor Larisa Haupt, Dr Heidi Sutherland - Multigenerational mtGenome Analysis for Identification of Historical Military Remains
PhD, Principal Supervisor
Other supervisors: Associate Professor Larisa Haupt - Identifying New Genetic Factors Behind CADASIL and Related Hereditary Stroke and Vascular Dementia Disorders
PhD, Principal Supervisor
Other supervisors: Associate Professor Larisa Haupt - The Role of Next Generation Sequencing in Newborn Screening
PhD, Principal Supervisor
Other supervisors: Dr Hannah Carter - A Genomic Ancestry Panel for Australian and Japanese WWII Military Remains Recovered in the Asia-Pacific
PhD, Principal Supervisor
Other supervisors: Associate Professor Larisa Haupt - Development of a Y-SNP panel to resolve common haplotypes for the identification of historical military remains
PhD, Principal Supervisor
Other supervisors: Associate Professor Larisa Haupt - Investigating the role of rare genetic variants in migraine subtypes
PhD, Principal Supervisor
Other supervisors: Dr Heidi Sutherland