Neurology and Neuromuscular Disorders

Dr. Dianna Quan is a distinguished Professor of Neurology with a rich academic background and extensive clinical expertise. She earned her MD from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and her AB from the University of Chicago. Dr. Quan completed her internship and residency, where she served as Chief Resident in Neurology, as well as a fellowship in Neuromuscular Medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. She currently holds key positions as the Director of the Electromyography Laboratory and the Neuromuscular Medicine Fellowship at the UCHealth Neurosciences Center, Anschutz Medical Campus. Recognized for her clinical excellence, Dr. Quan has been awarded Top Doc by 5280 in 2023 and Regional Top Doctor by Castle Connolly from 2013 to 2022. Her dedication to teaching is reflected in her role as a Professor at the School of Medicine, Neurology since 2013. Dr. Quan’s research has been widely published and presented at prestigious conferences, focusing on neuromuscular diseases and innovative treatments. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine, and a member of the Colorado Society of Clinical Neurologists and the American Neurological Association.

Dr. Dianna Quan's research interests center on neuromuscular diseases, with a focus on the genetic and clinical aspects of transthyretin amyloidosis, polyneuropathy, and innovative treatment responses.

Dr. Faye Chiou Tan is a highly esteemed Professor and Vice Chair for Faculty Affairs, as well as the Chief of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR) and Director of Electromyography (EMG) at Harris Health, affiliated with the H. Ben Taub Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. Dr. Tan earned her AB from Princeton University and her MD from Baylor College of Medicine. She completed her internship at Baylor Scott and White and advanced training at Baylor College of Medicine Affiliate Hospitals. With board certifications from the American Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (ABPMR) and the American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine (ABEM), Dr. Tan has made significant contributions to her field. She will serve as President of the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) from October 2024 to October 2025. Dr. Tan's leadership roles at the Smith Clinic within the Harris Health System and her ongoing commitment to teaching and clinical excellence underscore her dedication to advancing PMR and EMG practices. Her work is recognized nationally, and she continues to influence the field through her clinical practice, academic contributions, and professional service.

Dr. Faye Chiou Tan's research interests lie in space medicine, focusing on the impact of microgravity and long-duration spaceflight on neuromuscular function and rehabilitation. She aims to develop innovative strategies to address these unique challenges.

Dr. Robert William Irwin is a renowned Professor and Vice Chair of Operations in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He earned his BS in Chemistry (1988) and MD (1992) from the University of New Mexico. Dr. Irwin completed his internship and residency at Louisiana State University Medical Center in 1997, followed by a fellowship at Charles April affiliated with LSU Medical School in 1999. He holds board certifications in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Electrodiagnostic Medicine, and Pain Management.

Dr. Irwin has been recognized with numerous awards, including President-Elect of the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine, Faculty of the Year, and multiple listings in America's Top Physicians and Florida Super Doctors. His clinical expertise is complemented by his commitment to medical education, evidenced by his accolades from the Gold Humanism Honors Society and Marquis Who's Who.

Dr. Irwin's prolific research portfolio includes peer-reviewed publications on topics such as spinal cord injury rehabilitation, musculoskeletal ultrasound, and the impacts of COVID-19 on rehabilitation practices. He has contributed significantly to the field through his research and leadership, shaping the future of physical medicine and rehabilitation.

Dr. Robert William Irwin's research focuses on the rehabilitation of spinal cord injuries, musculoskeletal ultrasound advancements, and innovative approaches to pain management and electrodiagnostic medicine. His work aims to improve patient outcomes through cutting-edge research and clinical practice enhancements.

Dr. Samuel M. Bierner is the founding chair and a professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). Since establishing the department in 2016, he has been instrumental in developing a four-year accredited residency program and a brain injury fellowship approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Dr. Bierner graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Chemistry from Middlebury College in 1980 and earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School in San Antonio in 1983, where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. He completed a master’s degree in rehabilitation medicine and his Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residency at the University of Washington, where he also served as co-chief resident.

Dr. Bierner furthered his training with a fellowship in clinical neurology at the Human Motor Control Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. He has held significant positions, including medical director of physical medicine at Methodist Medical Center in Dallas, director of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation services for Concentra, and faculty member at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, where he was named distinguished teaching professor in 2013 and directed the PM&R residency program. Among his many accolades, he has received the Physician's Recognition Award from the American Medical Association and the Teaching Attending of the Year from UT Southwestern Medical Center multiple times. Dr. Bierner is board-certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Pain Medicine, and Neuromuscular Medicine. He provides patient care at Nebraska Medicine Village Pointe Multispecialty Care Clinic and the Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Omaha.

