The Kenan Conference Center was abuzz with energy and innovation on May 22, 2025, as UNC Neurology hosted the Second Annual Neurology Day—an event dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge research, fostering collaboration, and celebrating achievements in the field of neurology.
This year’s event saw an impressive 54 abstracts submitted, reflecting a vibrant and diverse research community. The presenters included 10 faculty members, 16 research coordinators and associates, and 28 trainees, encompassing residents, fellows, and medical students.
A Spectrum of Research Themes
The abstracts spanned a wide array of themes, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of neurology research.
Topics included:
- Medicine & Society
Dr. Fox speaking to presenter about imaging poster. - Quality Improvement
- Case Reports
- Outcomes of Disease
- Basic Science
- Biomarkers of Disease
- Clinical Cohort Studies
- Medical Education
- Connectivity/fMRI Research
These themes underscore the department’s commitment to both scientific discovery and patient-centered care.
Keynote Address: Bridging Brain Connectivity & Treatment
A highlight of the event was the keynote address by Dr. Michael Fox, Founding Director of the Center for Brain Circuit Therapeutics and a Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School, who delivered a compelling talk on “Using Brain Connectivity to Guide Neuromodulation Treatments.” His insights into how brain network mapping can inform therapeutic strategies emphasized the importance of translational research from bench to bedside.
Trainee Excellence on Display
Three outstanding oral presentations were delivered by trainees, each showcasing novel research:
- Dr. Sergey Antipenko, a UNC Adult Neurology Resident, presented on “Sex Difference in the Rate of Psychiatric-Onset Dementia with Lewy Bodies.”
- Jenna Barbee, MPH, a master’s student at the UNC Gillings School, discussed “Late-Life Physical Activity
Dr. Baggio Evangelista sharing his findings in his oral presentation. and Brain Imaging and Plasma Biomarkers of Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology, Cerebrovascular Disease, and Neurodegeneration: The ARIC Study.”
- Dr. Baggio A. Evangelista, a post-doctoral scholar, shared findings on “Toward Improved Classification of ALS Progression-Rates Using Minimally Invasive Whole Blood Immunophenotyping.”
Recognizing Research Excellence
Five poster presenters were honored with research awards for their exceptional abstracts:
- Cutting Edge Methodology Award: Dr. Tengfei Li for Mapping Structural Connectome Patterns in Alzheimer’s Disease
- Advancement of Knowledge Award: Kerry Roby for research on glioblastoma and GABA(A) receptor activity, “Enhancing glioblastoma intrinsic GABA(A) receptor activity drives AMPK-mediated DNA damage and autophagic responses rendering unmethylated MGMT tumors TMZ- sensitive.”
- Outstanding Clinical Impact Award: Leyla Hatfield for work on hemorrhage volume and outcome prediction in intracerebral hemorrhage, “Location-Specific Hemorrhage Volume and Expansion Thresholds for Outcome Prediction in Intracerebral Hemorrhage.”
- Patient-Centered Research Award: Dr. Fatemeh Sadeghifar for exploring autonomic symptom burden in Parkinson’s Disease, “Assessing the relationship between autonomic symptom burden and autonomic failure in Parkinson’s Disease.”
- Best Case Report: Sai Srihitha Dommata for a novel case report on GRIA2-related epileptic encephalopathy, “ New Insights into GRIA2-Related Epileptic Encephalopathy: A Case Report of a Novel Missense Variant.”
Neurology Day 2025 was a resounding success, not only for the quality of research presented but also for the spirit of collaboration and mentorship it fostered. As the field of neurology continues to evolve, events like this play a crucial role in shaping the future of neuroscience and patient care.
