Monica Coenraads

Executive Director
Rett Syndrome Research Trust

Monica Coenraads’ involvement with Rett syndrome began the day her then-2-year-old daughter was diagnosed with the disorder. A year later, in 1999, she co-founded the Rett Syndrome Research Foundation (RSRF) and held the position of scientific director during the eight years of the foundation’s drive to stimulate scientific interest and research in Rett syndrome. This culminated in the groundbreaking work in 2007 that demonstrated the first global reversal of symptoms in preclinical models of the disorder. Coenraads co-founded the Rett Syndrome Research Trust (RSRT) in late 2007 to pursue the next steps from that milestone. Under her leadership at RSRF and RSRT, $36 million has been raised for research. In 2010 she co-founded the Rett Syndrome Research Trust UK, now called Reverse Rett, and currently serves as a trustee.

Explore more from The Transmitter

Autism scientists push back on CDC’s inaccurate vaccine claims

The CDC website now falsely suggests that autism-vaccine research is still an open question, prompting distrust among researchers—some of whom anticipate “more unreliable statements coming from the junta that took over” the agency.

By The Transmitter
21 November 2025 | 6 min read

Gene replacement therapy normalizes some traits in SYNGAP1 model mice

The first published virus-based gene therapy for SYNGAP1 deletion yields benefits despite the gene’s long length and complexity.

By Charles Q. Choi
20 November 2025 | 5 min read

Does AI understand what it produces? Henk de Regt explores how we might assess understanding in machines and humans

Building on his philosophy of how scientists understand what they work on, de Regt is extending his approach to test understanding in machines.

By Paul Middlebrooks
19 November 2025 | 1 min read

privacy consent banner

Privacy Preference

We use cookies to provide you with the best online experience. By clicking “Accept All,” you help us understand how our site is used and enhance its performance. You can change your choice at any time. To learn more, please visit our Privacy Policy.