David Hovda, Ph.D. is Professor and Vice Chairman of Research Affairs for the Department of Neurosurgery and Director of the Brain Injury Research Center at the University of California, Los Angeles. Dr. Hovda's research is dedicated to the understanding of the pathobiology of traumatic brain injury and the recovery of function after brain injury.

In 1989, Dr. Hovda was recruited by the Department of Neurosurgery to direct its scientific efforts to understand the cellular pathophysiology of brain injury. This work resulted in providing the backbone for UCLA being recognized as a "Center of Excellence" by the National Institutes of Health. He has devoted most of his career to understanding the mechanisms of recovery of function. Dr. Hovda is the Director of the UCLA Brain Injury Research Center. He is a former President of the International Neurotrauma Society as well as the National Neurotrauma Society. He has also served as study section committee chairs for the National Institute for Neurological Disease and Stroke (NINDS) and the Brain Injury and Neurovascular Pathologies study section for the NINDS.

Dr. Hovda has received a number of awards for his research on brain injury and recovery of function, including the 1991 National Head Injury Foundation Award, the Giannini Foundation Award, the Benjamin Franklin Haught Memorial Award and named the Lind Lawrence Eminent Scholar for his work on the topic of Traumatic Brain Injury. In addition, Dr. Hovda received the 2006 Women in Neurotrauma award for his teaching and support for women in neuroscience. In 2011, Dr. Hovda received the Strength of the Nation Award from the United States Army for his work on mild traumatic brain injury and associated psychological disorders in service members. This is the highest award given to a civilian each year by the United State Army. In 2012, Dr. Hovda received the Alumni Association's James F. Zimmerman Award from the University of New Mexico. This award is given to an alum who has made a significant contribution, which has brought fame and honor to the University of New Mexico, or the State of New Mexico.

Dr. Hovda is most well known internationally for his translational work on the pathobiology of traumatic brain injury.