Fernando D. Testai, M.D., Ph.D., FAHA, Principal Investigator– Dr. Testai currently serves as the Director of Vascular Neurology and Associate Professor in the UIC Department of Neurology & Rehabilitation and has significant expertise in both basic and translational neuroscience research. He is actively involved in the evaluation and management of patients with cerebrovascular disease, both ischemic and hemorrhagic, and leads several clinical research projects. Dr. Testai earned his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry and his M.D. from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina. His doctoral thesis was in the area of neurochemistry and completed in 2000. He completed a post-doctoral fellowship in the area of apoptosis at the University of Chicago. He did his residency in neurology at the University of Chicago, where he served as chief resident. Dr. Testai completed his fellowship in vascular neurology at the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2008.
Joseph R. Geraghty, B.S., M.D./Ph.D. Student, Neuroscience– Joseph is an 8th-year MD/PhD candidate who completed his PhD in Neuroscience working with Dr. Testai and Dr. Jeffrey Loeb (co-mentor) in the Graduate Program in Neuroscience. Originally from New York, Joseph attended the State University of New York (SUNY) College at Geneseo, where he completed a B.S. in Biochemistry and a B.A. in Spanish Language & Literature. In medical school, Joseph developed a passion for the field of neuroimmunology. His thesis work focused on neuroinflammation in the brain following SAH and how this drives the development of epileptic networks. In particular, Joseph studied microglial activation in response to SAH and the role of various immune signaling molecules in contributing to poor outcome. Joseph is currently completing his medical degree and plans to pursue a residency in neurology, with particular interests in neurocritical care and epilepsy. Outside of the lab, Joseph is heavily involved in medical education and leadership at UICOM, having served as the President of the Chicago Medical Student Council (CMSC), a peer tutor for USMLE Step 1, and helped develop the UICOM Student Curricular Board (SCB). More recently, Joseph has served in a national leadership role through the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Organization of Student Representatives (OSR), where he serves as their liaison to the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) which oversee US Medical Licensing Examinations (USMLE). When not in lab, Joe enjoys running, traveling, and hanging out with his dog Cooper. He recently completed the 2021 Chicago Marathon!
Eitan A. Katz, B.S., Medical Student– Eitan is a 4th-year medical student at UIC working in Dr. Testai’s lab on collection and analysis of human samples from SAH patients. He recently matched into an ophthalmology residency at UIC. Eitan has helped develop and organize our extensive human database of CSF samples from SAH patients, and is conducting experiments to analyze various protein biomarkers in these samples. Eitan attended the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor as an undergraduate, studying physics and working in a biophysics lab with Dr. Michal Zochowski. His research focused on neural networks. His undergraduate honors thesis was titled, “Sub-Threshold Resonance Causes Separation in Neural Network Dynamics Due to Segregation of Synaptic Weights.” Additionally, Eitan is involved with the American Academy of Neurology on campus and is a recipient of the AAN Medical Student Research Scholarship. Outside of school, Eitan trains in Karate and has achieved a black belt.
Yonatan Hirsch, B.A., Medical Student – Yoni is a 4th-year medical student at UIC who recently matched into Dermatology residency at UIC. He grew up in Evanston, IL and then attended the University of Michigan where he majored in English. During his time as an undergrad, he was able to study abroad in Cape Town, South Africa where he assisted with research comparing the efficacy of different brands of synthetic mitral valves. Yoni also has spent time investigating a unique process of case review conducted by NorthShore University Health System’s Obstetrics and Gynecology department. He recently presented his findings at the annual meeting of the Central Association of OB-GYN in Minneapolis, MN. Yoni took a gap year before enrolling at UIC to serve as an AmeriCorps City Year corps member here in Chicago, working as a tutor/mentor for students at Sullivan High School. At UIC, Yoni is involved with the Student Run Free Clinic patient education initiative and is the treasurer of the Chicago Cancer Society. In his free time, Yoni enjoys reading, watching Netflix, and rooting for the University of Michigan basketball/football teams.
Dave Manguerra, Undergraduate Student- Dave is a junior majoring in Biochemistry at the University of Illinois at Chicago. At UIC, he is a Chancellor’s fellow and a member of the Honor’s College, the Society of Future Physicians, and Filipinos in Alliance. After completing his undergraduate degree, Dave plans to continue on to medical school and become a pediatrician. Away from school, Dave likes to volunteer at UI Health, play video games, and play basketball.
