LEAP Program Class of 2025
Helena Buque, MD, MPH, PhD Fellow
Maputo Central Hospital
Mozambique
Helena Buque is 38 years old neurologist from Maputo, Mozambique. She grew up in Inhambane Province, before moving over 1,000 km to Beira to study medicine at the Catholic University of Mozambique, graduating in 2012. She completed her neurology residence in 2023 and after a master’s in public health at Eduardo Mondlane University in 2024. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Clinical Research and Translational Medicine at the University of the Algarve, Portugal. Her doctoral research focuses on neurological infections at the Central Hospital of Maputo.
In addition to her clinical work, Helena mentors' neurology residents and medical students and plays a key role in establishing Mozambique’s first dedicated stroke unit. She is a member of the GENESIS committee of the World Stroke Organization, promoting gender equity in stroke care, and a participant in the LEAP Program of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Her main professional interests include neuroinfectious diseases, stroke, movement disorders, and medical education. Beyond her medical and academic career, Helena is a content creator, sharing insights on personal development, productivity, and brain health. She is a mother of two, enjoys strength training, reading, and reflective writing, and advocates for accessible health communication.
Cheick Abdel Kader Cisse, MD
University of Sciences Techniques and Technology of Bamako, Mali
Mali
Dr. Cissé was born in Bouaké, Ivory Coast and raised between 3 African countries Ivory Coast, Mali and Burkina Faso due to political instability.
He has been working with the neurogenetics’ team since his final year in medical school ; first as a research assistant and now as a consultant neurologist. After his residency in clinical Neurology in Mali, He pursued a fellowship in movement disorders at the teaching hospital of Purpan in Toulouse, France.
After returning home, He practises general neurology, but mainly sees patients presenting with inherited neurological conditions including hereditary ataxia, familial Parkinson disease, Charcot-Marie-Tooth, Duchenne myopathy and familial epilepsy due to high rate of consanguinity and birth in the malian population. He implemented the first botulinum toxin clinic preventing patients to go outside the country to seek care. He combines both clinics and laboratory work and perform DNA extraction, PCR, and participate in NGS data analysis with a local boinformatics’ team.
He attended several short-term training program and workshops in Africa and in the US.
Selam Melkamu, MD
Addis Ababa University College of Health Sciences
Ethiopia
Dr. Selam Kifelew Melkamu is a passionate neurologist and an Assistant Professor at Addis Ababa University College of Health Sciences. She was born in Addis, the capital of Ethiopia in 1991 where she grew up. She went to primary school at Nativity Girls school and completed her high school diploma at Lideta Catholic Cathedral School. She received her Medical Doctorate (MD) from AAU in 2015, and specialty certificate in Neurology in 2020. She also has her masters in health science education from AAU.
Since 2020, she has been devoted to delivering patient care and fostering the academic growth of future healthcare professionals. Her areas of interest are movement disorders, stroke and health education.
She is a member of Movement disorder Society MDS since 2019. She is serving as education committee for the African section. She had the opportunity to coordinate an online course with other colleagues in 2025. She is one of the executive members of the Association of Ethiopian Neurologists. During her spare time, she likes to play and watch football, as well as watching movies. She provides professional support to two patient organizations in her country, Parkinson Patients Support organization and care Epilepsy.
Ijeoma Ndionuka, MBBS, FWACP, FMCP
University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu
Nigeria
I was born in Umuahia, Abia state, Nigeria but grew up in Warri city, Delta state in Nigeria, where I received my primary and secondary education. I obtained my MBBS in the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State, Nigeria. I had my residency training in Internal Medicine and Neurology subspecialty in the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu from 2012 to 2019.
I am a fellow of the West African College of Physicians (Neurology) 2019, and also a fellow of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (Neurology) 2024. I am currently enrolled in Masters/PhD program in Neurophysiology in the University of Nigeria Enugu Campus. Throughout my career, I have developed a deep professional interest in the field of neurology and neuroscience with a particular focus on movement disorders, including Parkinson's disease, stroke, and epilepsy. My work is driven by a passion to improve patient outcomes and contribute to research in these critical areas of healthcare.
Outside of my professional life, I enjoy listening to gospel music, playing volleyball, and meeting new people. These interests provide a balance to my life and allow me to connect with others on a personal level.
