Newswise — Eugene C. Lai, M.D., Ph.D., recently joined the Methodist Neurological Institute and holds the Robert W. Hervey Distinguished Endowed Chair for Parkinson’s Disease Research and Treatment. Lai is also Professor of Neurology and Director of the Neurodegenerative Disease Clinic.

Lai received his bachelor degree in biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin, and his doctorate degree, also in biochemistry, from the University of Washington. He completed his medical and neurology residency training at Baylor College of Medicine.

Lai is a clinician-scientist who has special interests in the causes and treatments of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other related disorders. He also has expertise in the assessment of motor function and quality of life. Lai has more than 100 scientific publications and book chapters, and has lectured widely on neurodegenerative diseases.

Lai is board certified in neurology and is also a member of the American Medical Association, American Academy of Neurology, Society for Neuroscience, and Movement Disorder Society. He is a member of the Executive Board of the Houston Area Parkinson Society and the Medical Advisory Board of the Parkinson Foundation of Harris County. Lai is the past President of the Houston Neurological Society and has also served as the Vice-President of the Texas Neurological Society.

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