{"id":9605,"date":"2020-10-29T11:13:29","date_gmt":"2020-10-29T15:13:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/neurology\/?page_id=9605"},"modified":"2025-07-24T14:07:18","modified_gmt":"2025-07-24T18:07:18","slug":"our-team","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/neurology\/divisions\/child-neurology-1\/patients\/epilepsy-neurogenetics\/our-team\/","title":{"rendered":"Our Team"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Team\"Leadership<\/h2>\n

Yael Shiloh-Malawsky, MD<\/a><\/h3>\n

Clinical Core Leader, Co-founder
\n<\/strong>ENGI Research Projects<\/a>
\n<\/strong>
\nYael Shiloh-Malawsky, MD, is a board-certified child neurologist and epileptologist. She co-founded the Epilepsy Neurogenetics Initiative (ENGI) and the pediatrics neurogenetics workgroup in response to new clinical needs in this fast-evolving field. Dr. Shiloh-Malawsky teamed with neurologists Dr. Senyene Hunter (a physician-scientist with clinical and research focus in epilepsy genetics) and Dr. Jane Fan (trained in child neurology, genetics, and sleep medicine), metabolic-genetics specialist Dr. Muge Calikoglu, and with genetic counselor Jenna Lea.<\/p>\n

Together, these specialists established a multidisciplinary expert team to maximize the benefits of scientific advancement in epilepsy genetics and patient care. The Clinical Core collaboration, led by Dr. Shiloh-Malawsky, focuses on three main objectives:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Improving the process and efficiency of genetic testing in pediatric epilepsy;<\/li>\n
  2. Complex case resolution, bi-monthly round table consultations of challenging clinical cases by a multidisciplinary expert panel that reviews, discusses, and recommends to referring physicians the best plan of care;<\/li>\n
  3. Standardizing and updating epilepsy genetics evaluations and consults, through a process of continual review and response to new advances and emerging resources in the field.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The ENGI Clinical Core places UNC as a leader in epilepsy genetic care. It provides patients across North Carolina access to specialized neurogenetics services, resources, and consultations.<\/p>\n

    \n

    Senyene Hunter, MD, PhD<\/a><\/h3>\n

    Research Core Leader, Co-founder<\/strong>
    \nENGI Research Projects<\/p>\n

    Senyene Hunter, MD, PhD, a physician-scientist, is co-founder of the Epilepsy Neurogenetics Initiative (ENGI). As the Research Core leader, Dr. Hunter partners with research collaborators and basic scientists to study best practices and guide future implementation of genomic technologies. The Research Core\u2019s basic science collaborations aim to improve the understanding of cellular, molecular, and nervous system functions underlying epilepsy genetics and identify pathogenic gene variants and candidate risk genes.<\/p>\n

    In addition, the Research Core aims to provide patients with state-of-the-art care by improving patient access to clinical trials and translational research, connecting families to local, regional, and national studies, and linking patients to genetic-specific treatment clinical trials.<\/p>\n

    \n

    Jenna Lea, MS, CGC<\/a><\/h3>\n

    Jenna Lea, MS, CGC, is a board-certified, clinical genetic counselor with UNC Neurology, Neurogenetics Division. She primarily works in pediatric neurogenetics, as well as Huntington disease, and joined the Epilepsy Neurogenetics Initiative (ENGI) in July 2022. As a clinical genetic counselor, she determines practice guideline-supported test selection from clinical and family history, ensures informed decision-making, and completes results interpretation and in-depth post-test counseling. Her aim is to provide personalized, patient-friendly education and resources on the medical, psychological, and familial implications of genetic testing and genetic epilepsy diagnoses.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Meet Our Team<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Neurology<\/h3>\n

    Child Neurologists<\/strong> who specialize in genetic epilepsies and neurogenetic disorders:<\/p>\n

    Zheng (Jane) Fan, MD<\/a><\/h4>\n

    Co-division Chief of Precision Medicine and Neurogenetics
    \nMedical Director of sleep Laboratory
    \nProfessor of Neurology<\/p>\n    ENGI Research Projects<\/a>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Diana Cejas, MD, MPH<\/a><\/h4>\n

    Associate Professor, Child Neurology
    \nDual Appointment with the Carolina Institute of Developmental Disabilities<\/p>\n