Mayada Elsabbagh, PhD

Mayada Elsabbagh, PhD is Assistant Professor in Neurology and Neurosurgery at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University. She holds appointments as a Research Scientist at the McGill University Health Centre and the Douglas University Mental Health Institute where her program is integrated with routine care.

Her research focuses on understanding the root causes of autism and tracing its developmental pathways. The approach combines innovative research with the mission of accelerating translation of scientific discoveries into community impact.

Mayada’s contributions include the discovery of very early brain function markers for autism prior to the onset of behavioural signs. She has supported the successful launch of several collaborative research and translational networks, aimed at accelerating the pace of discovery in autism. This includes the Transforming Autism Care Consortium (TACC), a Quebec research network supported by FRQ-S and several community partners.

She is also active in global efforts to improve evidence-based practice in the community and capacity building in low- and middle-income countries. The public value and social relevance of Mayada’s research has been recognized through various awards including the Neville Butler Memorial Prize British Psychological Society Neil O’Conner Prize.