Monkeypox is a rare viral disease caused by a cousin of the smallpox virus. The current outbreak of the disease, which began in May 2022, was declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization in July and a national health emergency by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Aug. 4. UCLA faculty members listed below are experts on subject.

Anne Rimoin

Topics: Origin, transmission and prevention of monkeypox

Rimoin, a professor of epidemiology, is an internationally recognized authority on emerging infectious diseases, global health, surveillance systems and vaccination. She is an expert on monkeypox, which she has studied extensively central Africa, as well as COVID-19, ebolavirus and zoonoses. Rimoin is a member of the WHO emergency committee on monkeypox.

Timothy Brewer

Topics: Origin, transmission and prevention of monkeypox

Brewer is a professor of epidemiology and infectious diseases and an expert on the population-based control of infectious diseases, including monkeypox, COVID-19, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.

James Lloyd-Smith

Topics: Transmission of monkeypox

Lloyd-Smith, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, is an expert on the dynamics of infectious diseases, including monkeypox and COVID-19, with a particular focus on the transmission of pathogens from animals to humans.

Matthew Mimiaga

Topics: Monekypox among LGBTQ community and other vulnerable populations

Mimiaga is professor of epidemiology and director of the UCLA Center for LGBTQ+ Advocacy, Research & Health. His research focuses on developing treatments and interventions aimed at decreasing the risk of HIV/AIDS and emerging infectious diseases among vulnerable populations in the U.S., Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe.

Additional faculty members with expertise may be available by contacting UCLA Health Sciences Media Relations (uclahealthnews@mednet.ucla.edu) or searching the Media Guide to UCLA Experts.