Our Team
First, we're intending to achieve a definitive genetic diagnosis for as many patients as possible. Most treatment strategies for neurologic disorders use genetic-based therapies requiring an exact genetic diagnosis. Our second goal is to create a team of clinicians, nurses, genetic counselors and clinical research staff that is devoted to clinical trials of novel gene and molecular therapies."
- Steven Scherer, MD, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Neurology and Former Director
Interim Director
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Read More about Colin Ellis, MD
Colin Ellis, MD
Assistant Professor of Neurology, Epilepsies
Colin.Ellis2@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
215-349-5166
Dr. Ellis's research is focused on the genetic basis of epilepsy. He is particularly interested in the discovery of genes that cause epilepsy; the heritability of epilepsy within families; and the use of genetics to improve the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy. An additional research focus is the mining of electronic health records using natural language processing.
Faculty
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Read More about Defne Amado MD, PhDDefne Amado MD, PhD
Assistant Professor of Neurology, Motor Neuron Diseases & Neuropathy
Email Defne Amado MD, PhD
215-829-3053
Defne Amado MD, PhD
Assistant Professor of Neurology, Motor Neuron Diseases & Neuropathy
defne@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
215-829-3053
Defne Amado earned her MD and PhD at the University of Pennsylvania, completing her thesis work in retinal gene therapy with Dr. Jean Bennett. After Neurology residency, she completed a neuromuscular fellowship and two postdoctoral fellowships at Penn, the first with Dr. Alice Chen-Plotkin developing a gene replacement therapy for frontotemporal dementia, and the second with Dr. Beverly Davidson using gene knockdown approaches for gain-of-function neurodegenerative diseases. She currently sees patients with neuropathy with a particular focus on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and specializes in the development of gene therapy-based therapeutics for ALS, frontotemporal dementia, and spinocerebellar ataxia.
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Read More about Michael Baer MD, MBEMichael Baer MD, MBE
Assistant Professor of Neurology, Neuromuscular
Email Michael Baer MD, MBE
215-829-6500
Michael Baer MD, MBE
Assistant Professor of Neurology, Neuromuscular
Michael.Baer@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
215-829-6500
Dr. Baer is a neuromuscular neurologist who completed his neurology residency and neuromuscular medicine fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania. He has broad clinical focus within neuromuscular medicine and currently serves as the Associate Director of the Penn Comprehensive ALS Center. He participates in multiple clinical trials, largely focused on disease modifying therapies for ALS.
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Read More about Andres Deik MD, MSEd, FAANAndres Deik MD, MSEd, FAAN
Associate Professor of Clinical Neurology, Parkinson's Disease
Email Andres Deik MD, MSEd, FAAN
215-829-6500
Andres Deik MD, MSEd, FAAN
Associate Professor of Clinical Neurology, Parkinson's Disease
Andres.DeikAcostaMadiedo@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
215-829-6500
Dr. Andres Deik, MD, MSEd, FAAN completed his residency in Neurology and fellowship in Movement Disorders at Mount Sinai Beth Israel, in New York City. He is currently Associate Professor of Clinical Neurology and Program Director of the Movement Disorders fellowship program at the University of Pennsylvania. He is also Director of Experimental Therapeutics for Movement Disorders Center, and is both site and principal investigator for various clinical trials in movement disorders.
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Read More about Lauren Elman MDLauren Elman MD
Professor of Neurology, Motor Neuron & Muscle Diseases
Email Lauren Elman MD
215-829-6708
Lauren Elman MD
Professor of Neurology, Motor Neuron & Muscle Diseases
Lauren.Elman@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
215-829-6708
Lauren Elman, MD is a Professor of Neurology at the Perelman School of Medicine. She graduated magna cum laude from Cornell University and received her medical degree from Cornell University Medical College. Neurology residency and neuromuscular fellowship were completed at the University of Pennsylvania. Her clinical practice is focused on the care of adults with neuromuscular disease, specifically those with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and inherited disorders of muscle. She serves as the Director of the Muscular Dystrophy Association Center at Penn and Director of the Penn Comprehensive ALS Center. Research interests include clinical, pathological and genetic correlations as well as novel methods for disease quantification. Dr. Elman has co-authored more than 70 scientific papers and has been a coinvestigator on 16 neuromuscular clinical trials over the last ten years. She is most proud of the multiple teaching awards that she has received from medical students and residents at the University of Pennsylvania.
