Pediatric Clinical Neurophysiology and Epilepsy Fellowships

Pediatric Program Directors & Fellows

Our fellowship programs prepare the upcoming generation of pediatric epileptologists and neurophysiologists to make significant contributions to clinical and academic pediatric epilepsy and neurology at the highest levels.

Unique Features

The Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at Children's Medical Center of Dallas is designated a Level 4 Epilepsy Center by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers. We are a national leader in epilepsy diagnosis and treatment, serving a large and diverse patient population—providing fellows with the expertise and experience to manage even the most complex and refractory cases. The center also reads EEGs performed in three other NICUs in the metroplex, giving fellows Neonatal EEG expertise. We have 12 Epileptologists and/or Clinical Neurophysiologists on staff who have a wide range of clinical and research interests. There are 50-75 epilepsy surgeries performed annually, including ~20 stereo EEG evaluations and 20 neurostimulation procedures (including RNS and DBS). Candidates interested in pursuing a career in surgical epilepsy can apply for a two-year fellowship training program. 

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Combined Two-Year Fellowship

A two-year fellowship prepares physicians for advanced practice in surgical epilepsy within tertiary and academic pediatric epilepsy centers. 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. Alternatively, fellows may complete a second-year fellowship in the 'Intracranial Epilepsy' fellowship, which is a non-ACGME, Texas Medical Board (TMB)-accredited fellowship. This one-year fellowship provides advanced training in intracranial epilepsy, including stereotactic electroencephalography (SEEG) planning and interpretation, subdural grid planning and interpretation, medical devices (RNS, DBS, VNS), and other intracranial epilepsy procedures.

Program Specifics

Learn more about our ACGME-accredited fellowships.

• Epilepsy

  The objectives of the Epilepsy Fellowship are for fellows' competence and/or exposure in:

  • Pediatric electroencephalography - routine and long-term continuous EEG monitoring, neonatal EEG, pediatric ICU EEG monitoring.
  • Evaluation of potential candidates for epilepsy surgery- Phase 1 pre-surgical evaluations, utilization of neuroradiologic tests, and exposure to Magnetoencephalography.
  • Outpatient Clinical management of refractory pediatric epilepsy - pharmacological, surgical, and dietary therapies.
  • Epilepsy surgery - intracranial EEG evaluations including stereo EEG, subdural grids & strips, functional cortical mapping, management of neurostimulation treatments, including responsive neurostimulation.
  • Quality Improvement and clinical trials in epilepsy with opportunities to participate and receive mentorship from faculty.
  • Participate in rare genetic epilepsy and multidisciplinary clinics, including Rett Syndrome, Angelman Syndrome, Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, Infantile spasms, and Functional Seizure clinics.
• Clinical Neurophysiology

  The objectives of the Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship are for fellows' competence and/or exposure in:

  • Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction (NCV) studies
  • Polysomnography and clinical evaluation of sleep disorders
  • Intraoperative neuromonitoring
  • Evoked potentials
  • Pediatric electroencephalography - routine and long-term continuous EEG monitoring, neonatal EEG, pediatric ICU EEG monitoring.
  • Evaluation of potential candidates for epilepsy surgery- Phase 1 pre-surgical evaluations, utilization of neuroradiologic tests, and exposure to Magnetoencephalography.
  • Outpatient Clinical management of refractory pediatric epilepsy - pharmacological, surgical, and dietary therapies.
  • Epilepsy surgery - intracranial EEG evaluations including stereo EEG, subdural grids & strips, functional cortical mapping, management of neurostimulation treatments, including responsive neurostimulation.
  • Quality Improvement and clinical trials in epilepsy with opportunities to participate and receive mentorship from faculty.
  • Participate in rare genetic epilepsy and multidisciplinary clinics, including Rett Syndrome, Angelman Syndrome, Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, Infantile spasms, and Functional Seizure clinics.
• 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. During this conference, patients currently implanted and undergoing sEEG evaluation are discussed, and management decisions are made.
  • Neurophysiology & Epilepsy 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
  • Grand Rounds: Fellows have the opportunity to attend weekly Neurology and Pediatric grand rounds.

