Dr Ingrid Scheffer

Dr Ingrid Scheffer is a highly distinguished Paediatric Neurologist and Epileptologist who has dedicated her career to transforming the diagnosis and treatment of neurological conditions in children. With a compassionate and patient-centred approach, she specialises in managing complex epilepsy syndromes, developmental and epileptic encephalopathies, and associated neurodevelopmental disorders. Her clinical work is deeply reassuring to families navigating the challenges of childhood neurological conditions, as she focuses on providing precise diagnoses and tailored management plans to improve the quality of life for her young patients.

As a pioneering Physician-Scientist, Dr Scheffer has made groundbreaking contributions to the field of epilepsy genetics. Her collaborative research led to the discovery of the first gene associated with epilepsy, fundamentally reshaping how the medical community understands and treats these disorders. She has described numerous novel epilepsy syndromes and led major international efforts to reclassify the epilepsies, ensuring that clinical care worldwide is guided by the latest scientific advancements. Her work also extends to understanding the genetic foundations of speech and language disorders, autism spectrum disorders, cortical malformations, and intellectual disabilities.

Dr Scheffer completed her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at Monash University in 1983. She subsequently undertook specialist training in child neurology and went on to earn her Doctor of Philosophy in neurology from the University of Melbourne in 1998. She is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, having qualified in 1992. Her outstanding contributions to medicine have been recognised with numerous prestigious accolades, and she holds fellowships with the Australian Academy of Science, the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences, the American Epilepsy Society, and the Royal Society.