Professor Frank Mastaglia AM is a distinguished Western Australian neurologist and foundational leader in neuromuscular and restorative neurology. Over six decades, his work has advanced the understanding and management of inflammatory muscle disease, neuromuscular disorders, Parkinson’s disease and neurological recovery. He serves as a Senior Adviser at the Perron Institute and provides scientific leadership within its Restorative Neurology research.

After graduating in medicine from The University of Western Australia, Professor Mastaglia trained at neurological centres in London, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He held the Chair of Experimental Neurology at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne before returning to Perth as Professor of Neurology, Head of Neurology at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and Head of UWA’s Department of Medicine.

Professor Mastaglia joined the Institute in 1990 and established specialist clinics for inflammatory muscle diseases and neuromuscular disorders. These multidisciplinary services brought neurologists and immunologists together and helped shape the Institute’s model of integrated research and clinical care.

He contributes to research in Parkinson’s disease and personalised medicine. Recent work has examined how patterns of alpha-synuclein dysfunction may require distinct therapeutic strategies, supporting more biologically informed treatment.

Appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2021 for significant service to neuromuscular disease and professional associations, Professor Mastaglia has also mentored generations of neurologists and neuroscientists. His clinical judgement, intellectual leadership and commitment to patients have left a lasting legacy across neurological research and care in Western Australia.

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