Headache Medicine Fellowship

MGB Neurogenetics and Gene Therapy Fellowship

Brigham and Women's Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School

Drs. Tanuja Chitnis and James Stankiewicz

Program Director:

Dr. Florian Eichler

Associate Program Director:

Dr. Vikram Khurana

The MGB Neurogenetics and Gene Therapy Fellowship is designed to provide training of clinically trained professionals who seek expertise in neurogenetics and gene therapy approaches to the nervous system and who have the potential to develop into productive, clinical investigators.With the number of gene therapy trials rising at MGB and across all of neurology, there is a need to train physicians on genomic analysis and approaches to gene therapy (ex vivo and in vivo gene therapy, ASO trials), with broad exposure to technology development, regulatory and safety aspects and trial execution. Training encompasses conversation with families and patients and optimizing communication on this next generation of therapeutics..

We expect that half of the fellows will become clinician investigators in the field of neurogenetics and personalized medicine, while the other half may pursue a career as clinical trialists and full-time clinicians.

Eligibility/Application Process

Candidates must be board-eligible in Neurology, have completed residency in good standing prior to the start of the fellowship, and have a strong interest in clinical research. Please send CV, a personal statement, and 3 letters of reference to the director of the fellowship program. The application can be mailed or emailed to:

Program Director

Dr. Florian Eichler
feichler@partners.org

Associate Program Director

Dr. Vikram Khurana
vkhurana@partners.org

Program Coordinator

Ginny Tosney-Trask
vtosneytrask@partners.org

fellowships

Aaron Berkowitz, MD, PhD

Training

George Washington University, BA in Music;
George Washington University, BS in Biological Sciences;
Harvard University, PhD in Music;
Johns Hopkins University, MD.

Interests

I am interested in cognitive neurology/neuroscience and the delivery of neurological care and education in resource-poor settings. I was drawn to the Partners Neurology program due to the extraordinary array of clinical, research, and educational resources, the commitment to education and mentoring provided by the incredible - and incredibly supportive - faculty and staff, and the vibrant academic environment of the Harvard community. Outside of medicine, I enjoy music and yoga, and the Boston area provides a wealth of opportunities to explore both.

Matthew Bevers, MD, PhD

Training

Amherst College, BA in Neuroscience;
University of Pennsylvania, PhD in Neuroscience;
University of Pennsylvania, MD;
Massachusetts General Hospital, Internship in Internal Medicine.

Interests

I spent my PhD years studying mechanisms of cell death after ischemic brain injury, which lead me to an interest in Vascular and Critical Care Neurology. I chose the Partners Neurology Residency partly because of the substantial experience we get with acute inpatient neurological issues. It has also been great to be able to train at two excellent, but different hospitals. I think working at both places really adds value to the training I'm receiving. I've been constantly impressed by the people I've worked with here, both in neurology and in other departments. Everyone is very committed to their job and their patients, but also always ready to have a good time.

Living in Boston has been great. I've enjoyed trying new restaurants in neighborhoods all over the city. It's a very walkable place and easy to explore. I also love that it's a short trip to the beach and golf courses out on Cape Cod whenever I have a free weekend.

Aaron Boes, MD, PhD

Training

University of Iowa, BS (Integrative Physiology);
University of Iowa, MD;
University of Iowa, PhD;
UC San Diego, Pediatrics residency.

Interests

I became interested in neuroscience as an undergraduate by way of a philosophy course dealing with the mind. This sparked an interest in research, particularly in studying the deficits of people with focal brain injuries with the cognitive neuroscience group at the University of Iowa led by Antonio Damasio. My PhD work focussed on structural MRI of the developing brain, looking at volumetric changes in the frontal and limbic regions and their relationship to complex human behaviors like aggression and impulsivity. My interest in brain development continues and it was a natural choice to go into pediatric neurology. Within the field of pediatric neurology I haven't yet chosen an area of interest though I continue to be interested in patients with focal brain injuries. I also am interested in the use of deep brain stimulation and neuro-modulation, which I think has huge therapeutic potential in the coming decades.

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my wife, traveling, and exploring new restaurants. My favorite outdoor activities include surfing and snowboarding. My wife and I are also eagerly anticipating the arrival of our first baby this winter.

