Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Fellowships

Fellowship Overview

Clinical Neuroimmunology is a robustly expanding subspecialty of neurology. Multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disorder and related diseases are increasingly recognized worldwide. Treatment options for MS have greatly expanded, engendering complexity in immunotherapeutical management. Patients with these disorders increasingly seek out disease-specific specialty care. Research and investigation is vibrant within the specialty, spanning the spectrum from bench to bedside. There is active need for MS/Clinical Neuroimmunology specialists, and there is significant opportunity for neurologists with fellowship training in this subspecialty. We are committed to training tomorrow's leaders in this vital and consequential field. The Stanford Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis Fellowship has been ranked among best in the west in reputation and research output by the Doximity Residency Navigator of 2022-2023.

Our program offers two main tracks for fellowship training:

Clinical/Clinical Research Fellowship

2 year fellowship
Combined clinical/research training tailored to Fellow’s interests (typically 50%/50%)
Limitless collaboration potential spanning the translational science spectrum from basic science immunology → clinical trials
Employment and career counseling from Day 1
No overnight/weekend call responsibilities

Postdoctoral Research Fellowship

2-3 year research-focused training under pre-identified laboratory mentor, hightlighted laboratories include:
- Ami Bhatt, MD, PhD (Gut Microbiology)
- Mark Davis, PhD (Microbiology & Immunology)
- May Han, MD (Neuroimmunology)
- Keith Van Haren, MD (Pediatric Neuroimmunology)
- William Robinson, PhD (Immunology & Rheumatology)
- Lawrence Steinman, MD (Neuroimmunology)
Half-day MS/Neuroimmunology clinic per week
Mentorship in preparing funding applications/career development grants

Training

Teaching from 7 nationally recognized sub-specialists in MS/Clinical Neuroimmunology
Focus on diagnosis, prognosis, immunomodulatory/symptomatic therapeutics for demyelinating diseases (MS, NMO, MOGAD, etc)
Opportunities for rotations/clinics in:
- Pediatric leukodystophy/genetic WM disorders
- Encephalitis (ie. Anti-NMDA-R)
- Neuro-rheumatology
- CNS vasculitis

Didactics

Weekly

Neuroimmunology Lecture Series
Neuroimmunology Journal Club
Challenging case conference
Departmental Grand Rounds

Monthly

Neuroradiology case conference
Clinical Teaching Seminar Series (CTSS)

Yearly

Supported attendance/participation in major national and/or international MS/Neuroimmunology conferences.

Research

Fundamental research training in study design, biostatistics, informatics, regulatory issues, and bioethics through SPECTRUM’s Intensive Course in Clinical Research (ICCR)
Fellows paired with clinical trial PIs to learn nuances of study start-up from CDA contracts, IRB approvals and budgeting to enrollment and implementation including adverse event reporting
Fellow’s enrolled as sub-investigators in clinical trials for hands-on experience in patient evaluations, EDSS, and outcome measures.
Supervised scholarly project/research at 1st authorship level in area of Fellow’s interest

Applications

If you are interested in applying to our program, we request a cover letter outlining your career goals and interest in pursuing either our Clinical/Clinical Research Fellowship or a Postdoctural Research Fellowship, a minimum of three letters of recommendation and a copy of your CV. Candidates must hold an MD or equivalent, be board eligible in neurology, and be eligible for a California medical license.

We are no longer accepting applications for fellowships starting July 2024. We will be accepting applications for fellowship starting July 2025 from August 14 to December 15, 2023.

Stanford is proud to welcome our 2022-2023 Fellows in Neuroimmunology! Dr. Neda Sattarnezhad will be returning for her Senior Fellowship year with us, and Esther Nie, MD, PhD joins our team with training at Yale undergrad, UCLA Medicine, and Neurology residency at Stanford.

