Jan Claassen, MD, FNCS

Rebecca Straus Farber, MD, is Medical Director of the MS Center at CUIMC, where she sees patients with multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune central nervous system conditions such as neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. After earning her BA in psychology from Yale University, Dr. Farber completed medical school and neurology residency at the Mount Sinai Medical Center. She then completed a fellowship in Multiple Sclerosis at the Corinne Goldsmith Dickinson Center for MS at Mount Sinai, during which time she was a recipient of the Sylvia Lawry Physician Fellowship from the National MS Society. Dr. Farber is board certified in neurology by the American Academy of Psychiatry and Neurology. Dr. Farber has published multiple journal articles on MS and has presented at international meetings. She conducts clinical trials of novel therapeutics for refractory multiple sclerosis, including Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors and cell-based therapies/ CAR-T therapy. Topics of research include optimizing timing and sequencing of MS therapies, assessing modifiable risk factors/ lifestyle interventions for MS, and exploring the role of MS therapies on the immune system's response to vaccines. Dr. Farber directs the MS/ Neuroimmunology Fellowship program at CUIMC. Columbia University's Multiple Sclerosis Center is a premier treatment and research facility for individuals living with multiple sclerosis. Our center remains dedicated to providing the most advanced diagnostic and therapeutic care available to our patients.

Brian Emmert, MD, is an assistant professor of neurology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, in the Division of Epilepsy. Dr. Emmert obtained his undergraduate degree from Villanova University, double-majoring in biology and psychology and minoring in cognitive neuroscience, where he graduated valedictorian of the psychology major. He completed his medical doctorate at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, where he graduated at the top of his class, earning the Dean’s Award, and was also inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society. Dr. Emmert then pursued his medicine internship and neurology residency at the University of Pennsylvania. During residency, Dr. Emmert was inducted into the Gold Humanism Society at the University of Pennsylvania for his commitment to patient care and humanism. He also won the Galetta Teaching Award for Excellence in Medical Education. After residency, Dr. Emmert completed a fellowship in epilepsy, followed by a fellowship in intracranial EEG. He concurrently completed a fellowship in Medical Education. Dr. Emmert is a member of the board of directors of the Augustinian Defenders of the Rights of the Poor (A.D.R.O.P.), and also serves as an associate editor for the Aquifer Neurology editorial board. He has previously served as the President of the Consortium of Neurology Residents and Fellows (CNRF) and on the Graduate Education Subcommittee (GES) at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN). Dr. Emmert has a clinical interest in drug-resistant epilepsy and medical education.

Mary Welch, MD is an Associate Professor of Neurology at CUMC, in the Division of Neuro-Oncology. Dr. Welch graduated from Chicagos' Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine. She completed neurology residency here at Columbia, followed by sub-specialty training in neuro-oncology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. In her second year of fellowship, she earned a Comparative Effectiveness Research Award to attend Columbia's Summer Research Institute at Mailman School of Public Health. Upon completing her training, Dr. Welch worked for several years as a practicing neuro-oncologist and Assistant Professor of Neurology at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx. There, she served as principal investigator for numerous phase I and II clinical trials for the treatment of primary and metastatic brain cancer. She also developed a strong research interest in improving patient access to both standard and investigational therapies. In addition to seeing both inpatient and outpatient neuro-oncology patients, Dr. Welch maintains an active research program within the Division of Neuro-Oncology.