معرفی
Naila Makhani, MD, MPH, is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics (Neurology) at Yale School of Medicine and Director of the Pediatric MS Program. She holds primary appointments in Pediatric Neurology and secondary appointments in Neurology, with affiliations spanning the Center for Neuroepidemiology and Clinical Neurological Research, Clinical Neurosciences Imaging Center (CNIC), and Yale Medicine.
Education includes:
- BS in Kinesiology from Simon Fraser University (2001)
- MD from University of British Columbia (2005)
- MPH from Harvard School of Public Health (2011)
- Residency and Fellowship at Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto (2012)
Her research focuses on pediatric neuroinflammatory disorders, particularly risk factors for multiple sclerosis development in children with presymptomatic MRI abnormalities. Funded by NIH and the Charles Hood Foundation, she investigates biomarkers and novel treatments through translational studies. She serves as site investigator for Novartis-sponsored clinical trials evaluating MS therapeutics.
Recent publications demonstrate strong focus on radiologically isolated syndrome diagnostic criteria, pediatric MS prodrome characterization, and B cell mechanisms in neuroinflammatory diseases. Work emphasizes neuroimaging biomarkers, age/sex differences in disease presentation, and early intervention strategies.
Awards include:
- Young Investigator Award, European Congress on Treatment and Research in MS (2013)
- William J. Logan Award for Clinical Teaching Excellence (2012)
- Race to Erase MS Junior Investigator Award
She leads the Makhani Lab, conducting translational research on pediatric MS through collaborations with radiologists and immunologists. Actively advises the Connecticut chapter of the National MS Society and mentors through Yale's Pediatric Neurology program.