Neda Sattarnezhad, MD
Senior Neuroimmunology Fellow

Dr. Neda Sattarnezhad Oskouei is a Clinical Neuroimmunology Fellow at Stanford. She is a Sylvia Lawry Fellow of the National MS Society for 2021-2023. Dr. Sattarnezhad has received her medical degree with honors from Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. Subsequently, she has completed a postdoctoral research fellowship at Partners MS Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School. Dr. Sattarnezhad has completed her neurology residency at the University of Illinois at Chicago before starting her clinical research fellowship at Stanford. As a part of her fellowship, Dr. Sattarnezhad will also obtain a master’s degree in Epidemiology and Clinical Research. Her research interests are developing biomarkers for monitoring disease activity and treatment response in MS and advanced neuroimaging.

Esther Nie, MD, PhD
Neuroimmunology Fellow

Dr. Nie is a Neuroimmunology fellow with investigational interests in the neurological effects following CAR T-cell/BITE immuno-oncologic therapies, as well as diagnosing and treating neuroimmunologic diseases of the brain and spinal cord. Dr. Nie completed her undergraduate degree in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry at Yale College, and her MD/PhD training at UCLA.

During Neurology Residency at Stanford, Dr. Nie served as Education Chief and was awarded a Resident teaching award and the NIH R25 research fellowship, performing research w/ Dr. Michelle Monje's lab. Since 2019, she has also actively worked with the Stanford Neuro-Cancer Cell Therapy multidisciplinary collaboration to optimize neurologic care for CART patients. After training, Dr. Nie hopes to build a translational research group as a physician-scientist working at the intersection of Neuroimmunology and Oncology.

Recent Alumni

Jamie McDonald, MD, MSc (2020-2022)

"When I was researching neuroimmunology programs as a neurology resident, I was looking for a fellowship with superb clinical training but also the ability to pursue clinical research in a supportive, dynamic environment. The Stanford neuroimmunology team has exceeded all my expectations.

From day one, I was impressed with the outstanding clinical training from six neuroimmunology specialists, all of whom took a keen interest in fellow education and mentorship. Fellows are encouraged to pursue a program tailored to their individual interests and career goals. This was particularly appealing for me, as I aspired to complete a master’s in epidemiology and clinical research during fellowship to gain additional training in clinical trial methodology and research. Stanford neuroimmunology made this possible, in addition to cultivating my interest in medical education through teaching opportunities and the unique opportunity for fellows to spearhead both division and interdisciplinary conferences. Fellows are likewise encouraged to pursue original research, and I greatly enjoyed mentorship from both the neuroimmunology and epidemiology teams. Overall, I am incredibly grateful for an exceptional educational experience at the Stanford MS Center."

Elaine Su, MD (2019-2021)

“I chose Stanford for my MS/Neuroimmunology fellowship because, as a Stanford Neurology resident, I had the inside scoop. I knew from firsthand experience that the faculty in the MS division were excellent clinicians - humanists who not only thoughtfully considered diagnostic and management challenges from a medical perspective, but also empathized with their patients, and educated them in a way that empowered them to make complex medical decisions. I chose Stanford because I wanted to be trained by clinician educators who were able to elicit upgoing toes in 8 different ways.

I was looking for a fellowship at an institution that not only had a large catchment area, high patient volumes, and the resources of a research university, but also the mentorship and emphasis on education that could transform those brochure-worthy attributes into a meaningful experience. Stanford was exactly that. I'm happy to say that my fellowship has unquestionably changed the trajectory of my career."

Nina Bozinov, MD (2018-2020)

“I would strongly recommend Stanford Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Fellowship to any trainee looking to join an outstanding department of clinicians, scientists, and clinical staff.

After rotating in the neuroimmunology/multiple sclerosis clinic during residency, I was so excited to continue training in the clinical fellowship program. This program provided the perfect balance between robust clinical exposure and exploring additional interests. During my two-year fellowship I was able to participate in multiple research projects both directly in the department and collaborating with other departments.

I always felt like a highly valued member of the neuroimmunology team where my contributions were appreciated.”