Xi (Maggie) Chen, MD

Training

Beijing Medical University, China, MD;
University of Washington, Seattle, PhD in Pharmacology;
BIDMC, Boston, Post-doc training;
Mt Auburn Hospital, Cambridge PGY-1 Preliminary program in Medicine;

Interests

I have many interests within neurology and am still exploring my options within general neurology or a subspecialty. My PhD research focused on the mechanism of learning and memory. My post-doctoral work was in the neuro-endocrinology filed. Right now, only a few months into my neurology training, I'm very interested in neuro-oncology. I believe Partners Neurology is the perfect place to train me becoming the best neurologist I could possibly be. I find everyone in the program is so supportive, inspirational and fun.

Outside of work, I have two young kids. I enjoy spending time with them. I also love outdoor activities, hiking, camping, traveling with my husband. I enjoy watching movies and reading novels when I have time.

Deborah Forst, MD

Training

Rice University, Houston, Texas, BA in Economics and English;
Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, MD;
Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Houston, Texas, Internship.

Interests

I originally hail from northern New Jersey, but also consider myself an adopted Texan, after spending the past 15 years in Houston, TX. Yes, I even have the cowboy boots, hat and country music collection to prove my loyalty! My path to neurology was somewhat less direct, as I worked in the business world for several years after college, before ultimately returning to medical school 6 years later. I did my medical school training and internship at Baylor College of Medicine, then moved to Boston and joined the Partners team. I feel incredibly lucky to be part of a program that not only offers the comprehensive, rigorous training I was seeking, but also one that includes a team of extraordinarily dedicated residents, faculty and staff who take care of and support one another. The camaraderie, collaboration, and collegiality at Partners are what truly makes it an exceptional environment in which to train, in my mind. Although I have not yet decided on a specific focus within neurology, I am particularly interested in neurologic manifestations/complications of systemic illness, including paraneoplastic disorders, and look forward to the opportunity to explore this area further during my residency training.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our two dogs, trying new restaurants, traveling, and exploring my newly adopted city!

Kathryn Giblin, MD

Training

Harvard University, AB in Biology;
Yale University School of Medicine, MD;
Yale-New Haven Hospital, Internship.

Interests

I have many interests throughout the neuroaxis, and one of the things that I love about the Partners program (in addition to my amazing co-residents!) is the breadth of exposures and opportunities in neurology. Outside of the hospital, I enjoy making barely-edible meals from ingredients exclusively purchased from the farmers' market, taking Zumba fitness classes, and mopeding around the city.

Emily Johnson, MD

Training

Dartmouth College, BA in Math & Social Science;
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, MD;
Brigham & Women's Hospital, Medicine Internship.

Interests

It was easy to decide on Neurology as a field; choosing a subspecialty will be much more difficult! My research until now has been in Neuro-Infectious Disease; however, I am also flirting with the ideas of stroke/critical care, epilepsy, neuroimmunology, and pretty much everything else I've seen thus far.

I fell in love with the Partners Neurology program during the interview, when I met all the fantastic residents and attendings. I especially loved the Partners-specific wine & cheese neuroradiology rounds, and book club!

When not "In Hospital/On Page" I enjoy cooking and baking, jogging (slowly), reading all kinds of fiction, crafts, and exploring Boston's restaurants and outdoors.

Jamie LaBuzetta, MD

Training

Cornell University, New York, BA in Biology and Psychology;
Oxford University, England, MSc in Neurosciences;
Cambridge University, England, MPhil in Medical Sciences;
University of California, San Diego, MD;
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Prelim Year.

Interests

Within neurology, I'm quite interested in the more acute sub-specialties, and especially the intersection between neurointerventional/stroke/neurocritical care.

Outside of the hospital, I love to row! And cook. And read (non-medical texts). My husband and I spend a lot of time traveling around the world, and have lived outside of the USA for a fair portion of our adult lives.

