Meet Our Fellows

Introducing our incredible fellows! These physicians have gone above and beyond in supporting families living with epilepsy.

Care & Cure INstitute

Care & Cure Institute

These exceptional individuals are not only advancing in their careers but also making a profound impact on the lives of children with epilepsy. Through their research, dedication, and commitment, they are shaping the future of epilepsy care and bringing hope to families in need. Explore their stories and learn how their work is changing lives.

David Adams, MD

UCI/CHOC, 2021-2022

David Adams, MD

UCI/CHOC, 2021-2022

Dr. David Adams is a board-certified pediatric neurologist at CHOC in Orange County, California. As an expert in pediatric neurology, Dr. Adams cares for babies, kids and teens with a wide variety of neurologic conditions. He specializes in new and intractable epilepsy, as well as comorbid neurodevelopmental disorders.

Dr. Adams is an active member of CHOC’s level 4 epilepsy center and participates in weekly epilepsy surgery conferences. He also works in the autism and epilepsy co-occurring clinic at the Thompson Autism and Neurodevelopmental Center at CHOC.

Dr. Adams is currently working with Dr. Daniel Shrey on research for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) and infantile spasms.
“Neurology is like a puzzle. It doesn’t always make sense at first, but you have to gather all the pieces before you can put the full picture together.” – Dr. Adams

David J. Adams MD is on staff at CHOC Hospital in Orange County.

Samuel Ahn, MD

UCLA, 2020-2022

Samuel Ahn, MD

UCLA, 2020-2022

Dr. Samuel Ahn is a highly trained neurologist with specialized expertise in epilepsy and clinical neurophysiology. Board-certified in Neurology (2020), Clinical Neurophysiology (2021), and Epilepsy (2022) by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, he completed his medical degree at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 2016. Following an internship in Internal Medicine at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center in 2017, Dr. Ahn pursued a Neurology residency and advanced fellowships in Clinical Neurophysiology (2021) and Pediatric Epilepsy (2022) at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine.

Michelle Armacost, MD

USC, 2015-2016

Michelle Armacost, MD

USC, 2015-2016

Dr. Armacost was born and raised in Santa Monica, CA. She attended UCLA where she majored in French and Linguistics. After deciding to pursue a career in medicine, she attended the Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program at Johns Hopkins University. She attended medical school at USC and stayed on to complete Neurology residency and Epilepsy fellowship there. Following her graduation from fellowship, she joined her mentors Dr. Susan Shaw and Dr. Tory Gong at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center as a full-time neurologist and epileptologist. She currently serves as the Director of the Acute Neurology Unit and cares for patients both in the outpatient and inpatient settings, including patients admitted to the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit. She is board certified in both Neurology and Epilepsy, and her interests include the medical and surgical management of patients with intractable epilepsy. She loves working with and teaching medical students, residents and fellows.

Christie Becu, MD

UCLA, 2023-2024

Danilo Bernardo, MD

UCLA, 2023-2024

Danilo Bernardo, MD

UCLA, 2023-2024

Dr. Danilo Bernardo is a pediatric neurologist who cares for children with epilepsy. He specializes in treating epilepsy that begins in early childhood as well as drug-resistant epilepsy. His expertise includes surgical treatments for drug-resistant epilepsy.

His research focuses on developing new computational approaches – using computers and mathematics – to guide the diagnosis and treatment of severe forms of childhood-onset epilepsy.

He earned his medical degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, where he also completed a residency in neurology. At the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, he completed a residency in child neurology and a fellowship in clinical neurophysiology and pediatric epilepsy.

He is a member of the American Epilepsy Society, American Clinical Neurophysiology Society, American Academy of Neurology and Child Neurology Society. As a resident in 2012, he received a Teaching Award for Excellence in Medical Education from Kaiser Permanente.

Jiadong Chen, MD

USCF, 2014-2015

Jiadong Chen, MD

USCF, 2014-2015

Dr. Jiadong Chen is an accomplished researcher and academic specializing in electrocatalysis and materials science. He is currently affiliated with Zhejiang University, where his work focuses on advancing energy conversion technologies through innovative material development. With a strong foundation in chemistry, Dr. Chen has made groundbreaking contributions to understanding catalytic processes, particularly in hydrogen evolution reactions and water splitting. His research on reversible hydrogen spillover in Ru-WO₃₋ₓ, published in Nature Communications, has significantly enhanced the scientific community’s knowledge of hydrogen evolution in neutral pH environments.

Dr. Chen’s extensive body of work is highly regarded, earning numerous citations and recognition within the scientific community. His commitment to addressing global energy challenges drives his exploration of sustainable and efficient energy solutions. Through his research, Dr. Chen continues to push the boundaries of materials science, paving the way for practical applications in renewable energy technologies. With a dedication to both fundamental science and real-world impact, he stands out as a thought leader in the field.

Brian Choi, MD

CHLA, 2023-2024

Brian Choi, MD

CHLA, 2023-2024

Dr. Brian Choi is a dedicated physician specializing in pediatric neurology, currently serving as an Epilepsy Fellow at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) for the 2023-2024 academic year. He earned his medical degree from the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, where he developed a strong foundation in medical sciences and a passion for pediatric care. Following medical school, Dr. Choi completed his residency in child neurology at CHLA, where he served as an Administrative Co-Chief Resident during his PGY-5 year, demonstrating his leadership and commitment to the field.

