Current Residents - Neurology Residency Program

Dr. Benhuri was born and raised in New York City. He received his medical degree from the University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences. His interest in neurology first started in the anatomy lab and continued during the clinical years, especially pertaining to localization and neuroimaging. In his free time he enjoys watching movies, listening to new records, and playing board games.

Birthplace: New York, NY
Undergraduate: Hunter College, The City University of New York, BA in History
Medical School: University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences
Interests: Film, Music, Stand-up comedy, Chess, Backgammon

Dr. Cochran was born and raised in Greenville, South Carolina. He completed his undergraduate work at the University of South Carolina Honors College where he majored in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and minored in Neuroscience. He then completed his medical degree at the Medical University of South Carolina. He developed an interest in medicine and neurology after working in an assisted living facility and minoring in neuroscience. He has an ongoing interest in vascular neurology and cognitive neurology. In his free time, he enjoys boating, biking, and playing the saxophone.

Birthplace: Greenville, SC
Undergraduate: University of South Carolina, BS Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Medical School: Medical University of South Carolina
Interests: Music, Gardening, Outdoors

Dr. Nelson is from La Crosse, Wisconsin. He completed an undergraduate degree in biology at the University of Minnesota, and received his medical degree from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. He developed a passion for neurology during his clinical years of medical school, and is particularly interested in neuroimmunology.

Birthplace: La Crosse, WI
Medical School: Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
Interests: Cooking, tennis, and playing the piano

Dr. Leon-Ariza was born in Colombia and raised in Japan. He received his MD at the Universidad de Santander. Ever since he was a kid, he developed interests in Neurology and Neurosciences. He is passionate about research in brain tumors and vascular neurology, with extensive experience in the development of Phase I and Phase II neuro-oncology clinical trials.

Birthplace: Bucaramanga, Colombia
Medical School: Universidad de Santander
Interests: Running, Crossfit, Futbol and Traveling

Notable publications and presentations:

Leon-Ariza DS, Leon-Ariza JS, Nangiana J, Grau GV, Leon-Sarmiento FE, Quiñones-Hinojosa A. Evidences in neurological surgery and a cutting edge classification of the trigeminocardiac reflex: a systematic review. World Neurosurgery 2018; 117:4-10

Leon-Ariza DS, Campero A, Romero Chaparro RJ, Prada DG, Vargas Grau G, Rhoton Jr AL. Key aspects in foramen magnum meningiomas: From old neuroanatomical conceptions to current far lateral neurosurgical intervention. World Neurosurgery 2017; 106:477-483

Leon-Ariza DS, Romero Chaparro RJ, Rosen L, Leon-Ariza JS, Leon-Sarmiento FE, Villalonga JF, Quinones-Hinojosa A, Campero A. Combined Presigmoid-Subtemporal Approach in a Semi-Sitting Position for Petroclival Meningiomas: A Technical Report. Cureus. 2021; 13:e19609

Leon-Ariza DS, Leon-Ariza JS, Leon-Sarmiento FE. Territorial and extraterritorial trigeminocardiac reflex: a review for the neurosurgeon and a type IV reflex vignette. Cureus 2020; 12(11): e11646

Leon-Ariza DS, Leon-Ariza JS, Bayona EA, Bayona-Prieto J, Leon-Sarmiento FE. Remote dysfunctions in spinal cord injury: Closer than ever. Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery 2015; 133:102-103

Leon-Sarmiento FE, Peckham E, Leon-Ariza DS, Bara-Jimenez W, Hallett M. Auditory and lower limb tactile prepulse inhibition in primary restless legs syndrome: clues to its pathophysiology. Journal of Clinical Neurophysiology 2015; 32:369-374

Leon-Sarmiento FE, Gonzalez-Castaño A, Rizzo-Sierra CV, Aceros J, Leon-Ariza DS, Leon-Ariza JS, Prada DG, Bara-Jimenez W, Wang ZY. Neurophysics assessment of the muscle bioenergy generated by transcranial magnetic stimulation. Research (Science) 2019; 3: 7109535

Leon-Ariza JS, Prada DG, Leon-Ariza DS, Castillo C, Leon-Sarmiento FE. The three nociceptive responses of the orbicularis oculi reflex in alzheimer’s disease: state of the evidence and meta-analysis. Clinical EEG and Neuroscience 2019; 50: 354-360

Leon-Sarmiento FE, Contreras VA, Leon-Ariza JS, Leon-Ariza DS, Bayona-Prieto J, Boutros N. Fractal neurophysiological meta-analysis of the blink reflex in Tourette syndrome. Biological Psychiatry 2007; 61 (Suppl 1): 237

Leon-Sarmiento FE, Leon-Ariza JS, Leon-Ariza DS. Rapid modulation of motor cortex after playing a videogame. Neurology 2006; 66: 179-180

Dr. Pina was born and raised in the suburbs of Miami, FL. She completed her undergraduate work at The Pennsylvania State University and received her medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine. She first developed an interest in Neurology while shadowing in a General Neurology clinic during her pre-medical studies. She has an ongoing interest in Neuro-Immunology and Cognitive Disorders. In her free time, she likes to travel and read.

Birthplace: Hialeah, FL
Undergraduate: The Pennsylvania State University; B.S. Biology, B.S. Human Development & Family Studies
Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine
Interests: Traveling, reading, and event planning

Dr. Stone was born and raised in Sylacauga, Alabama. He completed his undergraduate work at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, earning his bachelor’s degree in Biology while being an active member of the university drumline. He continued studying at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, where he received his MD. His passion to pursue neurology developed after volunteering at a rehabilitation center during his undergraduate studies. He is particularly interested in Epilepsy and Vascular Neurology. In his free time, he enjoys drumming, indoor gardening, and finding new places to explore with his dog.

