Day Lab Team

Lisa Ghiglieri
Life Science Research Professional | Lab Manager

Lisa joined the neuromuscular team in 2020 as the Day lab manager. She manages the collection and processing of biological samples for neuromuscular research, from blood draw in clinical trials to autopsies from donors. Prior to joining Dr Day's team, Lisa worked at UCSF researching neuroblastoma and medulloblastoma in mice using CRISPR technology, as well as at UC Davis performing 2-photon imaging in the hippocampus.

Constance de Monts PT, DPT
Research Physical Therapist

Constance de Monts graduated with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Northeastern University in Boston, MA in 2016.  She recently joined the Stanford Neuromuscular Division as a research Physical Therapist under the direction of Dr. John Day in February of 2022. She has diverse clinical work experience in Neurorehabilitation treating and evaluating patients across both inpatient and acute rehabilitation centers. Most recently Constance was working in Stanford Hospital’s Trauma and Surgical ICUs.

Tina Duong, PT, PhD
Director of Clinical Outcomes Research and Development

Dr. Duong is Director of Clinical Outcomes Research and Development at Stanford. She has over 15 years of clinical experience in evaluating, treating and supporting patients with neuromuscular disease. She is involved in ongoing studies and developments on initiatives in treatments for neuromuscular disease, novel trial designs, and outcomes development. Prior to her arrival at Stanford in 2015, she directed clinical evaluations and training for the Cooperative International Neuromuscular Research Group (CINRG).

Her clinical and research interests is in developing and refining outcome measures in neuromuscular disease as well as understanding the impact of exercise and physical activity on disease physiology and quality of life. She hopes to integrate technology and digital biomarkers into the clinical outcomes toolbox as a complementary tool to performance based measures used in trials and the clinic.

She enjoys working on multi-disciplinary teams and creating patient focused solutions to improve the quality of life for all neuromuscular patients. Her particular interests and hobbies include working with technology and design products to make the world more accessible for individuals with different abilities.

Richard Gee, PT
Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford

Richard has been practicing physical therapy since 1991.  He has been providing physical therapy services for more than 15 years Lucile Packard Children's Hospital. Richard Gee has experience with the evaluation and treatment of neuromuscular disorders, gait abnormalities, orthotics, and mobility dysfunction.  He has worked in settings including acute care, outpatient centers, school based centers, and home care.

Tahereh Kamali, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Dr. Tahereh Kamali holds a BS and MS in Computer Science and a PhD in Systems Design Engineering from the University of Waterloo, Canada. Specializing in the application of AI in neurology, her research areas include biomarker identification, predictive modelling, neuroimaging analysis, and the integration of AI-driven tools in clinical decision support, assistive technologies, neuromonitoring, drug discovery and personalized medicine. With a dedication to advancing neurological care, Dr. Kamali bridges cutting-edge computational techniques with clinical insights.

Sanchalee Khonde
Research Data Analyst

Sanchalee graduated with an MPH in Epidemiology & Biostatistics from Boston University. She has a diverse skill set, having previously handled data management responsibilities for the Brain Aging Program at the Framingham Heart Study, coupled with her previous roles as a research assistant at Davos Alzheimer's Collaborative and a practicing physician in India. She joined the Stanford Neuromuscular Division as a Research Data Analyst. She hopes to contribute to a healthier and more equitable world through her work.

Whitney Tang
Clinical Research Data Engineer

Whitney joined Dr. Day's Research team in 2019.  Whitney began her research career in Stanford's pediatric psychiatry division, exploring the neural circuitry that affects mood dysfunction throughout adolescence. She transitioned to the neuromuscular division where she now works with both adult and pediatric populations, facilitating the unique intersection of clinical research and standard of care management.

Sally Dunaway Young, PT, DPT
Research Physical Therapist

Sally is a research physical therapist who recently joined the Neuromuscular Division at Stanford in fall of 2018 under the direction of Dr. John Day.  A graduate of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Columbia University, Sally joined the multidisciplinary team at the SMA Clinical Research Center at Columbia University in 2008.  She has over 10 years of research experience in single and multi-center clinical research studies in Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and other neuromuscular diseases including therapeutic and observational trials.  Additionally, Sally has coordinated the wheelchair and durable medical equipment clinic for a pediatric neuromuscular clinic population as well as worked as a private home care pediatric physical therapist performing evaluations and daily treatment sessions for patients diagnosed with neuromuscular disease.  Throughout her career she has participated in regional, national, and international meetings of clinicians and physical therapists where she provides education, training, and advance clinical care and clinical research, focusing on outcome measures, research related to motor function, and exercise.

Marwa Zafarullah, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Dr. Marwa Zafarullah is a dedicated neuroscientist with extensive interdisciplinary experience spanning over 8 years in clinical and pre-clinical research. She holds a Ph.D. in Integrative Genetics and Genomics (IGG) from the University of California Davis, with a focus on neuroscience, human genetics, and functional genomics. Before joining the Stanford, Dr. Zafarullah harnessed power of molecular biology with an advanced technologies to delve into biomarkers related to the prediction, development, progression, and severity of Fragile X Syndrome and associated disorders.

Dr. Zafarullah's career journey reflects her commitment to advancing scientific knowledge, improving patient care, and creating a positive impact on society through her research and contributions. She thrives in multi-disciplinary teams, aiming to enhance the quality of life for all individuals affected by various neurological conditions. Beyond her professional endeavors, she enjoys communicating complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences. Her continuous pursuit of excellence and her drive to bridge clinical practice and scientific innovation make her a true trailblazer in the field.