News
Carlo Rinaldi Awarded Title Of Distinction
Congratulations to Carlo Rinaldi, who was recently awarded the title of Professor of Molecular and Translational Neuroscience.
Professor Rinaldi is the Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Paediatrics, a Wellcome Trust Intermediate Fellow, and a Group Leader at the IDRM. As a clinically trained neurologist, he specialised in caring for patients with hereditary neurological and neuromuscular diseases. He completed a PhD in Translational Neuroscience at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, US, before starting his own research group at Oxford University in 2017. Here we talk to him about his achievement and how the IDRM ethos of collaboration helps drive his research.
Congratulations on your recent title of distinction award, Professor of Molecular and Translational Neuroscience. What has this achievement meant to you personally and professionally?
Thank you! This title is truly a humbling recognition, and it feels like the perfect opportunity to pause and reflect on the journey that brought me here. It reminds me of all the incredible people I've had the privilege to work with along the way — mentors, colleagues, students, and collaborators — each of whom has played a role in shaping my path. Their support and inspiration have been instrumental in helping me reach this milestone.
On a personal level, it’s a bit surreal. In some ways, it feels as though the path that was once clearly laid out beneath my feet has come to an end. Now, moving forward, I have to carve out my own direction, which is both daunting and incredibly exciting! I'm eager to embrace the challenge of creating new possibilities and continuing to contribute to the ever-evolving field of molecular and translational neuroscience. This is just the beginning of a new chapter.
What inspired you to pursue research into neuromuscular diseases?
Personally, the inspiration traces back to high school, when my science teacher was diagnosed with ALS, a devastating neuromuscular disease. Witnessing the rapid progression of the disease and the profound impact it had on her and those around her was heartbreaking and left a deep impression on me.
On a scientific level, neuromuscular diseases are incredibly rich with disease genes, yet there are so few treatments available to patients. This gap between the wealth of genetic knowledge and the scarcity of therapeutic options is what drives me. The potential to contribute to bridging that gap is what fuels my passion for this research.
What recent advancements in your own research or broader field excite you the most?
One of the most exciting recent advancements, both in my own research and in the broader field, is the FDA’s approval of the first gene-editing therapy for sickle cell disease just last year. This is a groundbreaking moment in medicine — the ability to effectively cure a genetic disease at its source through gene editing was once thought to be science fiction, and now it’s a reality. This opens up thrilling new possibilities, not just for sickle cell patients, but for a range of genetic and neuromuscular diseases. The potential to develop similar treatments that can directly target disease-causing genes is a huge leap forward and offers hope to so many who have long been underserved by current therapies. It’s a game-changer for the field.
How do you see your research evolving over the next five years?
Over the next five years, I see my research evolving from a "one gene, one therapy" model to a more comprehensive genomic approach. Rather than developing treatments for individual diseases one at a time, the goal is to create scalable strategies that can be applied across multiple neurological disorders. This shift will enable us to accelerate the development of treatments and bring them to patients faster and more effectively.
What role does collaboration play in your team? How do you foster effective teamwork?
Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do in my team. Therapeutic development is incredibly complex, requiring expertise across many disciplines — from molecular biology to bioinformatics and clinical medicine. Effective teamwork allows us to tackle these challenges from multiple angles and move the science forward more quickly and innovatively.
To foster this, I emphasize open communication and mutual respect within the team. Everyone brings something unique to the table, and I encourage a culture where ideas can flow freely and diverse perspectives are valued. Regular team meetings, cross-disciplinary projects, and shared goals help keep us aligned and engaged. By creating a collaborative and supportive environment, we’re able to push each other to think creatively, solve problems more effectively, and make meaningful progress toward our shared mission.
How does IDRM culture support research and innovation within your team?
The culture at IDRM is incredibly supportive of research and innovation within my team. The diverse seminars expose us to developments from other fields, often inspiring new ideas for our own work. The shared microscopy facility is a crucial resource, giving us access to advanced technology that accelerates our research. Beyond that, the spontaneous conversations sparked around the coffee machines play a huge role in fostering teamwork and sparking new collaborations. After all, some of the best ideas often brew over a cup of coffee — so we take our coffee machines very seriously around here!
Learn more about Carlo's research at the IDRM.