Skip to main content
MenuSearch & Directory

Residents

Headshot of 2023 Graduates
Congratulations to our Class of 2023 Graduates

2023-2024 Neurology Residents and Fellows

PGY-1
Headshot of Eric Elizondo

Eric Elizondo, M.D.
Hometown: San Diego
Undergraduate: Saint Louis University
Medical School: Saint Louis University
Sub-specialty interests: Comprehensive Neurology or Neurophysiology
Hobbies: Helping lead a non-profit called Little House of Neurodiversity, Dungeons and Dragons, writing a TTRPG, kayaking, camping, and playing pool, and spending time with my wife.


Headshot of Benjamin Kiaei

Benjamin Kiaei, M.D.
Hometown: Los Angeles
Medical School: Saint Louis University
Subspecialty interest: Neuroimmunology, Stroke
Research interest: TBD
Hobbies: Woodworking, Mountain biking


Headshot of Shawn Kurian
Shawn Kurian, D.O.

Hometown: Glenview, Illinois
Undergraduate: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Medical School: Kansas City University
Subspecialty interest: Neurocritical Care, Neurophysiology, Epilepsy, Stroke
Research interest: TBD
Hobbies: Basketball, Pickleball, Reading, Movies


Headshot of Lina Okar

Lina Okar, M.D.
Hometown: Damascus, Syria
Medical School: Faculty of Medicine – Damascus University
Subspecialty interest: Movement disorders and Neuroimmunology 
Research interest: Movement disorders especially DBS, Music therapy
Hobbies: Rafting, kayaking, Pilates and painting. Also, a big fan of the cinema!


Headshot of Laura Polhemus

Laura Polhemus, M.D.
Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida
Medical School: Saint George’s University
Subspecialty Interest:Vascular and Interventional Neurology
Research Interest: Diagnosis and management of ischemic stroke
Hobbies: Powerlifting, running, hiking, and spending time with my husband and my dog.


Headshot of Anagha Prabhune

Anagha Prabhune, M.D.
Hometown: India
Undergraduate: Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, India
Medical School: MIMER Medical College, India
Sub-specialty Interests: Movement disorders, Epilepsy, Neuroimmunology, Headache,
Hobbies: Painting, Gardening


PGY-2
Headshot of Adam Awad

Adam Awad, M.D.
Hometown: Frankfort, Illinois 
Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine 
Subspeciality interest: Vascular, endovascular, neuro-interventional
Research interest: Stroke treatment, stroke recovery, neuroplasticity
Hobbies: Basketball, fishing, biking, video games.


Headshot of Bursa Erkilinc

Busra Erkilinc, M.D.
Hometown: Istanbul
Medical school: Abant University School of Medicine
Subspeciality interest: Neurophysiology, Epilepsy
Research interest: Neuromuscular, Epilepsy, Neuro Vascular
Hobbies: Early morning walks, Cooking


Headshot of Gabriela Da Silva
Gabriela Da Silva, M.D.
Hometown: Valencia, Venezuela
Medical School: Universidad de Carabobo
Sub-specialty Interests: Interventional Neurology
Research Interests: Sleep, neuropathology, neuro-ophthalmology, cognitive neurology and neuro-oncology
Hobbies: Painting, stargazing with my telescope, reading about astrophysics and evolution, and watching all the Oscar nominated movies. Currently, a lot of my time is dedicated to wedding planning!

Headshot of Hanan Qaqish

Hanan Qaqish, M.D.
Hometown: Akron, Ohio
Medical school: University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences
Subspeciality interest: Vascular and interventional neurology, neuro-critical care, Alzheimer's, neuro-immunology
Research interest: Brain aneurysm, stroke, biomedically engineered approaches to stroke prevention, post-stroke care and recovery
Hobbies: Running, hiking, cooking, exploring, basketball, biking and learning new languages


Headshot of Peyton

Peyton Murin, M.D.
Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee
Medical School: University of Tennessee
Subspeciality interest: Interventional pain, neuromuscular
Research interest: Chronic pain and neuromuscular disorders, acute pain
Hobbies: Soccer, weightlifting, exploring new restaurants