Alice Lam, MD, PhD

Training

University of Chicago, BA;
University of Michigan, MD, PhD in Neuroscience;
Saint Joseph Mercy Hospital, Ann Arbor Preliminary Medicine year;

Interests

My interests in neurology remain undifferentiated - at this early point in my neurology training, everything still seems shiny and new! There are probably a few subspecialties that I'm NOT interested in, but I'll refrain from disclosing those so as not to offend anyone. So far, I think that one of the best things about being in this residency program is being surrounded by colleagues and faculty who are ridiculously smart, nicer than you care to imagine, and totally enthusiastic about what they do. It's a great environment in which to learn neurology! My graduate research focused on molecular mechanisms of neurotransmitter release, and one of my goals in the next few years will be to find a clinical interest that I can marry with my basic science interests. I'm confident that as a Partners Neurology resident, I will have the broad clinical exposure and plenty of resources at my fingertips to make this happen.

Outside of work, I like to spend time with my husband Ziba (who is a freelance video game programmer). I also like to skateboard, mess around with my ukulele and/or drum set (sometimes both at the same time), and make prank phone calls. (Is your refrigerator running?)

Jenny Linnoila, MD, PhD

Training

University of Chicago, BS in Computer Science
University of Pittsburgh, PhD in Pharmacology
University of Pittsburgh, MD

Interests

I am an M.D./Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh. I went to University of Chicago for undergrad. I also spent a year studying at the University of Cambridge in England. I did my internship year in Pittsburgh.

I chose to do neurology residency at MGH and BWH for a number of reasons. The program is large, has a number of world experts in neurology teaching and research (our professors literally write the major neurology textbooks out there), and it gives you an unparalleled clinical experience. Knowing that I eventually want to focus on a research career where I see patients approximately once a week and attend on the wards for a few weeks a year, I wanted to chose a place that would provide me with the best possible clinical background, experience, and knowledge. With its large hospitals with busy neurology services, this program provides great exposure to neurologic cases and teaching. There is a strong tradition of teaching, from the professors down to fellow residents. There are many opportunities for learning, from the hands-on wards, ED, ICU, and clinic experiences, to daily seminars and talks, as well as weekly neuropathology conferences. There are also more informal gatherings, such as wine and cheese, signs rounds, and book club. I have found this to be a supportive environment filled with people who are excited about neurology!

Outside of my work duties, I try to enjoy what the Boston area has to offer. There are great restaurants and martini bars. Running / biking / kayaking along the Charles River is incredibly relaxing. There are a number of places to hear live music, from the symphony to Wally's Jazz Cafe. There are always interesting lectures going on. There is amazing hiking, skiing, and beach life (Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket) within a few hours' distance. It is also relatively easy to get away to New York City for the weekend. Boston is a very public transportation-friendly town. I have found it relatively easy to get around town without a car. In summary, this is a great neurology residency training program!

Nicholas Morris, MD

Training

Yale University, BA in Psychology;
Johns Hopkins University, Post-Bac Pre-Med;
Harvard Medical School, MD;
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Intern in Internal Medicine.

Interests

I am not sure exactly what I want to do in neurology, but am leaning towards Neuro Critical Care or Stroke. One of the reasons I chose Partners is that no matter which field I ultimately choose there is a vast range of expertise here. Indeed I am continually impressed by the quantity and quality of teaching from my attendings, fellows, and co-residents.

Outside of the hospital, I enjoy playing soccer in a local men's league, skiing, rye whiskey, short flights to Baltimore to see my family, and long naps.

Shibani Mukerji, MD, PhD

Training

Yale University, BS in Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology;
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, MD;
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, PhD in Neuroscience;
MGH Internal Medicine Preliminary Year; Partners Neurology.

Interests

There are many aspects of neurology that I find fascinating and I am most interested in neuro-infectious disease. My goal is to develop a career as a physician-scientist and Partners Neurology has many faculty members who fit that role. Before medical school, I worked on studying the effect of the TGF-beta family member, Activin on cortical neurons in cerebral ischemia and reperfusion. Ideally, I would like to link my thesis work on ischemia and neurons to infectious disease, especially in HIV. Outside of work, my husband and I enjoy biking, running and traveling (my husband is Australian and we visit often). I love reading fiction when I have time and enjoy the company of great friends.

I chose Partners Neurology because of the depth of neurology faculty members in a variety of departments. I also picked Partners because each class is large, so when residency is over I will have colleagues in many different fields. The support system is wonderful and I look forward to the next couple of years.

