Dr Simon Akerman MD, PhD

Dr Simon Akerman received academic training at the University of Birmingham (BSc with honours in Psychology) and Institute of Psychiatry, University of London (MSc in Neuroscience). He completed his PhD studies at the Institute of Neurology, University College London in Neurological Sciences in 2003, investigating the pathophysiological mechanisms related to primary headache disorders, under the supervision of Dr Peter J Goadsby. He conducted postdoctoral research studies in primary headache disorders at University College London and the University of California, San Francisco, and also at the University of Sheffield in Surgical Oncology. Prior to entering the faculty as a full-time academic he was also a Senior Scientist at Eli Lilly in their Pain and Migraine research program. He was appointed as faculty at University of California, San Francisco in the Department of Neurology in 2011, and is currently a member of faculty at New York University College of Dentistry. Dr. Akerman has made many significant contributions to our understanding of the pathophysiology of primary headache disorders over the last 15 years, which have included developing several animal models. He has received various awards for these efforts, including the 2009 AHS Harold G. Wolff lecture award and the 2012 AAN Wolff-Graham Award.

His major research interests continue to focus on the basic neural mechanisms related to primary headache disorders, migraine co-morbidities, and the identification of novel treatment targets. Dr. Akerman’s laboratory utilises many preclinical neurophysiological, behavioral and biochemistry techniques, and his research is currently focussed on the mechanisms related to triggers of primary headaches, and the role of vasoactive neuropeptides, including CGRP and PACAP, in this process. Dr. Akerman is also a strong advocate of basic science research education, and he has mentored many research scientists during his time in academia, including members of this editorial board.