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Read More about Ali Hamedani MD, MHSAli Hamedani MD, MHS
Assistant Professor of Neurology and Ophthalmology, Ataxias & Neuro-ophthalmology
Email Ali Hamedani MD, MHS
215-829-7775
Ali Hamedani MD, MHS
Assistant Professor of Neurology and Ophthalmology, Ataxias & Neuro-ophthalmology
Ali.Hamedani@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
215-829-7775
Dr. Hamedani is an Assistant Professor of Neurology and Ophthalmology at the University of Pennsylvania. As a neurologist trained in both neuro-ophthalmology and movement disorders, he directs the Penn Ataxia Center and also maintains a neuro-ophthalmology clinic that is focused on patients with visual symptoms due to neurodegenerative disease. He is the site principal investigator for several observational and interventional studies of symptomatic and disease-modifying treatment for spinocerebellar ataxia. He also holds a master's degree in epidemiology and conducts epidemiologic research related to visual impairment in aging and neurodegenerative disease.
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Read More about David Irwin MDDavid Irwin MD
Assistant Professor of Neurology, Frontotemporal Dementia & Dementia with Lewy Bodies
Email David Irwin MD
215-573-6417
David Irwin MD
Assistant Professor of Neurology, Frontotemporal Dementia & Dementia with Lewy Bodies
dirwin@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
215-573-6417
Dr. David Irwin directs the Penn Frontotemporal Degeneration Center at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and is the PI of the Penn Digital Neuropathology Lab. He has dual training in cognitive neurology and neuropathology and his lab focuses on integrating human brain histopathology and molecular techniques with imaging methods to discover therapeutic targets and develop tissue-sensitive biomarkers to facilitate clinical trials for emerging therapies for FTD, LBD, AD and related disorders.
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Read More about Chafic Karam MD
Chafic Karam MD
Associate Professor of Clinical Neurology, Neuropathies
Chafic.Karam@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Dr. Chafic Karam has expertise in the diagnosis and management of patients with peripheral neuropathy. He is currently focusing his research on hereditary neuropathy related to amyloidosis.
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Read More about Aaron Lasker MDAaron Lasker MD
Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology, Huntington’s Disease
Email Aaron Lasker MD
215-829-6500
Aaron Lasker MD
Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology, Huntington’s Disease
Aaron.Lasker@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu
215-829-6500
Dr. Aaron Lasker is an assistant professor of Neurology at the University of Pennsylvania in the Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center and director of the Penn Huntington’s disease Center of Excellence. He specializes in the treatment of Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and related disorders. He has a special interest in the non-motor symptoms of movement disorder and the incorporation of palliative care into the routine clinical care of patients living with neurologic disease. He is involved with multiple clinical trials for Huntington’s disease.
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Read More about Paul McIntosh MDPaul McIntosh MD
Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology, Neuromuscular
Email Paul McIntosh MD
215-662-3397
Paul McIntosh MD
Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology, Neuromuscular
Paul.Mcintosh@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu
215-662-3397
Dr. Paul McIntosh completed his neurology residency training at Duke University Medical Center and a fellowship in neuromuscular neurology at Mass General Brigham. His focus within neurogenetics is on genetic myopathies.
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Read More about Jennifer Orthmann-Murphy MD, PhDJennifer Orthmann-Murphy MD, PhD
Assistant Professor of Neurology, Adult-onset Leukodystrophies
Email Jennifer Orthmann-Murphy MD, PhD
215-662-3606
Jennifer Orthmann-Murphy MD, PhD
Assistant Professor of Neurology, Adult-onset Leukodystrophies
Jennifer.Orthmann-Murphy@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
215-662-3606
Dr. Orthmann-Murphy completed an MD-PhD program and neurology residency at Penn, and a combined postdoctoral and clinical neuroimmunology fellowship at Johns Hopkins University. She started her translational research program at Penn to study the role of glial cells in inherited and acquired myelin disorders. She leads an ‘Undiagnosed White Matter Disorders’ neurogenetics clinic and also cares for people with multiple sclerosis. She is co-director of the Age Span Fellowship in Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroinflammatory disorders.
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Read More about Colin Quinn MDColin Quinn MD
Associate Professor of Clinical Neurology, Motor Neuron & Muscle Diseases
Email Colin Quinn MD
215-662-2625
Colin Quinn MD
Associate Professor of Clinical Neurology, Motor Neuron & Muscle Diseases
Colin.Quinn2@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
215-662-2625
Dr. Quinn is a neuromuscular neurologist with a research focus in clinical trials. Currently he is the director of the Philadelphia VA ALS multidisciplinary clinic, associate director of the University of Pennsylvania MDA clinic and the director of neuromuscular clinical trials for the University of Pennsylvania.
