As a neurologist with advanced training in the field of neuromuscular disorders, I care for adults and children with disorders of nerves, muscle and the neuromuscular junction.
I have specialized training in clinical neuromuscular medicine, and my expertise is not only in clinical care but also in performing electrodiagnostic studies (nerve conduction and electromyography). I am one of the few physicians in Western New York skilled at performing advanced electrophysiological techniques such as single fiber electromyography. I also perform skin biopsies and chemodenervation (botulinum toxin treatment) at our UBMD Neurology clinic on Main St. in Williamsville. As well, I evaluate and care for patients with general neurologic diseases such as headache and seizures. I see outpatients at Buffalo General Medical Center (BGMC), the UBMD Neurology Clinic and the Muscular Dystrophy Association clinic at BGMC, where I serve as co-director. I frequently attend on service at BGMC.
I conduct both clinical research studies and basic science research in collaboration with physician-scientists from multiple disciplines, including neurology. My clinical research is focused on several studies that address illnesses such as Guillain-Barre syndrome, myasthenia gravis and polyneuropathy. These studies include both treatment trials--to find more effective treatments for these diseases--as well as research investigating the impact of the diseases on patients’ quality of life.
In my basic science research, I collaborate with investigators at the Hunter James Kelly Research Institute to explore the pathophysiology of inherited neuropathies, which are known collectively as Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease. My goal is to better understand the underlying cause or mechanisms of these diseases. My role in this research is performing electrophysiological studies on mice models.
In addition to my research and clinical care, I direct the adult neurology residency training program and train fellows in clinical neurophysiology. I am actively involved in teaching medical students in both the clinical and preclinical years, and I lecture extensively in the medical school and at national and international meetings on topics related to neuromuscular disorders. I serve on medical school committees that focus on improving medical and graduate medical education.