Michael Buckland, MD

Michael Buckland, MD, is a senior neuropathologist and the Head of the Department of Neuropathology at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney. He is also the founding director of the Australian Sports Brain Bank, a research initiative established in 2018 to investigate the links between repetitive head trauma and neurodegenerative diseases like chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). This brain bank has been instrumental in identifying CTE in Australian athletes, including rugby league legend Paul Green and AFL Hall of Famer Polly Farmer. 

In addition to his role at the Australian Sports Brain Bank, Dr. Buckland serves as the Head of the Molecular Neuropathology Program at the Brain & Mind Centre, University of Sydney. His research focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying neurological diseases, aiming to improve early diagnosis and treatment strategies. Dr. Buckland is also a co-director of the Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia Brain Bank and a key partner in the Australian Veterans’ Brain Bank, which examines the long-term effects of head trauma and blast exposure in military personnel. 

Through his work, Dr. Buckland has significantly advanced the understanding of brain injuries and their long-term impacts, contributing to global efforts in concussion and CTE research.