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Read More about Steven Scherer MD, PhDSteven Scherer MD, PhD
Emeritus Professor of Neurology, Inherited Neuropathies
Email Steven Scherer MD, PhD
215-349-8032
Steven Scherer MD, PhD
Emeritus Professor of Neurology, Inherited Neuropathies
sscherer@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
215-349-8032
Finding the causes of neuropathy has been the focus of Dr. Scherer’s clinical and laboratory research for 40 years. This is a collaborative effort with patients as well as physicians and scientists from around the world. His current work includes defining the genetic basis and natural history of people with inherited neuropathies, preclinical investigations of animal models of inherited neuropathies, and helping launch clinical trials for inherited neuropathies.
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Read More about Andrew Siderowf MD, MSAndrew Siderowf MD, MS
Professor of Neurology, Movement Disorders
Email Andrew Siderowf MD, MS
215-829-6500
Andrew Siderowf MD, MS
Professor of Neurology, Movement Disorders
Andrew.Siderowf@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
215-829-6500
Andrew Siderowf, MD, MS is the Hurtig-Stern Professor of Neurology and the Chief of the Movement Disorders Division in the Penn Perelman School of Medicine Department of Neurology. He is the current Chair of the Parkinson Study Group. Dr. Siderowf received his MD at Duke University, residency training at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and fellowship training in Movement Disorders and Experimental Therapeutics at the University of Rochester. Dr. Siderowf’s clinical practice focuses on the diagnosis and management of patients with Parkinson’s disease and related disorders. His research addresses the organization and conduct of clinical trials, particularly the use of biomarkers as outcome measures.
Genetic Counselors
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Read More about Meron Azage MS, CGC
Meron Azage MS, CGC
215-829-6500
Meron Azage, MS, CGC is the Associate Director of Genetic Counseling in the Department of Neurology. She provides genetic counseling services to patients with various hereditary neurological diseases. Meron received her Master’s in Medical Genetics from the University of Cincinnati in 2012 and was certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling in 2013.
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Read More about Aaron Baldwin MS, LCGC
Aaron Baldwin MS, LCGC
215-829-6500
Aaron Baldwin MS, LCGC is a staff genetic counselor in the Department of Neurology at The University of Pennsylvania, providing patient services in both the epilepsy and leukodystrophy clinics. Additionally, his role includes working towards research-based opportunities and studies with a focus on reducing healthcare disparities. Before starting this role, Aaron worked at GeneDx, a genetic diagnostic laboratory, as both a lab lead and later a genetic counseling assistant with the neurology team. He completed his genetic counseling training at both Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and The University of California – San Diego in San Diego, California. His focus points include identification of genetic causes of different neurological disorders along as well as careful examination of the impact that racial and ethnic background can have on medical outcomes for underrepresented minority populations in the United States.
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Read More about Laynie Dratch ScM, CGC
Laynie Dratch ScM, CGC
215-829-6500
Laynie Dratch, ScM, CGC is a genetic counselor in adult neurology at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA. Her clinical focus includes frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) spectrum disorders, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and other neurodegenerative conditions. Her research interests include the lived experiences of at-risk individuals, predictive genetic testing considerations, and genetic counseling access and service delivery. Laynie graduated summa cum laude from Colgate University with a BA in neuroscience and a minor in psychology, and completed her genetic counseling masters training at the Johns Hopkins University and the National Institutes of Health.
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Read More about Kelsey Johnson MS, CGC
Kelsey Johnson MS, CGC
215-829-6500
Kelsey Johnson, MS, CGC, is a genetic counselor in the neurology department at the University of Pennsylvania. She sees patients with various neurologic indications including neuromuscular disorders (neuropathies, myopathies, muscular dystrophies) and neurogenerative disorders. She graduated from Mercyhurst University with a BS in general biology with a focus on public health and completed her master’s degree in human genetics at Sarah Lawrence College.
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Read More about Rachel Paul MS, CGC
Rachel Paul MS, CGC
215-829-6500
Rachel A. Paul, MS, CGC is a board-certified genetic counselor in the Department of Neurology at the University of Pennsylvania. She provides genetic counseling services for the Division of Movement Disorders, meeting with patients who have a personal/family history of ataxia, Huntington’s disease, dystonia, Parkinson’s disease, atypical parkinsonian disorders (e.g., DLB, PSP, CBS, MSA), or related conditions. Her research interests include genetic counseling, remote/telemedicine genetic services, and motivations/barriers for genetics utilization. Rachel graduated from Temple University in Philadelphia, and previously worked as the administrative assistant for the Penn’s neurology genetic counselors. She completed her training with the Arcadia University (now University of Pennsylvania) Genetic Counseling Program.
