His academic and professional journey includes significant expertise in neuropathology and the use of brain tissue banks for patients with neurological disorders. Dr. MacKenzie’s research focuses on the molecular genetics of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly dementias, and he is involved in various neuropathology journals and international societies​ (Pathology)​​ (centreforbrainhealth)​​ (Pathology)​.
Dr. Ian Mackenzie, a neuropathologist, has extensive expertise in using brain tissue banks in the care of patients with neurological disorders. His research program centres on neuropathology and the molecular genetics of neurodegenerative disease, particularly dementias. He leads the program on FTD that has resulted in the discovery of several gene mutations that cause this disease. Specifically, Drs. Mackenzie and Hsiung, along with collaborators from the Mayo Clinic and the University of California, San Francisco, are investigating a common genetic mutation underlying amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and a form of dementia helps to explain why many patients with those diseases get symptoms of the other. This finding was significant because the implications of finding the common genetic mutation to two diseases may lead to a treatment that could be used for both.