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Our Fellows - Vascular Neurology Fellowship Program

Dr. Ali Kaabi

Dr. Kaabi was born and raised in Iraq. He completed his MD at the Babylon College-School of Medicine.

He developed an interest for a career in Neurology after exposure to the neurosciences with a Neurologist who mentored him back home. He moved to the United States to complete a two-year postdoctoral fellowship in clinical diabetes research at the University of Texas in San Antonio. Here he was involved in multiple clinical studies researching the impact of aggressive diabetes control on cerebrovascular and cardiovascular health. He is a lead author of multiple clinical studies in diabetes research.

Dr. Kaabi eventually joined the Neurology Residency Program at the University of Texas Health San Antonio and served as Chief Resident in his final year. He is interested in cerebrovascular disease research and quality of life improvement in patients who have suffered from a stroke.

In his free time, he likes to pursue outdoor activities such as exploring hiking trails and camping with his wife and their dog Misha. He likes to paint and travel.

Birthplace: Karbala/Iraq
Undergraduate: University of Sabha, Biology major
Medical School: Babylon university School of Medicine
Residency: University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
Interests: Hiking, Camping, Weightlifting, Golf, Painting, Travel

Notable Publications and Presentations:

Peer Reviewed Journal Articles/Abstracts

Robert Martinez, Huessein Al-jobori, Ali M Ali, Johhn Adams, Muhammed Abdul-ghani, Curtis Triplitt, Ralph Defronzo and Eugenio Cersosimo. (2018, May). Endogenous Glucose Production and Hormonal Changes in Response to Canagliflozin and liraglutide combination Therapy https://doi.org/10.2337/db17-1.... Glucose Production after Canagliflozin/Liraglutide Therapy, 1(1), 1-24.

Cited in PubMed; PMID: 29602791. Pub Status: Published.

Poster Presentations

Ali Kaabi1, Aaisha Mozumder, Sujani Bandela2, Agnelio Cardentey2, Lee Birnbaum2 . (2022, April 02). (To be presented 2/2022 in The International stroke conference) Acute stroke patients with low NIHSS did not delay hospital presentation during COVID [Poster presented]. AAN, SCA/San Antonio, TX, USA.

Ali M Ali, Yuejuan Qin, Robert Martinez, John Adams, Curtis Triplitt, Ralph DeFronzo, Eugenio Cersosimo. (2018, May 01). Effect of Combination Therapy with liraglutide plus Canagliflozin on Endogenous glucose production and on plasma insulin, glucagon versus each therapy in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. [Poster presented]. 21st annual department of medicine research day and IIMS/CTSA 9thAnnual Frontiers of Translational Science research day./San Antonio, TX, USA.

MUHAMMED ABDUL-GHANI,ALI M ALI,ROBERT A MARTINEZ, JOHN M ADAMS II, EUGENIO CERCOSIMO, CURTIS L TRIPLITT, RALPH A DEFRONZO. (2018, June 01). Effect of Combination Therapy With Liraglutide on HGP and HbA1c Versus Each Therapy Alone in T2DM [Poster presented]. American Diabetes Association 2018 meeting/Orlando, FL, USA.

Presentation of study reviews of alteplase vs Tenecteplase, the thrombolytic of the future.

Dr. Maria Shoaib

Dr. Shoaib was born and raised in Karachi, Pakistan. She did her medical school from Dow Medical College in her home town. She developed her interest in neurology while assuming caregiver role for her grandparents with neuro-debilitating conditions. She completed her residency at The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. She takes huge interest in mentoring students and the residents. She was residents’ wellness chief during her residency. Notable awards include, Outstanding Resident teacher award 2021 & AAN residents’ scholarship award 2022. She has an ongoing research interest in stroke outcomes. In her free time, she likes to cook and host game nights. She and her husband enjoy traveling and have a hobby to collect fridge magnets.

