Carlo Rinaldi awarded Title of Distinction and one of ten inaugural Rare Disease Scholars

November 11, 2024

The University of Oxford has awarded Dr. Carlo Rinaldi the title of Professor of Molecular and Translational Neuroscience in recognition of his significant contributions to neuromuscular disease research.  

Professor Rinaldi leads the neurological disorders theme at the Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre and currently directs graduate studies within Oxford’s Department of Paediatrics. He is also among the ten inaugural recipients of the 2024 Rare Disease Scholar Award.  

Each of the ten OHC Scholars will receive funding and personalised therapeutics development support from industry experts to help bring new therapeutics to market. The aim of the Scholar Award is to advance breakthrough treatments for rare and ultra-rare diseases across neurologic, oncologic, and metabolic disease areas. 

This honor is accompanied by his active involvement with the Oxford-Harrington Centre for Rare Disease (OHC), a collaboration between Oxford University and the Harrington Discovery Institute, aimed at advancing groundbreaking therapies for rare diseases. 

Reflecting on his new title, Professor Rinaldi said: “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.” 

Professor Rinaldi’s work emphasizes nucleic acid therapy for spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), a rare neuromuscular disorder, and reflects his longstanding commitment to bridging gaps between genetic research and patient care.  

He completed his PhD in Translational Neuroscience at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, and established his Oxford research team in 2017, where he has focused on translating scientific discoveries into potential treatments for patients with hereditary neuromuscular diseases. 

With recent advances in gene-editing therapies, Professor Rinaldi envisions a more comprehensive approach to neurological treatments, stating: “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.”  

His research and dedication have cemented him as a vital contributor to OHC’s mission of translating research into real-world therapies for patients with rare genetic diseases worldwide.

To read more about Professor Rinaldi's title of distinction award, visit the IDRM website.