Stephen Pak
Professor of Pediatrics, DIVISION OF Newborn Medicine in the School of Medicine
Dr. Pak is a Professor of Pediatrics and Co-Director of the Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN), C. elegans Model Organism Screening Center. He earned his B.Sc. from the University of Sydney and his Ph.D. from the University of New South Wales (Australia). Prior to his appointment at WashU, he held faculty positions at the Harvard Medical School and the University of Pittsburgh.
Dr. Pak and his team use microscopic worms called C. elegans to help solve medicine mysteries and unravel the genetic basis of rare diseases. By introducing candidate disease gene mutations into the corresponding worm genes, they study how these changes disrupt biology and drive disease. Their work provides critical answers for patients with rare, undiagnosed genetic disorders. In parallel, Dr. Pak’s team employs worm models to identify therapeutic compounds for alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency and Alzheimer’s disease.