Dr. Peter L. Jones, PhD

I am currently the Mick Hitchcock, PhD Endowed Chair of Medical Biochemistry at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine. 

Since 2003, I have been a Principle Investigator running an academic research laboratory singularly focused on FSHD.  I am interested in developing new avenues for FSHD therapy by identifying therapeutic targets and creating novel therapeutic approaches and disease models. 

Over the years, I have met many patients and families, listening to their concerns and learning about the real needs of the FSHD community.  As a result, I have become devoted to providing affordable and accessible FSHD diagnostics worldwide.  I have attended many patient meetings and was struck by the high number of people attending who had never been genetically diagnosed with FSHD.  I learned that FSHD diagnosis is very expensive, often not covered by insurance or referred by a physician, and inaccessible to many people in the US and around the world.  In addition, despite laws meant to protect, many people with FSHD do not want an official diagnosis on their medical, work, or insurance record.  Fortunately, my team discovered a novel way to accurately diagnose FSHD that we believe can meet these patient needs anywhere in the world. 

I helped form MyFSHD so that we can make people aware of FSHD, help to educate, and bring this no-cost, research-based testing to the worldwide FSHD population. 

When not in lab, I am usually outside in my garden or hiking and fishing in the beautiful Sierra Nevada.  In addition, I love cooking and baking and experimenting in the kitchen and on the grill.