Yasser Mecheri, MD
Dr Benbadis University Hospital, Salah Boubnider Constantine 3 University
Algeria
My name is Yasser Mecheri, I am an assistant professor in Neurology practicing in Dr Benbadis University Hospital and Salah Boubnider university in Constantine, Algeria.
I grew up in a small city in Eastern Algeria where I received my primary and secondary education, when I started medical studies I moved to my current city where I have completed residency in 2020. After spending four years practicing in smallers hospitals and completing public service in underserved areas of the country, I had the opportunity to complete two short clinical fellowships in movement disorders and neurogenetics.
I returned afterwards to my original Neurology department where I currently manage the movement disorders and neurogenetics clinic and teach in the university.
My professional practice and research include movement disorders and neurogenetic disorders with a focus on genetics of Parkinson’s disease and ataxia.
I am interested in technology as I follow newest advancements in gadgets, phones and software. I am also intrested in understanding geopolitics and how geography and history affect our present economy and politics.
Zhidong Cen, MD, PhD
The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine
China
I am a neurologist and clinical researcher at the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine. I grew up in a small city called Cixi, and now live in Hangzhou with my wife and daughter. I graduated from Zhejiang University and earned my M.D. and Ph.D. degrees (2007 – 2021). As a part of my Ph.D. training, I participated in a one-year joint program at Northwestern University (Chicago, USA). During these periods, I received clinical and laboratory training in Neurology and Neuroscience under the supervision of Prof. Wei Luo, with specific focus on movement disorders and genetics. I am particularly interested in complicated and undiagnosed movement disorders and try to identify their genetic causes by multiple sequencing techniques. One of my keen interests is repeat expansion along with its related clinical phenotypes and pathogenic mechanism. I am committed to participate into global communications and collaborations in the fields of clinical study and education, novel causative gene identification, and pathogenic mechanism studies, to promote the Precision Medicine in movement disorders.
Outside of work, I am an introvert. I enjoy exercises of jumping rope and simple strength training, reading, and spending time with my family.
Alfand Dy Closas, MD
Davao Doctors Hospital & Southern Philippines Medical Center
Philippines
I am a passionate doctor with roots in the countryside - born & raised in southern Philippines where I had my early schooling. I moved to a nearby city then had Biology for pre-medical degree then took medical doctorate in the country's capital. I was a diligent student & I took this very same attitude throughout my training in Neurology & in Movement Disorders.
I am now practicing back in the southern Philippines in the past 2 years with much of my practice still on general neurology but still encountering ever fascinating movement disorders cases. I do outreach clinics on a quarterly basis in a clinic - a 5hour drive, to take care of patients with XDP. I also teach in medical colleges in the same city. I have been active in activities promoting awareness on neurological conditions, specifically movement disorders.
Shweta Prasad, MBBS, PhD
National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS)
India
I was born and raised in Pune, India, in a defence family where curiosity and questioning were part of everyday life, shaped by my father’s work as a high-altitude physiology researcher. A brief stint in Leh, Ladakh deepened my early appreciation for science, resilience, and diverse perspectives.
Drawn to medical research and the neurosciences from a young age, I completed my medical education (MBBS) from the MVJ Medical College and Research Hospital, Bangalore, where early research experiences and exposure to neurology confirmed my interest in clinical neurosciences. I went on to earn a PhD in Clinical Neuroscience from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, focusing on tremor network connectivity in Essential tremor and tremor-dominant Parkinson’s disease.
Following my PhD, I continued at NIMHANS as Principal Investigator on a Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance Early Career grant, investigating GABA spectroscopy in Parkinson’s disease tremor. In addition, I now serve as Scientific Officer for Movement Disorders in the Department of Neurology at NIMHANS.
My research interests include tremor pathogenesis, neuroimaging—particularly GABA spectroscopy and diffusion imaging—and electrophysiology. Outside of work, I enjoy macro photography, entomology, reading, and running, and I am unapologetically devoted to dogs.
Divya Radhakrishnan, MD, DM
All India Institute of Medical Sciences
India
I was born and raised in Kerala, a southern Indian state. After earning my MBBS from Government Medical College, Thrissur, I pursued an MD in Medicine at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi—an institute of national importance—and later completed a DM in Neurology. Following a brief period as a Senior Research Officer, I joined AIIMS Rishikesh as a Neurology faculty member and was one of the founding members. I then returned to AIIMS Delhi, where I have been a faculty member in Neurology for the past five years.