Clinical Research Staff
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Read More about Stephanie Hansen, MMSc
Stephanie Hansen, MMSc
Project Manager
Stephanie.Hansen@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu
215-614-0349
Stephanie holds an A.A. in Psychology, a B.S. in Neuroscience and is currently pursuing a Masters in Medical Physiology and Pharmacology. She began working in clinical research in 2020 and has since been directly involved in the management and implementation of over 50 investigational trials and clinical research projects. Her past research experience includes working with ALS, epilepsy, stroke, Parkinson's Disease, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer's Disease. Currently, Stephanie oversees early phase clinical trials for neuromuscular disorders conducted at the Penn Neurogenetics Therapy Center.
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Read More about Abigail Browngoehl, MPH
Abigail Browngoehl, MPH
Project Manager
Abigail.Browngoehl@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu
267-343-6395
Abigail holds a BA in Psychology from Middlebury College in Vermont and an MPH from Drexel University’s Dornsife School of Public Health. Her research experience began in 2017 with early detection and intervention of autism spectrum disorders. She transitioned to clinical research with an expanded patient population including a variety of neurological diagnoses such as epilepsy, stroke, and muscular dystrophy. At the Neurogenetics Therapy Center, Abigail manages early phase clinical trials and is passionate about supporting patients’ health and wellbeing.
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Read More about Amanda Hicks
Amanda Hicks
Research Coordinator
amanda.hicks@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
267-496-3772
Amanda holds a BS in Biology from The Pennsylvania State University. At Penn State, her involvement in THON, a student-run philanthropy benefitting children and families impacted by childhood cancer, sparked her passion for clinical research. She began her career at the University of Pennsylvania as a Research Specialist for the Immune Health Project in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, Amanda coordinates early phase clinical trials for muscular dystrophies in the Neurogenetics Therapy Center.
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Read More about Kriya Shah, MPH
Kriya Shah, MPH
Research Coordinator
kriya.shah@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
267-610-0773
Kriya Shah earned her Bachelor of Dental Surgery in 2021 and her Master of Public Health (MPH) in Epidemiology in 2024. Her educational journey combines a strong foundation in clinical research, health policy, and advanced public health expertise, allowing her to bridge patient care with population-level health solutions. She has held leadership roles in meta-analyses and developed community-focused health policies. She has worked with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), where she contributed to analyzing environmental justice indicators and developing interventions based on geospatial epidemiological research. In her role at Penn, Kriya will focus on managing and coordinating clinical trials for neurodegenerative disorders in the Neurogenetics Therapy Center.
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Read More about John Dvorak
John Dvorak
Research Assistant
john.dvorak@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
215-662-4079
John graduated from Haverford College in 2023 with a BS in biology and minor in neuroscience. He has previously worked as a medical assistant, and in the lab he studied genetic underpinnings of behavior using fish models of autism. He is thrilled to be learning about clinical neurogenetics and hopes to one day serve as a physician specializing in neurology.
Administration
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Read More about Sara-Claude Michon, PhD
Sara-Claude Michon, PhD
Director of Operations
Sara-Claude.Michon@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
215-614-0027
Sara-Claude earned her PhD in Neuroscience in 2013 and has over 10 years of experience with clinical research for neurodegenerative disorders. Since joining Penn in 2018, she specialized in the operationalization and management of early phase clinical trials for neurological disorders. In her role, she collaborates with Penn investigators and biomedical companies, and leverages Penn resources to deliver early phase clinical trials of novel genetic-based therapies to patients with neurological disorders.
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Read More about Edward Yuhasz
Edward Yuhasz
Business Manager
Edward.Yuhasz@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu
215-662-4084
Edward holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh. He joined the Penn Neurogenetics Therapy Center in May of 2022 as the Finance and Administration Specialist for the center. Edward primarily assists with trial activation, procurement, and financial tracking for the center.
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Read More about Yusra Abdul
Yusra Abdul
Administrative Coordinator
yusra.abdul@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
215-662-2057
Yusra Abdul, holds a B.A. in Psychology. She recently joined the PNTC team as the Administrative Coordinator for the Director of the PNTC Department. She also provides administrative support for the Department as needed.
