Dr. Shawn M. Ferguson presents the annual Richard D. Church Lecture in Neuroscience
On April 9th, 2026 students, faculty, staff, and community members gathered at Eben Holden to listen to the annual Richard D. Church Lecture in Neuroscience presented by Shawn M. Ferguson, Ph.D. The title of the lecture was “The Cell Biology Behind Parkinson’s Disease.”
Dr. Ferguson is a Professor of Cell Biology and of Neuroscience at Yale University School of Medicine. In his lecture, Dr. Ferguson discussed a central role for lysosomes, organelles important in recycling and responding to stress, in the cellular mechanisms associated with Parkinson’s disease. The work of Dr. Ferguson’s research laboratory could inform new strategies to help prevent and treat neurodegenerative diseases.
The annual Church Lecture Series was established in 2006 by the late Richard (“Dick”) Dwight Church of Norwood, New York. At the time, Mr. Church said he hoped the lectureship would ensure that “by learning about current thinking in the field of neuroscience, students and faculty will be inspired to further expand and explore their interests.”
Dr. Ferguson exemplified these goals, not only by delivering an engaging lecture, but also through his individual meetings with students and visits to classes during his time at St. Lawrence University. The Neuroscience Program is grateful to the Church family for sponsoring this valuable opportunity for our community.
