Rashmi Kothary

Rashmi Kothary is a Professor at the University of Ottawa and holds the University Health Research Chair in Neuromuscular Disorders. She serves as Deputy Scientific Director at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI) and leads a research laboratory focused on understanding neuromuscular and neurodegenerative diseases.

• Education:
  • BSc in Cell Biology, University of British Columbia
  • PhD in Biochemistry, University of British Columbia
  • Post-doctoral fellowships: Mount Sinai Hospital Research Institute Toronto and University of Cambridge, UK

Her research explores oligodendrocyte-mediated myelination in Multiple Sclerosis and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) pathogenesis, with emphasis on identifying novel therapeutics. The lab investigates extrinsic/intrinsic factors affecting CNS remyelination and metabolic abnormalities in neuromuscular diseases.

Scientific contributions include:

• University Health Research Chair in Neuromuscular Disorders
• Advisor to CIHR IMHA advisory board
• Scientific reviewer for CIHR, NIH, and Shriners Hospitals
• Former advisory roles for MDA and Cure SMA

The Kothary Lab has developed preclinical animal models for SMA and other neuromuscular conditions, advancing understanding of disease mechanisms and therapeutic interventions. Current work investigates gene therapy approaches, microRNA regulation, and metabolic pathways in neurodegenerative contexts.