Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis
The Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis Fellowship at UT Southwestern Medical Center offers clinical training and research opportunities in a broad range of CNS neuroimmunological disorders. During training, fellows become familiar with the management of multiple sclerosis and related demyelinating disorders, including neuromyelitis optica and MOG associated disease. Fellows also rotate through the autoimmune neurology clinic, where they gain experience with rare autoimmune diseases such as autoimmune encephalitis, stiff person syndrome, and paraneoplastic disorders.
The neuroimmunology fellowship consists of two or three years of training.
- Two-year fellowships are designed to prepare fellows for academic careers by offering a sound background in clinical care and clinical or translational research.
- Three-year fellowships are for qualified investigators pursuing advanced training in laboratory-based research mentored by one of our clinician scientists.
Clinical Training
Fellows will rotate through three different clinical sites during their training:- The Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Clinic at the Aston Ambulatory Center serves as a tertiary referral center for North Texas. The clinic is designated as an MS center of excellence by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and is also home to the Transverse Myelitis and Neuromyelitis Optica Center and Autoimmune Neurology Clinic. In addition to clinical consultations, the clinic offers optical coherence tomography, counseling services, and infusion services in the University Hospital Aston Infusion Center.
- Parkland Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Clinic serves as a safety net for residents of Dallas County and is part of one of the largest public hospital systems in the United States. Patients from a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds receive care at Parkland through local, state and federal funding.
- The pediatric neuroimmunology program provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care to children and families affected by CNS autoimmune disorders. Patients with multiple sclerosis, transverse myelitis, acute flaccid myelitis, neuromyelitis optica, anti-MOG associated disorder, ADEM, optic neuritis and autoimmune encephalitis are regularly diagnosed and treated. Our outpatient program is supported by a multidisciplinary care team including neurology, neuropsychology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, urology, ophthalmology, social work and school support services. Fellows also participate in the inpatient care of patients with neuroimmunological disorders at Clements University Hospital, Parkland Memorial Hospital, and Children's Health.
Teaching and Didactics:
Fellows attend weekly neuroimmunology section meetings, including:
- Clinical Operations Meetings
- Neuroimmunology Research Conference
- Neuroimmunology Journal Club
- Case Conference
Research
Fellows are expected to conduct one independent scholarly project over the course of their training under the supervision of an assigned mentor. UTSW offers a broad range of research opportunities, including:
- Clinical trial conduct and design: UTSW 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
- Neuroimaging in neuroimmunological disorders: Advanced imaging studies on MS and NMOSD conducted by 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
Fellows will be at least PGY-5 level. Prior residency training in Adult or Pediatric Neurology will be required to enter into the fellowship, and the fellows must be board-eligible for the ABPN Neurology Board. Potential fellows may either have a permanent Texas Medical License or a temporary graduate medical education permit through the University of Texas.
The application and selection process for the Neuroimmunology Fellowship Program is via the San Francisco Match, which opens for applications September 1. Interviews typically occur thereafter in fall/winter with a match in March.
2025-2026 Neuroimmunology Fellowship