William Melega

William Melega is a Professor at the Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior and a Professor In-Residence in the Department of Molecular & Medical Pharmacology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He is also a member of the Brain Research Institute, focusing on interdisciplinary neuroscience and pharmacology research.

His research spans neurodegenerative diseases, drug abuse neurobiology, and neurotherapeutic interventions. Key areas include methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity, Parkinson's disease modeling, deep brain stimulation applications, and neuroimaging techniques like PET and microPET. His work integrates pharmacological, proteomic, and behavioral analyses across rodent and primate models.

Publications highlight collaborations with institutions such as the Molecular Pharmacology Graduate Program (GPB), PLoS One, and the Journal of Neurosurgery. He has contributed to advancements in focused ultrasound technology, vaccine-mediated neuroprotection, and regulatory T-cell research in neurodegeneration.