Jaynish Hazari, PsyD, MPH
Completion Year: 2027
Education: Loma Linda University
Emma Brandt, PhD
Completion Year: 2028
Education: University of Iowa
Gregory Lukach, MD
Medical School: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
Residency: Neurology, University of Iowa Health Care
Mohammad Abu-Abaa, MBChB
Medical School: University of Basrah College of Medicine
Residency: University of Washington Adult Neurology Residency Program / Capital Health Internal Medicine Residency Program
Why Iowa: In 2019, I came across a newly published book titled Neurorheumatology, which was probably one of the first books to address this area of overlap. It speaks volumes that the program director is the book's first author. The program offers broad clinical exposure across a large catchment area, and its faculty have expertise spanning the entire spectrum of neuroimmunology as well as neuroinfectious diseases. Unlike some multiple sclerosis programs that restrict training primarily to the outpatient setting, the program here provides strong inpatient exposure. On average, the fellow evaluates approximately three new inpatient consults per week, many of whom will eventually become patients in the fellow's outpatient clinic. Not to mention that Iowa City is a beautiful place, and UI Health Care has a diverse and welcoming culture.
Venkata Sriram Chintha, MBBS, MD, DM
Medical School: Jagadguru Sri Shivarathreeshwara (JSS) Medical College, JSS University
Residency: IPGME&R, Bangur Institute of Neurosciences, West Bengal University of Health Sciences
Background: My path to Movement Disorders began with residency training in Internal Medicine, followed by residency training in Neurology. This breadth of training has shaped how I approach neurologic disease—with an appreciation for both the neurologic phenotype and the broader clinical context. I was drawn to Movement Disorders because few areas of neurology place such value on careful observation and phenomenology, while continually challenging us to connect phenotype with etiology and evolving therapeutics. I am especially drawn to challenging presentations—the kind that make you look again, question the phenotype, and think beyond the obvious.
Why Iowa: I chose Iowa because I wanted more than outstanding clinical exposure—I wanted to learn how experts think. Iowa offers remarkable breadth across the spectrum of movement disorders, from Parkinson disease, tremor, and dystonia to complex and diagnostically challenging conditions, along with extensive experience in DBS and botulinum toxin therapy. What ultimately made Iowa stand out to me, however, was its culture of mentorship. The faculty are deeply invested in their fellows and generous about sharing not only what they would do, but how they arrive at a decision. I wanted to train in an environment where curiosity is encouraged, difficult cases lead to deeper questions, and mentorship shapes not only what you know, but how you think. Iowa has been exactly that.
Professional Interests: Movement disorders, autoimmune and neuroinflammatory movement disorders, DBS, genetics, and the integration of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies into neurologic care and research.
Interests: Music, traveling and discovering new places, and exploring new technologies.
Jason Lowther, MD, MSc
Medical School: Saint George's University
Pediatric Residency: University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria
Child Neurology Residency: Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Why Iowa: I wanted a program with strong training in pediatric sleep disorders that does not compromise the adult sleep disorder training. With a chance to read infant sleep studies. The attendings appear to be collegial and focused on education of the fellows, which was also a plus. Iowa city has a good offering of the comforts of a college town, while still being near enough rural Iowa to visit. The area has a good offering of museums, parks, and venues.
Hobbies: Amateur Historian, Guitarist, Martial Artist, and Weightlifter.
Cynthia Bishara, MD
Medical School: Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine
Pediatric Residency: Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, Las Vegas, NV
Why Iowa: Along with my background in Pediatrics, I wanted to expand my clinical knowledge to also include adult patients. The University of Iowa Sleep Medicine program has an excellent mix of both pediatric and adult exposure. The clinical and administrative staff is welcoming, supportive, and diverse. There is also a wide breath of electives to pick from depending on the fellow’s desired exposure. The city itself has its own Midwestern charm with plenty of outdoor activities.
Hobbies: Houseplants, vintage clothing, rock climbing, skiing, camping, hiking
Jason Lefkowitz, MD, PhD
Hometown: Southeastern Massachusetts
Medical School: Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Bruce and Ruth Rappaport Faculty of Medicine
Residency: Neurology, University of Iowa Health Care
Background: My path to vascular neurology included earning a PhD in neuroscience, conducting postdoctoral research at the Broad Institute, and completing fellowship training in neurosurgery at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center/Tufts University School of Medicine. Following vascular neurology fellowship, I will remain at Iowa for fellowship training in neurointerventional surgery. These experiences have shaped my interest in working at the intersection of scientific discovery, clinical neurology, and procedural innovation.
Why Iowa: I chose to remain at Iowa because of its exceptional cerebrovascular and neurointerventional training, genuinely collaborative culture, and, most importantly, the people. During residency, I saw firsthand how deeply the faculty and staff invest in their patients, trainees, and one another.
Professional Interests: Vascular neurology, neuroendovascular intervention, and translational stroke research. I am particularly interested in advancing acute stroke treatment and developing new approaches that lead to meaningful neurologic recovery.
Interests: Spending time with my family, traveling, tackling home renovation projects, and exploring new ideas and technologies.
Jaafar Kashef Al-Ghetaa, MBBCh
Medical School: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland School of Medicine
Residency: Neurology, Mercy St Vincent Medical Center
Why Iowa: Honestly, the people. I could tell during interviews that the faculty here actually like teaching - they explain how they got to a decision, not just what the decision was. The other draw is that Iowa sees everything. When you’re the referral center for most of the state, the range of what comes through the door is enormous, and you’re in the room for it. I’m going into neurointervention after this, and I didn’t want to skip past the year where you learn to actually think about stroke.
Hobbies: Acoustic guitar and plant care.
Adeeb Mohd Narangoli, MD
Medical School: Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar
Residency: Neurology, Case Western Reserve/University Hospitals Cleveland
Why Iowa: I was looking for a high-volume stroke center where I could learn from a wide range of complex cases. Iowa had that in droves - but what won me over was the faculty. Meeting them during my interview, I could tell they were both excellent teachers and people I actually wanted to spend a year learning from.