Marina Emborg

Marina Emborg. She is a prominent neuroscientist and translational researcher renowned for her pioneering work in developing advanced non-human primate models of Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. Her research at the intersection of preclinical research, cell therapy, and gene therapy has been instrumental in bridging the gap between laboratory discoveries and clinical applications for neurological conditions. Emborg serves as a senior scientist and the head of the Preclinical Parkinson's Research Program at the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center and is a professor in the Department of Medical Physics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Early life and education

Marina Emborg completed her professional degree in pharmacy and biochemistry at the prestigious University of Buenos Aires in Argentina. Her early academic training provided a strong foundation in the biological sciences, which she later applied to neurological research. She pursued further specialization through postdoctoral training in the United States, focusing on the intricate neuroanatomy and neurochemistry of the basal ganglia, a key brain region affected in movement disorders. This formative period solidified her research interest in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease and the challenges of therapeutic intervention.

Research and career

Emborg's career has been primarily centered at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and its affiliated Wisconsin National Primate Research Center (WNPRC), one of the seven National Primate Research Centers funded by the National Institutes of Health. At the WNPRC, she leads a comprehensive research program utilizing rhesus macaques and other primate species to model human neurological diseases with high fidelity. Her laboratory employs advanced techniques such as neuroimaging (including positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging), stereotactic surgery, and behavioral analysis to evaluate novel treatments. She collaborates extensively with teams across the United States and internationally, including researchers at the University of California, San Francisco and the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

Contributions to neuroscience

Emborg's most significant contributions lie in creating and validating refined primate models of Parkinson's disease, particularly those induced by the neurotoxin MPTP. These models are critical for testing the safety and efficacy of emerging therapies before human clinical trials. Her work has extensively explored stem cell-based therapies, investigating the transplantation of dopaminergic neurons derived from sources like induced pluripotent stem cells. Furthermore, she has made substantial advances in gene therapy for Parkinson's, evaluating viral vectors such as adeno-associated virus to deliver therapeutic genes like GDNF (glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor). Her research also encompasses the study of non-motor symptoms and cognitive impairment in Parkinson's, providing a more complete picture of the disease.

Awards and honors

In recognition of her impactful translational research, Marina Emborg has received several notable awards. She is a recipient of the prestigious National Institutes of Health Director's Award, which honors exceptional contributions to the NIH mission. Her research has been consistently funded by major agencies, including the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs. She is a frequent invited speaker at major conferences, including those organized by the Society for Neuroscience and the International Congress of Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders.

Selected publications

Emborg's research is documented in a wide array of peer-reviewed articles in high-impact journals. Selected key publications include studies on the long-term assessment of iPSC-derived dopamine neuron grafts in primate models published in *Cell Reports* and *Nature Communications*. She has authored pivotal papers on AAV-mediated GDNF delivery for neuroprotection in *Science Translational Medicine*. Her work on modeling gastrointestinal dysfunction and alpha-synuclein pathology in primates has appeared in *npj Parkinson's Disease* and *Acta Neuropathologica*. These publications represent her multidisciplinary approach to tackling the complexities of neurodegenerative disease.

Category:American neuroscientists Category:University of Wisconsin–Madison faculty Category:Parkinson's disease researchers