My passions include patient care and teaching. My research focuses on movement disorders, mainly hereditary chorea and ataxias. I also have a keen interest in non-invasive brain stimulation, electrophysiology of movement disorders, neuroinfections, and neuropalliative care.
Outside of work, I love spending time with my husband and daughter, travelling, and exploring different cuisines. Recently, I’ve been enjoying exploring the world with my six-year-old daughter, whose unique perspective inspires me to see things differently.
Yi-cheng Tai, MD
E-DA Hospital / I-Shou University
Taiwan
My name is Yi-Cheng Tai. I was born and raised in Kaohsiung, a city in southern Taiwan. I completed my undergraduate medical education at National Taiwan University in Taipei, the capital city of Taiwan. During medical school, I spent one semester as a visiting student at the University of Southern California and LA County Hospital. After graduation, I fulfilled a one-year mandatory service. Following my internship, I initially applied for a neurosurgery residency. However, after one year of working as a surgical resident, I decided to pursue neurology instead.
I completed four years of neurology residency training at National Taiwan University Hospital, followed by an additional year of training in neurophysiology and sleep medicine at E-DA Hospital. I then undertook a one-year movement disorders fellowship at Westmead Hospital in Sydney, Australia. Currently, my work is primarily clinical, with about 90% focused on patient care and 10% on research. I see both movement disorder and general neurology patients, and I perform botulinum toxin injections and deep brain stimulation (DBS) procedures. My academic interests lie in clinical neurophysiology.
Outside of medicine, I enjoy baseball. Shohei Ohtani is my favorite player, and I’ve had the opportunity to visit Dodger Stadium twice.
Micol Avenali, MD, PhD
Irccs Mondino Foundation & University Of Pavia
Italy
I was born in a small town on the Adriatic coast in Italy, and grew up in Pavia, where I completed my medical studies and postgraduate training in Neurology at the University of Pavia. I also earned a PhD in Biomedical Sciences – Neuroscience track, developing a strong interest in the genetic and biochemical mechanisms underlying Parkinson’s Disease and other Movement Disorders.
As a neurologist and tenure-track assistant professor at the Department of Brain and Behavioral Science (University of Pavia), I currently work at the Parkinson and Movement Disorders Unit of the IRCCS Mondino Foundation (Pavia). My research primarily focuses on the role of GBA1 gene mutations in Parkinson’s disease, aiming to identify biomarkers for early diagnosis, patient stratification and treatment. I am actively involved in several national and international research projects investigating the molecular, genetic, and neuroimaging features of Parkinson’s disease, particularly in genetically defined subgroups. I also coordinate several funded projects in this field. Additionally, I serve as a tutor for medical students and neurology residents, and I lead a small translational research group dedicated to deep phenotyping of movement disorders.
Outside of work, I enjoy reading, traveling, and hiking in the Italian countryside.
Sirwan Darweesh, MD, PhD
Radboud University Medical Center
Netherlands
I was born in Gouda, the Netherlands, to a Kurdish father (Khalid) ¬and a German mother (Sigrid). I grew up in the Utrecht area of the Netherlands, enjoying a close relationship with my younger brother Rooj, and dividing my time between school, soccer, friends, family and many side interests. Since 2024, I have been married to Marianne, who is Frisian by origin.
In 2015, I received both my Medical Doctor degree and Health Sciences MSc degree at Erasmus MC. Subsequently, I conducted a PhD project on the prodromal phase of Parkinson’s Disease, which I completed cum laude at Erasmus MC in 2019. In my thesis, I employed novel epidemiological methods that I acquired during a 1-year research fellowship at Harvard University.
In 2017, I started my clinical residency in Neurology at Radboud University Medical Center. A personal Parkinson’s Foundation postdoctoral fellowship ($120K), ZonMW Veni award (€280K), and various other research grants (total >$2M) allowed me to build a research line on the prevention of Parkinson’s Disease in parallel with my clinical training. Upon completing my training, I was appointed as a Neurologist (2024) and Associate Professor (2025) at the RadboudUMC Center of Expertise for Parkinson & Movement Disorders.