Dr. Samuel M. Bierner's research focuses on the rehabilitation of brain injuries, neuromuscular disorders, and pain management. He is particularly interested in the development of innovative therapeutic approaches and enhancing the quality of life for patients with chronic and complex conditions.

Jonathan Cole, MA, MSc, DM (Oxon), FRCP, is a distinguished consultant in Clinical Neurophysiology at University Hospitals, Dorset, and a Professor at Bournemouth University. He received his medical education from Oxford and the Middlesex Hospital in London, furthering his research in Oxford and Southampton. Dr. Cole’s primary research interests lie in deafferentation, sensory loss, and motor control, fields in which he has made significant contributions. He had the unique opportunity to study with the renowned neurologist Oliver Sacks as a medical student, an experience that deeply influenced his career.

Dr. Cole has authored six influential books that delve into the subjective experiences of individuals with chronic neurological impairments such as deafferentation, spinal cord injury, and facial differences. His scholarly work is well-regarded for its depth and empathetic approach. As a testament to his leadership and expertise, Dr. Cole is a Past President of both the British Society for Clinical Neurophysiology and the Europe, Middle East, and Africa Chapter of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology (IFCN). He has also served as co-chair of the IFCN Education Committee and chaired the 2006 International Congress of Clinical Neurophysiology (ICCN) in Edinburgh.

Dr. Jonathan Cole's research focuses on understanding the subjective experience of sensory loss and motor control in conditions such as deafferentation and spinal cord injury. He is particularly interested in how these impairments affect individuals' daily lives and their psychological well-being.

Walter Paulus, MD, is an esteemed Emeritus Professor of Clinical Neurophysiology at the University Medical Center Göttingen, Georg August University, where he served as Professor and Chair and Clinical Director of the Department of Clinical Neurophysiology since 1992. Additionally, he holds the position of Research Professor at Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Munich, Germany. Dr. Paulus has been a pivotal figure in the field of neurophysiology, contributing significantly to the development of new stimulation techniques aimed at inducing neuroplasticity, including transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), alternating current stimulation (tACS), and random noise stimulation (tRNS).

Throughout his career, Dr. Paulus has focused on various clinical aspects within neurophysiology, with particular expertise in Parkinson’s disease, restless leg syndrome, epilepsy, and pain management. His research has not only advanced clinical treatments but has also expanded our understanding of neuroplastic mechanisms underlying these conditions.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to clinical neurophysiology, Dr. Paulus was honored with the Hans Berger Preis by the German Society of Clinical Neurophysiology in 2016. From 2018 to 2022, he served as President of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology (IFCN), where he played a crucial role in promoting international collaboration and advancements in neurophysiological research and practice.

Dr. Walter Paulus's research interests revolve around the application of novel stimulation techniques such as tDCS, tACS, and tRNS to induce neuroplastic changes in neurological disorders. He is particularly interested in exploring the therapeutic potential of these techniques in improving symptoms and quality of life for patients with Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and chronic pain conditions.

Donald Benjamin Sanders is a distinguished Professor of Neurology specializing in Neuromuscular Diseases at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC. Dr. Sanders is renowned for his expertise in neuromuscular medicine and has been instrumental in advancing the field through his extensive research and clinical practice.

Dr. Sanders completed his medical education at Harvard University, obtaining his M.D. in 1964. He has since dedicated his career to studying and treating neuromuscular disorders, particularly focusing on myasthenia gravis (MG) and Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS). As the director of the Neuromuscular Medicine/EMG Fellowship Program at Duke University, he mentors and educates future leaders in the field.

Throughout his career, Dr. Sanders has been involved in numerous groundbreaking research projects and clinical trials aimed at improving therapies for neuromuscular diseases. His research interests encompass the immunologic and neuromuscular facilitating agents for MG and LEMS, and he has received multiple grants to support his research endeavors.

Dr. Sanders has authored and co-authored numerous publications in prestigious journals, contributing significantly to the understanding and treatment of neuromuscular disorders. He is a sought-after speaker at national and international conferences, where he shares his expertise and insights with colleagues and peers.

Dr. Sanders's research interests primarily focus on two main areas: the therapy of neuromuscular diseases, particularly exploring immunologic and neuromuscular facilitating agents for myasthenia gravis (MG) and Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS); and conducting clinical trials in nerve, muscle, and neuromuscular diseases. His work aims to improve treatment outcomes and quality of life for patients with these challenging conditions through innovative therapeutic approaches and rigorous scientific investigation.