Brendan Kelly, Ph.D.

Brendan received his B.S. and M.S. in Biology from Humboldt State University. After initially training in marine biology, he transitioned into regenerative medicine via a CIRM Bridges Fellowship, focusing on the development of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models. He earned his Ph.D. from Cardiff University, where he used cell reprogramming and genome editing to investigate the molecular basis of lysosomal dysfunction in Huntington’s Disease. Brendan has since held postdoctoral positions at the UK Dementia Research Institute and Cardiff University’s Brain Repair Group, specializing in the use of neuronal models to study the pathomechanisms of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s. His background also includes experience in the biotech industry as the first employee of an iPSC manufacturing startup. In addition to his research, Brendan is a Cardiff University Education Associate Fellow and has extensive experience mentoring students in advanced laboratory techniques.