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Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis Fellowship

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.

Program highlights

  • Learn to manage a broad range of disorders: In addition to managing multiple sclerosis, our section offers subspecialty clinics for radiologically isolated syndrome, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders, and antibody-mediated neurologic disorders.
  • Gain experience with different patient populations: Our fellows rotate through three practice sites, each of which offer a rich clinical experience. The Aston MS & Neuroimmmunology Clinic at UT Southwestern offers trainees a chance to manage tertiary referrals for common and rare presentations of neuroimmunologic disorders. At the Parkland Health MS Clinic, fellows work with a diverse patient population, many of whom experience health disparities. The Pediatric Demyelinating Disorders Clinic offers fellows the chance to gain experience with children and adolescents with MS and related disorders.
  • Grow as an academic neurologist: Our fellowship offers multiple opportunities for fellows to grow into junior investigators. All fellows gain an understanding of the conduct and design of clinical trials and are involved in the assessment of clinical trial participants. Other clinical research opportunities are available for neuroimaging, neuro-ophthalmology, and observational studies. Mentorship for candidates planning careers as a clinician scientist are available to those with a background in basic or translational research.

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
  • Curriculum & Training

    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
  • Prerequisites

    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.

  • Application

    The application and selection process for the Neuroimmunology Fellowship Program opens in January and closes in April, with match day being April 30.

  • Fellowship Education Team
    Kyle Blackburn, M.D.

    Kyle Blackburn, M.D.

    Program Director
    Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis Fellowship

    Team Members

Questions?

Email us.

Current Fellows

Second Year Fellow

Darina Daniv, D.O.

Darina Dinov, D.O

Residency: Virginia Commonwealth Univ., Neurology
Medical School: Western Univ. of Health Science College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate: Rutgers Univ.

First Year Fellow

Konrad Kubiki M.D.

Konrad Kubiki, M.D.

Residency: Rush Univ.
Medical School: Loyola Stritch SOM

View Alumni from All Fellowship Programs

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