Prof Steve Vucic

Professor Ostoja (Steve) Vucic is a senior staff specialist in neurology at Westmead Hospital (FRACP), clinical academic and translational researcher at the University of Sydney, whose pioneering research in the field of neuroscience has uncovered novel pathophysiological processes in neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal dementia and progressive forms of multiple sclerosis.

Professor Vucic was awarded a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery degree (Class 1 honors, 1996), from the University of Sydney, after which he undertook residence and specialty neurology training at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney (1997-2002). Upon completion of the neurology residence, he was appointed as the neurophysiology/neuromuscular fellow at the Massachusetts General Hospital (2002-2004) and Harvard Medical Fellow (2002-2005). He returned to Australia in 2005 and completed a PhD thesis titled "Pathophysiology of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis" (2005-2008, University of New South Wales). In 2008 he was appointed a staff specialist in neurology and Director of Neurophysiology at Westmead Hospital, and Senior Lecturer (University of Sydney). In 2010 he was appointed Associate Professor at University of Sydney and in 2014 to full Professor of Medicine in 2014.

Professor Vucic has significantly enhanced the understanding of the pathophysiological processes underlying ALS, with the key discoveries relating to the identification of "cortical hyperexcitability" an initial and driving mechahnism in ALS. This important discovery has resolved a vital question pertaining to ALS pathogenesis, namely the site of disease onset, a resarch question which dates back to the original description of ALS some 150 years ago. Professor Vucic has gained an international reputation for his research in neurodegenerative diseases underscored by award of numerous national and international prizes (see below and curriculum vitae), including the highly prestigious Gottschalk Medal by the Australian Academy of Science (2016) for outstanding research in biomedical sciences, as well as the Eric Susman Award (2017) by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians for outstanding achievement in research in any branch of internal medicine. In addition, Professor Vucic has received media coverage, including radio, television and print (including Time Magazine in 2006) and has been invited to present at numerous national and international neuroscience meetings.

Professor Vucic has published 235 manuscripts in peer reviewed journals, including Lancet, Lancet Neurology, Brain, Nature Genetics, JAMA Neurology. His research has attracted over 10,000 citations (>8000 since 2013) with a H-index of 43 and an i10-index of 132. Professor Vucic has also published a number of book chapters and a textbook titled "Practical Approach to Electromyography" with international collaborators from the Harvard Medical School, Harvard University.

Professor Vucic is an internationally recognized specialist in the management of a variety of neurological disease including:
- Motor Neuron Disease (MND)
- Diseases of nervce and muscle
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Neurophysiology (nerve conduction studies, evoked potentials, transcranial magnetic stimulation)
- Botulinum toxin therapy for migraine headaches, axillary hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) hemifacial spasms, cervical dystonic, blepharospasms, spasticity.

Professor Vucic also has expertise in general neurological diseases consulting at Westmead Public Hospital (one of the largest hospitals in Australia), as well as Westmead Private Hospital and Norwest Private Hospital.

Norwest Private Hospital
Westmead Public Hospital
Westmead Private Hospital

Neurodegenerative disorders