Maikel Rheinstadter
Professor, Physics & Astronomy

Dr. Maikel Rheinstädter is a Professor of biophysics and University Scholar in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at McMaster University. His research focuses on the field of membrane biophysics and the role of membranes in infectious and neurodegenerative diseases. He is also Director of the Origins of Life Laboratory at McMaster and an Associate Director of the Origins Institute, where his group investigates the formation of RNA and proto cells under prebiotic, early Earth, and early planetary conditions. Current research also includes work to develop blood-based vaccines and antibiotics. He is a founder of Synth-Med, a spinoff company that develops membrane-based sensors to detect bacteria in food and water.