Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology

Program Description and Mission

Our program is a premier non-ACGME comprehensive post-graduate training program for neurologists who aspire to become expertly trained specialists in MS and Neuroimmunology. Our clinician fellowship track is coordinated through SF Match and is a 1-year intensive training program focused on training master clinicians and future clinical leaders in the field. Our program also offers clinician scientist fellowship pathways (typically 2-3 years) that are NOT currently part of the SF Match process, and applications for the clinician scientist pathway need to be submitted directly to the program via email to the Director of the Fellowship Program, Dr. Joanne Guo, MD ([email protected]).

Details

Clinical Fellowship Track (1 year):
The clinician fellowship track provides training in multiple sclerosis and a broad range of other inflammatory neurological disorders including optic neuritis, myelitis, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, MOG-antibody associated demyelinating disease, neurosarcoidosis, vasculitis, encephalitis (autoimmune and infectious), meningitis, autoimmune ataxia, paraneoplastic conditions, disorders of glial biology (including leukodystrophies), and related degenerative and inherited conditions. Fellows will actively participate in weekly didactic sessions, MS Center Clinical Conferences, and journal clubs. Fellows also have the opportunity to participate in our clinic leadership rounds and meetings to understand and contribute to the multidisciplinary team needed to care for people living with chronic neuroimmunologic conditions. The goal of this fellowship pathway is to provide training needed to launch a clinically-oriented career as a sub-specialist in MS/Neuroimmunology. There are currently considerations to offer the option of a 1 year extension of this fellowship track and the website will be updated when further information is available.


Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Clinician Scientist Fellowship Track (Clinical, Translational, and Basic Science Research (2-3 years):
In addition to the clinical breadth of training as described above, clinician-scientist fellows work in a clinical research unit or laboratory at the state-of-the-art Sandler Neurosciences Center, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, or affiliated research teams, typically at our Mission Bay campus. Fellows focusing on clinical research projects will obtain hands-on training in observational and interventional clinical research related to MS, neuroimmunology and glial biology, including participation in clinical trials testing new agents, under the mentorship of expert faculty in clinical research. Fellows are encouraged to obtain formal training in epidemiology, biostatistics and research methods. Fellows participate in research-oriented journal clubs, grand rounds and retreats as part of the innovative research environment at UCSF. The goal of this fellowship pathway is to provide training needed to launch a clinically-oriented career as a sub-specialist in MS/Neuroimmunology and as a physician-scientist in MS / Neuroimmunology.

Research Opportunities

Fellows focusing on basic, translational, or computational or related science projects will obtain hands-on training in the wet or computational laboratory under the mentorship of experienced principal investigators in the research unit. There is extensive laboratory expertise at UCSF in a wide range of areas, including cellular/molecular biology, genetic epidemiology, remyelination/repair, oligodendrocyte biology, astrocyte/other glial biology, axon survival and repair, biomarker development, translational application of animal models to human disease, early phase clinical trials, computational biology, signaling, EAE/MS immunobiology, B and T cell biology, antibody discovery, developmental/stem cell biology, neuroimaging, molecular imaging, cellular therapeutics, microbiome, metagenomic sequencing and neuro-infectious diseases. The expectation is that basic research will be relevant to human disease. Mentors will guide and assist fellows in the preparation of applications for funding to continue career development or transition to independence.


Neuro-Infectious disease interest -- With faculty mentors in the UCSF Center for Encephalitis and Meningitis (https://encephalitis.ucsf.edu) within the Division of Neuroimmunology and Glial Biology, the fellowship program also offers applicants with a particular interest in neuro-infectious diseases to pursue neuro-ID focused research and clinical training, while also gaining critical clinical expertise in MS / Neuroimmunology.

Facilities / Training Sites

Clinical Building:
Weill Neurosciences Building:
1651 4th St, San Francisco, CA 94158

Research Building:
Sandler Neurosciences Center:
675 Nelson Rising Ln, San Francisco, CA 94158

 

How to Apply

Prerequisites

For general information, candidates are also invited to contact Dr. Guo ([email protected]).