Throughout his training, Dr. Choi has shown a keen interest in epilepsy, focusing on advancing treatment options and improving patient outcomes for children with seizure disorders. His dedication to pediatric neurology and epilepsy is evident in his clinical practice and ongoing research endeavors. As he progresses through his fellowship, Dr. Choi continues to contribute to the field through both patient care and scholarly activities, aiming to enhance the understanding and management of pediatric epilepsy.

Nicole Cobo, MD

UCLA, 2012-2014

Nicole Cobo, MD

UCLA, 2012-2014

Dr. Nicole H. Cobo is a board-certified pediatric neurologist and clinical neurophysiologist based in Long Beach, California. She earned her medical degree from Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine and completed her residency at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Further honing her expertise, Dr. Cobo pursued a fellowship at the University of California Los Angeles Medical Center.

With over 16 years of medical experience, Dr. Cobo is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach.

U.S. News Health

She practices at Adult & Child Neurology Medical Associates, where she specializes in pediatric neurology, providing comprehensive care for children with neurological disorders.

GNP Web

Jay Desai, MD

CHLA, 2011-2013

Jay Desai, MD

CHLA, 2011-2013

Dr. Jay Desai is a distinguished pediatric neurologist serving as an Attending Physician in the Division of Neurology at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). He holds the position of Associate Professor of Neurology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. Dr. Desai earned his medical degree from B J Medical College, Gujarat University, followed by a residency at Lincoln Medical & Mental Health Center, affiliated with Cornell University. He further specialized through a fellowship at CHLA in conjunction with the University of Southern California.

Board-certified by both the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology and the American Board of Pediatrics, Dr. Desai has contributed significantly to medical literature. His clinical and academic endeavors underscore his commitment to advancing pediatric neurology, particularly in understanding and managing complex neurological conditions in children.

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

Parshaw Dorriz, MD

USC+LAC, 2017-2018

Parshaw Dorriz, MD

USC+LAC, 2017-2018

Dr. Parshaw Dorriz is a board certified neurologist with a specialty in epilepsy. He attended medical school at American University of the Caribbean. He then completed his residency at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. Following this, he completed his fellowship at Los Angeles County + University of Southern California (LAC+USC).

He currently practices with Mission Heritage Medical Group in Orange County, California, where he specializes in treating epilepsy. He is currently the physician director at the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, CA. The unit allows Dr. Dorriz and his team to monitor patient’s electroencephalogram (EEG) around the clock and locate where the seizures are originating from. This will support Mission Hospital physicians as they treat patients for possible surgical resection or epilepsy surgery and significantly improve the lives of Orange County residents struggling with epilepsy.

Dr. Dorriz believes in guiding patients with compassionate care and creating a treatment plan together as a team. He works to connect with his patients to learn their backgrounds, cultures, and family dynamic to ensure that the patient has a strong healing process.

Benjamin D. Edmonds, MD

UCLA, 2021-2023

Benjamin D. Edmonds, MD

UCLA, 2021-2023

Dr. Benjamin David Edmonds is an Assistant Professor of Neurology at Seattle Children’s Hospital, where he has been on staff since August 2023. He is affiliated with the Norcliffe Foundation Center for Integrative Brain Research.

Dr. Edmonds earned his medical degree from the University of Central Florida College of Medicine in Orlando, Florida. He completed his residency at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh/UPMC Health System in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, followed by a fellowship at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. He holds board certifications in Clinical Neurophysiology and Neurology with Special Qualification in Child Neurology.

Sarah Elsakr, MD

CHLA, 2023-2024

Sarah Elsakr, MD

CHLA, 2023-2024

Dr. Sarah Elsakr is a pediatric epileptologist currently serving as a faculty member at Indiana University Health-Riley Children’s Hospital. She completed her medical degree at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in 2018. Following her graduation, Dr. Elsakr pursued specialized training in pediatric epilepsy, culminating in a fellowship at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), where she was part of the Class of 2024.

Throughout her fellowship at CHLA, Dr. Elsakr focused on advancing her expertise in pediatric epilepsy, contributing to both clinical practice and research initiatives aimed at improving outcomes for children with seizure disorders. Her dedication to the field is evident in her ongoing commitment to providing specialized care and advancing knowledge in pediatric epilepsy.

Theresa Estiphan, MD

C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, 2022-2023

Theresa Estiphan, MD

C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, 2022-2023

Dr. Theresa Estiphan is an Assistant Professor at Michigan State University, board-certified in pediatric neurology. She has completed fellowships in epilepsy and pediatric neurocritical care, making her an expert in these fields.

Conditions Treated and Procedures Performed

Dr. Estiphan’s primary focus is on treating seizure disorders and managing neurological conditions in newborns, where she applies her specialized training to provide the highest level of care. She also performs specialized procedures, including EEG and long-term video EEG monitoring.

