PFNCA Community Lecture Series - Speaker Biographies and Information
Below are brief profiles of upcoming speakers and the speakers from past Community Lecture Series events. When available, PowerPoints or digital versions of handouts from presentations are included after the date of the Community Lecture Series event.
Speakers: For corrections or profile additions, please email us.
Dr. Zoltan Mari
Dr. Zoltan Mari received his medical degree from the Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical University (now University of Szeged) in Hungary. He commenced clinical training in the US first as an Intern in Medicine at the Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, followed by a residency in Neurology at the State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. He then undertook specialty training as a fellow in Movement Disorders at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
As Assistant Professor of Neurology, Dr. Mari's clinical practice focuses on movement disorders, including Parkinson’s disease and related syndromes, essential tremor and dystonia, with particular interest in deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy and Botulinum toxin injections. His clinical interests also include clinical neurophysiology, including nerve conduction/electromyography and intra-operative monitoring. Dr. Mari's research focuses on neuroprotection in Parkinson's disease and the neurophysiology of dystonia. Dr. Mari sees patients with movement disorders on Tuesdays in the Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center. He also sees patients for Botulinum toxin injections the first Friday of every month.
Certifications: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology with Certification in the Subspecialty of Clinical Neurophysiology.
Click here for Dr. Mari's PowerPoint Presentation
Dr. Peyam Mojallal
Dr. Peyam Mojallal earned his Bachelor's degree in Biology,
from Boston University. He then received his Doctorate of Optometry from the State University of New York where he also completed an ocular disease residency. He has given several lectures, published numerous articles, and helped design and conduct experiments investigating glaucoma. In addition, Dr. Mojallal is an active member of the Virginia Optometric Society and the
American Optometric Association. As a therapeutically licensed optometrist, he is well qualified to perform comprehensive pre-surgical
consultation, co-manage pre- and post-operative care for laser vision
correction,as well as, diagnose and treat many diseases of the eye.
Click here for Dr. Mojallal's PowerPoint Presentation
Dr. Laxman Bahroo
Presented at
Virginia Community Lecture Series on January 12 and at Maryland Community Lecture Series on February 15, 2011.
Topic: Parkinson Disease Treatment Options and DBS Management
Dr. Laxman Bahroo is currently an Assistant Professor and Co-Director of the Residency Program in the Department of Neurology at Georgetown University Hospital. He is Movement Disorders specialist with interests in medical and surgical treatment of Parkinson’s disease and Essential Tremor. He also specializes in the therapeutic role of botulinum toxin injections for dystonia and spasticity.
Dr. Bahroo has lectured at regional conferences and grand rounds at local hospitals about pertinent topics in Movement Disorders and Neurology.
He has presented numerous abstracts at the American Academy of Neurology and International Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Conference.
Dr. Laxman Bahroo attended Rutgers University for undergraduate studies and University of Medicine and Dentistry for his M.S and medical education. He completed his internship at Saint Luke's Hospital in Bethlehem, PA and his Neurology Residency at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington D.C. Subsequently, he completed a two year fellowship in Movement Disorders at Georgetown University Hospital.
Click here for Dr. Bahroo's PowerPoint Presentation
Helene Emsellem, MD
Presented at Maryland Community Lecture Series on January 18, 2011.
Topic: Parkinsonism, Sleep, and Wakefulness
Helene A. Emsellem, MD is the Director of The Center for Sleep & Wake Disorders. Dr. Emsellem is a graduate of the George Washington University (GWU) School of Medicine. Intrigued with the complexity of brain function, she pursued a career in Neurology. After completing her neurology residency training at GWU and sub-specialty training in Epileptology and Clinical Neurophysiology at Johns Hopkins University, she returned to GWU as the Neurology Residency Training Program Director, Director of the EEG Laboratory and Director of the Neurology medical student teaching program. In 1984, she established the Sleep Laboratory at GW. Sleep medicine is her passion and in 1995, she founded The Center for Sleep & Wake Disorders of Chevy Chase which has grown into a full service, 11-bed sleep disorders center addressing patient care, research and educational needs of our community. Dr. Emsellem loves teaching and is a firm believer in managing health through patient education and challenges her patients to be active, knowledgeable participants in their healthcare. She is committed to the advancement of the field of sleep medicine and is actively involved in clinical research in many areas of sleep medicine including excessive daytime sleepiness, narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, shift work sleep disorders, insomnia and adolescent sleep disorders.
Lynn J. Piper, Ph.D.
Presented at
October 2010, Virginia Community Lecture Series
Topic: Animal-Assisted Therapy
Lynn J. Piper, Ph.D., is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist (LCP) and Animal Assisted & Trauma Therapist. She currently has a private practice in Springfield, VA. She graduated from the University of North Texas; completed her internship, at the Dallas Metropolitan Consortium in Psychology; and her post doctoral residency was completed at the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board, VA.
Prior to becoming a LCP, Lynn J. Piper, Ph.D. lived and worked in different countries and has been employed in various occupations including as a police officer. As a psychologist she is committed to providing confidential, caring, and effective psychological services to individuals, families, and couples. While she provides therapy to address a range of psychological problems, some of her specialty areas include recovery from traumatic/stressful experiences, substance abuse, stress management, depression, anxiety, phobia, relational/intimacy issues, women’s issues, play therapy, as well as psychological testing. If you would like to know more about Lynn J. Piper, Ph.D. and the services she offers please see her web pages at www.piperphd.com or call her at 703-424-0384.
Anne-Marie O. Barry, P.T.
Anne-Marie has been practicing as a physical therapist for more than 30 years. She received her physical therapy degree from Boston University and did graduate studies at George Washington University. She has spent the majority of her career working with individuals that have physical impairments as a result of neurological defects, disease or injury. She came to Northern Virginia, from Boston, 27 years ago, and has worked with neurologically involved children and adults for most of that time. She also has participated in additional training and has experience working with individuals who have vestibular deficits, such as vertigo and/or balance difficulties. Anne-Marie has been active in advocacy work and has spoken at many association meetings. She has developed a network of resources to provide assistance to improve the safety and mobility of her patients. Throughout her professional career, Anne-Marie has attended many continuing education programs to stay current in the field. She is a clinical instructor for many universities and is frequently consulted by her colleagues for guidance.
Click here for Anne-Marie's Power Point Presentation