Dr. Heather Way completed her PhD in Molecular Pathology and a Master’s in Molecular Physiology at the University of Queensland, Australia. Dr. Way brings a unique combination of expertise as a leading autism researcher, clinician, and parent to two fully recovered, now adult sons. It was her sons’ diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and ADHD that inspired her to pivot her scientific career towards autism genomics research over 14 years ago.
Dr. Way is the Founder, Director, and Head of Research at The Australian Centre for Genomic Analysis (TACGA), a pioneering institute specializing in genomic solutions for autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, gastrointestinal disorders, and chronic infections such as mold illness and PANS/PANDAS.
Her groundbreaking work has contributed to the development of IBS and ASD-specific microbiome sequencing tools, as well as neurodevelopmental nutrigenomic tools. These tools allow for the identification of critical underlying issues and enable targeted, evidence-based interventions to help individuals with chronic conditions achieve their full potential.
Dr. Way is widely recognized for her contributions to the field, translating cutting-edge genomics research into practical strategies for clinicians, parents, and individuals navigating the complexities of autism and related chronic health conditions.