Headshot of Divya Singh

Divya Singh, M.D.
Hometown: Ranchi, India
Medical School: Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences, India
Sub-specialty Interests: Electrophysiology, Epilepsy, Neuroimmunology, Neuro-oncology
Hobbies: Dance, music, little bit of painting and gardening, meditation, spirituality


Headshot of Joshua So

Joshua So, M.D.
Hometown: San Diego
Medical School: Saint Louis University
Sub-specialty Interests: Thinking about possibly sub-specializing in epilepsy or headaches, but definitely keeping an open mind.
Hobbies: digital art, piano, and guitar


PGY-3
Headshot of Aysha Abeer

Aysha Abeer, M.D.
Hometown: Toronto 
Medical school: Ross University School of Medicine
Subspeciality: Neuro Critical Care
Research Interest: Traumatic brain injury, anoxic brain injury
Hobbies: travelling, accompanying my husband on fishing trips, trying out different outdoor activities and experiencing cuisines from different cultures. 


Syed Ijlal Ahmed

Syed Ijlal Ahmed, M.D.
Home Town: Karachi, Pakistan
Medical School: Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College
Sub-specialty Interests: Vascular neurology, interventional neurology, neurocritical care and epilepsy
Research Interests: Vascular neurology, interventional neurology, epilepsy, general neurology
Hobbies: Cricket, soccer, cooking, bicycling, community services, video games and tourism


Awais Arshid

Muhammad Awais Arshid, M.D.
Hometown: Abbottabad, Pakistan
Medical School: Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
Subspecialty Interest: Neurocritical care, Vascular neurology, Epilepsy
Research Interest: Neuroplasticity, Vascular Neurology, Prevention, and new management strategies of neurological illnesses
Hobbies: Soccer, writing, traveling, running, music, chess


Mehdi Fanai, M.D.

Mehdi Fanai, M.D.
Hometown: Khoy, West Azerbaijan
Medical School: Urmiah University of Medical Sciences
Sub-specialty Interests: Comprehensive Neurology
Research Interests: Neuro-informatics, Diagnostic Errors
Hobbies: Badminton, swimming, electronics


Elvin Mirzazada, MD

Elvin Mirzazada, M.D.
Wellness Chief
Hometown: Baku, Azerbaijan
Medical School: Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
Sub-specialty Interests: Neurohospitalist
Hobbies: Traveling, cooking and hiking 


Headshot of Karthik Narayanan
Karthik Narayanan, M.D.
Hometown: Pittsburgh
Medical School: New York Medical College
Subspeciality interest: Vascular/Interventional neurology
Hobbies: Miami Hurricanes football and basketball, tennis, personal fitness, New England Patriots and Boston Celtics.

PGY-4
Richa Budhiraja, M.D.

Richa Budhiraja, M.D.
Hometown: Haryana/Punjab, India
Medical School: Pt. B.D.S. Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences
Sub-specialty or Research Interests: Vascular neurology, neurocritical care
Hobbies: Listening to music, watching documentaries, self-reflection


Ulviyya Gasimova, M.D., PhD.

Ulviyya Gasimova, M.D., Ph.D.
Academic/Administrative Chief
Hometown: Baku, Azerbaijan
Medical School: Azerbaijan Medical University
Subspecialty interest:  Movement disorders, stroke
Research Interest: Stroke, movement disorders, neuroimmunology 
Hobbies: Hiking, fishing, traveling, archery, petting dogs


Beatriz Maliszewski, M.D.

Beatriz Maliszewski, M.D.
Clinical Chief
Hometown: Atlanta
Undergraduate: University of Georgia
Medical School: St. George's University School of Medicine
Sub-specialty Interests: Movement disorders (particularly Parkinson's), neuromuscular, sleep medicine
Research Interests: Atypical parkinsonism, dystonia, Tourette's in adults
Hobbies: Sailing, cooking and walking with no destination in mind


Farid Khasiyev, M.D.

