Bonkowsky Laboratory Research

Advancing Leukodystrophy
Research.

Leading research efforts to better understand neurological conditions and support scientists and families worldwide.

Our Research

Support Our Work

Research Highlights

About Josh

Dr. Bonkowsky is a pediatric neurologist at Primary Children’s Hospital and a researcher at the University of Utah School of Medicine in Salt Lake City, Utah. His lab studies the causes of neurological disorders (leukodystrophy) and works to develop new treatments.

He earned his MD and PhD from the University of California, San Diego, after graduating from Harvard College and completing a Fulbright Fellowship in Vienna, Austria. He trained in pediatrics at the University of Utah and completed pediatric neurology training at Boston Children’s Hospital and the University of Utah.

Outside the lab and clinic, he enjoys camping with his daughter, building a quasi-functional radio telescope with his sons, and trail running.

He has authored many scientific publications (100+ papers) across neurology, genetics, and leukodystrophies. You can view the most complete and updated lists here.

Collaborative Research

Vanishing White Matter (VWM) Disease

In partnership with Dr. Allison Bradbury at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

Zellweger Spectrum Disorders

Together with Dr. Esther Nuebel at the University of Utah.

Mitchell Syndrome

We provide support to Ann B. Moser, at the Kennedy Krieger Institute.

Personalized Medicine

In collaboration between the University of Utah Department of Pediatrics and Primary Children’s Hospital (Intermountain Healthcare), we are leading the Pediatric Center for Personalized Medicine at Primary Children’s Hospital. This center is employing wide-scale clinical use of next generation sequencing to transform the care of infants and children.

Research In Progress

X-Linked Adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD)

Vanishing White Matter Disease (VWM)

Zellweger Spectrum Disorders (ZSD)

Mitchell Syndrome

Lab Members

Joshua L. Bonkowsky, MD, PhD

Principal Investigator

Chief, Division of Pediatric Neurology

Bray Chair in Neurology Research

Schmidt/Edgar Chair in Pediatric Neurology

Director, Primary Children’s Center for Personalized Medicine

Esther Neubel, PhD

Assistant Professor

Former Lab Members

Pi-kai Chang
Monika Baker
Austin Wood
Ksenia Nokhrina
Erika Scholl
Hung-Yu Shih
Miranda Bowles
Katy Glaittli
Abi Deschiffart
Sarv Raafati

Amy Swenson

Under Grad

Haille Soderholm
Esther Fujimoto
Lingyan Xing
Jong Hyun-Son
Cameron Brimley
Dana Schiwal
Quentin Raas
Tyler Quist
Kathryn Pavia
Michael Sam

Tammy Stevenson

Research Scientist &

Lab Manager

Julia Wentz

Laboratory Technician lV

Quenna Yuan