'23-'24
2023-2024 Trainees supported by the NIH T32 Award
Shant Peter Afarian, MD
Education
BA in Biology, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ
MD, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
Residency in Neurology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL
Vascular Neurology Fellowship, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
Current Positions
Experimental Therapeutics Fellow, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
Neurology Instructor, Department of Neurology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
Research Interests
My research interests include management of ischemic stroke and blood-brain-barrier (BBB) dysfunction in neurological disease. My current clinical research project estimates the degree of corticospinal tract (CST) injury in stroke by software-based analysis of acute brain imaging. These estimates will be compared to outcomes to investigate the potential use of acute CST structural assessments in predicting motor recovery after stroke. The ultimate goal of this project is to improve patient selection for endovascular therapy. My current preclinical research project investigates the effects of age and genes associated with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) on the BBB. This project also considers the contribution of the latency associated protein of Human Herpesvirus 6 (HHV6) to AD, given the recently discovered association between HHV6 infection and AD. This project will improve our understanding of BBB dysfunction, which has relevance to several neurological diseases. My research projects will grant me the knowledge and skills necessary for achieving my long-term career goal, which is to establish my own translational research laboratory and improve outcomes for stroke patients.
You might be surprised to know:
I exercise daily and refuse to use elevators to ascend buildings. I regularly climb about 40 flights of stairs daily.
Jennifer Corcoran, MD
Education
B.A., Chemistry, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT
M.D., University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
Residency in Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
Current Positions
Fellow in Movement Disorders and Neuropalliative Care, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
Fellow in Experimental Therapeutics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
Instructor of Neurology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
Research Interests
My research interests lie at the intersection of movement disorders and neuropalliative care. I am specifically interested in understanding current gaps in anticipatory guidance for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and their care partners, and in developing an anticipatory guidance intervention to improve future planning in PD. I have received a University of Rochester Clinical and Translational Science Institute Trainee Pilot Grant to support this work. I am also a co-investigator on other projects in the movement disorders and neuropalliative care fields, including an NIH-funded project to develop an end-of-life prognostic model for nursing home residents with PD. My long-term goal is to improve discussion about future disease progression and prognosis for people with PD and their care partners, and promote goal-concordant care as disease advances.
You might be surprised to know:
Outside of work, I enjoy hiking (which is excellent in upstate NY), reading, and cooking. I recently learned to bake my own sourdough bread. I also have a small child who keeps me on my toes.
Stella Deng, MD
Education
B.A., Pomona College, Claremont, CA
M.D., New York University, New York, NY
Residency in Child Neurology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
Fellowship in Neuromuscular Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
Current Positions
Experimental Therapeutics Fellow, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
Instructor, Department of Neurology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
Research Interests
My research interests are in pediatric neuromuscular disorders. My current projects are focused on developing remote assessments that will be used to help study the genetic determinants of disease variability seen in children with myotonic dystrophy. I also have an interest in muscle ultrasound and its use as a clinical diagnostic tool and potential outcome measure in pediatric neuromuscular disorders. I will be building a pediatric neuromuscular program at the Albany Medical Center after completion of my Experimental Therapeutics fellowship.
You might be surprised to know:
I enjoy watching and playing disc golf!
Andrew Huang, MD
Education
B.A. in Philosophy and Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California Berkeley
M.D., Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon NY
Residency in Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester NY
Current Positions
Senior Instructor, Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
Experimental Therapeutics Fellow, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
Research Interests
I aim to use clinical practice, mixed methods research, and participant engagement to elevate care in neurologic illness. I hope to use my clinic as my lab and research as a method to improve care. My research crosscut neuropalliative care, bioethics, and severe acute brain injury. My current project focuses on cardiac arrest survivors with neurologic disability after discharge in nursing homes, often on long-term life-sustaining therapy. I have had other interests in the definition of death, teaching palliative care, and racial disparities.
You might be surprised to know: I applied to PhD programs in philosophy before medical school. I recently won a 4.5 Major League Pickleball tournament. I convinced my now wife to move here from California.
2023-2024 Trainee supported by the Department of Radiology
Sarah Mohajeri, MD
Education
BSc. University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
MPH Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York
MD George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia
Residency in Diagnostic Radiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
Fellowship in Clinical Neuroradiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Current Positions
Experimental Therapeutics Fellow, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
Assistant Professor of Radiology and Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
Research Interests
I am an assistant professor in neuroradiology with a background in epidemiology and public health, interested in research aimed at optimizing clinical applications of sustainable neuroimaging tools in austere settings, with the ultimate goal of improving health outcomes for conditions that continue to result in high morbidity and mortality. I am actively involved in imaging research on childhood cerebral malaria and HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as development of new brain imaging tools appropriate for regions with limited resources. I joined the Experimental Therapeutics Fellowship with support from the Department of Radiology and have recently received a CTSI KL2 award to continue my research and career development activities.
You might be surprised to know:
I have two little boys at home, with whom I spend the majority of my free time. They are explorers and I cannot wait to take them to our international research sites in the near future.