Professor of Neuromuscular Genetics, Newcastle University
Dr. Volker Straub is an internationally recognized expert in neuromuscular genetics with over two decades of experience in clinical research, academic leadership, and international collaboration. He trained as a pediatric neurologist in Germany and earned his PhD with a focus on Duchenne muscular dystrophy. His postdoctoral work at the University of Iowa advanced research into limb girdle muscular dystrophies.
Since 2003, Dr. Straub has served at Newcastle University, where he leads the John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre and is Deputy Dean for Translational and Clinical Research. His work bridges basic science and clinical application, with a strong focus on translational research to improve outcomes for individuals with rare neuromuscular diseases.
Dr. Straub co-founded the TREAT-NMD network, a pioneering European initiative to accelerate therapy development for genetic neuromuscular conditions. He continues to coordinate the TREAT-NMD Advisory Committee for Therapeutics (TACT), providing strategic guidance to global therapeutic programs.
His current research integrates advanced imaging, animal models, and genomic technologies to better understand and diagnose neuromuscular disorders. Dr. Straub brings to nonprofit leadership a deep commitment to patient-centered research, international cooperation, and ethical innovation.
