A world-renowned geneticist, Dr. Michael Hayden has used his scientific discoveries and talents to benefit humanity.

He has made outstanding contributions in the areas of genetics, Huntington’s and other neurodegenerative diseases, lipid disorders, and type 2 diabetes.

As Director of the Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at the University of British Columbia and the Child and Family Research Institute, Dr. Hayden has built a leading centre for genetics research in Canada. Together with his colleagues, he has indentified seven causal genes for devastating diseases.

He is the most cited author in the world of Huntington disease.  He also plays a key role in communication around genetics and the public. He is frequently called upon to provide important advice to various levels of government.

Dr. Hayden is a Killam Professor of Medical Genetics at UBC and Canada Research Chair in Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine.

In 2008 Dr. Hayden was named Canada’s Health Researcher of the Year by the Canada Institutes for Health Research.

Outside of the laboratory, Dr. Hayden founded the first summer camp for Huntington disease patients in North America which has been operating since 1984 and is spearheading building a youth centre for young women with AIDS in Cape Town, South Africa.