Stephan U Schuele

Dr. Stephan U Schuele is Professor of Neurology and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, serving as Chief of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology. He practices at Northwestern Medicine hospitals and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, specializing in drug-resistant epilepsy and surgical interventions.

Education:

• MD: Witten/Herdecke University Medical School, Germany (1999)
• MPH: Cleveland State University (2003)
• Postdoctoral Fellow: Yale University, Hepatology (1994)
• Internship: University Clinic Wuppertal, Neurology (1998)
• Residency: University Clinic Bonn, Psychiatry (1999)
• Residency: Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Neurology (2003)
• Fellowship: Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Neurophysiology/Epilepsy (2005)
• Fellowship: Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Performing Arts Medicine (2006)

His research centers on minimally invasive epilepsy surgery, brain mapping, SUDEP prevention, and seizure semiology analysis. He pioneered SUDEP.net to overcome data barriers in sudden death research and applies neurophysiological principles to performing arts medicine, addressing musicians' neurological health. His work integrates advanced EEG monitoring with surgical innovation to improve outcomes in refractory epilepsy.

Recent 2025 publications reveal trends in ictal event mechanisms, neural rhythm development during sleep, mimic seizure localization, and standardized status epilepticus protocols. These studies demonstrate his focus on translating neurophysiological findings into clinical practice through multicenter collaborations and systematic reviews.

Scientific awards:

• Fellow, American Epilepsy Society (2016)
• Top Doctors, Castle Connolly Guide (2016)
• Fellow, American Academy of Neurology (2014)
• Outstanding Teacher, Feinberg School of Medicine (2010)
• Patients' Choice Award (2010)
• Fellow, American Clinical Neurophysiology Society (2009)
• John A. Kessler Resident Teaching Award (2009, 2007)

As an educator, he mentors neurology residents and fellows, evidenced by multiple teaching awards. His leadership includes Vice Presidency of the National Association of Epilepsy Centers (2022-present) and editorial roles as Journal of Clinical Neurophysiology Editor-in-Chief. He chairs national committees on epilepsy center accreditation and protocol standardization while serving on the Epilepsy Foundation's Medical Advisory Board.

He directs Northwestern Medicine's comprehensive epilepsy program, which features advanced EEG monitoring units, a multidisciplinary surgical team, and specialized clinics for performing artists. His laboratory research focuses on real-time brain mapping during seizures and developing SUDEP prediction models through collaborative networks.