Adult Clinical Neurophysiology and Epilepsy Fellowships

Epilepsy Group & Fellows

Our combined two-year fellowship provides extensive exposure to both a large volume of epilepsy surgery cases and the latest advanced techniques, including stereo-EEG, neurostimulation devices & MEG. With strong mentorship, fellows in our program are immersed in exceptional clinical training and advance the field of epilepsy through research.

Alex Doyle, M.D. & Rodrigo Zepeda, M.D.Program Directors

Unique Features

Our combined two-year CNP & Epilepsy Fellowship prepares trainees for successful academic careers in epilepsy. As home to three NAEC Level 4 Epilepsy Centers and the nation’s largest stereo-EEG program, we offer robust experience in advanced diagnostics, surgical evaluation, and management of complex and refractory cases. Fellows gain hands-on training in neuromodulation therapies, including VNS, RNS, and DBS, and work within a multidisciplinary team alongside epilepsy-trained neurosurgeons. With mentorship from NIH-funded faculty engaged in post-traumatic epilepsy, long-term EEG monitoring, and memory network research, fellows benefit from an immersive research experience that spans basic, translational, and clinical science.

View clinical & research faculty

ACGME-accredited programs

NAEC-designated Level 4 EMUs

(2 Adult,1 Pediatric)

Dedicated beds across 2 EMUs

50+

sEEG surgeries/year

800+

EMU studies/year

5000+

LTM studies/year

Combined Two-Year Fellowship

Our combined fellowship training is optimal for candidates preparing for academic activities in a tertiary center. With guidance from renowned experts in the field, second-year fellows have the opportunity to complete an independent research project for presentation at a national meeting and publication. Trainees have the flexibility to begin their combined fellowship with either Clinical Neurophysiology or Epilepsy, followed by the other in the second year.

Program Specifics

Learn more about our ACGME-accredited fellowships.

Clinical Training
Clinical Training

The Clinical Neurophysiology curriculum integrates clinical experience with hands-on electrophysiologic testing across a wide range of patient populations, including those seen at Dallas County's safety net hospital, Parkland Health. The Epilepsy year offers specialized training in the diagnosis and management of epilepsy with an emphasis on the medical and surgical treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy, pharmacologic, and investigational therapeutic management.

Shaped by their own clinical expertise, our faculty have established subspecialty care lines, providing fellows with the flexibility to tailor their training to individual career goals. Altogether, the epilepsy faculty provides 23 clinic sessions per week.

We have two adult and one pediatric Level 4 Epilepsy Centers, the highest designation possible.
- Inpatient Epilepsy at Clements University Hospital: Fellows spend 20-24 weeks at this 12-bed Level 4 adult EMU, which has an sEEG program. They gain exposure to high-volume long-term monitoring services and quantitative EEG. Fellows also collaborate closely with our epilepsy-trained neurosurgeon, who performs all epilepsy surgeries at our institution.
- Inpatient Epilepsy at Parkland Health: Fellows spend 20-24 weeks at Dallas County's safety net hospital (the largest of its kind), which has a 12-bed Level 4 adult EMU and serves a diverse patient population. As a Level I trauma center with an sEEG program, fellows are exposed to high-volume long-term monitoring service and quantitative EEG and learn to coordinate patient care and make fast-paced decisions for critically ill patients with comorbidities, often in time-sensitive situations.
- Inpatient Epilepsy at Children’s Health: Fellows spend 4 weeks at this 8-bed, Level 4 pediatric EMU during their epilepsy year. They train with our pediatric Epilepsy faculty, gaining exposure to Neonatal EEGs and pediatric sEEG evaluations.
- Epilepsy Clinic at Parkland Health: fellows work with faculty for a weekly continuity clinic
- Responsive Neurostimulation Clinic at Aston Ambulatory Center: This monthly fellow-run clinic provides hands-on experience working directly with an engineering team from Neuropace to review patient data and create a programming strategy for each patient.
- Selective time: Fellows in their CNP year must select either Neuromuscular or Sleep Medicine
- Elective time: 4 Weeks for fellows in their Epilepsy year. We encourage fellows to mix and match electives to maximize exposure. Electives offered: Magnetoencephalography (MEG), neuroradiology, intracranial EEG, and neuropsychology.
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. The following are touchpoints to deepen understanding of Epilepsy while broadening the knowledge base in neurology.

