Steven Petrou

Professor Steven Petrou is the Director of the Florey and head of the Ion Channels and Human Diseases laboratory.

Steven is a globally-recognised leader in the field of ion channel neuropathies, with a particular focus on rare epileptic encephalopathies. These are a range of genetic epilepsies affecting infants and young children with devastating impacts for them and their families.

Steven has published extensively and has an h-index of 43. Steven is acutely aware of the need to translate discoveries to treatments, and is the co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of RogCon Bio, pioneering breakthroughs for epileptic encephalopathies caused by SCN2A mutations.

Currently, Steven has attracted over $40 million in research support, including $14 million as Chief Investigator on the NHMRC Program Grant "Neurobiology of Human Epilepsy: Genes, Cellular Mechanisms, Networks and Whole Brain".

Steven is actively involved in teaching, and has supervised 21 honours students and completed 12 PhD students. Steven currently supervises 10 PhD students (7 as primary) including three interdisciplinary PhD students in engineering and physics.

Steven is passionate about consumer engagement and public outreach, and regularly participates in genetic epilepsy family forums and public lectures.