Alberto Imarisio, MD
University of Pavia
Italy
I am a Neurologist and Research Fellow at University of Pavia, Italy.
I was born and raised among the hills of Monferrato, an historical region of Piedmont, Italy, known for its prestigious wineries and historical castles. I obtained my medical degree at University of Eastern Piedmont and then I completed my Neurology residency and Movement Disorders Fellowship at University of Brescia, Italy. I am currently a PhD candidate in Translational Medicine under the mentorship of Prof. Enza Maria Valente at University of Pavia (thesis to be discussed by the end of 2025).
I am particularly interested in understanding the molecular basis underlying Parkinson’s disease. My research is focused on the identification of novel blood biomarkers to enable precision medicine strategies in sporadic and GBA-related Parkinson’s disease, with a keen interest on mitochondrial and metabolic dysfunction. I was recently awarded a 2-year fellowship by the Silverstein Foundation for Parkinson’s with GBA (2025 Class).
Since January 2025 I also serve as a Consultant Neurologist at the Cognitive Disorders and Dementia Centre of Neurological Institute Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy.
I love electronic music and I am currently learning the art of DJ mixing. I am passionate about meditation and yoga.
Giorgia Sciacca, MD, PhD
University Hospital "G. Rodolico"
Italy
My name is Giorgia Sciacca and I have been neurologist since 2016. I completed my PhD program in Neuroscience (International), Catania, Italy, in 2019. My fields of interest are Movement Disorders and Clinical Neurophysiology. I have been involved in Movement Disorders for 17 years, with special dedication to scientific research in the field of Neurophysiology in Movement Disorders. I have been always interested in Hypokinetic Movement Disorders, but after my last-year Research Fellowship at the UMCG, University of Groningen, The Netherlands, I developed a research passion for Hyperkinetic Movement Disorders field.
At present, I am a Movement Disorders specialist at the Department of Neuroscience in Catania, Italy. I have been a MDS member since 2016, attending to the past MDS Congresses and several interesting MDS courses. I have always been interested in developing deep knowledge in movement disorders for both clinical practice and scientific research.
I am actually involved with MDS Society, belonging to several MDS Committees, such as the MDS Web Editorial Board, the Scientific Issues Committee, the MDS Young Steering Committee, the Clinical Neurophysiology Study Group and Women in Movement Disorders Group. My hobbies are watching movies, whose I love writing reviews, writing stories, painting and dancing.
Yury Seliverstov, MD, PhD
University Hospital Ulm
Germany
Dr. Yury Seliverstov is a neurologist at University Hospital Ulm, Germany. Born and raised in Vladimir, Russia, he completed his medical education and neurology training in Moscow. He earned a PhD in 2015 with a dissertation on functional MRI in Huntington disease. In 2018, he completed an observership at the Movement Disorders Clinic, Toronto Western Hospital, under the mentorship of Profs. Anthony Lang and Susan Fox. Until February 2022, he worked in Moscow as a specialist in movement disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Since August 2022, he has been based at the University Hospital Ulm.
Dr. Seliverstov served two terms on the MDS-ES Educational Committee and co-directed the MDS-ES Affiliate & National Society Video Case Discussion Series. His clinical and research interests include hyperkinetic and atypical movement disorders, genetic movement disorders, functional movement disorders, and the therapeutic use of botulinum toxin. He is actively involved in clinical trials in Huntington disease.
Outside of work, he enjoys exploring strategies to promote healthy aging and longevity, and he loves traveling with his partner and discovering new places.
Gabriela Gilmour, MD, FRCPC
University of Calgary
Canada
Dr. Gabriela Gilmour is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary in Canada, where she is the program leader for the Functional Movement Disorder Clinic. She has built the Functional Movement Disorder Clinic as an integrated clinic, combining movement disorders neurology and neuropsychiatry for patient assessment and rehabilitation planning. She works closely with a skilled and motivated allied health team, providing rehabilitation services for patients with Functional Movement Disorder. In addition, she is a movement disorders neurologist and is an educator within the Department of Clinical Neurosciences.