Carla Francisco, MD

CHLA 2012-2014

Carla Francisco, MD

CHLA 2012-2014

Dr. Carla Francisco is a pediatric neurologist at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals, where she also serves as an associate professor of neurology. She earned her medical degree from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California in 2004. Dr. Francisco completed her residency at Kaiser Foundation Hospital in 2009, followed by a residency at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles in 2015.

Dr. Francisco’s research focuses on pediatric neuroimmunology, particularly conditions such as myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) and multiple sclerosis in children. Her recent publications include studies on clinical and imaging findings in children with MOGAD and the relationship between serum neurofilament levels and disease activity in pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis.

Aran Groves, MD, PhD

UCLA, 2023-2025

Aran Groves, MD, PhD

UCLA, 2023-2025

Dr. Aran Groves, MD, PhD, is a pediatric neurologist specializing in child neurology, currently affiliated with UCLA Health. He earned his medical degree from the University of California San Diego School of Medicine in 2018, followed by a residency in pediatrics at UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine from 2018 to 2020. Dr. Groves holds board certification in Neurology with Special Qualification in Child Neurology.

Dr. Groves has contributed to the field through research and publications, including a co-authored article titled “Infantile Spasms: The Biggest Little Seizures,” published in Practical Neurology in April 2023. His clinical interests focus on pediatric epilepsy, and he is involved in multidisciplinary approaches to precision therapy for pediatric patients with hemimegalencephaly.

Shaun Hussain, MD

UCLA, 2006-2009

Shaun Hussain, MD

UCLA, 2006-2009

Dr. Shaun A. Hussain is a pediatric epilepsy specialist at UCLA Health, focusing on severe childhood disorders such as infantile spasms, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, and Dravet Syndrome. He earned his medical degree from Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 2005, followed by residencies in Pediatrics (2007) and Pediatric Neurology (2010) at UCLA School of Medicine. He further specialized with a fellowship in Clinical Neurophysiology at UCLA, completed in 2011. Dr. Hussain holds board certifications in Neurology with Special Qualification in Child Neurology (2010) and Clinical Neurophysiology (2011) from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Hussain serves as an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of California, Los Angeles, and directs the UCLA Infantile Spasms Program. His research interests include pediatric epilepsy and epileptic spasms, contributing to advancements in treatment approaches for these conditions. Dr. Hussain has been recognized among Los Angeles Magazine’s Top Doctors in 2021, 2023, and 2024, reflecting his commitment to excellence in pediatric neurology.

Sana Javed-Ebeid, md

USC, 2012

Sana Javed-Ebeid, md

USC, 2012

Sana Javed-Ebeid, MD is a neurologist with Ascension Sacred Heart in Panama City, FL. Dr. Javed-Ebeid is board-certified in neurology and epilepsy and provides specialty care to adults with neurologic diseases. She comes to Ascension Sacred Heart from the Neuromedical Institute in Panama City, FL. Dr. Javed-Ebeid has a special interest in epilepsy, migraine and stroke management. She strives to achieve maximal seizure control and improve the quality of life of her patients,by communicating effectively with her patients and helping them make well-informed health decisions. When not caring for patients, Dr. Javed-Ebeid enjoys taking walks, reading, embroidery and spending time with her family.

Brittany Jordan, MD

CHLA, 2022-2023

Brittany Jordan, MD

CHLA, 2022-2023

Brittany Jordan, MD, joins the Division of Neurology at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles as a specialist in the treatment of pediatric epilepsy.

Dr. Jordan received her medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine, where she also completed her child neurology residency training before completing a fellowship in pediatric epilepsy at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. She has a specific career interest in global health and has spent time learning at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya, with the Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH) program. Dr. Jordan is passionate about providing equitable care to all epilepsy patients and their families.

Madeline Kahan, MD

CHLA, 2021-2022

Madeline Kahan, MD

CHLA, 2021-2022

Dr. Madeline Kahan joins the Division of Neurology at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles as a specialist in the treatment of pediatric epilepsy and neurology.

Dr. Kahan received a B.S. in Neuroscience and a B.A. in World Arts and Cultures at UCLA, and earned her M.D. at UCSF. She completed her Pediatrics residency at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital – Oakland and Child Neurology residency at UCSF, after which she completed her Pediatric Epilepsy fellowship at CHLA. Dr. Kahan is especially passionate about the transition from adolescence to adult care, and was the inaugural recipient of the Child Neurology Foundation Excellence in Transitions award. She is an active member of the Children and Youth With Epilepsy Advisory Committee through the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Dr. Kahan enjoys caring for neurology and epilepsy patients and their families from birth through adolescence. She accepts epilepsy patient referrals at the CHLA Sunset Campus, and both general child neurology and epilepsy patients at CHLA’s Encino location.

Clinical Interests

Treatment of epilepsy (including medical and surgical treatments for intractable epilepsy), general child neurology, and transitions of care for adolescent and young adult patients

Mellad Khoshnood, MD

USC, 2023

Mellad Khoshnood, MD

USC, 2023

Dr. Mellad Michael Khoshnood is a pediatric neurologist specializing in autoimmune encephalitis and Down syndrome regression disorder. He earned his medical degree from the University of Louisville School of Medicine and completed his internship and residency at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Dr. Khoshnood further honed his expertise through a fellowship at the same institution.

