Dr. Patrick Chauvel is Professor of Neurology at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, and Staff Neurologist at the Cleveland Clinic Epilepsy Center. His work is focused on developing novel SEEG-based methods for presurgical evaluation of drug-resistant epilepsy and researching biomarkers of the epileptogenic zone and the neural mechanisms behind seizure semiology. He is a member of the Royal Academy of Medicine of Belgium.
Jorge Álvaro González Martínez, MD, PhD, FAANS, is a board-certified neurosurgeon specialized in epilepsy and functional neurosurgery and Tenure Professor in Neurological Surgery and Neurobiology at University of Pittsburgh. He serves as the Director of Epilepsy and Movement Disorders Surgery and is the co-director of the Epilepsy Center at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He is the current Vice-Chair of the department of Neurological Surgery and the Stuart Niles Rowe Endowed Chair in Epilepsy Surgery. Dr. González Martínez is a world-renowned surgeon/scientist with an extensive publication record, having authored over 300 peer-reviewed articles book chapters and patents focused on epilepsy surgery and advanced brain mapping techniques for patients with medically intractable epilepsy and movement disorders.
Dr. González Martínez's legacy is etched in his pioneering contributions to surgical innovation. He spearheaded the introduction of modern conceptual and surgical facets of the Stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) methodology to the United States, heralding a paradigm shift in epilepsy surgery. By replacing antiquated techniques with state-of-the-art stereotaxic approaches, he has revolutionized surgical strategies, thereby elevating the standard of care and transforming the landscape of epilepsy surgery both domestically and abroad. His expertise spans a gamut of surgical modalities, encompassing stereotaxic anatomy applied to SEEG, SEEG-guided laser ablations, neuromodulatory interventions, and robotic-assisted surgeries, all of which underscore his commitment to excellence in patient care.
Beyond the operating theater, Dr. González Martínez's scholarly pursuits traverse the realms of neuro-electrophysiology, intracranial signal processing, and behavioral neuroscience. Through synergistic amalgamation of clinical and basic science endeavors, he endeavors to forge safer and more effective treatment modalities, aimed at enhancing patient outcomes and ameliorating the burdens imposed by debilitating seizures. His research activities, rooted in the University of Pittsburgh Cortical System Lab, have received generous support from prestigious funding bodies such as the NIH and NSF, underscoring the translational impact of his endeavors on the broader scientific community.
Dr. Aileen McGonigal is Clinical Director of Epilepsy Unit, Mater Hospital, Brisbane; Honorary Professor, University of Queensland; and Group Leader, Mater Research Institute, University of Queensland. She is a neurologist with extensive specialist experience in epileptology, EEG, and stereo-EEG methodology.
Dr. McKhann is Professor of Neurological Surgery at Columbia University Irving Medical Center/New York Presbyterian Hospital, where he is Director of Epilepsy Surgery and co-Director of the Division of Neuro-Oncology. He has over 25 years of experience at CUIMC/NYP, combining clinical skill and compassionate care to maximize patient outcomes. He is a member of both the Columbia P&S Virginia Apgar Academy of Medical Educators and the P&S Academy of Clinical Excellence. His areas of particular technical expertise include epilepsy surgery; awake and asleep brain mapping; brain tumor surgery, in particular low and high grade glioma and brain metastasis surgery; and stereotactic laser ablation for epilepsy and tumors. Dr. McKhann also works as a translational neuroscientist, directing the Epilepsy Neurophysiology Laboratory.
