Melissa B. Pergakis

Melissa B. Pergakis, MD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. She serves as Associate Fellowship Director and specializes in Neurocritical Care, with expertise in simulation research, cerebral edema management, and physiologic modeling.

• Education: B.A. in Psychology (Summa cum laude) from Tufts University
• M.D. from University of Massachusetts School of Medicine

Her research focuses on medical education, leveraging high-fidelity simulations to evaluate diagnostic reasoning gaps in trainees. She has published extensively on neurocritical care applications, including autonomic dysfunction assessment and cerebral edema treatments.

Recent publications demonstrate expertise in areas like:

• Viral encephalitis detection challenges
• Post-cardiac arrest resuscitation protocols
• Pharmacological management of cerebral edema
• Autonomic nervous system monitoring in brain injury

Scientific honors include:

• Phi Beta Kappa and Psi Chi Honor Society memberships
• Priscilla N. Dunne and Leonard Carmichael Awards
• Resident of the Year and Golden Brain Teaching Awards