In 2024, Dr. Khoshnood joined the medical staff at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, practicing at the Grotenhuis Pediatric Clinic and Cottage Children’s Medical Group. His research contributions include studies on the safety and tolerability of home infusions in Down syndrome regression disorder.
Additionally, he has shared his expertise on pediatric autoimmune encephalitis through educational platforms.

Olivia Kim-McManus, MD

CHLA, 2012-2014

Olivia Kim-McManus, MD

CHLA, 2012-2014

Dr. Olivia Kim-McManus is a child neurologist at Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego and an associate clinical professor of Neurosciences, Pediatric Neurology, Epilepsy & Clinical Neurophysiology at UC San Diego School of Medicine Department of Neurosciences.

Dr. Kim-McManus is board certified in neurology with special qualifications in child neurology. She is also a board-certified epileptologist with additional expertise in pediatric epilepsy and clinical neurophysiology.

She specializes in treating infants, children and adolescents with pediatric neurological conditions including neurological conditions related to brain malformations, underlying genetic etiologies, intellectual disabilities and neurodevelopmental problems of childhood. Her primary expertise and interests include clinical neurophysiology and epilepsy surgery (i.e. invasive intracranial electroencephalography monitoring and intraoperative electrocorticography). She manages medically intractable epilepsy patients who undergo resective brain surgery, hemispherectomy, minimally invasive laser ablation therapy and/or implantable neuromodulation devices.

Her research activities include a multicenter study with UC Irvine and UC Berkeley/UCSF involving epilepsy surgery patients undergoing intracranial EEG monitoring well as industry-sponsored drug trials for rare genetic epilepsy syndromes, such as Dravet syndrome.

David Millett, MD

USC, 2011-2013

David Millett, MD

USC, 2011-2013

Dr. Millett is a board-certified neurologist specializing in seizures, epilepsy and electroencephalography (EEG). He received his BA from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and obtained both his MD and PhD in 2001 from the University of Chicago. Dr. Millett returned to his native Southern California for his medical internship, neurology residency and 2-year subspecialty training fellowship in Epilepsy and EEG at UCLA.

In 2007, Dr. Millett joined the faculty of Keck School of Medicine at USC and was given the task of establishing an epilepsy monitoring program to provide advanced epilepsy care for thousands of underserved patients within the Los Angeles Department of Health Services. Under Dr. Millett’s guidance the epilepsy program at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation flourished, providing an array of services such as in-patient video-EEG monitoring, intracranial video-EEG monitoring, neuroimaging, neurocognitive evaluation, and epilepsy surgery. This program received a special Merit Award from the County of Los Angeles in 2011, the same year Dr. Millett was recognized as the Earl I. Feldhorn Pediatric Epilepsy Faculty at the Keck School of Medicine at USC for his efforts to provide advanced epilepsy care to children with epilepsy.

Sariah Moyen, MD

UCLA, 2023-2025

Sariah Moyen, MD

UCLA, 2023-2025

Dr. Sariah Moyen is a board-certified internal medicine physician affiliated with UCLA Health. She earned her medical degree from the University of California, San Diego – School of Medicine, and completed her residency in internal medicine at UCLA. Dr. Moyen is committed to providing comprehensive primary care, emphasizing preventive health measures and patient education. Her clinical interests include chronic disease management, women’s health, and promoting healthy lifestyle choices. Dr. Moyen is dedicated to fostering strong patient-physician relationships and delivering personalized care to her patients.

Manpreet Multani, MD

USC+LAC, 2013-2014

Manpreet Multani, MD

USC+LAC, 2013-2014

Dr. Manpreet Kaur Multani is a board-certified neurologist based in Fullerton, California, affiliated with Providence Affiliated Physicians, St. Jude. She earned her medical degree from Guru Govind Singh Medical College in 2005, followed by an internship at Nassau University Medical Center in 2010. Dr. Multani completed her residency at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute in 2013 and further specialized with a fellowship at LAC USC Keck School of Medicine in 2014.

With over a decade of clinical experience, Dr. Multani specializes in neurology, with a particular focus on headache management. She is affiliated with medical facilities including St. Jude Medical Center.

Dr. Multani is fluent in Hindi and Punjabi, enabling her to effectively communicate with a diverse patient population.

Nassim Naderi, MD

UCLA, 2022-2023

Nassim Naderi, MD

UCLA, 2022-2023

Dr. Nassim Naderi is a board-certified neurologist specializing in pediatric epilepsy. She holds certifications from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, as well as from the American Board of Clinical Neurophysiology in Epilepsy. Dr. Naderi earned her medical degree from Tehran University of Medical Sciences, completed her residency at the University of California, Irvine, and pursued fellowships in Clinical Neurophysiology at UCLA and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, followed by Pediatric

Epilepsy and Pediatric Epilepsy Surgical Planning at UCLA.
Currently, Dr. Naderi serves as an assistant professor at the University of California, Irvine, and is on staff at CHOC Hospital in Orange, California. She treats children and adolescents with epilepsy and performs intraoperative monitoring during neurosurgical and spine procedures.