Birthplace: Karachi, Pakistan
Medical School: Dow Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan
Internship/Residency: The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Interests: Stroke outcomes, Physicians’ wellness and work life balance, Diversity & Culture, Food & Cooking

Notable Publications and Presentations:

Peer-Reviewed Publications

  • Aftab, K., & Shoaib, M. Nosocomial bacterial meningitis-prevention rather than cure!. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association. 2013, Jul; 63(7): 945-945. Cited in PubMed; PMID: 23901732. Pub Status: Published.
  • Afzal, A., & Shoaib, M. Spinal Cord Stroke: An Uncommon Diagnosis behind Common Symptoms. The Journal of Bahria University Medical and Dental College. 2016, Jun; 6(2): 121. Pub Status: Published.
  • Agha, M., Nisar, A., Liaqat, H., Choudry, U. K., Choudy , A. K. , & Shoaib, M. Neurophysiological Perspectives of Borderline Personality Disorders. Acta Psychopathologica. 2017, May; 3(3): 21. Pub Status: Published.
  • Godil, A., Hafiz, M. Y., & Shoaib, M. Stentrode-on way to revolutionize neurosciences. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association. 2016, Aug; 66(8): 1047. Cited in PubMed; PMID: 27524552. Pub Status: Published.
  • Khaliq, M.F., Shoaib, M., Tariq, S. M., Khan, M. T.,. Cerebral air embolism from a Central Venous Catheter: A timely reminder of the importance of rapid diagnosis. Case Report. 2018, Aug; 2018(August): 00. Cited in PubMed; PMID: 30115713. Pub Status: Published.
  • Mahmood, S. U., Ahmed, S. A., Shoaib, M., Khan, T., & Majeed, M. Polio Eradication in Pakistan: Call for Alliance. The Ochsner Journal. 2017, Mar; 17(1): 13-14. Cited in PubMed; PMID: 28331440. Pub Status: Published.
  • Noorani, M. M., Khaliq, M. F., Shoaib, M., Sheikh, A., Moazzum, W., & Ali, S. A. Time intervals and associated factors of emergency treatment: first insight into Pakistani system. International archives of medicine. 2014, Sep; 7(1): 41. Cited in PubMed; PMID:25484915. Pub Status: Published.
  • Qadeer, A., Khalid, U., Amin, M., Murtaza, S., Khaliq, M., & Shoaib, M. Caregiver’s Burden of the Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury. Cureus. 2017, Aug; 9(8): e1590. Pub Status: Published.
  • Shafqat, M. N., Aadil, M., & Shoaib, M. Sleep apnea leading to Parkinson’s disease–an important association. Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment. 2017, Jun; 13(2017): 1491-1492. Cited in PubMed; PMID: 28652749. Pub Status: Published.
  • Sheikh, M. H., Waqas, A., Naveed, S., Shoaib, M., Yousuf, S., Butt, S. R., & Tahir, M. H. Association of Cognitive Impairment with Sleep Difficulties, Anxiety and Depression among Pakistani Physicians. Journal of Pakistan Medical Association. 2018, Jun; 68(6): 932-935. Pub Status: Published.