Birthplace: Sylacauga, Alabama
Undergraduate: The University of Alabama at Birmingham, BS in Biology
Medical School: The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Heersink School of Medicine
Interests: Music, Indoor plants, Film

Dr. Alvarado Torres was born and raised in Orocovis, Puerto Rico. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, and her medical degree at Ponce Health Science University. She developed a passion for the neuroscience during her undergraduate years which translated to love for neurology during medical school. She has an ongoing interest in Neuro-immunology and Cognitive neurology.

Birthplace: Orocovis, PR
Medical School: Ponce Health Science University
Interests: Walks with her dog, playing video games, watching new series, and exploring areas in the city

Dr. Walters was born and raised in the Houston, Texas area. He received his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin, his master’s degree in Medical Genetics and Genomics from the Tulane University School of Medicine, and his medical degree from the University of Queensland Medical School. He first developed an interest in Neurology while taking cognitive and behavioral neuroscience courses during his undergraduate studies. He is passionate about Tex-Mex food and Texas football.

Birthplace: Kingwood, Texas
Medical School: University of Queensland Medical School
Interests: Texas/Houston sports, chess

Dr. Madhav was raised in the Dallas area. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Texas at Dallas and received his medical degree from Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He became interested in neurology early on in medical school during systems courses and has a particular interest in vascular neurology. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball, watching movies, and cooking.

Birthplace: Philadelphia, PA
Medical School: Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Interests: basketball, movies, cooking

Dr. Amer is originally from Mosul, Iraq, historically known as the capital of the Assyrian Empire. He earned his M.D. from the University of Jordan, where his interest in neurology sparked early in his clinical training.

During medical school, he received the Best Research Award for his publications and collaborative work with faculty at the Mayo Clinic and co-authoring a book chapter on Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalalgias.

After graduation, Dr. Amer joined the Weill Cornell – affiliated program at Hamad Medical Corporation in Doha, Qatar, where he completed two years of Internal Medicine residency and served as a clinical researcher with the Neuroscience Institute.

Dr. Amer is committed to academia, with a focus on clinical neurology, research, and medical education. Outside of medicine, he enjoys traveling, swimming, social gatherings, and watching movies.

Birthplace: Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
Medical School: University of Jordan, School of Medicine in Amman, Jordan
Interests: Traveling to new places and spending time with family and friends. 

Dr. Ambat was born in Miami, Florida and raised in Rochelle Park, New Jersey. He obtained his undergraduate degree from Northeastern University and his medical degree from the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine. From a young age, he was interested in pursuing neurology and has grown his interest in his undergraduate and medical studies. In his free time, he can be found enjoying music, cooking and travel!

Birthplace: Miami, FL
Medical School: Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
Interests: Guitar, cooking, chess, travel

Dr. Jafari was born in Tehran, Iran, and moved to California with her family at the age of five. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Biology from the University of California, San Diego, followed by a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences from the University of North Texas Health Science Center. She went on to pursue her medical degree at William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Dr. Jafari’s passion for medicine was deeply influenced by her experience caring for her father. Her dedication to neurology began while caring for an infant with cerebral palsy and bilateral polymicrogyria, a pivotal moment that shaped her professional aspirations. She has a strong interest in pursuing a career in vascular neurology.

She is particularly passionate about public speaking, lifestyle medicine, and wellness, and she hopes to integrate these interests into her residency training and future practice.

Birthplace: Tehran, Iran
Graduate School: University of North Texas Health Science Center – M.S. in Biomedical Sciences Medical School: William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Interests: Weightlifting, public speaking, cooking, exploring new coffee shops, photography

Dr. Shroff’s interest in neurology began early, when his middle-school guidance counselor took him to volunteer weekly at a local Alzheimer’s care home. The time he spent there left a lasting impression and sparked his curiosity about how the brain shapes memory, identity, and human connection. He took those experiences to heart, committing himself to guiding patients and families through the challenges of neurological disease—working to preserve their dignity and connection at every step.

Outside of medicine, he can often be found reading high-fantasy novels, playing soccer, or exploring history and philosophy. He also enjoys taking deep dives into new topics—whether that means researching fountain pens, building a lightsaber, or finding new recipes to try—he’s always excited to learn something new. He found a perfect match in Ochsner, a program defined by its passionate leadership and dedication to resident well-being and education. Their integration of cutting-edge technology into patient-centered care offers exactly what he was looking for, the opportunity to grow into a neurologist who is both compassionate and on the leading edge of neurological care.

Hometown: Morrisville, Pennsylvania
Medical School: DO, Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
Interests: Reading, soccer, history

Dr. Williams is from Houston, Texas. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Houston, where she majored in Biology and minored in Dance. Her interest in neurology grew during her undergraduate studies, and became solidified in medical school. Outside of medicine, she enjoys watching dance performances, movies, and baking.

Hometown: Houston, TX
Medical School: Meharry Medical College
Interests: Dance, Crafts, TV/Film

I was born and raised in Laredo, Texas. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine in San Antonio Tx,. My interest in Neurology grew from witnessing my grandmother’s journey from her stroke and recognizing the lack of neurologists in my hometown. I want to return to my community to provide care. I used to compete collegiately in trap and skeet shooting so I enjoy that along with hunting, fishing, watching shows/animes, and hanging with friends.

Birthplace: Laredo, TX
Medical School: University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine
Interests: hunting, fishing, anime