Julian Agin-Liebes, MD

Julia Yasek, MS, FNP-BC, DNP is a Clinical Research Nurse Practitioner in the Division of Neuromuscular Medicine. Prior to pursuing nursing, Dr. Yasek conducted laboratory and clinical research in the Department of Neurology at the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, with a focus on neuromuscular disorders, genetics, and imaging. She subsequently graduated from the UMass Medical School Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program, and practiced for several years in both an inpatient acute care setting and a primary care practice, with a focus on underserved populations. Dr. Yasek also has interests and training in palliative care, healthcare policy, and quality improvement, and brings these many skills to her role, as part of the multidisciplinary care team in the Eleanor and Lou Gehrig ALS Center.

Scott A. Small M.D. is the Director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at Columbia University, where he is the Boris and Rose Katz Professor of Neurology. He is appointed in the Departments of Neurology, Radiology, and Psychiatry. With an expertise in Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive aging, Dr. Small’s research focuses on the hippocampus, a circuit in the brain targeted by these and other disorders, notably schizophrenia. He has pioneered the development and application of high-resolution functional MRI techniques that can pinpoint parts of the hippocampus most affected by aging and disease. His lab then uses this information to try to identify causes of these disorders. Over the years, his lab has used this ‘top-down’ approach to isolate pathogenic mechanisms related to Alzheimer’s disease, cognitive aging, and schizophrenia. More recently, his lab has used this insight for drug discovery and to develop novel therapeutic interventions, some of which are currently being tested in patients. Dr. Small has co-authored over 120 articles and his neuroimaging and molecular work has led to 7 patents. Dr. Small is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Beeson Scholar Award in Aging Research from the American Federation on Aging, the McKnight Neuroscience of Brain Disorders Award, the Derek Denny-Brown Young Neurological Scholar Award from the American Neurological Association, and the Lamport Award for Excellence in Clinical Science Research from Columbia University.

Dr. Sisti specializes in the treatment of complex brain tumors, meningiomas, and acoustic neuromas employing state of the art computer guided microneurosurgery and Gamma Knife radiosurgery. Dr. Sisti’s core belief is that by dedicating himself both to the best in medical technology and to the quality of the physician patient relationship, he provides the optimum opportunity for helping patients deal with these difficult brain tumors. He has safely and successfully operated upon more than seven thousand patients with these complex conditions. During his 30 year career in the Department of Neurosurgery at Columbia University’s world-class medical center Dr. Sisti has also pioneered many surgical and technical advances including New York City’s first non-invasive radiosurgery program. As a result of his personal philosophy and the long term concentrated experience in treating the most difficult tumors Dr. Sisti has earned a reputation for technical excellence in surgical results as well as providing superior personal care to his patients and their family members. Dr. Sisti is the James G. McMurtry III, MD Professor of Neurosurgery, Radiation Oncology & Otolaryngology. He is also the Co-director, Center for Radiosurgery. Watch Dr. Sisti's Videos: Meet Dr. Michael B. Sisti Medical Minute: Metastatic Brain Tumors Medical Minute: Malignant Brain Tumors Medical Minute: Meningiomas Medical Minute: Radiosurgery Dr. Sisti shares his expertise on Acoustic Neuromas Dr. Sisti's Patient Story