  • Shoaib, M. Aging, the new frontier for science. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association. 2013, Sep; 63(9): 1217. Cited in PubMed; PMID: 24601215. Pub Status: Published.
  • Shoaib, M., & Aadil, M. Assessment of Post stroke mania and diagnosis. Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment. 2017, Feb; 13(2017): 557-558. Cited in PubMed; PMID: 28260902. Pub Status: Published.
  • Shoaib, M., & Khaliq, M. F. Physicians’ attitude, belief and practice of complementary alternative medication use. Patient preference and adherence. 2017, Jun; 11(2017): 1091-1092. Cited in PubMed; PMID: 28721022. Pub Status: Published.
  • Shoaib, M., & Khan, M.T. Therapeutic deep brain stimulation worsening dysprosody in Parkinson’s disease – an unexplored entity.Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment. 2018, Mar; 14(2018): 767. Cited in PubMed; PMID: 29569631. Pub Status: Published.
  • Shoaib, M., Ahmed, S. A., Mahmood, S. U., & Hafiz, M. Y. Doctor Patient Language Barrier - Compromising on Quality Care.Journal of Ayub Medical College Abbottabad. 2016, Jun; 28(2): 426. Cited in PubMed; PMID: 28718584. Pub Status: Published.
  • Shoaib, M., Choudry, U. K., Tariqa, S., Siddiqa, I. A., Khaliq, M. F., Noorani, M. M., Ahmed, S. A ., & Iftikhar, W. Folic Acid and Neural Tube Defects - Knowledge and Practices of Mothers from Pakistan. Journal of Surgery and Emergency Medicine. 2017, Feb;1(1): 1. Pub Status: Published.
  • Shoaib, M., Kraus, J. J., & Khan, M. T.. Herpes Simplex Virus Encephalitis: Atypical Presentation as a Right Middle Cerebral Artery Stroke.. Cureus. 2018, Jan; 10(1): 2067. Cited in PubMed; PMID: 29564192. Pub Status: Published.
  • Shoaib, M., Noorani, M. M., & Khaliq, M. F. Telemedicine: distance matters not now. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association. 2012, Nov; 62(11): 1268-1269. Cited in PubMed; PMID: 23866430. Pub Status: Published.
  • Shoaib, M., Rameez, M. A. M., Hussain, S. A., Madadin, M., & Menezes, R. G. Personalized Medicine in a New Genomic Era: Ethical and Legal Aspects. Science and engineering ethics. 2017, Aug; 23(4): 1207-1212. Cited in PubMed; PMID: 27896605. Pub Status:Published.
  • Shoaib, M., Raza, M. Z., & Bilal, S. How to break the ice-preparing for the bad or sad. Journal of The Pakistan Medical Association.2013, Aug; 63(8): 1081. Pub Status: Published.
  • Yusuf, F. H., Hafiz, M. Y., Shoaib, M., & Ahmed, S. A. Cerebral malaria: insight into pathogenesis, complications and molecularbiomarkers. Infection and drug resistance. 2017, Feb; 10(2017): 57-59. Cited in PubMed; PMID: 28203097. Pub Status: Published.

