Dr Frederik Steyn

Dr Frederik Steyn is a network member of the MND Collective at UQ.
Researcher biography
Dr Steyn started his career as a Biomedical Researcher conducting mechanistic studies that define hypothalamic integration of energy homeostasis, growth and reproduction. He developed transformative methodologies that are the industry gold-standard for the assessment of patterned hormone release in murine models of disease. In 2015, Dr Steyn extended this research focus to conduct studies to improve understanding of neurodegenerative disease. He developed methodologies for improved assessment of energy expenditure in patients with Motor Neurone Disease and established a research platform at UQ for improved assessment of the impact of hypermetabolism on disease progression in people living with neurodegenerative disease.
Dr Steyn currently oversees a pre-clinical and clinical research program that aims to increase our understanding of the heteregoneity of neurodegenerative diseases. As part of these studies, Dr Steyn's group aims to improve our understanding of the physiological response to disease, and specifically neurodegenerative diseases that are defined by the loss of upper and lower motor neurones. Within this program, he conducts studies on the role of metabolism on the progression of neurodegenerative disease (MEND-MND), and the effects of loss of appetite and impaired body weight regulation (EATT4MND) quality of life and disease progression. As part of these studies he is working closely with industry to develop new therapies for treating MND, while establishing improved methodologies for monitoring the progression and impact of therapy of disease outcome.