Martha Neagu, MD, PhD

Training

Yale University, BS and MS;
Columbia University, MPhil and PhD;
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, MD;
Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, Internal Medicine Internship.

Interests

Neurology was love at first sight. After spending a decade researching HIV-1 and cellular immunology, my original plan was to specialize in hematology/oncology as a physician-scientist. When I returned to my clinical training after completing my Ph.D., however, I fell in love with all aspects of neurology: everything from the neurological exam, to the incredible complexity of neurologic disease, to the humor, good will, and brilliance of the neurologists themselves.

I enjoy the vast exposure to neurology the Partners Neurology Residency Programs provides. Clinical learning is directly proportional to how much you see. We have the privilege to work at two of the best hospitals in the country as well as the VA system, with a wonderful and rich patient population as well as outstanding and approachable faculty. Ultimately, what drove me to choose Partners Neurology are the people, both my fellow residents and the approachable and highly distinguished faculty. They are warm, have a great sense of humor, and are incredibly knowledgeable; being able to learn from them is an amazing opportunity.

My goal is to become a physician-scientist and I am currently interested in the fields of neuro-oncolgy and neuroimmunology. I wish to apply my knowledge of immunology, retrovirology, and genetics to the design of novel therapies for brain tumors. The Partners Neurology Program, as well as research labs at Harvard and M.I.T., have both the outstanding resources and infrastructure required to help me fuse my past and present interests.

Outside of the hospital, my other passions are classical music (piano and chamber music performance), sculpting and painting, downhill skiing, hiking, and good company; and Boston and New England are a perfect place to pursue these activities!

Marcelo Rocha, MD, PhD

Training

BA in Modern Language and Lingusitics, University of Maryland-Baltimore County;
MD/PhD, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School;
Medicine Internship: Massachusetts General Hospital

Interests

Clinical and research interests: My previous research encompassed studying alternative mechanisms of dopamine neurotransmission in normal and diseased brain, using different approaches including intra-cerebral microdialysis. My interests in neurology are too broad to commit yet but fall within the interface of internal medicine and neurology including neuro-oncology, neuro-infectious disease, cerebrovascular neurology and degenerative disorders. Given my particular interest in clinical pharmacology, I hope to practice academic neurology including translational/clinical research in the future.

Hobbies: swimming, soccer, literature, world music and travel, summer siesta in a hammock somewhere in the tropics(!)

Why I chose this residency: the residents, teachers and staff are enthusiastic, collegial, highly diverse and good natured. Great clinical training with broad research opportunities. Living in Boston is great!!

Patricia Scripko, MD

Training

Interests

I have 3 loves in life: dance, neurology and Boston. As an avid runner, a hopeful artist, a dog-owner, and an outdoor enthusiast, Boston is always my perfect city. It's also my first "real" city complete with nearby nature, a city nightlife, the Red Sox, and the best lobster roll south of Maine. I came here over 7 years ago for a summer research internship, and have not been able to stay away for too long since, returning for at least several months each year to partake in stem cell, neuroradiology and bioethics research. The Partners Neurology program caught my attention for its warmth, camaraderie, and the impressive clinical skills of those senior to me who were undergoing residency training. Similar to my research interests, my clinical interests are broad, but include neurointensive care/traumatic brain injury, stroke, neuro-oncology and headache/pain.

Daniel Vardeh, MD

Training

University of Heidelberg, Germany, MD;
Jacobi Medical Center/ Einstein, New York, Internship.

Interests

I am originally from Germany, where I attended medical school at the University of Heidelberg. I graduated in 2008 and came to the US in 2010 for internship, which I did at Jacobi Medical Center/ Einstein in New York. A few months into my residency now, I must say that I truly enjoy being here and feel privileged to receive my training in this very friendly, motivating and teaching-oriented environment at both MGH and BWH.

Besides medical school, I have developed some interest into basic research, and I spent one year at the lab of Clifford Woolf here at MGH in 2006 and did a post-doc with Rohini Kuner after graduation at the University of Heidelberg. My main focus during this time was on basic mechanisms of neuropathic and inflammatory pain, and I hope that after the clinically demanding first year of residency is over, I will have some time to further pursue this interest.