Poster Presentations

  • Moreno-Gomez, V., Shoaib, M., Khaliq, M. F., Xu, C., Copeland, T. P., & Ortiz-Garcia, J. G.. Parkinson's Disease Patients withIschemic Stroke have shorter hospital stay compared to those without Parkinson's Disease: A National Inpatient Sample Study1998-2017. International Stroke Conference. 2021, Jan.
  • Shoaib, M., Al Obaidi, Z., Paul, A., Apple, B., Xu, C., Sidorov, E., Mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke during pregnancy has favorable outcome: Case report to open further discussion. Neuro Critical Care Society 2021; Oct.
  • Asif, A., Shoaib, M., Sidorov, E., Tale of a Carotid Web: Rare Etiology of Ischemic Stroke in a Young Patient. American Neurology Academy. 2021; Oct.
  • Shoaib, M., Khaliq, Moreno-Gomez, V., M. F., Xu, C., Copeland, T. P., & Ortiz-Garcia, J. G.. Impact of Parkinson disease on Ischemic Stroke Mortality: Perspectives from nationwide population-based study 1998-2017. World Stroke Conference. 2021,Oct.
  • Shoaib, M., Moreno-Gomez, V., Khaliq, M. F., & Ortiz-Garcia, J. G.. Hospital Outcomes of Alzheimer’s Disease in Ischemic StrokePatients: Perspectives from Nationwide Population-Based Study 1998-2017.. American Academy Neurology annual meeting. 2021, April.
  • Shoaib, M., Perez-Giraldo, G., & Awwad, A. A.. Iatrogenic Compressive Thoracic Myelopathy Due to Spinal Epidural Lipomatosis:Steroid a Two-Edge Sword in Neurosarcoidosis.. American Academy Neurology annual meeting. 2021; April.
  • Shoaib, M., Ramirez-Salazar, S., & Awwad, A. A.. Lights, Christmas tree, Animals & People: Charles Bonnet Syndrome due toperioperative Posterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy.. American Neurology Academy meeting. 2021, Oct.
  • Asif, A., Bhatia, K., Shoaib, M., & Qureshi, A. I.. (October, 2020). Acute-Onset Throbbing Headache, a Rare Manifestation of Sphenoid Wing Meningioma: A Case Report. Poster presented at: American Neurological Academy Annual Meeting; Los Angeles,CA, USA.
  • Dugyala, V., Habib, S., Shoaib, M., & Dayyoub, T.. (October, 2020). Under Recognized Under-Reported problem, Ceftazidime-Induced Non-Convulsive Status Epilepticus. Poster presented at: Neurocritical Care Society Annual Meeting; Pheonix, AZ, USA.
  • Dugyala, V., Shoaib, M., & Awwad, A. A.. (October, 2020). Familial Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease: Uncommon and Under-recognized Poster presented at: American Neurology Academy Annual meeting; Los Angeles, CA, USA.
  • Dugyala, V., Shoaib, M., & Roberts, P. R.. (October, 2020). Sudden Hypertriglyceridemia due to Clevidipine infusion Poster presentedat: American Neurology Academy Annual Meeting; San Fransisco, CA, USA.
  • Mallum, C., Katyal, R., Shoaib, M., & Sharma, R.. (October, 2020). Near- fainting with swallowing: Two Cases of Swallow Syncope Poster presented at: American Neurology Academy Annual Meeting; Los Angeles, CA, USA.
  • Muzammil, S. M., Shoaib, M., & Awwad, A. A.. (October, 2020). Contrast-Induced Neurotoxicity: Encountered as Stroke Mimic Poster presented at: Neurocritical Care Society Annual Meeting; Pheonix, AZ, USA.
  • Shoaib, M., Awwad, A. A., & Reshi, R.. (October, 2020). Stellate Ganglion Block in a Refractory case of Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome Poster presented at: Neurocritical Care Society Annual Meeting; Pheonix, AZ, USA.
  • Shoaib, M., Habib, S., Asif, A., Abdelkader, A. E., & Awwad, A. A.. (October, 2020). Bilateral acute ischemic strokes: Rare case ofbilateral Internal Carotid Artery hypoplasia. Poster presented at: American Neurology Academy Annual Meeting; Los Angeles, CA,USA.
  • Shoaib, M., Ray, D., Cheema, A. A., & Ray, B.. (October, 2019). Pseudo-Subarachnoid Hemorrhage and Contrast InducedEncephalopathy after CT Myelogram: A Clinical Quagmire Poster presented at: Neurocritical Care Society Annual Meeting; Vancouver, BC, CAN.
  • Shoaib, M., Shujaat, S. D, & Ahmad, A. A. (October, 2020). Alien Limb can be a Headache: A rare migraine presentation Poster presented at: American Neurology Academy Annual Meeting; Los Angeles, CA, USA.
  • OU Neurology Department Pilot Wellness Program: A Quality Improvement Project (Pending publication)

Dr. Julia Deyeva

Dr. Deyeva was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, and moved to the United States at a young age. She completed her undergraduate work at the University of Wisconsin - Madison and received her MD from St. George’s - University of London. During medical school, she developed a passionate interest in Neurology and Neuroscience due to a combination of memorable patient encounters and a deep fascination with neuropathology. She has had a particular interest in Vascular Neurology and has opted to pursue additional training in this subspecialty through Ochsner’s Vascular Neurology Fellowship. She is planning to continue her work in this field as a staff physician at Ochsner next year. When she’s not working at Ochsner, she’s gardening, exploring the great city of New Orleans, and tending to her extremely rowdy dog.

Birthplace: St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
Undergraduate: University of Wisconsin - Madison, BA in Medical Microbiology and Immunology and Russian Language & Literature
Medical School: St. Georges - University of London
Residency: Ochsner Clinic Foundation
Interests: Traveling, gardening, exploring New Orleans and working out (sometimes).

