Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis Fellowship
Train with internationally recognized leaders in MS and rare demyelinating disorders while gaining hands-on experience in nationally acclaimed subspecialty clinics. We are committed to supporting your unique clinical or academic career path by creating an individualized curriculum with mentorship from world experts.
Unique Features
Under the guidance of nationally and internationally recognized leaders in multiple sclerosis (MS), radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS), and transverse myelitis (TM), our one-year fellowship prepares trainees for excellence in clinical care for patients with demyelinating diseases. Fellows rotate through six subspecialty clinics — including nationally recognized programs in MS, transverse myelitis, and neuromyelitis optica — gaining broad exposure to antibody-mediated neurologic disorders. For those pursuing academic careers, our two-year track combines comprehensive clinical training with opportunities in clinical, translational, and laboratory research. Our NIH- and foundation-funded faculty lead a neuroscience biorepository, collaborate closely with biostatistics experts, and have a strong record of mentorship — supporting fellows in developing as independent physician-scientists.
2
Up to 2 fellowship positions
6
Subspecialty clinics & programs
6
Faculty with extramural funding
Program Specifics
Learn more about our one or two-year, Texas Medical Board-accredited fellowship.
- Clinical Training
Shaped by their own clinical expertise, our faculty have established subspecialty clinics, providing fellows with the flexibility to tailor their training to individual career goals. Altogether, patient-facing faculty provide 24 clinic sessions per week.
- MS & Neuroimmunology Clinic at Aston Ambulatory Center: fellows spend 50% of their time at this designated Comprehensive MS Center () and Center of Excellence in Rare Neuroimmune Disorders (). The clinic has in-house optical coherence tomography and visual field-testing capabilities. There is focused exposure to TM through our dedicated TM program which is one of only two, globally.
- Parkland Health: fellows spend 20% of their time at the Dallas County-supported safety-net hospital where fellows provide both inpatient and outpatient care for patients with neuroimmunological disorders. Patients from a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds receive care at Parkland through local, state, and federal funding.
- Children’s Health: The pediatric neuroimmunology program provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care to children and families affected by CNS autoimmune disorders. Fellows spend 5% of their time working with pediatric MS faculty.
- Clements University Hospital: fellows spend 25% of time providing inpatient consults for patients with neuroimmunological disorders.
Fellows also work with neuropsychology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, urology, ophthalmology, and social worker, enabling them to become adept at leading a multidisciplinary care team.
- Didactic Training
Didactics provide our trainees with time to reflect on clinical nuances, discuss recent discoveries and changes in guidelines, learn from complex cases, and take a thoughtful approach to building human connections with our patients. All the following are touchpoints to deepen understanding of Neuroimmunology while broadening the neurology knowledge base.
Weekly:
- Neuroimmunology didactics: A series of lectures is offered throughout to provide foundational knowledge on the diagnosis and management of common and rare autoimmune disorders.
- Departmental Grand Rounds: All faculty, APPs, residents, and fellows join departmental grand rounds in person to hear from leading national experts. These sessions provide a platform for in-depth discussions of recent advances and cutting-edge research across various specialties. It encourages critical thinking by presenting complex diagnostic challenges, novel treatment approaches, and emerging scientific insights.
Monthly:
- Neuroimmunology Research Conference: high-yield curriculum focused on advanced diagnostic interpretation and evidence-based management of autoimmune and inflammatory neurologic diseases. Through dedicated teaching on imaging and biomarkers, immunotherapeutic decision-making, and emerging research, fellows develop the clinical expertise and scientific foundation.
- Neuroimmunology Journal Club: provides a collaborative forum for trainees and faculty to critically review and discuss current scientific literature relevant to the neuroimmunology field. Participants analyze current research articles, evaluate study design and methodology, and explore clinical implications to enhance evidence-based practice.
- Case Conferences: the goal is to enhance clinical reasoning and management skills. Fellows, residents, and faculty collaboratively review complex and unique cases. The interactive format enables multidisciplinary discussion, promotes evidence-based decision-making, and fosters a deeper understanding of disease mechanisms and therapeutic interventions.
- Research Opportunities
Section Research
The neuroimmunology section is actively involved in advancing translational and clinical research, currently enrolling in eight clinical trials spanning Phase I - Phase IV. These include cell therapy transplant trials, immunomodulation studies, bone marrow transplant programs, and biomarker studies.
Fellow Research Opportunities
Our fellowship offers multiple opportunities for fellows to grow into junior investigators. All fellows gain an understanding of the conduct and design of clinical trials and are involved in the assessment of trial participants. Mentorship for candidates planning careers as a physician-scientist is available to those with a background in basic or translational research. Our integrated Biostatistics and Clinical Informatics section enriches training by collaborating with fellows to develop high-quality study designs.
Examples of current research opportunities include:
- Clinical trial conduct and design: ½û·¬¶¯Âþ participates in clinical trials for MS, NMOSD, MOG antibody disorder, and autoimmune encephalitis.
- Neuro-ophthalmology: Fellows may participate in studies leveraging optical coherence tomography in our eye lab, run by Dr. Peter Sguigna
- in vivo imaging capabilities in neuroimmunological disorders: Dr. Darin Okuda
- Neuroimmunology Basic Science Laboratories: Dr. Nancy Monson and Dr. Olaf Stuve
- Health Disparities and Social Determinants of Health in Multiple Sclerosis: Dr. Lauren Tardo
Our fellows work with mentors to traditionally publish 3 to 6 peer-reviewed papers during the fellowship and showcase their work at the Annual Neurology Research Day. Posters & research are evaluated on originality, study design, significance, and independence of work, providing constructive feedback to prepare them for national meetings.
Funds to Attend Meetings
Trainees have educational funds and can apply for scholarship funds to support attendance when presenting an abstract or poster at a conference. Fellows can apply for the ½û·¬¶¯Âþ-led Clinical and Translational Science Award and .
- Program Leadership & Application Information
Program Director
Requirements
Prior residency training in Adult or Pediatric Neurology is required to enter the fellowship, and fellows must be board-eligible for the ABPN Neurology Board. Potential fellows may hold either a permanent Texas Medical License or a temporary graduate medical education permit issued by the University of Texas.Application & Typical Timeline
We participate in the Neuroimmunology & Multiple Sclerosis Fellowship Match Program via the and receive applications via the Central Application System (CAS).- January: applications open in January
- Spring: interviews occur throughout
- April/May: rank lists are finalized and submitted, followed by Match Results
Candidates with backgrounds in basic or translational science interested in mentored-research fellowships may learn more by contacting us.
Current Fellows
Darina Dinov, D.O
Second Year Fellow
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth Univ., Neurology
Medical School: Western Univ. of Health Science College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate: Rutgers Univ.
Konrad Kubicki, M.D.
First Year Fellow
Residency: Rush Univ.
Medical School: Loyola Stritch SOM
Undergraduate: Univ. of Chicago
From Fellowship Alumni
Dr. Campbell joined the J.B. Hunt Neuroscience Institute to become the first fellowship-trained neuroimmunologist in Northern Arkansas. She recently presented her work on perceptions of women’s health issues in women with demyelinating disorders at CMSC.
Dr. Nguyen works in the Pediatric Demyelinating Disorders Clinic, where she focuses on the care of children with MS and related neuroimmunologic disorders. Her research focuses on identifying biomarkers to predict relapse risk in MOG Antibody Disease, and she was recently the recipient of a K12 career development award.