Our Graduates

A training program is arguably best assessed by its trainees. We are deeply proud of ours. With uncanny efficiency our trainees have moved into positions of leadership at nationally eminent institutions, and are making a vital and lasting impact on our subspecialty. Our trainees are bringing vision and novelty to the uncharted territories of applied, clinical and translational research, and are among the most highly ranked of physicians in clinicianship and bedside manner. This is the list. This is our pedigree.

Trainee/Degrees	Resident (R) Fellow (F)	Present position
Esther Nie, MD, PhD Stanford University	R, 2019-2022 F, 2022-2024	Junior MS/Neuroimmunology Fellow
* Neda Sattarnezhad, MD University of Illinois	F, 2021-2023	Senior MS/Neuroimmunology Fellow (Year 2 of Sylvia Lawry Fellowship)
*Jamie McDonald, MD, MSc University of Utah	F, 2020-2022	Clinical Assistant Professor, Stanford University; Palo Alto, CA
*Elaine Su, MD Stanford University	R, 2016-2019 F, 2019-2021	Clinical Assistant Professor Neurology/Neuroimmunology, UCLA Medical Center; Los Angeles, CA
*Nina Bozinov, MD, MSc Stanford University	R, 2015-2018 F, 2018-2020	MS Clinic Director, Kootenai Health, University of Washington; Coeur d’Alene, ID
Aaron Carlson, MD University of California, Los Angeles	F, 2017-2018	Assistant Professor, University of Colorado; Aurora, CO
Jon Santoro, MD Stanford University	R, 2014-2018	Assistant Professor (Pediatric Neuroimmunology), University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Luka Vlahovic, MD Loyola University	F, 2016-2017	Clinical Assistant Professor, Creighton University; Omaha, NE
Chris Hemond, MD Stanford University	R, 2013-2016	Assistant Professor, University of Massachusetts Medical School; Worcester, MA
Lucas Kipp, MD University of Western Ontario, Canada	F, 2015-2016	Clinical Assistant Professor, MS Fellowship Director, Stanford University; Palo Alto, CA
Esther Melamed, MD, PhD University of California, Los Angeles	R, 2011-2014 F, 2014-2015	Assistant Professor, University of Texas at Austin, Dell Medical School; Austin, TX
Lucas McCarthy, MD, MSc Albert Einstein College of Medicine	R, 2010-2013	Neuroscience Institute and MS Center, Virginia Mason Hospital & Medical Center; Seattle, WA
Le Hua, MD Keck School of Medicine, USC	R, 2009-2012	MS Clinic Director, Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health; Las Vegas, NV
*Alexandra Goodyear, MD, MSc Tufts University	R, 2008-2011 F, 2011-2013	Clinical Research Medical Director, Genentech; South San Francisco, CA
Keith Van Haren, MD University of Rochester	R, 2006-2010 F, 2010-2011	Assistant Professor (Pediatric Neuroimmunology), Stanford University; Palo Alto, CA

*Sylvia Lawry Fellow

National MS Society

Sylvia Lawry fellow of the National MS Society, Dr. Neda Sattarnezhad, presented her research findings at the Tykeson Conference, showing increased biomarker levels in Black people with Multiple Sclerosis, for clues to why their MS progresses more aggressively.

38th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis

Jamie McDonald’s research on Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-Associated Disease (MOGAD) was recognized as a top poster out of 1700 submissions at the world’s largest & most prestigious MS conference, ECTRIMS. Congratulations, Dr. McDonald!

Fellowship Contact Information

Lucas B. Kipp, MD, FRCPC
Clinical Assistant Professor
Director, MS/Clinical Neuroimmunology Fellowship Program
Email: lkipp@stanford.edu

For additional information, please contact:

Amy A. Singh
Administrative Associate
Stanford Neuroscience Health Center
213 Quarry Road, MC 4841
Palo Alto, CA 93404
Office: 650.736.4310
Fax: 650-498-6045
Email: amysingh@stanford.edu

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