Marcella A. Wozniak

Marcella A. Wozniak is an Associate Professor of Neurology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the Baltimore Veteran Health Administration Medical Center. She serves as Medical Director of the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) Neurology Care Center and is a key member of the UMMC Brain Attack Team, specializing in acute stroke treatment, secondary stroke prevention for young patients, and MELAS syndrome across outpatient and hospital settings.

Her academic foundation includes:

• B.S. in Biochemistry, Catholic University of America (1981)
• M.D. and Ph.D. in Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine (1988, 1991)
• Medical Internship in Medicine, UMMC (1988-1989)
• Neurology Residency and Chief Residency, UMMC (1989-1992)
• Junior Javits Stroke Fellowship, UMMC (1992-1993)

Dr. Wozniak's research centers on stroke epidemiology in young adults, stroke genetics, vocational rehabilitation post-stroke, prevention strategies, and acute interventions. She has served as principal investigator or co-investigator for pivotal clinical trials including PROFESS, VISP, AASPS, CLOSURE I, WASID, POINT, PROACT II, ALIAS, and SHINE, driving advancements in stroke care protocols.

Her publication history from 1996-2016 reveals consistent focus on stroke risk factors across demographics—examining pregnancy-related stroke, genetic conditions like Fabry disease, substance abuse impacts (cocaine/smoking), and diagnostic methodologies. This body of work establishes her as a leading contributor to understanding stroke etiology in younger populations through collaborative epidemiological studies.

Scientific recognition includes:

• Junior Javits Stroke Fellowship

She actively secures grant funding through NIH-sponsored clinical trials while leading multidisciplinary research teams. Her operational leadership extends to community outreach initiatives and regional hospital partnerships for stroke patient referrals and clinical trial recruitment, enhancing access to tertiary care and research participation.

As Medical Director of the Neurology Care Center and Brain Attack Team member, Dr. Wozniak integrates acute stroke response with long-term care coordination, emphasizing evidence-based protocols and community education to improve stroke outcomes.