Divya Nadkarni, MD

UCLA, 2017-2018

Divya Nadkarni, MD

UCLA, 2017-2018

Dr. Divya Nadkarni Desai is a board-certified pediatric neurologist specializing in epilepsy. She earned her medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in 2012, followed by a residency in neurology at UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine/UCLA Medical Center, completed in 2017. She further specialized with a fellowship in epilepsy at the same institution, concluding in 2018.

Currently, Dr. Desai serves as an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics (Neurology and Epilepsy) at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and is an attending physician at the Neurology and Epilepsy Center of Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. She is affiliated with Northwestern Memorial Hospital and is fluent in English and Konkani, enabling her to effectively communicate with a diverse patient population.

Hiroki Nariai, MD

UCLA, 2016-2018

Hiroki Nariai, MD

UCLA, 2016-2018

Dr. Nariai is currently an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Pediatric Neurology at UCLA. He specializes in pediatric epilepsy, specifically focusing on drug-resistant epilepsy and epilepsy surgery evaluation. He currently serves as the Medical Director of the Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Program at UCLA. Dr. Nariai is board-certified in pediatric neurology, epilepsy, and clinical neurophysiology.

Dr. Nariai is actively involved in the UCLA Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Program and the UCLA Infantile Spasms Program from both a clinical and research perspective. His research has been funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH), the UCLA Children’s Discovery and Innovation Institute (CDI), the American Academy of Neurology, the American Epilepsy Society, the American Brain Foundation, and the Epilepsy Foundation.

In his ongoing research, Dr. Nariai is exploring EEG (electroencephalogram) biomarkers of epilepsy and conducting computational EEG analyses during epilepsy surgery. He aims to pinpoint the brain regions responsible for seizure generation and identify functional brain areas, to minimize complications associated with epilepsy surgery.

Dr. Nariai is an active member of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) and the American Epilepsy Society (AES).

Jacqueline Ngo, MD, MS

UCLA, 2023-2024

Adam Numis, MD

UCLA, 2014-2016

Adam Numis, MD

UCLA, 2014-2016

Dr. Adam L. Numis is a pediatric neurologist and specialist in epilepsy. He focuses on evaluating and caring for children with epilepsy, particularly children and adolescents with difficult-to-treat seizures. He is working to improve diagnosis, treatment and outcomes for infantile spasms, a particularly severe type of epilepsy.

Numis’s research includes evaluating the connection between inflammation and epilepsy. His work attempts to understand how inflammatory markers in the blood could help predict which patients might respond best to a particular antiseizure medication. Additionally, his work seeks to understand the role inflammation may play in epilepsy development in certain at-risk populations, including children with traumatic brain injuries, genetic disorders or stroke.

Numis received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School. He completed a residency in pediatrics at Boston Children’s Hospital, a residency in child neurology at UCSF, and fellowships in clinical neurophysiology and epilepsy at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Numis is a member of the American Epilepsy Society, American Academy of Neurology and American Clinical Neurophysiology Society. In his free time, he enjoys running, sailing and traveling.

Arthur Partikian, MD

USC, 2007-2010

Arthur Partikian, MD

USC, 2007-2010

Dr. Arthur Partikian is a board-certified pediatric neurologist with special qualifications in child neurology. He earned his medical degree from Washington University Medical School of Saint Louis, followed by an internship, residency, and fellowship at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Dr. Partikian serves as a Physician Consultant in the Division of Neurology at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and holds the position of Assistant Professor of Neurology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.

In addition to his clinical roles, Dr. Partikian is the Director of the Division of Child Neurology at Los Angeles County + USC Medical Center. His expertise encompasses a broad range of pediatric neurological disorders, and he has been involved in enhancing care for conditions such as Rett Syndrome. Dr. Partikian’s contributions to pediatric neurology are recognized through his academic appointments and leadership positions within prominent medical institutions in Los Angeles.

Don Phillips, MD

UCLA, 2013-2015

Don Phillips, MD

UCLA, 2013-2015

Dr. Donald Phillips is a board-certified pediatric epileptologist and neurophysiologist at CHOC in Orange County, California. As an expert in pediatric epilepsy, Dr. Phillips cares for babies, kids, teens and young adults with a wide variety of epilepsy-related health conditions such as infantile spasms, Lennox Gastaut Syndrome (LGS), Dravet Syndrome and CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder. He specializes in medically complex epilepsy syndromes, surgical epilepsy, epileptic encephalopathy, tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and pediatric intraoperative neuromonitoring.

Dr. Phillips is the medical director of the CHOC Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, neurodiagnostic/EEG laboratory and the CHOC Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) Clinic. In these roles,

Dr. Phillips has worked to facilitate high quality, accessible and comprehensive care for all patients and families living with epilepsy and TSC.

Dr. Phillips earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biochemistry from University of Michigan and his master’s degree in public health from Boston University before obtaining his medical degree from University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine. He completed his internship, residency and a fellowship in pediatric epilepsy at University of California Los Angeles. He is a fellow of the American Clinical Neurophysiology Society and a member of American Epilepsy Society and the Orange County Medical Association.

Donald J Phillips MD, MPH, FACNS is on staff at CHOC Hospital in Orange and CHOC Mission Hospital.

