Rate My Professor Lars Fugger

Professor Lars Fugger is Professor of Neuroimmunology in the Medicine faculty at the University of Oxford, affiliated with the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, the MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, and leader of the Oxford Centre for Neuroinflammation. A clinical immunologist specializing in neuroimmunology, he completed his MD and PhD at the University of Copenhagen and postdoctoral training at Stanford University School of Medicine. He was authorized as a specialist in Immunology in Denmark in 2002 and in the United Kingdom in 2003. Fugger arrived at Oxford on sabbatical in 2002, serving as Honorary Consultant in the Department of Clinical Immunology from 2003, advancing to Professor of Clinical Immunology in 2004, and assuming the Chair of Neuroimmunology in 2007 at the John Radcliffe Hospital. He holds the Mary Machin Professorial Fellowship at Oriel College. His career trajectory reflects a commitment to bridging clinical practice and research in autoimmune and neuroinflammatory diseases.

Professor Fugger's research focuses on translational studies in multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic inflammatory and degenerative disease of the central nervous system. His group elucidates the molecular basis of MHC gene associations with MS susceptibility, their interactions with environmental factors like viruses, and the mechanisms by which associated inflammation drives neurodegeneration, leading to long-term patient disability. Adopting a multidisciplinary approach through extensive local and international collaborations, the team emphasizes translational medicine, integrating basic scientists and clinicians. Notable publications include 'Elevated genetic risk for multiple sclerosis emerged in steppe pastoralists' (Barrie et al., Nature, 2024), revealing evolutionary origins of MS risk via ancient DNA analysis; 'Immune perturbation by the ileal microbiota in multiple sclerosis' (Jensen and Fugger, PNAS, 2025); 'A repair pathway lost in multiple sclerosis provides a new drug opportunity' (Jensen et al., Nature Immunology, 2024); and 'The spatiotemporal distribution of human pathogens in ancient Eurasia' (Sikora et al., Nature, 2025). His influential work has advanced understanding of MS pathogenesis and potential therapies. In recognition of his contributions, he was knighted by the Queen of Denmark in 2011. Fugger has shared insights through University of Oxford podcasts on MS and co-hosts the Oxford Neuroinflammation Conference.