Dr. Kim Mai Lee

Dr. Lee was born in Monroe, Louisiana and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania. She completed her undergraduate work at Princeton University and received her MD/PhD at Tulane University School of Medicine. Her interest in neurology developed while completing research that focused on neuroplasticity and neuroinflammation in non-human primates during her undergraduate and graduate years. She has ongoing interests in studying the relationship between neuroinflammation and stroke, clinical trials, and medical education. In her free time, she likes to practice yoga, cook, spend time with friends, and explore new restaurants.

Birthplace: Monroe, Louisiana
Medical School: Tulane University School of Medicine
Internship/Residency: Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Interests: Yoga, cooking, hiking, costuming

Notable Publications and Presentations:

Peer-Reviewed Publications

  1. Chiu KB, Lee KM, Robillard KN, MacLean AG. (2019) A method to investigate astrocyte and microglial morphological changes in the aging brain of the rhesus macaque. Methods of Molecular Biology, 1938: 265-276.
  2. Ramsey J, Martin EC, Purcell OM, Lee KM, MacLean AG. (2018) Self-injurious behaviors in rhesus macaques: potential glial mechanisms. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 62(12): 1008-1017.
  3. Lee KM, Chiu KB, Sansing HA, Didier PJ, Lackner AA, MacLean AG. (2016) The flavivirus dengue induces hypertrophy of white matter astrocytes. Journal of Neurovirology, 22(6): 831-839.
  4. Robillard KN, Lee KM, Chiu KB, MacLean AG. (2016) Glial cell morphological and density changes throughout the lifespan of rhesus macaques. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 55: 60-69.
  5. Lee KM, Chiu KB, Didier PJ, Baker KC, MacLean AG. (2015) Naltrexone treatment reverses astrocyte atrophy and immune dysfunction in self-harming macaques. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 50: 288-297.
  6. Inglis FM, Lee KM, Chiu KB, MacLean AG, et al. (2015) Neuropathogenesis of Chikungunya infection: astrogliosis and innate immune activation. Journal of Neurovirology, 22(2):140-148.
  7. Lee KM, Chiu KB, Renner NA, Sansing HA, Didier PJ, MacLean AG. (2014) Form follows function: astrocyte morphology and immune dysfunction in SIV neuroAIDS. Journal of Neurovirology, 20(5): 474-484.
  8. Lee KM, Chiu KB, Sansing HA, MacLean AG, et al. (2013) Aerosol-induced brucellosis increases TLR-2 expression and increased complexity in the microanatomy of astroglia in rhesus macaques. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 3:86.
  9. Lee KM, Chiu KB, Sansing HA, Inglis FM, Baker KC, MacLean AG. (2013) Astrocyte atrophy and immune dysfunction in self-harming macaques. PLoS ONE, doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0069980.
  10. Snook ER, Fisher-Perkins JM, Sansing HA, Lee KM, Alvarez X, MacLean AG, Peterson KE, Lackner AA, Bunnell BA. (2013) Innate immune activation in the pathogenesis of a murine model of globoid cell leukodystrophy. The American Journal of Pathology, 184(2): 392-396.
  11. Stranahan AM, Lee K, Becker KG, Zhang Y, Mattson MP et al. (2010) Hippocampal gene expression patterns underlying the enhancement of memory by running in aged mice. Neurobiology of Aging, 31(11): 1937-1949.
  12. Stranahan AM, Arumugam TV, Lee K, Mattson MP. (2010) Mineralocorticoid receptor activation restores medial perforant path LTP in diabetic rats. Synapse, 64(7): 528-532.
  13. Stranahan AM, Lee K, Martin B, Maudsley S, Golden E, Cutler RG, Mattson MP. (2009) Voluntary exercise and caloric restriction enhance hippocampal dendritic spine density and BDNF levels in diabetic mice. Hippocampus, 19(10): 951-961.
  14. Stranahan AM, Norman ED, Lee K, Cutler RG, Telljohann RS, Eagan JM, Mattson MP. (2008) Diet-induced insulin resistance impairs hippocampal synaptic plasticity and cognition in middle-aged rats. Hippocampus, 18(11): 1085-1088.
  15. Stranahan AM, Lee K, Pistell PJ, Mattson MP, et al. (2008) Accelerated cognitive aging in diabetic rats is prevented by lowering corticosterone levels. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory 90(2): 479-483.
  16. Stranahan AM, Arumugam TV, Cutler RG, Lee K, Eagan JM, Mattson MP. (2008) Diabetes impairs hippocampal function through glucocorticoid-mediated effects on new and mature neurons. Nature Neuroscience, 11(3): 309-317.
  17. Kozorovitskiy Y, Hughes M, Lee K, Gould E. (2006) Fatherhood affects dendritic spines and vasopressin V1a receptors in the primate prefrontal cortex. Nature Neuroscience, 9: 1094-1095.

