Joshua Leitch Bonkowsky
( out of 22 reviews )

Joshua Leitch Bonkowsky, MD, PhD

Languages spoken: English, German

Clinical Locations

Primary Location

Eccles Primary Children's Outpatient Services

81 N Mario Capecchi Drive
Salt Lake City , UT 84113
801-213-3599
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Dr. Josh Bonkowsky is a professor of Pediatric Neurology (Pediatrics) and of Neurology. His undergraduate training was at Harvard University; he obtained his MD and PhD degrees at the University of California, San Diego, and did his Pediatrics and Neurology/Pediatric Neurology training at the University of Utah and Boston Children's Hospital.

Dr. Bonkowsky is engaged in both clinical and basic science studies. His clinical studies are focused on understanding the clinical features of leukodystrophies, and on the genetics of complex human neurobehavioral traits, especially language impairments. Dr. Bonkowsky's clinical research group is investigating the genetics of leukodystrophies, using both local (Utah Population Database) and national databases, to understand the genetic and medical impacts of these disorders.

Research in the Bonkowsky laboratory investigates human neurogenetic diseases, specifically diseases of basal ganglia function and white matter diseases. His group has developed zebrafish models of human language disorders (the FOXP2 gene); transgenic lines to study basal ganglia development connectivity; and a zebrafish Parkinson's disease model. Besides the basic neurodevelopmental research, his lab is generating disease models for high-throughput drug discovery.

On sunny afternoons, Dr. Bonkowsky enjoys trail running and learning to skate ski.

Specialties

Board Certification

American Board of Pediatrics (Pediatrics)

Patient Rating

Patients consistently praise Dr. Bonkowsky's bedside manner, describing him as warm, kind, professional, and concerned. Reviewers highlight that he is thorough and knowledgeable, taking time to answer questions and review goals at the end of the appointment. Comments also note that he is encouraging and attentive to patient concerns.

Generated via Patient Reviews

4.9 /5
( out of 22 reviews )

The patient rating score is an average of all responses on our patient experience survey. The rating averages scores for all questions about care from our providers. The scale on which responses are measured is 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

Mar 27, 2024
EXTERNAL SITE

Dr Bonkowski is warm, friendly and very knowledgeable. He took his time to fully answer all of my questions.

Jan 27, 2023
EXTERNAL SITE

Dr Bonkowsky was very kind, professional, and concerned about my son

Jan 27, 2023
EXTERNAL SITE

Dr Bonkowsky was very kind, professional, and concerned about my son

Jan 20, 2023
EXTERNAL SITE

Dr Bonkowski was thorough and kind and encouraging.

Jan 20, 2023
EXTERNAL SITE

Dr Bonkowski was thorough and kind and encouraging.

Dec 07, 2020
PRIMARY CHILDREN'S OUTPATIENT SERVICES

Dr. Bonkowsky has great bedside manner. He is thorough and takes time to ask questions and review goals at the end of the apt.

Patient comments are gathered from our patient experience survey and displayed in their entirety. For the convenience of our visitors, some patient comments have been translated from their original language into English while preserving their original meaning as accurately as possible. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.

Dr. Josh Bonkowsky is a professor of Pediatric Neurology (Pediatrics) and of Neurology. His undergraduate training was at Harvard University; he obtained his MD and PhD degrees at the University of California, San Diego, and did his Pediatrics and Neurology/Pediatric Neurology training at the University of Utah and Boston Children's Hospital.

Dr. Bonkowsky is engaged in both clinical and basic science studies. His clinical studies are focused on understanding the clinical features of leukodystrophies, and on the genetics of complex human neurobehavioral traits, especially language impairments. Dr. Bonkowsky's clinical research group is investigating the genetics of leukodystrophies, using both local (Utah Population Database) and national databases, to understand the genetic and medical impacts of these disorders.

Research in the Bonkowsky laboratory investigates human neurogenetic diseases, specifically diseases of basal ganglia function and white matter diseases. His group has developed zebrafish models of human language disorders (the FOXP2 gene); transgenic lines to study basal ganglia development connectivity; and a zebrafish Parkinson's disease model. Besides the basic neurodevelopmental research, his lab is generating disease models for high-throughput drug discovery.

On sunny afternoons, Dr. Bonkowsky enjoys trail running and learning to skate ski.

Board Certification and Academic Information

Academic Departments Neurobiology -Adjunct Professor
Neurology -Adjunct Professor
Pediatrics -Professor
Academic Divisions Neurology
Board Certification
American Board of Pediatrics (Pediatrics)

Education history

Undergraduate Biochemistry - Harvard College B.A.
Fellowship Institute of Molecular Pathology Fellow
Professional Medical Medicine, Biomedical Sciences - University of California - San Diego School of Medicine M.D., Ph.D.
Internship Pediatrics - University of Utah School of Medicine Intern
Residency Pediatrics - University of Utah School of Medicine Resident
Fellowship Pediatric Neurology - Boston Children's Medical School Fellow
Fellowship Pediatric Neurology - University of Utah School of Medicine Fellow
Other Training Physician Executive Leadership - University of Utah School of Business

Selected Publications

Journal Article

  1. Swartwood S, Wilkes J, Bonkowsky JL, Trandafir C (2021). Celiac Disease in Children: An Association With Drug-Resistant Epilepsy. Pediatric neurology, 120, 12-17.

News & Podcasts

News