Christine Toedebusch, DVM PhD
- Associate Professor
- Translational Brain Tumor Center Director
- Veterinary Neurology Biorepository Director
Departments of Surgical and Radiological Sciences and Molecular Biosciences
[email protected]
Dr. Toedebusch is a board-certified veterinary neurologist and serves as a faculty neurologist at the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, where she specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of brain and spinal cord diseases in companion animals. Dr. Toedebusch uses her clinical cases to fuel her research inquiries, going from bedside to bench, and ultimately, from bench to bedside.
The laboratory is focused on elucidating the molecular and immunologic underpinnings of brain tumors across species, with particular emphasis on points of convergence between canine and human disease. Her research integrates molecular discovery with clinical application to advance novel therapeutic strategies. The primary research priorities are to (1) establish a comprehensive molecular and immune framework for canine brain tumors and (2) develop innovative therapeutic approaches for brain tumor treatment.
Dr. Toedebusch founded and directs the UC Davis Translational Brain Tumor Center a collaborative initiative that brings together veterinarians, physicians, and neuroscientists. By fostering cross-disciplinary communication and problem-solving at the interface of research and patient care, we are accelerating translational discoveries and therapeutic breakthroughs for brain tumor patients across species.
Dr. Christine Toedebusch received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She completed a Veterinary Neurology and Neurosurgery residency and a PhD in Neuroscience at the University of Missouri–Columbia.
Christine and Ryan Toedebusch are partners in science and in life. Outside the laboratory, they cherish time with their daughter and enjoy the beautiful journey of family and discovery.
Ryan Toedebusch, PhD
Associate Project Scientist
Department of Molecular Biosciences
[email protected]
Since joining UC Davis in 2018, Ryan has worked closely with Christine to build a highly collaborative and productive research program with a strong emphasis on scientific rigor and trainee development. As a Project Scientist, he partners with Christine to define research directions and conceptualize each project. He leads the design and implementation of experimental approaches, oversees data acquisition and analysis, and ensures the quality and integrity of all data generated by the laboratory.
Ryan serves as the primary mentor for all laboratory-based training and plays a central role in the day-to-day management of lab operations, ensuring a supportive and efficient research environment. Known for his innovation, perseverance, and positivity, he is a driving force—and the heart—of the Toedebusch Laboratory.
Ryan brings extensive expertise in molecular biology and laboratory animal surgery, providing a critical bridge to the laboratory’s collaborative efforts. His technical and scientific contributions support partnerships spanning advanced blood–brain barrier spheroid models to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for glioblastoma.
Dr. Ryan Toedebusch received his PhD in Biomedical Science from the University of Missouri–Columbia and completed postdoctoral training at Washington University and the University of Missouri.
Sam Shen
Undergraduate Research Scholar
Project: ‘Evaluation of olfactomedin-like 3 gene expression across post-natal development in male and female C57Bl/6 mice’.
Alli Harju, DVM
Veterinary Neurology & Neurosurgery Resident
Project: ‘Determining the accuracy of neurofilament light concentration in biological fluid for the diagnosis of canine degenerative myelopathy’.
Nina Wei, DVM
Veterinary Neurology & Neurosurgery Resident
Project: ‘Characterization of microglial function in olfactomedin-like 3 (Olfml3) heterozygous mice - A Potential Mouse Model for the study of canine glioma’.
Joseph Cotela, DVM
Veterinary Neurology & Neurosurgery Resident
Project: ‘Acute and Long Term Outcomes of Surgical Resection in Canine Oligodendrogliomas, Astrocytomas, and Mixed Gliomas: A Retrospective Cohort Study’.