To be eligible for the clinical fellowship program, candidates must:

1) have completed residency in neurology or child neurology by the fellowship start date

2) exhibit outstanding clinical skills and competency with great potential to become an outstanding MS/neuroimmunology subspecialist clinician leader

3) exhibit an outstanding bedside manner and ability to work as part of a healthcare team and within the healthcare system to provide multidisciplinary comprehensive care

4) have excellent professionalism

5) exhibit a passion for caring for MS / neuroimmunology patients

6) have demonstrated academic excellence

7) be Board Certified or Board Eligible or equivalent in Neurology (and for child neurologists with special certification in child neurology)

8) be eligible to practice medicine in California.

Information to Provide

Clinical Fellowship Track (1 year):
Please follow SF Match Guidelines for Application Details. At minimum we will require:

  • Personal Statement/Letter of Intent
  • Updated Curriculum Vitae
  • 3 Letters of Recommendations

Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Clinician Scientist Fellowship Track (Clinical, Translational, and Basic Science Research (2-3 years):
Please email the following directly to Dr. Guo:

  • Personal Statement/Letter of Intent
  • Updated Curriculum Vitae
  • 3 Letters of Recommendations
Application Process

Clinical Fellowship Track (1 year):
Please follow SF Match Guidelines for Application Details.


Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Clinician Scientist Fellowship Track (Clinical, Translational, and Basic Science Research (2-3 years):For each application cycle, we will start accepting applications November 1 and will review applications through February the next year. While we accept applications up to February, we encourage applicants to apply as early as possible since applications may be reviewed on a rolling basis and interview spots are limited. Identifying a potential research mentor and/or team of mentors is a critical part of the application process and can begin once selected for interview and in advance of interview date.

For both tracks interviews are offered by mid-February and interviews will occur in March of each application cycle. Candidate selection decisions are made by the Fellowship Director and Division Chief with guidance and input from the Divisional Fellowship Selection Committee.
 

Applicant Dates

For both Match and Non-Match Processes:

November-February:

Mid-February:

March:

April:

April:

May:

Applications are Reviewed

Interviews Offered

Interviews

Non-Match Positions Offered

Rank List Deadline for March Positions

Match Day

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How many fellowship spots are offered each year?
On average, we accept 2-4 fellows each year. One clinical fellow is accepted through the SF Match process, and the non-match positions are determined based on divisional needs and available funding from research mentors.


Is there time in a 1-year clinical fellowship to complete a research project?
Our 1-year clinical fellowship curriculum consists of 7-8 half days of clinic per week with additional expectations for participating in case conference, didactics, division/departmental seminars, and journal clubs on other non-clinic days. While we do expect a scholarly project to be completed by the end of the fellowship year, these projects are generally in the realm of review papers, case reviews, educational endeavors, and/or QI projects that can be completed during non-clinical time and within the time frame of 1 year.


How do I find a research mentor during application process if I am interested in the clinician-scientist track?
We encourage interested applicants to look through our UCSF division faculty website and become familiar with our mission and research goals. Applicants can email the program director if interested in contacting a faculty member further to discuss potential research interests. The strongest applicants are generally those who have taken time to consider research opportunities and projects that they can envision completing at UCSF.


What should I do if I am offered another non-Match position before UCSF has had a chance to finalize their selection decisions?
We understand that this process can be very challenging and there are different practices/timelines across institutions. To ensure that we maintain fairness and equity to all applicants, we plan to stick to our above timeline for application decision as closely as possible.


What considerations are there for international medical graduates?
The Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) provides immigration sponsorship (J-1 Alien Physician category) for foreign medical school graduates wishing to pursue graduate medical education and training at accredited U.S. schools and institutions. If accepted, you will receive further instructions from our education team on how to apply for J-1 immigration sponsorship. We recommend starting this process even up to a year prior to fellowship start date to avoid delays.

Contact Us

Dr. Joanne Guo, Program Director
[email protected]

Sabrina Ho, Program Coordinator
[email protected]

 

Resources