Catherine McKenzie

Catherine McKenzie is a Discovery Scientist at Roche, specializing in gene therapy for neurological conditions and rare diseases. She has been with Roche since March 2022, where she focuses on AAV (Adeno-Associated Virus) Gene Therapy within the neuroscience sector. Her work involves innovative molecular approaches aimed at developing life-altering genetic therapeutics.13

Educational Background

Catherine holds a Ph.D. in synthetic physiology and neuroscience from the Institute of Science and Technology Austria, which she completed in 2018. Prior to that, she earned an Associate PhD in molecular drug targets from the University of Vienna and a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a focus on neuroscience from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD).12

Professional Experience

Before joining Roche, Catherine was a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience in Bordeaux, France, from March 2019 to November 2021. Her research there focused on synaptic organization and function using advanced techniques such as super-resolution microscopy.12

Her earlier roles include positions as a Research Assistant at the Medical University of Vienna and an Independent Researcher at UCSD, where she investigated behavioral modulation in Drosophila melanogaster.1

Research Interests

Catherine's research interests lie in advancing gene therapy as a viable treatment option for severe neurological diseases. She has a strong background in combinatorial genetic engineering, molecular biology, cellular biology, and neuroscience.13

Additional Information

In addition to her scientific work, Catherine has been involved in mentoring programs aimed at promoting STEM education among high school students.1 She is proficient in English and has elementary proficiency in French and limited working proficiency in German.1