Neurology Clinical Researchers

AM Barrett, MD, is a cognitive neurologist and neurorehabilitationist, and her research is focused on spatial cognition, right brain rehabilitation, and unawareness of deficits.

Barrett, MD, and her collaborators are pioneers and US leaders in spatial neglect rehabilitation. Her work demonstrates that when powerful right brain systems are damaged, hidden disabilities occur affecting functional vision, strength, and mobility as well as adaptive navigation. These problems devastate daily activities and can be dramatically improved with spatial retraining while wearing off-the-shelf optical prisms.

Dr. Barrett has trained hundreds of clinicians and led the treatment of thousands of patients, many of whom are relieved of spatial neglect symptoms, even years after stroke. The goal of her current, multisite, Veteran Administration-funded research is to identify a brain-based biomarker that can be used to personalize and facilitate spatial neglect care. 

-Neuroimmunology Fellowship Program
-Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis Center 

Shiv Bhadola, MD, assistant professor of neurology, board certified in neurology and fellowship trained in neuromuscular medicine. Dr. Bhadola is a Massachusetts native from Methuen, and he is fluent in English and Gujarati languages. Dr. Bhadola completed his undergraduate degree in Neuroscience at Boston University and earned his medical degree from UMass Chan Medical School in 2019. He completed his neurology residency program at the Boston Medical Center and finished his fellowship training in Neuromuscular Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan in 2024. Dr. Bhadola returned to UMass Chan as a faculty member in 2024. 

Dr. Bhadola, assistant professor in the Neuromuscular Medicine Division serves as the first Transition to Residency lead for neurology and psychiatry, guiding late fourth-year medical students as they prepare for residency in these specialties. Additionally, he mentors first-year medical students through the Longitudinal Preceptor Program and is actively involved in teaching residents and fellows in both the clinic and inpatient settings. Dr. Bhadola specializes in the diagnosis and management of neuromuscular disorders with a particular focus on myasthenia gravis, neuropathy, myopathy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and amyloidosis. He is also skilled in electrodiagnostic studies (nerve conduction and electromyography), nerve and muscle ultrasound, and botulinum toxin injections for spasticity, dystonia, tremor, spasm, and migraine. His research interests include immune-mediated neuropathies, neuromuscular junction disorders, quality improvement, and health policy. 

Dr. Bhadola shares, "As a medical student at UMass, I was inspired by my mentors in the neuromuscular division, who sparked my passion for neuromuscular disorders and the privilege of building long-term relationships with patients and their families. Training through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and caring for diverse patient populations - from Boston's city hospital to Manhattan's Upper East Side - shaped my perspective and deepened my clinical experience. Now, I'm honored to return to UMass Chan, where I have the opportunity to care for the people of the Commonwealth, mentor the next generation of physicians, and continue growing as both a professional and a person."

-Associate Clinical Director
-Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis Center

Co-Director, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) Program
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology
UMass Chan Medical School

Dr. Chrzanowski earned a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Cincinnati and his MD, and PhD at the University of Florida studying muscle physiology under the mentorship of Drs. Glenn Walter and Krista Vandenborne in the ImagingDMD group. He moved to Massachusetts to complete his residencies in pediatrics and child neurology at Boston Children’s Hospital and a Neuromuscular Fellowship at Mass General Brigham, working under the auspices of Dr. Seward Rutkove, developing an understanding of electrical impedance myography (EIM), to assess skeletal muscle health. 

Dr. Chrzanowski is interested in studying biomarkers associated with studying biomarkers of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and other pediatric neuromuscular diseases. Dr. Chrzanowski formed his research lab to determine if implementing earlier interventions will alter long-term outcomes through developing and quantifying novel treatments. 

Dr. Chrzanowski shares, "Working at UMass Chan in the Department of Neurology and the Duchenne program uniquely brings cutting-edge research and patient-centered clinical care together to extend and enhance the lives of people with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Our mission is to deliver the highest quality, most comprehensive care available to the Duchenne community while urgently advancing clinical trials for new therapies - ultimately, improving outcomes for those living with Duchenne."

Eleonora D'Ambrosio, MD, assistant professor of neurology, medical director of (TiMT) translational institute for molecular therapeutics, and neuromuscular medicine specialist for neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. D’Ambrosio attended Sapienza Medical School in Rome, UMass Chan Medical School, neurology residency program, Brigham–Mass General in Boston, neuromuscular medicine fellowship program, and Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, gene therapy fellowship program.  

Dr. D’Ambrosio serves our neurodegenerative disease community to develop gene therapies from the research bench to the patient bedside through the TiMT at UMass Chan. Her research and clinical expertise focus on treating genetic neuromuscular diseases, rare diseases, gene therapy, and ALS through translational science and patient care.

Anindita Deb, MD, specializes in neurodegenerative diseases and movement disorders such as Huntington’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease. 

Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders

Brown Lab Clinical Team, Catherine Douthwright, PhD, Profile