Associate Professor Miguel Rentería
Associate Professor

Miguel Rentería

Email: 

Background

I am a genetic epidemiologist specialising in the genetics of neurodegenerative diseases, with a particular focus on Parkinson’s disease, chronic pain, and other age-related conditions. I lead a dynamic team of scientists dedicated to understanding how genetic and environmental factors influence neurodegeneration, brain health, and related health outcomes. My research is interdisciplinary, integrating advanced statistical genetics, bioinformatics, and data science to unravel disease mechanisms, improve patient stratification, and identify potential therapeutic targets.

In 2020, I founded the Australian Parkinson’s Genetics Study (APGS), now the largest Parkinson’s cohort in Australia with over 10,000 participants. This landmark study has positioned Australia as a key contributor to global Parkinson’s genetics research. I am also actively involved in the Global Parkinson’s Genetics Program (GP2), where I contribute to large-scale data analysis and work within the underrepresented populations working group to enhance diversity in genetic research worldwide.

Committed to training the next generation of researchers, I have supervised over 16 students, including several PhD candidates who have gone on to successful careers in academia and industry. Two of my recent PhD graduates received the Outstanding Thesis Award, and another received the AIPS Florey Next Generation Award.

I have published consistently in prominent journals, including Nature, Nature Genetics, Nature Communications, BRAIN, Biological Psychiatry, and SLEEP. To date, I have authored over 100 academic articles, which have been widely cited, and I have secured competitive funding from NHMRC, MRFF, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Shake It Up Australia Foundation, the US National Institutes of Health, and the Alzheimer’s Association. My work has been recognised with several prestigious awards, including the 2023 Al & Val Rosenstrauss Fellowship from the Rebecca L Cooper Medical Research Foundation, the 2021 Enrico Greppi International Migraine Research Award, and the 2024 Adele Green Emerging Leader Award from QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute. I am also a Global Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health, a program by the University of California San Francisco and Trinity College Dublin, which supports my commitment to promoting brain health equity worldwide.

Availability

Associate Professor Miguel Rentería is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Neurology and neuromuscular diseases Neurosciences

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Genomics, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)
  • Doctor of Philosophy of Genetics, The University of Queensland
  • Masters (Coursework) of Public Policy, University of Oxford

Search Professor Miguel Rentería’s works on UQ eSpace

162 works between 2008 and 2025
All (162) Journal Article (120) Book Chapter (2) Conference Publication (27) Other Outputs (13)

1 - 20 of 162 works

2025

Journal Article

Sex differences in the diagnosis latency of Parkinson's disease in Latin America

Ramchandra, Janvi, Inca-Martinez, Miguel, Leal, Thiago Peixoto, Chaparro-Solano, Henry Mauricio, Salim, Amira, Gatto, Emilia M., Rojas, Natalia González, Da Prat, Gustavo, Micheli, Federico, Santos-Lobato, Bruno Lopes, Cardoso, Francisco E.C., Camargos, Sarah, Letro, Grace H., Braga-Neto, Pedro, Peixoto, Vitória Maria Torres, Schuh, Artur F.S., Tumas, Vitor, Brito, Manuelina M., Borges, Vanderci, Candeias da Silva, Carolina, Ferraz, Henrique B., Chana-Cuevas, Pedro, Saffie-Awad, Paula, Olguin, Patricio, Colombo, Alicia, de la Cerda, Andres, Farías, Gonzalo A., Nuñez, Juan Cristobal, Arboleda, Gonzalo ... Mata, Ignacio F. (2025). Sex differences in the diagnosis latency of Parkinson's disease in Latin America. Parkinsonism & Related Disorders, 134 107344, 107344. doi: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2025.107344

Sex differences in the diagnosis latency of Parkinson's disease in Latin America

2025

Journal Article

Quality of life disparities among Mexican people with systemic lupus erythematosus

Hernández-Ledesma, Ana Laura, Martínez, Domingo, Fajardo-Brigido, Elizabeth, Román-López, Talía V., Nuñez-Reza, Karen J., Tapia-Atilano, Andrea Y., Vera del Valle, Sandra V., Domínguez-Zúñiga, Donají, Tinajero-Nieto, Lizbet, Peña-Ayala, Angélica, Torres-Valdez, Estefania, Frontana-Vázquez, Gabriel, Gutiérrez-Arcelus, María, Rosetti, Florencia, Alcauter, Sarael, Rentería, Miguel E., Ruiz-Contreras, Alejandra E., Alpízar-Rodríguez, Deshiré and Medina-Rivera, Alejandra (2025). Quality of life disparities among Mexican people with systemic lupus erythematosus. PLOS Digital Health, 4 (1) e0000706, e0000706. doi: 10.1371/journal.pdig.0000706