Neil Saini, Undergraduate Student- Neil is a junior majoring in Biology at the University of Illinois at Chicago. At UIC, he is a member of the Speech Team, Indian Student Association, Sikh Student Association, Society of Future Physicians, and the Honors College. After obtaining his undergraduate degree, Neil plans to continue to medical school and potentially become either an emergency medicine physician or neurosurgeon. Away from school, Neil loves to watch Bears football, Duke basketball, play video games, and spend time with his family and friends.
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Testai Lab Collaborators:
Jeffrey A. Loeb, M.D., Ph.D., John S. Garvin Chair, Professor & Head, Department of Neurology & Rehabilitation – Dr. Loeb currently serves as the department head of the UIC Department of Neurology & Rehabilitation and previously was a professor in the department of neurology and the associate director of The Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Michigan. He received his MD and PhD from the University of Chicago and went on to complete a residency in neurology at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston then followed by fellowship training in epilepsy and clinical neurophysiology at Harvard’s Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital. At the same time, Dr. Loeb held a faculty appointment at the Harvard Medical School where he performed research on nervous system development with Gerald Fischbach in the Department of Neurobiology. During his 20 year career, Dr. Loeb has authored numerous publications and has been the recipient of research and teaching awards. Among these awards, Dr. Loeb has been listed as one of the Best Doctors in America 2007-2013, and honored by Wayne State University with the Outstanding Graduate mentor Award and numerous Faculty Research Awards. He is a member of the American Academy of Neurology, the American Epilepsy Society, the Society for Neuroscience, and the American Neurological Association. He is on the professional advisory board of the Epilepsy Foundation of America and is a regular member of the developmental neuroscience NICHD NIH study section.
Melissa Lara-Angulo, DNP, AG-ACNP, Stroke Nurse Practitioner – Melissa is a nurse practitioner in the UI Health Comprehensive Stroke Center. Melissa is involved in all aspects of care from the time stroke patients arrive at UI Health until they are transferred to the next level of care. She provides clinical care and education to patients and their families, ensuring they have all the necessary equipment and information for a seamless transition home and to return to their previous level of functioning. Melissa also is actively involved in research and community engagement programs to deliver stroke care and prevention education to UI Health’s surrounding patient communities.
Jenna Reeh, DNP, BA, AGACNP-BC, Stroke Nurse Practitioner – Jenna is a nurse practitioner in the UI Health Comprehensive Stroke Center. She provides education and clinical care to support stroke patients as they move through the continuum of care, and her focus is on optimizing communication between members of the care team to address difficulties patients may have in navigating the healthcare system.
Maureen Hillman, R.N. – Clinical Research Nurse and Project Coordinator, Department of Neurology & Rehabilitation
Biswajit Maharathi, M.S. – Ph.D. Student, Bioengineering, Departments of Bioengineering and Neurology & Rehabilitation
Sepideh Amin-Hanjani, M.D., FAANS, FACS, FAHA – Professor, Residency Program Director and Co-Director of Neurovascular Surgery, Department of Neurosurgery
Dilip Pandey, M.D., Ph.D., FAHA –Associate Professor, Stroke Epidemiology, Director of Clinical Research, Department of Neurology & Rehabilitation
Noreen Nazir, MD – Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology
Robert Molokie, MD – Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology
Deepshika Sudhakar, Undergraduate Student
Testai Lab Alumni:
Tiffany Cheng, MD – Current Position: Psychiatry Resident, Washington University in St. Louis
Tyler Lung – Former undergraduate student, UIC Honor’s College
Milen Spegar – Former undergraduate student, UIC Honor’s College
Hao-Liang Xu, M.D., Ph.D. – Current Position: Hematopathology Fellow, Department of Pathology & Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
Alexander Tate, B.S. – Current Position: PhD Student in Neuroscience, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
Joseph L. Davis, B.S. – Current Position: Current medical student at Indiana University School of Medicine
Abdullah Muhammad, B.S. – Research Specialist, Plans to Attend Medical School
Matthew Oparowski – High School Student Summer Research Project
Vascular Neurology Research Laboratory 