Daily:
- Teaching rounds: involve structured, case-based discussions led by attending epileptologists, occurring on inpatient EMU and EEG services and outpatient clinics. Fellows review EEG findings, imaging studies, and clinical presentations, often correlating them with surgical candidacy or treatment response. Rounds provide opportunities to refine differential diagnoses, interpret video-EEG monitoring, and discuss complex management plans, including medication adjustments and surgical evaluations. Emphasis is placed on clinical reasoning, evidence-based decision-making, and integrating current research into practice.
Weekly:
- Epilepsy Surgery Conference: a multidisciplinary fellow-run conference, held every Wednesday, in which a patient being considered for surgical treatment of epilepsy is presented. Two to three patients are presented per week. Fellows have the opportunity to review and present the clinical history and pre-surgical work-up and propose a surgical treatment. The conference is attended by epilepsy, neuroradiology, neurosurgery, and neuropsychology, allowing for a rich and educational discussion
- Stereo-EEG Conference: run by our sEEG faculty specialist, Dr. Podkorytova, or by the fellow rotating on the dedicated sEEG rotation under Dr. Podkorytova’s guidance. During this conference, patients currently implanted and undergoing sEEG evaluation are discussed, and management decisions are made (e.g., patient is ready for explantation, more seizures are needed, more electrodes need to be implanted, cortical mapping should be done, etc.)
- 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:
- Neurophysiology Lecture Series: This comprehensive lecture series is designed specifically to develop critical skills necessary for the diagnosis, management, and research of epilepsy disorders. It also includes detailed discussions on electrophysiological testing, including evoked potentials, sleep medicine, electromyography, and nerve conduction studies interpretation, and a board review for preparation for the boards
- Journal Club: Provides a collaborative forum for trainees and faculty to critically review and discuss current scientific literature relevant to the epilepsy specialty. Participants analyze current research articles, evaluate study design and methodology, and explore clinical implications to enhance evidence-based practice
Yearly:
- July Boot Camp: for new incoming fellows, during which trainees are free of clinical duties and have an opportunity to review all the basics of EEG, Epilepsy, Status Epilepticus, Neonatal EEG, Pearls & Advice for being on call, among other topics, to prepare our fellows for an easy transition into fellowship.
- Epilepsy Fellowship In-service Training Examination (EpiFITE): an epilepsy-specific examination that assesses trainee knowledge and serves as practice for the ABPN epilepsy boards. Fellows have an opportunity to take this practice exam feedback to prepare for the boards.
Research Opportunities
Section Research

The Epilepsy section is actively involved in advancing translational and clinical research.

Fellow Research Opportunities

Our division provides a rich academic environment and diverse mentorship opportunities that support their scholarly growth. Fellows have the opportunity to showcase their work at the Annual Neurology Research Day, where poster sessions are evaluated to provide constructive feedback to prepare fellows for national meetings.

Our Epilepsy section has multiple NIH-funded investigators who can serve as mentors throughout the continuum of research from basic science to implementation and outcomes/ population-based research. Examples of current research opportunities include:
- Rare genetics and mechanisms of epilepsy: Judy Liu, M.D., Ph.D., wet lab
- Brain physiology in TBI: Kan Ding, M.D.
- Novel tracer development and neuro-imaging in Epilepsy: Eliane Kobayashi, M.D., Ph.D.
- Late-onset Epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease: Rodrigo Zepeda, M.D.
- Stereo-EEG and surgical outcomes: Irina Podkorytova, M.D.
- Genetic epilepsy in adult medicine, medical education, and artificial intelligence: Irfan Sheikh, M.D.
- Magnetoencephalography: Sasha Alick-Lindstrom, M.D.
- Memory and brain physiology: Bradley Lega, M.D. (epilepsy trained surgeon)
- Gene therapy: Rachel Bailey, Ph.D.
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 UTSW-led Clinical and Translational Science Award and OBI travel funds.
Program Leadership & Application Information
Alexander Doyle, M.D.
Program Director
Epilepsy Fellowship

Rodrigo Zepeda, M.D.
Program Director
Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship

Requirements
Applicants must have completed neurology residency training at an ACGME-accredited program and possess a current Texas Medical License. Foreign medical graduates must be ECFMG-certified and eligible for J-1 visa sponsorship.

Application & Typical Timeline
Applications are generally accepted 24 months before the anticipated start of training.
- November - applications are open
- Fall & Winter - interviews occur throughout
- April - rank lists are submitted, followed by Match.
For questions about the Adult Clinical Neurophysiology fellowship: Email

Current Fellows

Second Year Fellows

Abdulrahman Bukhari, M.D.

Fellowship: UT Southwestern Clinical Neurophysiology
Residency: George Washington University Hospital (Washington, DC)
Medical School: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (Dublin, Ireland)

German Garza-Garcia, M.D.

Epilepsy

Fellowship: UT Southwestern Clinical Neurophysiology
Residency: UT Southwestern Neurology
Medical School & Undergraduate:Tecnológico de Monterrey Escuela de Medicina (Monterrey, Mexico)

Hrishikesh Dadhich, M.D.

Clinical Neurophysiology

Fellowship: UT Southwestern Epilepsy
Residency: Univ. of Alabama at Birmingham
Medical School & Undergraduate: Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, India

Melissa Huynh, M.D.

Clinical Neurophysiology

Fellowship: UT Southwestern Epilepsy
Residency: UT Southwestern Neurology
Medical School: McGovern Medical School
Undergraduate: UT Austin