Quality of life disparities among Mexican people with systemic lupus erythematosus

2025

Journal Article

Trans-ancestry genome-wide study of depression identifies 697 associations implicating cell types and pharmacotherapies

Adams, Mark J., Streit, Fabian, Meng, Xiangrui, Awasthi, Swapnil, Adey, Brett N., Choi, Karmel W., Chundru, V. Kartik, Coleman, Jonathan R.I., Ferwerda, Bart, Foo, Jerome C., Gerring, Zachary F., Giannakopoulou, Olga, Gupta, Priya, Hall, Alisha S.M., Harder, Arvid, Howard, David M., Hübel, Christopher, Kwong, Alex S.F., Levey, Daniel F., Mitchell, Brittany L., Ni, Guiyan, Ota, Vanessa K., Pain, Oliver, Pathak, Gita A., Schulte, Eva C., Shen, Xueyi, Thorp, Jackson G., Walker, Alicia, Yao, Shuyang ... McIntosh, Andrew M. (2025). Trans-ancestry genome-wide study of depression identifies 697 associations implicating cell types and pharmacotherapies. Cell, 188 (3), 640-652.e9. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.12.002

Trans-ancestry genome-wide study of depression identifies 697 associations implicating cell types and pharmacotherapies

2024

Conference Publication

“Polygenic Genetic Risk Factors in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Case‐Control Study in Peruvian Population”

Zegarra‐Valdivia, Jonathan Adrian, Arana‐Nombera, Harold Alessandro, Perez‐Fernandez, Leandro Aron, Casimiro‐Arana, Milagros del Rocio, Alamo‐Medina, Reyna Elizabeth, Gallegos‐Manayay, Viviana Nayelli, Oliva‐Piscoya, María del Rosario, Vásquez‐Zuñe, Nobuko, Abanto‐Saldaña, Eduardo Sebastián, Ordinola, Maria Celinda Cruz, Manrique, Carmen Paredes, Renteria, Miguel E., Castro‐Suarez, Sheila and Neuroscience and Mental Health Group (2024). “Polygenic Genetic Risk Factors in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Case‐Control Study in Peruvian Population”. Alzheimer’s Association International Conference AAIC 2024, Philadelphia, PA United States, 28 July –1 August 2024. Hoboken, NJ United States: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1002/alz.092361

“Polygenic Genetic Risk Factors in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Case‐Control Study in Peruvian Population”

2024

Journal Article

Parkinson's Disease Polygenic Risk Score and Neurological Involvement in Carriers of the <scp><i>FMR1</i></scp> Premutation Allele: A Case for Genetic Modifier

Loesch, Danuta Z., Chafota, Freddy, Bui, Minh Q., Storey, Elsdon, Atkinson, Anna, Martin, Nicholas G., Gordon, Scott D., Rentería, Miguel E., Hagerman, Randi J. and Tassone, Flora (2024). Parkinson's Disease Polygenic Risk Score and Neurological Involvement in Carriers of the FMR1 Premutation Allele: A Case for Genetic Modifier. Molecular Genetics & Genomic Medicine, 12 (11) e70043. doi: 10.1002/mgg3.70043

Parkinson's Disease Polygenic Risk Score and Neurological Involvement in Carriers of the <scp><i>FMR1</i></scp> Premutation Allele: A Case for Genetic Modifier

2024

Journal Article

Uncovering genetic loci and biological pathways associated with age-related cataracts through GWAS meta-analysis

Diaz-Torres, Santiago, Lee, Samantha Sze-Yee, García-Marín, Luis M., Campos, Adrian I., Lingham, Garreth, Ong, Jue-Sheng, Mackey, David A., Burdon, Kathryn P., Hunter, Michael, Dong, Xianjun, MacGregor, Stuart, Gharahkhani, Puya and Rentería, Miguel E. (2024). Uncovering genetic loci and biological pathways associated with age-related cataracts through GWAS meta-analysis. Nature Communications, 15 (1) 9116, 1-10. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-53212-6

Uncovering genetic loci and biological pathways associated with age-related cataracts through GWAS meta-analysis

2024

Journal Article

Genomic analysis of intracranial and subcortical brain volumes yields polygenic scores accounting for variation across ancestries

