Rhonda Renee Voskuhl

Dr. Rhonda Voskuhl, holder of the Jack H. Skirball Chair for Multiple Sclerosis Research at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine, is a leading expert in neurology and sex-based differences in autoimmune diseases. Her work focuses on neuroprotection in multiple sclerosis (MS), leveraging hormonal therapies like estriol for disease modulation.

• Professor-in-Residence, Neurology
• Jack H. Skirball Chair for MS Research
• Principal Investigator on NIH grants targeting neuroprotection, X chromosome effects, and hormonal therapies in MS

Dr. Voskuhl's research employs cell-specific transcriptomics to uncover mechanisms in MS and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). She has pioneered studies on estrogen receptor beta in astrocytes, estriol's neuroprotective effects, and X chromosome contributions to neurodegeneration. Recent work explores synaptic mitochondrial function and complement activation in astrocytes.

Current research trends span 2024-2019, emphasizing neuroprotection, sex chromosome biology, and hormonal neuroimmunology. Key subfields include menopause-related MS progression, epigenetic regulation via DNA methylation, and astrocyte-targeted therapies.

Dr. Voskuhl has secured multiple NIH grants (R01NS109670, R01NS096748, R01NS036680) for MS neuroprotection and sex differences. She leads clinical trials on estriol-glatiramer combinations and testosterone therapy, while advocating for gender equity in academic speaker selection.