Dr. Gilmour grew up in Victoria, Canada, and completed her medical school and neurology residency at the University of Calgary in Calgary, Canada. She then went on to complete a fellowship in movement disorders with a focus on functional movement disorder at the University of Toronto. She has published work on Functional Neurological Disorder, with her recent work focusing on neuropsychiatric phenotypes of FMD, triage and rehabilitation. Outside of medicine, Dr. Gilmour enjoys ceramic wheel throwing, knitting for family and friends, and spending time with her husband and their chihuahua, Rita. She is also an avid reader of all genres, aiming for 40 books per year.
Katie Moore, MD, MSc
Duke University
USA
My name is Katie Moore. I was raised in North Carolina, USA. There, I completed my undergraduate degree at Duke University. I completed medical school and residency at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, where I also served as chief resident. Following this, I completed a 2-year fellowship under the mentorship of Dr. Michael Okun and Dr. Christopher Hess at the University of Florida. Along the way, I also earned master’s level certification in health professions education from Johns Hopkins University. Currently at Duke, I co-direct our HD Center of Excellence and have several roles in education including the Associate Residency Program Director, Director of the Movement Disorder Fellowship, and Director of the Duke Educator’s Academy in Neurology.
I chair the international Tele-Education At-Large in Movement Disorders (TEAM) lecture series with weekly bulletins including suggested readings and self-assessment questions reaching more than 2600 global recipients. My current professional interests include improving medical education and the pipeline of trainees into neurology as well as clinical trials in Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease.
I personally enjoy reading as well as dining and going to the ballet and opera with my husband.
Susana Lissette Peña Martinez, MD
San Rafael Hospital/UNAB University
El Salvador
I was born and raised in San Salvador, El Salvador, where I completed my primary and secondary education before entering medical school at the Universidad Nacional de El Salvador. I later specialized in Internal Medicine and Neurology, and earned a Master’s degree in Medical Research. My career has been shaped by the integration of clinical care, teaching, and research. I have participated in multiple national and international collaborations, with a focus on movement disorders, particularly Parkinson’s disease. Since 2018, I have been part of the LARGE-PD consortium, leading the clinical and genetic profiling of patients with Parkinson’s disease in El Salvador, and contributing to capacity building in molecular biology at the local level.
My professional interests include advancing neurological care through patient-centered clinical practice, academic teaching, and the design of multidisciplinary research projects. I am committed to promoting collaboration and mentorship to strengthen the next generation of neurologists and researchers in my region.
Outside of work, I enjoy historical films, biographies of influential figures, and stories of individuals who have shaped the course of nations. I also find great inspiration in nature documentaries, which remind me of the importance of curiosity, adaptation, and preservation in every aspect of life.
Rani Priyanka Vasireddy, MD, MHA
University of Tyler
USA
I am originally from Hyderabad, India, I am proud to be the first doctor in my family. I completed my medical education at Kamineni Institute of Medical Sciences and went on to earn a Masters in Healthcare Administration from Colorado State University Global Campus. My residency training was completed at the University of Kentucky, followed by specialized fellowship training in movement disorders.
Professionally, I have a strong interest in Huntington’s disease, functional neurological disorders (FND), and deep brain stimulation (DBS). My work is driven by a passion for improving patient outcomes and advancing care for individuals living with complex neurological conditions.
Outside of medicine, I enjoy watching movies, participating in adventure sports, and spending quality time with my kids and family.
Joaquin Vizcarra, MD
University of Pennsylvania
USA
I grew up in Lima, Peru, where I earned my medical degree from Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia. I then moved to the United States for postgraduate training in Neurology and Movement Disorders, completing a research fellowship at the University of Cincinnati, residency and chief residency at Emory University, and a clinical fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania. I am currently pursuing a Master of Science in Translational Research at the University of Pennsylvania, with a focus on clinical bioinformatics and AI applications in neurology.
Professionally, I am a Movement Disorders Instructor at Pennsylvania Hospital with a particular interest in Parkinson's disease and genetic ataxias. My research centers on building clinically trustworthy artificial intelligence tools that analyze electronic health records to predict falls, monitor disease progression, and personalize treatment strategies. I am also actively involved in the MDS, contributing to technology-focused initiatives.
Outside of work, I enjoy exploring new restaurants and spending time with my family. I also enjoy running and am currently training for my first half marathon.