Meko Porter, MD

USC, 2012-2013

Meko Porter, MD

USC, 2012-2013

Dr. Meko Y. Porter is a board-certified neurologist based in Bermuda Dunes, California, with affiliations to Eisenhower Medical Center and Desert Regional Medical Center. She earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2008. Dr. Porter completed her residency in Neurology at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation from 2008 to 2012. She holds medical licenses in California (2012–2025) and Ohio (2008–2012).

Dr. Porter practices at the Neurology Clinic located at 41120 Washington Street, Suite 204, Bermuda Dunes, CA 92203. She has extensive experience in treating headaches and is known for her patient-centered approach, emphasizing clear communication and trustworthiness. Dr. Porter is currently accepting new patients and offers telehealth services. She accepts multiple insurance plans, including Cigna. Her practice is noted for friendly staff and efficient scheduling, contributing to a positive patient experience.

Jyes A. Querubin, MD

CHLA, 2014-2016

Jyes A. Querubin, MD

CHLA, 2014-2016

Dr. Jyes Querubin is a board-certified pediatric neurologist and epileptologist based in Pasadena, California. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from UCLA and her medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Dr. Querubin completed her Pediatrics residency at the University of Maryland Medical Center, followed by a Child Neurology residency and an Epilepsy fellowship at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

Currently, Dr. Querubin serves as the Co-Director of the Pediatric Program at West Coast Neurology, with practice locations in Pasadena, Arcadia, and Pomona. Her clinical interests focus on pediatric epilepsy, and she is dedicated to providing comprehensive care for children with neurological conditions.

Dr. Querubin is affiliated with Huntington Hospital in Pasadena, California. She is fluent in English, enabling effective communication with a diverse patient population.

Karandev Rai, MD

USC, 2014-2015

Rajsekar Rajaraman, MD, MS

UCLA, 2015-2017

Rajsekar Rajaraman, MD, MS

UCLA, 2015-2017

Dr. Raj Rajaraman is an Associate Professor and distinguished member of both UCLA Department of Pediatrics and the Department of Psychology. Originally from New Jersey, he graduated from St. George’s University School of Medicine and completed his pediatrics residency at Monmouth Medical Center in New Jersey, where he discovered his passion for treating epilepsy. He pursued his neurology fellowship at UCLA and is triple board-certified in Pediatric Neurology, Clinical Neurophysiology, and Epilepsy.

In 2018, he founded the CDKL5 Center of Excellence and later became Director of the Tuberous Sclerosis Center of Excellence in 2020. His clinical and research interests focus on rare genetic epilepsies and epileptic encephalopathies. Dr. Rajaraman has authored over 30 peer-reviewed publications, serves as the primary investigator for more than 15 clinical trials, and receives research funding from the NIH, the FDA, and the Department of Defense. In recognition of his research, he was awarded the 2015 American Epilepsy Society Young Investigator Award. Additionally, he has co-chaired the UCLA Community and Advocacy Committee and maintains regular collaborations with patient advocacy groups for various genetic epilepsies. He volunteers for the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Los Angeles, including helping at their annual Walk to End Epilepsy at the Rose Bowl, as well as the Epilepsy Awareness Day at Disneyland.

Lekha Matsumori Rao, MD

UCLA, 2011-2013

Lekha Matsumori Rao, MD

UCLA, 2011-2013

Dr. Lekha M. Rao is triple board certified in Neurology/Child Neurology, Clinical Neurophysiology, and Epilepsy. After obtaining her BA in Neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University and MD at Drexel University, she completed pediatric residency, child neurology fellowship, and pediatric epilepsy fellowship at UCLA. She was the recipient of a 2011- 2013 Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Los Angeles Care and Cure Fellowship. Dr. Rao is also sees pediatric epilepsy and neurology patients at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center.

Dr. Rao is a frequent invited lecturer on the topics of pediatric and neonatal seizures, epilepsy, and epilepsy surgery evaluation. She has presented and lectured both nationally and internationally, and published research in movement disorders, acute symptomatic seizures, and neonatal seizures with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. She is a member of Child Neurology Society, the American Academy of Neurology, and the Newborn Brain Society, as well as a Fellow of the American Epilepsy Society. She is also the director of the Pediatric Epilepsy Fellowship track at UCLA and the associate program director for the Child Neurology Residency at UCLA.

Dr. Rao is also a primary investigator on several clinical trials for pediatric and neonatal seizures and epilepsy.

Comprehensive care is a top priority for Dr. Rao, including communicating back with referring providers and working with patients and their families to improve their care. As a result, Dr. Rao has been named a Los Angeles Magazine Top Doctor and Los Angeles Times Super Doctor for several years.

Eric Ronne, MD

UCLA, 2023-2024

Mohammed Shahnawaz, MD

UCLA, 2022-2023

Mohammed Shahnawaz, MD

UCLA, 2022-2023

Dr. Mohammed Shahnawaz is a board-certified pediatric neurologist and epileptologist based in Charlotte, North Carolina. He earned his medical degree from Northeastern Ohio Medical University in 2017. Dr. Shahnawaz completed his Pediatrics residency in 2019 and Pediatric Neurology residency in 2022, both at Emory University. He further specialized with an Epilepsy fellowship at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, completed in 2023.