During my days off, I enjoy being with my 2 kids – Simon is four and Malin is one year old – and go to the beach as often as I can (easily reachable by public transportation). I enjoy biking to work every day, which is the fastest and most relaxing way to travel in Boston!

Ivana Vodopivec, MD, PhD

Training

University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Croatia, MD;
University of Zurich, Switzerland, PhD in Neuroscience;
Boston University – Boston Medical Center, PGY-1 Preliminary Program in Medicine.

Interests

My PhD research in neuroscience was focused on pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease. However, my interests in neurology are much broader, neurodegenerative disorders and neuroimmunology being my favorites. I also hope I will be able to tie my passion for neurology with my interest in medical education. Partners Neurology Program has been a perfect fit for me as it provides excellent didactics, research and care for highly complex patients. Excitement for learning, devotion, support and camaraderie I am surrounded with on daily basis are equally important to me and will certainly help me shape my professional development path.

Outside of work, I enjoy pilates, hiking, arts and crafts, writing poetry and eating delicious food cooked by my husband!

Shelley Waite, MD

Training

Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola, MD;
Loyola, Chicago, Pediatrics.

Interests

I grew up in Chicago and completed my undergraduate studies at Harvard College majoring in psychology and biology. This was followed by medical school at Stritch Loyola in Chicago. I hope to combine my passion for international development and pediatric neurology by continuing my involvement in global medicine. Through my experience in the Peace Corps during a summer service trip to the Dominical Republic, I was motivated by the partnerships built with local community activists and other volunteers. It was here that we addressed health problems through the context of primary care where I came to learn that there is a role for more specialized knowledge, particularly in training other physicians. Ultimately, I believe that helping other physicians and training other health educators can have the most powerful and far reaching effects. I anticipate a rich and fulfilling career where I am motivated to learn, to teach and to treat.

Outside of work I enjoy Tae Kwon Do, foreign languages, contemporary literature and cooking.

Rodrigo Zepeda, MD

Training

Tec de Monterrey, Mexico, MD;
Brigham and Women's Hospital, Medicine Internship.

Interests

l find all aspects of neurology fascinating, but my research interests have focused in epilepsy, brain mapping and global health, particularly health disparities in epilepsy patients, both in the U.S. and abroad. I think research and medical innovation are even more exciting when they reach and impact the lives of the people who need it the most. This is what attracted me to the Partners Neurology Program. The breadth and depth of the Neurology department, its research opportunities and global health initiatives both at BWH and MGH were the perfect combination to find creative bridges between innovation and health disparities. After finishing medical school in Mexico, I have worked both in an epilepsy/brain mapping lab at MGH and with Partners in Health abroad, where I have found the type of exciting research opportunities I was looking for. As a Neurology resident at Partners, I have found a stimulating and supportive environment to become an excellent clinician, outstanding clinical and research mentors in all areas of Neurology, and best of all, co-residents with diverse backgrounds and interests, whose passion, energy and camaraderie continue to inspire me and help make this an awesome place to work.

In my free time you'll probably find me dragon boating on the Charles river, snowboarding in Vermont, traveling somewhere far far away, making guacamole or enjoying a good old siesta.

Eli Zimmerman, MD, PhD

Training

Washington University in St. Louis, BA;
Vanderbilt University, MD;
Vanderbilt University, Internship.

Career Interests

I became interested in Neurology after taking an incredible neuroanatomy class during my second year of medical school and after spending time with patients and their families on clinical rotations. I love the anatomy and physiology, and I love how Neurology represents the intersection of so many, multidisciplinary fields, like medicine, surgery, physical and occupational therapy, and more. I was drawn to Partners because of the diverse, broad experience residents receive, the approachability of faculty members, and the friendliness and well-roundedness of the residents; my very high expectations have been far exceeded. In the long run, I plan to stay in academics and to go into stroke or critical care, perhaps also with additional time in a Palliative Care fellowship.

Personal Interests

Outside of the hospital, I enjoy reading, traveling, as well as spending time with family, friends, and my partner, Joshua, who works as the Autism Services Coordinator for a non-profit organization here in Boston. We live in the South End, and though it's different from the South, where we're both from (I'm from Kentucky, Josh is from North Florida), we are already in love with Boston. We are both fortunate that Boston is so walkable, as we've been eating our way across town.

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Interests