Raquel Farias-Moeller

Raquel Farias-Moeller, MD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Neurology at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Her clinical and research focus centers on pediatric neurocritical care, particularly in the areas of refractory status epilepticus (RSE), febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome (FIRES), and neuroinflammatory disorders. She leads efforts in improving treatment protocols for pediatric neurological emergencies, including the QuITT-SE multicenter clinical trial aimed at optimizing seizure management timelines.

Her research integrates clinical outcomes analysis with patient and caregiver perspectives, leveraging the NORSE/FIRES Family Registry to explore long-term outcomes and communication trends in pediatric neurologic conditions. She has contributed to international consensus guidelines for managing NORSE and FIRES, emphasizing early intervention and multidisciplinary care.

Key areas of investigation include the pathophysiology of severe pediatric CNS infections (e.g., Streptococcus anginosus group), the role of novel therapies like intrathecal dexamethasone in FIRES, and the neurological sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 and MIS-C infections. Her work bridges clinical practice with translational research, with publications spanning neuroimaging biomarkers, pediatric trauma prognostication, and compassionate care strategies for families in neurocritical care settings.