Marc Tessier-Lavigne

Marc Tessier-Lavigne at Rally for Medical Research

Canadian-born neuroscientist and academic administrator

Marc Tessier-Lavigne

Born	Birth date -1st March 1966
Birth place	Trenton, Ontario, Canada
Nationality	Canadian
Known for	Research on axon guidance and neural development

Marc Tessier-Lavigne (born December 18, 1959) is a Canadian-born neuroscientist and academic administrator. He is known for his research on axon guidance and neural development. Tessier-Lavigne has held prominent positions in both academia and industry, including serving as the President of Stanford University.

Early life and education

Marc Tessier-Lavigne was born in Trenton, Ontario, Canada. He completed his undergraduate studies at McGill University in Montreal, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physics in 1980. He then attended the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and physiology in 1982. Tessier-Lavigne earned his Ph.D. in physiology from University College London in 1987.

Career

Academic career

Tessier-Lavigne began his academic career as an assistant professor at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) in 1991. He later moved to Stanford University, where he became a professor of biological sciences and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator. His research focused on the molecular mechanisms that control the development of neural circuits in the brain and spinal cord.

In 2003, Tessier-Lavigne joined Genentech, a biotechnology company, as Senior Vice President of Research Drug Discovery. He was later promoted to Executive Vice President for Research and Chief Scientific Officer.

In 2011, Tessier-Lavigne was appointed President of Rockefeller University, a position he held until 2016. During his tenure, he continued his research on neural development and axon guidance.

Stanford University

In 2016, Tessier-Lavigne became the 11th President of Stanford University. As President, he has focused on initiatives to advance the university's research and educational missions, including efforts to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation.

Research

Tessier-Lavigne's research has significantly advanced the understanding of how neural circuits are formed during development. His work on axon guidance has identified key molecules and signaling pathways that direct the growth of axons to their appropriate targets in the nervous system. This research has implications for understanding and potentially treating neurological disorders and injuries.

Awards and honors

Tessier-Lavigne has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to neuroscience, including election to the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Personal life

Tessier-Lavigne is married and has three children. He holds dual citizenship in Canada and the United States.

See also

• Neuroscience
• Stanford University
• Rockefeller University
• Genentech