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Simon Gray Gregory

Margaret Harris and David Silverman Distinguished Professor
Neurosurgery, Neuro-Oncology
Duke Box 104775, Durham, NC 27701
300 N. Duke Street, Room 51-102, Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Durham, NC 27701

Overview


Dr. Gregory is the Margaret Harris and David Silverman Distinguished Professor and Director of the Brain Tumor Omics Program in the Duke Department of Neurosurgery, the Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Neurology, and Director of the Molecular Genomics Core at the Duke Molecular Physiology Institute. 

As a neurogenomicist, Dr. Gregory applies the experience gained from leading the sequencing of chromosome 1 for the Human Genome Project to elucidating the mechanisms underlying multi-factorial diseases using genetic, genomic, and epigenetic approaches. Dr. Gregory’s primary areas of research involve understanding the molecular processes associated with disease development and progression in brain tumors and Alzheimer’s disease, drug induced white matter injury repair in multiple sclerosis, and the characterization of lesion microenvironmental changes in MS.

He is broadly regarded across Duke as a leader in the development of novel single cell and spatial molecular technologies towards understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of disease development. Dr. Gregory is also the Section Chair of Genomics and Epigenetics at the DMPI and Director of the Duke Center of Autoimmunity and MS in the Department of Neurology.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Margaret Harris and David Silverman Distinguished Professor · 2024 - Present Neurosurgery, Neuro-Oncology, Neurosurgery
Professor in Neurosurgery · 2022 - Present Neurosurgery, Neuro-Oncology, Neurosurgery
Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Neurology · 2020 - Present Neurology, Clinical Science Departments
Professor in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology · 2021 - Present Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Basic Science Departments
Professor in Neurology · 2022 - Present Neurology, Clinical Science Departments
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute · 2003 - Present Duke Cancer Institute, Institutes and Centers
Member of Duke Molecular Physiology Institute · 2013 - Present Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Institutes and Centers

In the News


Published March 19, 2024
Duke Awards 32 New Distinguished Professorships for 2024
Published March 20, 2022
Alzheimer's Research: Unlocking the Secrets of the Brain
Published March 23, 2017
New Gene Interaction Appears to be Associated with Increased MS Risk

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Recent Publications


Temporal transcriptomic profiling reveals distinct age-associated gene expression signatures in gonads under reduced insulin/IGF-1 signaling in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Journal Article Cell Commun Signal · December 15, 2025 BACKGROUND: Age-related decline in reproductive function is a hallmark of organismal aging, yet the molecular mechanisms driving this process remain incompletely understood. The insulin/IGF-1 signaling (IIS) pathway is highly conserved and influences both ... Full text Link to item Cite

Multi-region spatial transcriptomics reveals region specific differences in response to amyloid beta (Aβ) plaque induced changes in Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Journal Article Hum Genomics · November 29, 2025 BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia affecting 55 million people worldwide. The pathological hallmarks of AD, beta-amyloid (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT), follow distinct stereotypical patterns of progressio ... Full text Link to item Cite

Lymphotropic Virotherapy Induces DC and High Endothelial Venule Inflammation, Promoting the Antitumor Efficacy of Intratumor Virus Administration.

Journal Article Cancer Immunol Res · November 21, 2025 Tumor-draining lymph nodes are a pivotal site for antitumor T-cell priming. However, their mechanistic roles in cancer immune surveillance and immunotherapy response remain poorly defined. Intratumor (IT) virotherapy generates antitumor T-cell immunity thr ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Pathogenic Mechanisms of Inflammatory Subventricular Zone Injury in Preterm Infants

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2025 - 2030

McCain/Bayh Glioblastoma Consortium

Clinical TrialCo Investigator · Awarded by Department of Defense · 2025 - 2029

Targeting Hepatocyte Senescence to Improve NAFLD

ResearchAdvisor · Awarded by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases · 2024 - 2029

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Education, Training & Certifications


Open University, Milton Keynes (United Kingdom) · 2003 Ph.D.
RMIT University (Australia) · 1990 B.A.Sc.