García-Marín, Luis M., Campos, Adrian I., Diaz-Torres, Santiago, Rabinowitz, Jill A., Ceja, Zuriel, Mitchell, Brittany L., Grasby, Katrina L., Thorp, Jackson G., Agartz, Ingrid, Alhusaini, Saud, Ames, David, Amouyel, Philippe, Andreassen, Ole A., Arfanakis, Konstantinos, Arias-Vasquez, Alejandro, Armstrong, Nicola J., Athanasiu, Lavinia, Bastin, Mark E., Beiser, Alexa S., Bennett, David A., Bis, Joshua C., Boks, Marco P. M., Boomsma, Dorret I., Brodaty, Henry, Brouwer, Rachel M., Buitelaar, Jan K., Burkhardt, Ralph, Cahn, Wiepke, Calhoun, Vince D. ... Rentería, Miguel E. (2024). Genomic analysis of intracranial and subcortical brain volumes yields polygenic scores accounting for variation across ancestries. Nature Genetics, 56 (11), 1-12. doi: 10.1038/s41588-024-01951-z

Genomic analysis of intracranial and subcortical brain volumes yields polygenic scores accounting for variation across ancestries

2024

Conference Publication

Genetic And Psychological Predictors Of Suicidal Behavior: Insights From Polygenic Risk Scores And Mental Health Diagnoses

Ceja, Zuriel, Edwards, Alexis, Martin, Nick, Hickie, Ian, Medland, Sarah E. and Rentería, Miguel E. (2024). Genetic And Psychological Predictors Of Suicidal Behavior: Insights From Polygenic Risk Scores And Mental Health Diagnoses. World Congress of Psychiatric Genetics WCPG 2024, Singapore, 15-19 October 2024. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2024.08.324

Genetic And Psychological Predictors Of Suicidal Behavior: Insights From Polygenic Risk Scores And Mental Health Diagnoses

2024

Journal Article

Recent breakthroughs in genetic and brain structural correlates of suicidal behaviours: A short review

Ceja, Zuriel, Van Velzen, Laura S., Campos, Adrian I., Jahanshad, Neda, Medland, Sarah E., Edwards, Alexis C., Schmaal, Lianne and Rentería, Miguel E. (2024). Recent breakthroughs in genetic and brain structural correlates of suicidal behaviours: A short review. Biological Psychiatry. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2024.09.010

Recent breakthroughs in genetic and brain structural correlates of suicidal behaviours: A short review

2024

Journal Article

Macular structural integrity estimates are associated with Parkinson’s disease genetic risk

Diaz-Torres, Santiago, Lee, Samantha Sze-Yee, Ogonowski, Natalia S., Mackey, David A., MacGregor, Stuart, Gharahkhani, Puya and Renteria, Miguel E. (2024). Macular structural integrity estimates are associated with Parkinson’s disease genetic risk. Acta Neuropathologica Communications, 12 130. doi: 10.1186/s40478-024-01841-9

Macular structural integrity estimates are associated with Parkinson’s disease genetic risk

2024

Conference Publication

Monogenic Parkinson’s Disease Australia (MonoPDAus) initiative: study protocol

Yeow, Dennis, Rudaks, Laura I, García-Marín, Luis M, Flores-Ocampo, Victor, Morales-Briceño, Hugo, Yau, Wai Y, Kõks, Sulev, Mellick, George D, Fung, Victor SC, Tisch, Stephen, Wu, Kathy HC, Schofield, Deborah, Willis, Amanda M, Klein, Christine, Sue, Carolyn M, Davis, Ryan L, Young, Mary-Anne, Rentería, Miguel E, Kumar, Kishore R and Global Parkinson’s Genetics Program (GP2) Investigators and MonoPDAus Investigators (2024). Monogenic Parkinson’s Disease Australia (MonoPDAus) initiative: study protocol. ANZAN Annual Scientific Meeting, Jakarta, Indonesia, 10-14 September 2024. London, United Kingdom: BMJ Group. doi: 10.1136/bmjno-2024-anzan.60

Monogenic Parkinson’s Disease Australia (MonoPDAus) initiative: study protocol

2024

Journal Article

Building national patient registries in Mexico: insights from the MexOMICS Consortium

