Our Team
We are a group of healthcare professionals and researchers who strive to improve the care for people affected by functional movement disorder (FMD). We are currently conducting research studies to better understand the causes of this condition. Our goal is also to expand the healthcare infrastructure for FMD patients in the tri-state area.
Dr. Christian Amlang
Movement Disorder Neurologist
I am a neurologist working at SUNY Downstate, Maimonides Medical Center and Kings County Hospital. I also do research at Columbia University. I diagnose and treat patients with movement disorders such as FMD and Parkinson's disease. For many of my FMD patients, it is difficult to get adequate treatment in New York and the tri-state area. That is why I would like to improve the care we can provide to people with FMD in our area. My goal is also to better understand what causes FMD and how we can treat it effectively. ​​
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christian.amlang@downstate.edu
Olivia Kim, PhD
Assistant Professor of Neuroscience
I am a scientist and assistant professor at Bates College. I have a broad interest in the intersection of psychology and neuroscience. My research is on how we learn new movements and how we adjust movements to new situations. My goal is to study how people with FMD learn new movements and if there are differences to people without FMD.​
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Dr. Zachary Grin PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
I am a physical therapist practicing in New York and New Jersey. I specialize in physical therapy evaluation and treatment of people living with FMD in the tri-state area. I take a fun, collaborative, and individualized approach to help people with FMD decrease symptoms, restore function, and rediscover hope for recovery. I am also interested in FMD research and how it can be used to provide more effective treatment.
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Danielle Kipnis
Yoga and Dance Instructor, PhD Student
I am a dance and yoga instructor focusing on creative movement, mindful alignment, and strength building. I am currently researching the effects of yoga for individuals with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) and FMD. Some of my preliminary results suggest perceived benefits and improvements in balance, mobility, confidence, calmness, and daily symptom management. I am also pursuing a PhD in Kinesiology at Teacher’s College, Columbia University.
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Dr. Mackenzie L'Erario MD, MSW
Neurologist
I am a neurologist and Associate Professor of Neurology at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. My practice specializes in the treatment of FND in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Additionally, I have a background as a social worker and psychotherapist, skills that help provide an affirming experience using a trauma-informed lens. I have special interest in researching FND among marginalized communities, particularly those who identify as transgender and gender diverse.
Dr. David L Perez MD, MMSc
Neurologist and Psychiatrist
I am a neurologist and psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). I am the chief of the division of Behavioral Neurology & Integrated Brain Medicine. I am also the founding director of the multidisciplinary FND Unit and FND Research Group at MGH. We use different research tools such as advanced brain imaging to better understand the changes in the brain that can lead to the development of FND FND. We also study the role of various risk and perpetuating factors for FND. Our goal is to use this knowledge to better understand the prognosis and response to therapy in FND.
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https://connects.catalyst.harvard.edu/Profiles/display/Person/86553
https://www.massgeneral.org/neurology/research/functional-neurology-research-group
Jordan Taylor, PhD
Professor of Psychology
I am a scientist at Princeton University and the director of the Princeton Intelligent Performance and Adaptation Laboratory. The focus of our research is to better understand how we learn and adjust movements and how our brain remembers those movements. Our goal is to find out which parts of the brain are involved when we learn movements and how those brain parts interact with each other. I hope that this knowledge will eventually help us develop better therapies for patients with neurologic disease – such as FMD, stroke and ataxia - who have difficulties with movements.
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Sabina Kubayeva
Research Assistant, Medical Student
I am a second-year medical student at SUNY Downstate College of Medicine with an strong background in neuroscience research and working with patients with chronic pain and FMD. I am also passionate about community outreach and enagement to help address and mitigate health disparities, medical education, and mentorship.
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Lauren Gunasti
Research Assistant, Medical Student
I am a medical student at SUNY Downstate College of Medicine. My research background has spanned basic science work, clinical trials, and economics research at the intersection of health policy and drug development. I am excited to work with such a passionate and dedicated team to improve care for patients with FMD.​
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Natasha Desai
Research Coordinator
I am a research coordinator at the Columbia University Movement Disorders Center ant the Initiative for Columbia Ataxia and Tremors. I am involved in multiple studies and clinical trials to help people with a large variety of neurologic conditions like ataxia, tremor, multiple system atrophy and Parkinson's disease. I am also helping with FMD research at Columbia.​​
Nadia Amokrane
Clinical Research Coordinator
l am a research coordinator at the Columbia University Movement
Disorders Center and for the initiative for Columbia Ataxia and Tremor. I focus on improving patient outcomes and quality of life for those with
FMD through developing and implementing research studies that help further our understanding of the condition. I am interested in working to bring patient interests closer to clinical and research teams.