Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Fellowship
Training the next generation of MS clinicians and scientists
The OHSU MS Center, in conjunction with the Veterans Affairs MS Center of Excellence – West, offers fully-funded two and one-year fellowships in MS and Neuroimmunology. For applicants interested in pediatric MS and Neuroimmunology, we offer a one-year clinical fellowship program in collaboration with Doernbecher's Children Hospital and Shriners Hospitals for Children - Portland. Positions typically begin July of each year, but the start date is negotiable.
Fellowships are designed around the needs and interests of fellows, allowing fellows to focus on their areas of interest and long-term career goals. Clinical experience is gained through outpatient clinics and inpatient services at OHSU and the Portland VA Medical Center. A variety of educational seminars occur weekly, providing opportunities for learning, leadership and collaboration. Research experience is gained through classes offered by the Human Investigations Program at OHSU, as well as opportunities to initiate or collaborate on projects carried out at OHSU and the VA.
We utilize SFMatch for the application process and recruitment of adult fellows, though applicants are welcome to contact us directly for more information. Pediatric fellows should contact us directly.
Research
Our fellows have been successful in obtaining national-level research funding, including career development awards, and obtaining academic positions and clinical positions directly following their fellowship. Research activities include:
- Clinical trials of new therapies for MS, including novel medications and complementary and alternative medical therapies
- Clinical trials of neurorehabilitation therapies for people with MS
- Use of 3T and 7T MRI in our Advanced Imaging Research Center to investigate pathogenesis of MS
- Basic neuroscience and neuroimmunology research related to MS
Fellowship positions have guaranteed support that includes a competitive salary and fringe benefits.
Multiple sclerosis and neuroimmunology fellows
Avinash (Avi) Kolli, M.D. (he/him/his)
July 2025 - current
Avi is originally from Peoria, Illinois. He completed his undergraduate studies at University of Iowa and medical school at Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. He completed neurology residency at University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida.
He chose a MS/Neuroimmunology fellowship as he wanted to be in a field that closely intermixes inpatient/outpatient care. He also loves the longitudinal relationships you develop taking care of people living with MS and am interested in the rapidly expanding field of autoimmune encephalitis.
During fellowship he hopes to gain more experience with the acute and chronic management of autoimmune and paraneoplastic encephalitis, work in medical and resident education, and participate in research studies related to new radiographic or ancillary testing used in aiding the diagnosis of demyelinating conditions as well as studies involved in how diet/exercise impacts MS.
Outside of work he loves the outdoors (classic PDX), basketball, his dog Buddy, and exploring new food!
Mehreen Shahid, D.O. (she/her/hers)
July 2025 - current
Mehreen grew up in northern Virginia. She graduated from the University of Virginia and attended medical school at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her Child Neurology residency at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia.
Mehreen's interest in neuroimmunology began in her undergraduate years when she became fascinated by the pathophysiology of neuroimmunology and its correlation to different diseases. Her passion to work with children and interest in the developing brain led her to her child neurology residency. During fellowship, Mehreen wishes to become comfortable with diagnosing and managing common and complex pediatric and adult neuroimmunology disorders. Outside of work, Mehreen loves the outdoors and hiking (relatively easy) trails as well as trying new coffee shops and restaurants.
Michelle Tsai, M.D. (she/her/hers)
July 2025 - current
Michelle grew up in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and attended medical school at University of Texas Southwestern. She completed Neurology residency at Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans. Her interest in MS and Neuroimmunology began in residency after seeing the significant improvement in quality of life that can come from accurate diagnosis and treatment of these conditions.
During fellowship, she aims to gain further experience with nuances associated with treating patients with these conditions, as well as participation in clinical trials. Outside of medicine, her interests include Pilates and reading a mix of fiction and nonfiction.
Contact us
Vijayshree Yadav, M.D., M.C.R., FANA, FAAN
Fellowship Director
Department of Neurology, L226
Oregon Health & Science University
3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road
Portland, OR 97239
503-494-5759
yadavv@ohsu.edu
Xinran Maria Xiang, M.D.