Currently, Dr. Shahnawaz practices at Novant Health Pediatric Neurology & Sleep – Randolph in Charlotte, where he is accepting new patients. His clinical expertise encompasses pediatric neurology and epilepsy, providing comprehensive care for children with neurological disorders. Patient reviews highlight his thoroughness, attentive listening, and clear explanations, contributing to a positive patient experience.

Dr. Shahnawaz is affiliated with Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center.

He is fluent in English, enabling effective communication with a diverse patient population.

Taylor Shannon, MD

CHLA, 2025-26

Taylor Shannon, MD

CHLA, 2025-26

Dr. Shannon earned his bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience with a minor in Music from John Hopkins University, and his medical degree from the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. After completing medical school, Dr. Shannon moved to Los Angeles to continue his medical studies at CHLA, where he completed his residencies in Pediatrics and Child Neurology. Dr. Shannon has an impressive record of academic honors, as well as leadership in research, clinical work, and volunteerism. While attending courses at Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Dr. Shannon also served as an admissions coordinator for the school.

Gyan Shrestha, MBBS

UCLA, 2021-2023

Gyan Shrestha, MBBS

UCLA, 2021-2023

Gyan Shrestha, MD, is a board-certified pediatric neurologist who specializes in treating patients with epilepsy. To treat patients with epilepsy effectively and meaningfully, he offers comprehensive, personalized care with an emphasis on enhancing outcomes and quality of life for those who experience seizures.

To ensure that his patient gets the best care possible, he also works to build collaborative, multidisciplinary teams for individualized epilepsy therapy and medication resistant seizure care that includes newer treatment modalities such as newer medication including CBD oil, ketogenic diet, vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) as well as discussion regarding various surgical options. He also oversees numerous epilepsy clinical trials. He is constantly looking for new, more effective approaches to treat hereditary/genetic epilepsy as well as medication-resistant epilepsy.

Clare Skora, MC

CHOC, 2019-2020

Clare Skora, MC

CHOC, 2019-2020

As a pediatric neurologist and epilepsy specialist, Dr. Clare Skora primarily evaluates and cares for children with seizures, particularly refractory seizures (ones which medications fail to adequately control). Her clinical and research interests include epilepsy surgery, ketogenic diet, neuromodulation, telemedicine and tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). She has extensive experience working with medically underserved populations and strives to improve access to high-level comprehensive epilepsy care in Orange County.

Dr. Skora is board certified in pediatric neurology, clinical neurophysiology and epilepsy. She is the Co-Director of the CHOC Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) Clinic.

Dr. Skora completed her undergraduate studies at Washington University in Saint Louis, majoring in Neurobiology and Spanish. Prior to attending medical school, she taught English to university students in Santiago, Chile. She completed medical school at Florida International University in Miami, Florida. She completed her pediatric and child neurology residencies at Johns Hopkins Hospital. She also completed a subspecialty fellowship in pediatric clinical neurophysiology with a focus on pediatric epilepsy at CHOC and UC Irvine. She is a member of the Gold Humanism Honor Society, Alpha Omega Alpha, the American Epilepsy Society, the American Academy of Neurology and the Pediatric Epilepsy Research Consortium.

Clare E. Skora MD is on staff at CHOC Hospital in Orange.

Eva Sorensen, MD

USC, 2016-2017

Eva Sorensen, MD

USC, 2016-2017

Dr. Eva Sorensen is a board-certified neurologist based in San Marcos, California. She earned her medical degree from the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC). Following medical school, she completed her internship at Saint Mary Medical Center and both her residency and fellowship at the University of Southern California/LAC+USC Medical Center.

Dr. Sorensen is affiliated with Palomar Medical Center Escondido. In addition to English, Dr. Sorensen is fluent in Danish, which may benefit patients seeking a bilingual neurologist.

Dana Sphrung, MD

UCLA, 2020-2022

Dana Sphrung, MD

UCLA, 2020-2022

Dr. Dana Shprung is a pediatric neurologist specializing in epilepsy and clinical neurophysiology. She joined Valley Children’s Specialty Medical Group in 2024.

Active in professional circles, Dr. Shprung is a member of the American Epilepsy Society, Child Neurology Society and the American Academy of Neurology. Her research interests are highlighted through her work on neuro-inflammation in epilepsy and psychiatric co-morbidities, with publications in notable journals such as Neurotherapeutics and PLoS ONE.

Dr. Shprung earned her medical degree from The Sckler School of Medicine New York State American Program of Tel Aviv University, and holds dual bachelor’s degrees in integrative biology as well as dance and performance studies from the University of California, Berkeley. She completed a pediatric epilepsy fellowship at the University of California, Los Angeles, where she also completed a pediatric clinical neurophysiology fellowship. Dr. Shprung’s extensive training includes a child neurology residency at the Mayo Clinic in Florida and a pediatric residency at the University of Florida.

Dr. Shprung’s dedication extends beyond clinical practice and includes volunteer work, such as coordinating dance for Parkinson’s Disease classes. Fluent in both English and Hebrew, she resides in Beverly Hills, California, where she continues to contribute to advancements in pediatric neurology.