Reyes-Pérez, Paula, Hernández-Ledesma, Ana Laura, Román-López, Talía V., García-Vilchis, Brisa, Ramírez-González, Diego, Lázaro-Figueroa, Alejandra, Martinez, Domingo, Flores-Ocampo, Victor, Espinosa-Méndez, Ian M., Tinajero-Nieto, Lizbet, Peña-Ayala, Angélica, Morelos-Figaredo, Eugenia, Guerra-Galicia, Carlos M., Torres-Valdez, Estefania, Gordillo-Huerta, María Vanessa, Gandarilla-Martínez, Nadia A, Salinas-Barboza, Karla, Félix-Rodríguez, Guillermo, Frontana-Vázquez, Gabriel, Matuk-Pérez, Yamil, Estrada-Bellmann, Ingrid, Alpizar-Rodríguez, Deshiré, Rodríguez-Violante, Mayela, Rentería, Miguel E., Ruíz-Contreras, Alejandra E., Alcauter, Sarael and Medina-Rivera, Alejandra (2024). Building national patient registries in Mexico: insights from the MexOMICS Consortium. Frontiers in Digital Health, 6 1344103, 1-14. doi: 10.3389/fdgth.2024.1344103

Building national patient registries in Mexico: insights from the MexOMICS Consortium

2024

Journal Article

Genetic variants for head size share genes and pathways with cancer

Knol, Maria J., Poot, Raymond A., Evans, Tavia E., Satizabal, Claudia L., Mishra, Aniket, Sargurupremraj, Muralidharan, van der Auwera, Sandra, Duperron, Marie-Gabrielle, Jian, Xueqiu, Hostettler, Isabel C., van Dam-Nolen, Dianne H.K., Lamballais, Sander, Pawlak, Mikolaj A., Lewis, Cora E., Carrion-Castillo, Amaia, van Erp, Theo G.M., Reinbold, Céline S., Shin, Jean, Scholz, Markus, Håberg, Asta K., Kämpe, Anders, Li, Gloria H.Y., Avinun, Reut, Atkins, Joshua R., Hsu, Fang-Chi, Amod, Alyssa R., Lam, Max, Tsuchida, Ami, Teunissen, Mariël W.A. ... The Enhancing NeuroImaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis (ENIGMA) Consortium (2024). Genetic variants for head size share genes and pathways with cancer. Cell Reports Medicine, 5 (5) 101529. doi: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101529

Genetic variants for head size share genes and pathways with cancer

2024

Journal Article

TwinsMX: exploring the genetic and environmental influences on health traits in the Mexican population

García-Vilchis, Brisa, Román-López, Talia V., Ramírez-González, Diego, López-Camaño, Xanat J., Murillo-Lechuga, Vanessa, Díaz-Téllez, Xóchitl, Sánchez-Moncada, C. Itzamná, Espinosa-Méndez, Ian M., Zenteno-Morales, Diego, Espinosa-Valdes, Zaida X., Pradel-Jiménez, Sofia, Tapia-Atilano, Andrea, Zanabria-Pérez, Ana V., Livas-Gangas, Federica, Aldana-Assad, Oscar, Caballero-Sánchez, Ulises, Dominguez-Frausto, César A., Rentería, Miguel E., Medina-Rivera, Alejandra, Alcauter, Sarael and Ruiz-Contreras, Alejandra E. (2024). TwinsMX: exploring the genetic and environmental influences on health traits in the Mexican population. Twin Research and Human Genetics, 27 (2), 85-96. doi: 10.1017/thg.2024.18

TwinsMX: exploring the genetic and environmental influences on health traits in the Mexican population

2024

Journal Article

Fighting plastic pollution with a circular economy roadmap and strategy: Addressed to the United Nations Environment Programme

García-Marín, Luis M. and Rentería, Miguel E. (2024). Fighting plastic pollution with a circular economy roadmap and strategy: Addressed to the United Nations Environment Programme. Journal of Science Policy & Governance, 24 (1), 1-11. doi: 10.38126/jspg240107

Fighting plastic pollution with a circular economy roadmap and strategy: Addressed to the United Nations Environment Programme

2024

Journal Article

Impact of genetic predisposition to late-onset neurodegenerative diseases on early life outcomes and brain structure

Ogonowski, Natalia S., García-Marín, Luis M., Fernando, Amali S., Flores-Ocampo, Victor and Rentería, Miguel E. (2024). Impact of genetic predisposition to late-onset neurodegenerative diseases on early life outcomes and brain structure. Translational Psychiatry, 14 (1) 185, 185. doi: 10.1038/s41398-024-02898-9

Impact of genetic predisposition to late-onset neurodegenerative diseases on early life outcomes and brain structure

2024

Journal Article

Investigating the shared genetic etiology between Parkinson’s disease and depression

Reyes-Pérez, Paula, García-Marín, Luis M., Aman, Asma M., Antar, Tarek, Flores-Ocampo, Victor, Mitchell, Brittany L., Medina-Rivera, Alejandra and Rentería, Miguel E. (2024). Investigating the shared genetic etiology between Parkinson’s disease and depression. Journal of Parkinson's Disease, 14 (3), 483-493. doi: 10.3233/jpd-230176