Fellowship Co-Director
Department of Neurology, L226
Oregon Health & Science University
3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road
Portland, OR 97239
503-494-5856
xiangxi@ohsu.edu
Jaimie Henry, M.P.A.
Fellowship Coordinator
VA MS Center of Excellence – West
3710 S.W. U.S. Veterans Hospital Road
Portland, OR 97239
503-273-5191
Jaimie.henry@va.gov
Multiple sclerosis and neuroimmunology fellow graduates
2024-2025 Laurel Kelley, M.D., M.S.S. - Children’s Hospital of Erlanger, Chattanooga, TN
2024-2025 Benjamin Bird, M.D. - West Tennessee Neuroscience and Spine Center, Jackson, TN
2024-2025 Richa Thakkar, D.O. – Virtua Medical Group, South Jersey, NJ
2023-2024 Helen Wu, M.D. – Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
2023-2024 Jacob Perlman, M.D. – Mainehealth MidCoast Neurology, Brunswick, ME
2022-2024 Carolina Garcia Garcia, D.O., M.S. – Saint Luke’s Neurology Group/Health System, Kansas City, MO
2022-2024 Cole Crowson, M.D. – Wellstar Health, Atlanta, GA
2022–2023 Daniel Chapman, M.D. – University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
2021–2023 Vicky Chen, M.D. – Sacramento Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mather, CA
2021–2023 Kayla Martin, M.D. – Kaiser Permanente, Denver, CO
2021–2022 Derek McFaul, D.O. – Oregon Neurology, Eugene, OR
2019–2022 Christopher Hollen, M.D. – Oregon Health & Science University and Portland VA HCS, Portland, OR
2019–2021 Xinran Maria Xiang, M.D. – Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
2019–2021 Tyrell Simkins, D.O., Ph.D.– University of California, Sacramento, CA
2018–2021 Jessica Rice, M.D. – Providence M.S. Center, Portland, OR
2017–2020 Elizabeth Silbermann, M.D. – Portland VA HCS and Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
2017–2020 Lindsey Wooliscroft, M.D., M.S. – Oregon Health & Science University and Portland VA HCS, Portland, OR
2016–2018 Michael Lane, M.D. – Oregon Health & Science University and Portland VA HCS, Portland, OR
2016–2017 Shannon Seals, M.D. – Ochsner Medical Center, New Orleans, LA
2015–2017 Frank Bittner, D.O. – Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune, Camp Lejeune, NC
2015–2017 Meena Kannan, M.D. – University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
2015–2017 Meredith Frederick, M.D. – North Colorado Medical Center, Greeley, CO
2014–2016 Ghadah Altowaijri, M.D. – King Fahad Medical Center, Saudi Arabia
2012–2013 Aram Zabeti, M.D. – University of Cincinnati Gardner Neuroscience Institute, Cincinnati, OH
2011–2013 Shannon Overs, M.D.
2009–2011 Andrew Solomon, M.D. – University of Vermont, Burlington, VT
2009–2010 Rebecca Spain, M.D., M.S.P.H. – Portland VA HCS and Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
2008–2009 Michelle Cameron, M.D., P.T., M.C.R. – Portland VA HCS and Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
2006–2009 Edward Kim, M.D. – Oregon Health & Science University and Portland VA HCS, Portland, OR
2004–2006 Laura Schaben, M.D. – Bend Neurological Associates, Bend, OR
2003–2007 Jesus Lovera, M.D., M.S.P.H. – Louisiana State University Health, New Orleans, LA
2001–2004 Vijayshree Yadav, M.D., M.C.R. – Oregon Health & Science University and Portland VA HCS, Portland, OR
2001–2003 Lynne Shinto, N.D. – Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
2001–2003 Bridget Bagert, M.D., M.P.H. – Ochsner Medical Center, New Orleans, LA
Image source: Mettie, Angie. Commute on Tilikum Bridge (). OHSU Digital Collections. dr26xx82p. doi:10.6083/M4MG7NJX