Roshan Srinivasan, MD

UCLA, July 2025 – June 2026

Catherine Stanecki

UCLA, 2022-2024

Catherine Stanecki

UCLA, 2022-2024

Dr. Catherine E. Stanecki, DO, is a pediatric neurologist based in Los Angeles, California. She completed her residency in child neurology at UCLA Health and is currently a staff physician in the Pediatrics Department at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Dr. Stanecki specializes in pediatric neurology, with a particular focus on epilepsy. She is part of the Pediatric Neurology team at Cedars-Sinai, contributing to the care of children with neurological disorders.

In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Stanecki has been involved in research related to pediatric epilepsy. She co-authored an article on hemispherectomy for early-onset pediatric epilepsy, published in Practical Neurology in August 2023.

Dr. Stanecki is board-certified in Neurology with a special qualification in Child Neurology.

John Stockman, MD

CHLA, 2025-26

John Stockman, MD

CHLA, 2025-26

Dr. Stockton is the inaugural Care & Cure Institute Pediatric Epilepsy Genetics Fellow and began the fellowship immediately after completing his residencies in both pediatrics and child neurology at CHLA. He earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Amherst College in Massachusetts and his medical degree from the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago. Prior to entering the field of medicine, he worked for the educational nonprofit AmeriCorps as a classroom assistant and after-school program coordinator for elementary and middle school students

Jeffrey Swarz, MD

UCLA, 2022-2024

Noelle Tiongson, MD

CHLA, 2013-2015

Noelle Tiongson, MD

CHLA, 2013-2015

Dr. Tiongson is part of the Division of Neurology at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles as a specialist in the treatment of pediatric neuromuscular disorders.

She is a medical lead for the Multidisciplinary Neuromuscular and Myasthenia Clinics in the Division of Neurology, and is a neuromuscular specialist for the Multidisciplinary Brachial Plexus and Peripheral Nerve Injury Clinics in the Division of Orthopedic Surgery.

She is currently the Associate Program Director of the Child Neurology Residency Program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and previously headed education and didactic programs within the residency.

Dr. Tiongson received her medical degree from the Saint Louis University School of Medicine and completed her pediatric and neurology training at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. She served as a fellow in Neuromuscular Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Dr. Tiongson specializes in the treatment and diagnosis of neuromuscular disorders in the pediatric population, including electrodiagnostic testing with EMG/NCS, and directed neurodiagnostic and genetic testing.

She has special interest in the treatment of Spinal muscular atrophy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and pediatric Myasthenia gravis.

Christine Tran, MD

CHLA, 2021-2022

Vi Tran, MD

CHOC, 2022-2023

Vi Tran, MD

CHOC, 2022-2023

As a pediatric neurologist and epilepsy specialist, Dr. Tran cares for babies, kids, and teens with a wide variety of neurologic conditions, with primary interest in epilepsy, and medically refractory epilepsy.

Dr. Tran earned her medical degree from the University of Colorado School of Medicine. She completed her specialty training in the combined Child Neurology residency, and a subspecialty fellowship in pediatric Clinical Neurophysiology at University of California, Irvine, and Children’s Hospital Orange County.

As an immigrant, and one of the few Vietnamese-speaking pediatric neurologists in Orange County, Dr. Tran’s clinical interests focus on improving access to expert neurologic care for children for whom socioeconomic factors and/or culture and language may be barriers. She has been a speaker at various community events, raising awareness for epilepsy, including Epilepsy Support Network of Orange County and the annual Epilepsy Awareness & Education Expo at Disneyland.

Tuong-Vi Tran MD is on staff at CHOC Hospital in Orange.

Kanram Urgun, MD

UCI/CHOC, 2018-2019

Jong Yoo, MD

UCLA, 2019-2020

Jong Yoo, MD

UCLA, 2019-2020

Dr. Jong is a dedicated pediatric neurologist with a passion for epilepsy research and a deep commitment to helping children with neurological challenges. His journey into this field was driven by a love for working with young patients and a desire to make a meaningful difference in their lives. After completing his residency, he further specialized in pediatric epilepsy, which has remained the central focus of his practice. Dr. Jong believes that mutual trust and open communication are essential for building strong patient-doctor relationships, ultimately leading to better outcomes for every child in his care.

He feels privileged to support children with brain disorders, particularly seizures, and finds great joy in watching his patients progress from birth through their teenage years. Building meaningful relationships with his patients and their families is one of the most rewarding aspects of his work. Outside of his practice, Dr. Jong enjoys staying active through hiking, exploring the arts, savoring good food with friends, and embracing a balanced lifestyle. This balance enables him to provide the best possible care and maintain a fulfilling, lifelong dedication to his patients’ well-being.

Asri Yuliati, MD

UCLA, 2018-2019

Asri Yuliati, MD

UCLA, 2018-2019

Dr. Asri Yuliati is an attending physician at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and a Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. She earned her medical degree from Sun Yat Sen University and completed her child neurology residency at Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Wayne State University. Dr. Yuliati further specialized by completing a fellowship in Clinical Neurophysiology at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital. She is board-certified in Neurology with a special qualification in Child Neurology by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Dr. Yuliati’s clinical expertise includes the treatment of various neurological conditions in children, with a particular focus on pediatric epilepsy. She has been involved in research related to neonatal asphyxia and its impact on electroencephalogram predictions during therapeutic hypothermia.

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