Farid Khasiyev, M.D.
Hometown: Baku, Azerbaijan
Medical School: Azerbaijan Medical University
Sub-specialty Interests: Vascular neurology
Research Interests: Stroke mechanisms, large artery disease, acute ischemic stroke treatment
Hobbies: Chess, soccer, reading books about history of neurology and medicine, trying new restaurants


Francesca Pastrana, M.D.

Francesca Pastrana, M.D.
Hometown: O’Fallon, Missouri
Undergraduate: University of Missouri-Kansas City
Medical School: University of Missouri-Kansas City
Sub-specialty or Research Interests: Non-interventional vascular neurology, clinical neurophysiology, epilepsy, neuromuscular
Hobbies: Singing, piano, hiking trips, spending time with my pups and fiancé


Wilson Rodriguez, M.D.

Wilson Rodriguez, M.D.
Home town: Cañar, Ecuador
Medical School: University of Cuenca
Sub-specialty Interests: Neurocritical care and interventional neurology
Research Interests: Brain aneurysm and stroke
Hobbies: Cooking, running and playing guitar


PGY-5
Headshot of Aimalohi Esechie

Aimalohi Esechie, M.D. 
Vascular Neurology Fellow


Headshot of Katie Foresman
Katie Forsman, M.D.
Hometown: Buffalo Grove, Illinois
Undergraduate: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Medical School: University of Queensland
Sub-specialty Interests: Neuroimmunology, neuro-infectious disease, movement disorders, global health
Hobbies: Photography, hiking, traveling

PGY-6
Headshot of Jordan Scott
Jordan Scott, M.D.
Vascular Neurology Fellow
Hometown: Tampa, Florida
Medical School: Saba University School of Medicine
Subspeciality interest: Vascular and interventional neurology
Research interest: Improving stroke outcomes
Hobbies: Hiking, woodworking, grilling, football, spending time with family and friends

PGY-7
Headshot of Brian Miremadi

Brian Miremadi, M.D.
Neurointerventional Fellow
Hometown: Kansas City, Los Angeles
Medical School: University of Missouri-Kansas City
Sub-specialty interests: Vascular and interventional neurology
Research interests: Improving stroke outcome
Hobbies: Hiking, outdoor activities, skiing, travel, food.


Alumni 2023

Clinical Neurophysiology/ SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital, St. Louis
Clinical Neurophysiology/Rush University Medical Center, Chicago
Neurocritical Care/Washington University, St. Louis
Vascular Neurology/ University of Toledo
Vascular Neurology/University of Massachusetts Chan Medical Center, Worcester
Vascular Neurology/ Tufts Medical Center, Boston

Alumni 2022

Vascular Neurology/ University of Iowa
Clinical Neurophysiology/ Kansas University Medical Center
Clinical Neurophysiology/ Saint Louis University Hospital
Sleep medicine/ University of Michigan
Neuro-hospitalist/ Columbia, Missouri
Clinical Neurophysiology/Duke University Medical Center

Alumni 2021

General Neurologist / Essentia Health Fargo, North Dakota
Sleep Medicine / Stanford University
Neurocritical Care / Rush University Medical Center, Chicago
Vascular Neurology / Washington University -Barnes Jewish Hospital
Pain Management / University of Washington for a Fellowship
Neurophysiology / Medical University of Charleston South Carolina

Alumni 2020

Movement Disorders / University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Neurocritical Care / Ohio State University
Neurophysiology / Saint Louis University
Vascular Neurology / Washington University in St. Louis

Alumni 2019

Multiple Sclerosis / University of Toronto
Vascular Neurology / Case Western University
Interventional Neurology / University of Missouri
Neurocritical Care / Washington University in St. Louis
Neurophysiology / Saint Louis University
Private Practice

Alumni 2018

Movement Disorders / University of Texas Houston Medical Center
Interventional Neurology / Saint Louis University
Interventional Neurology / Weill Cornell University

Alumni 2017

Neurophysiology / Saint Louis University
Epilepsy / Washington University in St. Louis
Movement Disorders / Northwestern University
Movement Disorders / Saint Louis University
Neuromuscular / Washington University in St. Louis
Vascular Neurology / New York Presbyterian and Weill Cornell