My roots are in East Tennessee. From there, I went to Harvard for Undergrad and did my MD/PhD training at WashU in St. Louis. I plan to have a physician-scientist career, combining my prior experience in structural biology and immunology training with my interest in Neuroimmunology. Currently I am working on a research project studying the molecular mechanisms underlying MOGAD. When I do have free time, I love to bake and cook, hike with my husband and puppies, explore wine and cocktails, play violin, garden and learn new languages! 

I chose BCH Child Neurology for a few major reasons. #1 (and 2 and 3) Because of the residents! I was struck by the extraordinarily caring and compassionate nature of the residents, for each other and for the patients they cared for. This has truly kept me going during hard times in residency. We are a fun group 🙂 #2 Research opportunities. As someone who is passionate about research, I saw BCH, Harvard and Boston in general as an amazing place with a plethora and richness of research opportunities and resources. I was also happy to see BCH Neuro residents engaging in research during residency. #3 I love Boston and grew fond of this place during my college years. So I was happy to come back!

I grew up in Turkey, where I completed my child neurology residency and developed a strong interest in epilepsy. My passion for the field led me to seek further training in Europe and the U.S., including programs at the Cleveland Clinic, Children’s National Hospital, Johns Hopkins, and the San Servolo Epilepsy Summer School. These experiences inspired me to pursue a child neurology residency and epilepsy fellowship in the U.S. In my free time, I enjoy skiing, swimming, and spending time with family and friends.

I chose BCH for its outstanding educational environment, exceptional research opportunities, and the supportive, welcoming atmosphere.

Hi there! My name is Michelle. I’m from Ohio originally and did medical school at Case Western Reserve in Cleveland but I went to Boston University for college and was so excited to come back to Boston for residency because I love the city! I’m a big fan of eating great food and drinking coffee/matcha, baking, musicals, cat-sitting, going on fun trips on the weekend (NYC, Vermont), and watching reality TV (just finished Love Island USA).

The best parts of BCH Neurology are my co-residents! I love having such an amazing group of people around who I can bond with over shared experiences and interests.

My name is Cristina and I am a PGY5 child neurology resident at BCH. I am originally from Italy (Rome), so naturally, I love pizza, gelato and travelling around the world! I am a huge fan of roller coasters and theme parks, and I find every excuse to cosplay! I am also a space nerd, with a professional interest in space medicine and how microgravity affects the nervous system. I am excited to see what my final year of this incredible journey called residency will bring, and I cannot wait to start my neuromuscular fellowship in 2026 at MGH/BWH here in Boston!

I was part of the first wave of residency applicants to experience virtual interviews due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I still remember how much I laughed during the post-interview virtual happy hour with the BCRP/Child Neurology residents and leadership — I had not realized you could truly grasp a team’s dynamic through a screen until that moment.

I am very glad to be part of this program. Being surrounded by incredibly talented professionals—from admin staff to co-residents, RNs, attendings, and more—has contributed to an exciting journey of daily learning—not only about pediatrics and neurology, but also about philosophy, history, ziplining, literature, piloting, and more!!!
I have felt supported not only in my day-to-day work but also in my future and whatever comes next!

“There is no greater thrill than the quest for knowledge.” — Gene Cernan (last man on the Moon)

PS: Boston has amazing gelato!

Growing up in El Salvador, I discovered during medical school that my true passion was working with children. This calling led me to complete a pediatrics residency in Cleveland, followed by child neurology training at Boston Children’s Hospital. Outside the hospital, I enjoy exploring creativity through photography, soccer, theater, writing, and the fine arts.

I chose Boston Children’s because I wanted to grow in a program that balances excellence with purpose. Its combination of rigorous training, a culture of innovation and research, and a patient-centered mission resonated with my own values as a physician

I grew up in New York and am a reluctant transplant to Boston (by way of New Haven). Outside of the hospital, my time is filled by negotiating with my toddler, walking my dog around Jamaica Pond, and cooking with my spouse. In our pre-residency life, we enjoyed hosting lots of dinner parties and are hoping to return to that soon. I also enjoy anything outdoors including running, hiking, skiing, going to the beach, watching baseball, and biking. Before I graduate residency, I hope to learn how to sail. I also do basic neuroscience research.

Boston offers a nice combination of urban living with close proximity to ocean, mountains, and beautiful places to hike. Boston Children’s is an amazing organization full of smart and interesting people who are committed to advancing the care of children. Also, there is a strong emphasis on research and a unique amount of support for basic science (particularly neuroscience)..

I’m originally from New Jersey and am a parent of two hilarious, energetic kids — one of whom was born during residency! Outside the hospital, I love soaking up the full New England fall experience in the suburbs. Most weekends in the fall, you can find me at a local orchard picking apples, sipping apple cider (slush is the best, can’t change my mind), and eating far too many cider donuts. I also play viola in the Longwood Symphony Orchestra, which has been an amazing way to stay connected to music and recharge after busy rotations. Academically, I’m passionate about gene therapies, particularly for rare neurological disorders, and my goal is to be involved in translational research to help bring these cutting-edge therapies from the lab to the kids and families who need them most.

I chose Boston Children’s because it offered everything I was looking for—amazing clinical training, the chance to get involved in gene therapy research, and the flexibility to shape the program around my interests. Being close to family was also very important to me, especially with having young children, and it’s been wonderful to live within an hour of most of my relatives. It’s been the perfect place for me to grow as a physician scientist and for my children to grow up, and I feel very fortunate to be part of such a supportive, inspiring community.

