Ingrid Scheffer

Professor Ingrid Scheffer is a paediatric neurologist and epileptologist at the University of Melbourne. Her work together with Professor Sam Berkovic and collaborating molecular geneticists has led the field of epilepsy genetics research over the last 22 years. This collaboration resulted in identification of the first epilepsy gene and more than half of the genes currently known. Professor Scheffer has described many novel epilepsy syndromes and continues to work on genotype–phenotype correlation. Professor Scheffer’s research interests include genetics of epilepsy, epilepsy syndrome classification, and genetics of autism spectrum disorders and speech and language disorders. She was awarded the 2007 American Epilepsy Society Clinical Research Recognition Award, the 2009 Eric Susman Prize from the Royal Australasian College Of Physicians and the L’Oréal-UNESCO Women in Science Laureate for the Asia-Pacific region for 2012. Professor Scheffer is currently Chair of the International League Against Epilepsy Commission for Classification and Terminology and will receive the ILAE Ambassador for Epilepsy Award, the Australian Neuroscience Medallion and the Emil Becker Prize for child neurology in 2013.