Investigating the shared genetic etiology between Parkinson’s disease and depression

2024

Journal Article

Associations of externalizing polygenic scores with externalizing disorders among Mexican youth

Martinez-Levy, Gabriela A., Maya-Martínez, Mateo, García-Marín, Luis M., Díaz-Torres, Santiago, Gómez, Lina M., Benjet, Corina, Rentería, Miguel E., Cruz-Fuentes, Carlos S. and Rabinowitz, Jill A. (2024). Associations of externalizing polygenic scores with externalizing disorders among Mexican youth. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 171, 346-353. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.01.030

Associations of externalizing polygenic scores with externalizing disorders among Mexican youth

2024

Journal Article

Multi-ancestry genome-wide association study of major depression aids locus discovery, fine mapping, gene prioritization and causal inference

Meng, Xiangrui, Navoly, Georgina, Giannakopoulou, Olga, Levey, Daniel F., Koller, Dora, Pathak, Gita A., Koen, Nastassja, Lin, Kuang, Adams, Mark J., Renteria, Miguel E., Feng, Yanzhe, Gaziano, J. Michael, Stein, Dan J., Zar, Heather J., Campbell, Megan L., van Heel, David A., Trivedi, Bhavi, Finer, Sarah, McQuillin, Andrew, Bass, Nick, Chundru, V. Kartik, Martin, Hilary C., Huang, Qin Qin, Valkovskaya, Maria, Chu, Chia-Yi, Kanjira, Susan, Kuo, Po-Hsiu, Chen, Hsi-Chung, Tsai, Shih-Jen ... BioBank Japan Project (2024). Multi-ancestry genome-wide association study of major depression aids locus discovery, fine mapping, gene prioritization and causal inference. Nature Genetics, 56 (2), 222-233. doi: 10.1038/s41588-023-01596-4

Multi-ancestry genome-wide association study of major depression aids locus discovery, fine mapping, gene prioritization and causal inference

2024

Journal Article

Multi-ancestry genome-wide association study of major depression aids locus discovery, fine mapping, gene prioritization and causal inference

Meng, Xiangrui, Navoly, Georgina, Giannakopoulou, Olga, Levey, Daniel F., Koller, Dora, Pathak, Gita A., Koen, Nastassja, Lin, Kuang, Adams, Mark J., Rentería, Miguel E., Feng, Yanzhe, Gaziano, J. Michael, Stein, Dan J., Zar, Heather J., Campbell, Megan L., van Heel, David A., Trivedi, Bhavi, Finer, Sarah, McQuillin, Andrew, Bass, Nick, Chundru, V. Kartik, Martin, Hilary C., Huang, Qin Qin, Valkovskaya, Maria, Chu, Chia-Yi, Kanjira, Susan, Kuo, Po-Hsiu, Chen, Hsi-Chung, Tsai, Shih-Jen ... BioBank Japan Project (2024). Multi-ancestry genome-wide association study of major depression aids locus discovery, fine mapping, gene prioritization and causal inference. Nature Genetics, 56 (2), 222-233. doi: 10.1038/s41588-023-01596-4

Multi-ancestry genome-wide association study of major depression aids locus discovery, fine mapping, gene prioritization and causal inference

Availability

Associate Professor Miguel Rentería is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Elucidating the genetic architecture of neuropsychiatric phenotypes and other complex human traits

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Nick Martin

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Elucidating the genetic architecture of neuropsychiatric phenotypes and other complex human traits

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Nick Martin

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Elucidating the genetic architecture of neuropsychiatric phenotypes and other complex human traits

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Nick Martin

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Genetic Aetiology of Cognitive and Speech-Related Features in Parkinson's Disease

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Monogenic Parkinson's disease among individuals from underrepresented backgrounds in Australia and Mexico

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Bridging gaps on the genetics of age-related disorder among under-represented populations

    Associate Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Genetic architecture of differences in symptomatology and treatment response in major depressive disorder

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Nick Martin, Honorary Professor Sarah Medland

  • Doctor Philosophy

    From Genes to Brain Networks: AI Approaches to Understanding the Genetic Foundations of Brain Functionality in Health and Disease

    Associate Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Understanding the genetic aetiology of age-related diseases in diverse populations

    Associate Advisor

  • Master Philosophy

    Application of machine learning techniques on longitudinal fitness tracker data to augment disease risk prediction.

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Quan Nguyen

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Associate Professor Miguel Rentería directly for media enquiries about:

  • Human genetics
  • Parkinson's disease

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