Staff

Meet Our Team

Team Structure & Collaboration

UCI Health’s Department of Neurology, part of the UCI School of Medicine, is staffed by a diverse and highly specialized faculty. The team is recognized for its leadership in clinical care, research, and education, offering expertise across the full spectrum of neurological disorders. The faculty includes board-certified neurologists, neuroscientists, and clinical researchers, many of whom hold prominent positions within the department and broader medical community.

Faculty Composition and Leadership

Department Leadership

• Chair: Dr. Claire Henchcliffe, MD, DPhil – Stanley van den Noort Professor and Chair of Neurology. A leader in Parkinson’s disease and neurodegenerative research.
• Vice Chairs:
  • Dr. Gaby Thai, MD – Chief, Neuropsychology Division
  • Dr. Wengui Yu, MD, PhD – Director, UCI Stroke Center
  • Dr. Seyed Sajjadi, MD – Head of Memory Disorders Program
  • Dr. Lisa Flanagan, PhD – Academic Affairs
  • Dr. Mark Mapstone, PhD – Research
• Chief Administrative Officer: Heather Bierman

Faculty Roles

• Professors, associate professors, and assistant professors with clinical and research appointments
• Subspecialists in areas such as stroke, epilepsy, neuro-oncology, neuromuscular disorders, memory disorders, and neurocritical care

Areas of Expertise and Subspecialties

UCI Health neurology faculty cover a broad range of subspecialties, including:

• General Neurology
• Stroke and Vascular Neurology
• Memory Disorders and Neurodegeneration
• Neuro-Oncology
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Movement Disorders
• Epilepsy
• Neuromuscular Disorders
• Neurocritical Care
• Neuropsychology

Faculty members also participate in multidisciplinary teams, collaborating with neuropsychologists, nurse practitioners, and other specialists to provide comprehensive patient care.

Clinical and Research Excellence

• Clinical Care: All neurology faculty have completed specialty training in postgraduate fellowship programs and possess years of hands-on clinical experience. They are recognized for their patient-centered, individualized approach and commitment to the latest evidence-based practices.
• Research: The department is deeply involved in neuroscience research, with faculty leading and participating in numerous clinical trials. Areas of focus include neurodegenerative diseases, stroke, stem cell therapies, and novel diagnostics. UCI Health is part of the NIH-funded Undiagnosed Disease Network, providing access to advanced genetic testing and research tools.
• Education: Faculty are active in teaching medical students, residents, and fellows, and regularly present at national and international conferences, ensuring they remain at the forefront of neurological advances.

Notable Faculty Members

(This is a representative sample; the department includes many additional faculty members with varied expertise.)

Name	Title/Role	Specialty Area(s)
Claire Henchcliffe, MD, DPhil	Chair, Stanley van den Noort Professor	Parkinson’s, Neurodegeneration
Lisa Flanagan, PhD	Vice Chair, Academic Affairs	Neural Stem Cells
Mark Mapstone, PhD	Vice Chair, Research	Neuropsychology
Gaby Thai, MD	Chief, Neuropsychology Division	Neurology & Neuropsychology
Wengui Yu, MD, PhD	Director, UCI Stroke Center	Stroke
Hermelinda Abcede, MD	Faculty	Vascular Neurology, Stroke
Mark Fisher, MD	Faculty	Stroke
Brian Hitt, MD, PhD	Assistant Professor	Memory Disorders, Alzheimer’s
Seyed Ahmad Sajjadi, MD, PhD	Faculty	Memory Disorders
Scott Turner, MD	Faculty	Neuro-Oncology
Indranil Sen-Gupta, MD	Faculty	Epilepsy
Manisha Korb, MD	Faculty	Neuromuscular Disorders
Leonid Groysman, MD	Faculty	Neurocritical Care
Dr. Michael Demetriou	Faculty	Multiple Sclerosis
Dr. David Swope	Faculty	Movement Disorders
Dr. Tahseen Mozaffar	Faculty	Neuromuscular Disorders

Collaborative and Multidisciplinary Approach

UCI Health neurology faculty work closely across subspecialties and with other departments, including neurosurgery, psychiatry, and allied health professionals. This collaborative environment ensures that patients benefit from a collective pool of expertise, especially for complex or undiagnosed neurological conditions.

Commitment to Innovation and Patient Care

• Advanced Diagnostics: Use of leading-edge neuroimaging and artificial intelligence to enhance diagnostic accuracy.
• Holistic Care: Integration of conventional and complementary therapies, such as acupuncture and Tai Chi, tailored to patient needs.
• Telemedicine: Many neurology services are available via telemedicine, improving accessibility for patients across the region.

Conclusion

The UCI Health neurology faculty is a distinguished, multidisciplinary team dedicated to clinical excellence, research innovation, and medical education. Their breadth of expertise, commitment to patient-centered care, and leadership in neuroscience research make them a leading force in neurological health in Southern California and beyond.