  Monthly:

  • 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.
  • In Service ACNS examination: a CNP-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

  As one of the nation’s busiest Level 4 Pediatric Epilepsy Centers, UT Southwestern and Children’s Health Dallas offer a rich, research-driven environment for discovery and innovation in childhood epilepsies. Our center integrates clinical excellence, collaboration, translational science, and advanced neurotechnology to improve outcomes for children with both common and rare epilepsies.

  Fellows join a dynamic team engaged in advanced research across:

  • Genetic epilepsies and precision therapeutics
  • Neuromodulation and surgical outcomes
  • Magnetoencephalography, Electroencephalography, and brain network analytics.

  Fellows can participate in investigator-initiated studies, multicenter clinical trials, and translational collaborations that bridge lab discoveries with patient care. Mentorship is central to our program. Faculty are dedicated to cultivating future leaders in academic epileptology—clinicians and innovators shaping the future of epilepsy research, education, and advocacy. UTSW and Children’s Health faculty are active leaders and participants in the Pediatric Epilepsy Research Consortium (PERC) and Epilepsy Learning Health System (ELHS). 

  Research opportunities include:

  • Dallas Armstrong, M.D.- Rett Syndrome and Related Disorders; Monogenic Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathies (DEE): SLC6A1, SLC13A5 , TBC1D24; Epilepsy surgery outcomes.
  • Sonal Bhatia, M.D.- Genetic epilepsies, DEE, Healthcare Disparities in pediatric epilepsy.
  • Charuta Joshi, M.D.- DEE, Utilization and outcome research, neuromodulation, and thalamocortical connectivity
  • Rana Said, MD-Status epilepticus, Ketogenic diet, Angelman syndrome, and medical education
  • Deepa Sirsi, M.D.- EEG predictors of outcomes in critically ill children; EEG biomarkers in DEE; Infantile Spasms; Quality Improvement in Epilepsy
  • Afsaneh Talai, M.D.- Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (Functional seizures) and Magnetoencephalography

  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
  

  Deepa Sirsi, M.D.
  Program Director
  Pediatric Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship

  

  Tyler Terrill, M.D.
  Associate Program Director
  Pediatric Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship

  

  Afsaneh Talai, M.D.
  Program Director
  Pediatric Epilepsy Fellowship

  

  Charuta Joshi, MBBS
  Program Director
  Pediatric Intracranial EEG Fellowship

  The Pediatric Epilepsy Fellowship Program at UTSW Medical Center is a part of the NRMP national match program.

  Per year, we offer:

  • 3 Pediatric Epilepsy fellowship positions
  • 2 Pediatric Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship positions

  Please see ERAS for application requirements and apply through the portal.

  For questions about the pediatric fellowships, email Keonna Clincy or Pediatric Neurology

Current Fellows

Elisa Geraldino, M.D.

Second Year Fellow, Epilepsy

 

Fellowship: UT Southwestern Clinical Neurophysiology
Residency: UT Southwestern Child Neurology
Medical School: Universidad Iberoamericana (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic)

Isabella Strozzi, M.D.

Second Year Fellow,
Clinical Neurophysiology

 

Fellowship: UT Southwestern Pediatric Epilepsy
Residency: UT Southwestern Child Neurology
Medical School & Undergraduate: Universidade Federal do Paraná, Brazil

Aisha Khasawneh, M.D.

First Year Fellow, Epilepsy

 

Residency: Univ. of Washington at Seattle, WA
Medical School & Undergraduate: Univ. of Jordan School of Medicine

Ealing Mondragon, M.D.

First Year Fellow,
Clinical Neurophysiology

 

Residency: UT Southwestern Child Neurology
Medical School: Baylor College of Medicine
Undergraduate: Univ. of Houston