Dr. Defne Amado

Assistant Professor

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Biography

Dr. Defne Amado is an Assistant Professor of Neurology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. She is a physician-scientist whose research focuses on gene therapy-based approaches for understanding and developing treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. Her clinical expertise includes managing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at the Penn Comprehensive ALS Center, where she treats patients and participates in a general neuromuscular clinic focused on inherited and acquired neuropathies. Dr. Amado's research interests incorporate advanced gene therapy techniques, including using adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors for gene silencing and addressing the pathobiology of diseases such as ALS, frontotemporal dementia, and spinocerebellar ataxia. Her lab is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse environment, enabling trainees to thrive in their research pursuits. Amado completed her MD and PhD at the Perelman School of Medicine and undertook extensive postdoctoral training in neurodegenerative disease and gene therapy.

Research Interests

Experience

Assistant Professor

2022-01-01 — Present

Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania • Philadelphia, PA

Conducts research and teaches in the Department of Neurology.

Intern

2011-01-01 — 2012-01-01

Hospital University of Pennsylvania • Philadelphia, PA

Completed internship in Internal Medicine.

Resident

2012-01-01 — 2015-01-01

Hospital University of Pennsylvania • Philadelphia, PA

Completed residency in Neurology.

Fellow

2015-01-01 — 2016-01-01

University of Pennsylvania • Philadelphia, PA

Fellowship in Neuromuscular Disorders.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

2016-01-01 — 2020-01-01

University of Pennsylvania • Philadelphia, PA

Conducted research in Neurodegenerative Disease.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

2018-01-01 — 2021-01-01

University of Pennsylvania • Philadelphia, PA

Conducted research in Gene Therapy.

Requirements for University of Pennsylvania

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.6
GRE General
Verbal
Required:162
Quantitative
Required:162
Overall
Required:162
GMAT
Total Score
Required:728
Overall
Required:728
TOEFL
Total
Required:115
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree or equivalent Strong quantitative background
Application Checklist
  • Academic Transcripts
  • Letters of Recommendation (2-3)
  • Resume/CV
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Essays
Specialization Notes

Wharton Doctoral programs cover fields like Finance, Marketing, Management, and Operations, Information and Decisions.