Professor MacGregor is an internationally recognized leader in complex trait genetics. As well as uncovering links between genes and disease, he develops methods for genetic analysis. In his time at QIMR Berghofer his work has focused primarily on eye disease and on germline cancer genetics; Professor MacGregor played a major role in several landmark genome wide association studies (GWAS) in 2008-2011 on these diseases. CURRENT AREA OF RESEARCH Professor MacGregor is a statistical geneticist, studying the role genetic variation plays in determining risk of disease and its risk factors. His Statistical Genetics laboratory develops and applies statistical genetic methods to gene mapping studies across a wide range of traits and diseases one major focus is understanding genetic variation in various cancers. Cancers studied include skin cancers (including melanoma), ovarian cancer, breast cancer and oesophageal cancer. Another major interest is ophthalmological genetics, with work ongoing to identify the specific genes involved in both eye disease and in underlying quantitative risk factors Professor MacGregor plays a leading role in consortium science, most recently in successful large scale gene mapping studies in melanoma and in eye disease. His work developing and applying statistical genetic methods has led to publications in top journals Professor MacGregor has received numerous awards including the Australian Academy of Science human genetics medal