Dr. Saiesha Dindayal

Saiesha Dindayal is a researcher in Parkinson’s disease genetics with a strong focus on African and other underrepresented populations. Her work contributes to global efforts such as the Global Parkinson’s Genetics Program and related international consortia, advancing equitable representation in genomic research and promoting inclusion of ancestrally diverse groups in precision medicine initiatives.

Her publications center on the genetic architecture of Parkinson’s disease in African and African admixed populations, including a landmark genome-wide association study identifying ancestry-specific risk at the GBA1 locus. This work provides important mechanistic insight and underscores the clinical relevance of population-specific variants for targeted therapies.

In addition, she has led influential systematic reviews examining disparities in Parkinson’s genetics research and the broader state of Parkinson’s disease across Africa. These analyses highlight gaps in epidemiology, access to care, and workforce capacity, positioning her as an advocate for research equity and capacity building in neurology across underserved regions.