Literature Reviews

  1. Lee KM and MacLean AG. (2015) New advances on glial activation in health and disease. World Journal of Virology, 4(2): 42-55.
  2. Stranahan AM, Lee K, Mattson MP. (2008) Central mechanisms of HPA axis regulation by voluntary exercise. Neuromolecular Medicine, 10(2): 118-127.
  3. Stranahan AM, Lee K, Mattson MP. (2008) Contributions of impaired hippocampal plasticity and neurodegeneration to age-related deficits in hormonal pulsatility. Ageing Research Reviews, 7(3): 164-176.

Dr. Mugilan Poongkunran

Dr. Poongkunran was born and raised in Chennai, the capital of the South Indian of Tamil Nadu. He completed his medical degree at the P.S.G Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Tamil Nadu.

He chose medicine as it fit best with his values of being empathetic and caring. The art of bedside diagnosis that drives patient care with the least possible intervention was his key stepping-stone into Neurology. He is intrigued by the complexity and mystery behind brain dynamics and the nature of neurological disorders. His ongoing interest is in clinical research, neurocritical care, and neuroimaging. In his free time, he loves to sleep, listen to music, and watch F1.

Birthplace: Tiruppattur, Tamil Nadu, India
Medical School: P.S.G Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Tamil Nadu, India
Interests: Sports, Music

Notable Publications and Presentations:

Desensitization of stimulation-induced weight loss: A secondary finding in a patient with vagal nerve stimulator for drug-resistant epilepsy. Khan FA, Poongkunran M - Epilepsy Behav Case Rep. 2017 Jul 20;8:51-54.

Use of vigabatrin in super refractory status epilepticus - Poongkunran M, Khan FA, Sabharwal V, Menon U, Ramsay R.E – Poster presentation, ICCN 2018 - American Clinical Neurophysiology Society; Washington, DC, USA.

Spontaneous Hypothermia in Patients with Super-Refractory Status Epilepticus Managed with Ketamine and Propofol - Sabharwal V, Poongkunran M, Iwuchukwu IO, Ramsay R.E et.al – Epilepsia (in-process); 2018

Cardiovascular Mortality in ESRD Patients Undergoing CABG vs. PCI - Meta Analysis - Kannan A, Balamuthusamy S, Medina R, Poongkunran M, Ramanujam V, Nagajothi N, Borgstorm M – Circulation Journal. 2013 Jun; 1(1): 128.

Himanshu Chokhawala, MD

Dr. Chokhawala was born and raised in Mumbai, India. He completed his medical school from N.K.P. Salve Institute of medical sciences, Nagpur, India. He further trained in Neurology at LSUHSC - Shreveport. Observing drastic improvement in patients' symptoms drove him to gain further training in Vascular and Interventional Neurology at Ochsner Clinic Foundation. Outside of clinical practice Dr. Chokhawala likes to do yoga, watch movies, and spend quality time with his family. Currently, Dr Chokhawala practices Neurology at Ochsner Baptist medical center.