I am originally from the Philadelphia area, born and raised. I attended the University of Pennsylvania for my undergraduate education (where I majored in neuroscience) and stayed for medical school. Ever since moving to Boston for residency, I have loved it! I am interested in neuroimmunology, medical education, and clinical research. Outside of the hospital, you can find me exploring fun Boston pop-ups, toppling over at Daniel L’s yoga classes, spending time with my friends (from residency and beyond), and sometimes even catching a glimpse of my fiancé (not easy, since he’s an orthopedic surgery resident).

I was drawn to the program for its strong training on both the pediatric and adult sides, the culture of the residents (including within the BCRP), and the incredible program leadership (who are so receptive to feedback and adaptive to change).

I completed my undergraduate degree in Neuroscience from Northwestern University and a Master’s in Medical Sciences from Loyola University Chicago before attending medical school at the University of Illinois College of Medicine – Chicago. My clinical interests include epilepsy, neurogenetics, and neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly in children with Down Syndrome. This has driven my research interests in exploring the intersection of epilepsy and Down Syndrome, specifically infantile spasms. Outside of medicine, I am a 500 Hour registered yoga instructor and teach around 6 classes a week at multiple studios in Boston. I also enjoy musical theater, ice hockey/golf, and hiking.

I chose Boston Children’s Hospital for Child Neurology because I could easily see myself building life-long relationships with the residents and attendings I met on interview day as well as the opportunity to train with and learn from world-renowned leaders in pediatric neurology.

I was born in Pakistan and moved to the U.S. when I was a kid. I bounced around a bit but spent the last big chunk of my life in the Midwest, doing college at IUPUI and MD/PhD at University of Michigan. I’m currently fairly open minded about what I want to do for clinical specialty and research focus. Outside of work, I love language and history, and fortunately for me Boston is the ideal city for a long audiobook stroll.

I loved how friendly and welcoming the residents and faculty were, the quality of general pediatrics training, and the phenomenal research environment here that meant I could find something no matter what area I ultimately chose to pursue. Boston is also such a great, compact, walkable city!

My name is Victoria (Vivtcharenko) Mugge. I was born in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine and moved to the US when I was 5 and a half years old. I went to Luther College, double majoring in Chemistry and Biology then attending University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine prior to completing my Pediatrics training at the BCRP at Boston Children’s Hospital.

I live in Mission Hill with my husband Bryan who’s a criminal defense attorney and our two wonderful cats, Beans and Juno. In my (somewhat limited) free time, I enjoy playing piano, drawing, and reading.

I am interested in pursuing Fetal and Neonatal Neurology with goals of leading an academic career with particular interests in clinical research, medical education, and community outreach.

We are so excited to be part of the BCH Child Neurology community and what the future entails!

I chose Boston Children’s for my Child Neurology training because of the excellent (and world renown) clinical training, diverse patient population (with no shortage of the most rare conditions), and (sometimes most importantly) the most welcoming and supportive leadership.

I spent my whole life in New York prior to coming to BCH for child neurology residency! I am currently deciding whether to commit to general pediatric neurology or subspecialize as I have loved everything within pediatric neurology so far. In my free time, I love reblooming orchids, cycling along the esplanade, and reading a good novel.

I spent my whole life in New York prior to coming to BCH for child neurology residency! I am currently deciding whether to commit to general pediatric neurology or subspecialize as I have loved everything within pediatric neurology so far. In my free time, I love reblooming orchids, cycling along the esplanade, and reading a good novel.

My clinical and research interests involve mental health in individuals with intellectual disability who have difficulty communicating what they are feeling. I am an amateur playwright, an avid Dungeons and Dragons DM, and a competitive whistler. My favorite thing to do is have food with friends.

I chose Boston Children’s NDD program for the flexibility to tailor my training to my clinical interests, as well as the awesome people I’ve met!

Dr. Ntolkeras is a Chief resident in the Child Neurology and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities at Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School and a PGY-5 resident of the Neurodevelopmental Disabilities program at BCH. He completed his training in general pediatrics at Baystate Medical Center, UMass. He is also a researcher at the Fetal Neonatal Neuroimaging and Developmental Science Center at Boston Children’s Hospital. His research focuses on the development of new neurophysiological biomarkers in epilepsy using electro- and magneto- encephalography (EEG, MEG), as well as medical device development with novel EEG technologies and human model generation for numerical testing of medical devices.
Finally, he is a core member of The MIND Project, at Global Mental Health@Harvard, an initiative dedicated to tackling the scientific and life challenges caused by different mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions and improving mental health for all.

I am drawn to Boston Children’s because it feels like a place where I could both be challenged and supported in becoming the neurologist I aspire to be. What excites me most is the combination of extraordinary clinical depth and a culture that genuinely prioritizes its residents. I want to train in an environment where I will see the rarest, most complex neurologic cases, yet also gain the confidence to manage the bread-and-butter pediatric neurology that defines day-to-day practice. BCH is exactly that place, a true reference center where each patient encounter teaches something new.

Equally important to me is the program’s vibrant research and academic community. I see myself surrounded by people who are not just experts in their fields, but also approachable mentors who are eager to involve residents in meaningful work. Whether that leads me toward projects in translational neuroscience, outcomes research, or broader initiatives in global child neurology, I know I’ll have the tools and mentorship to pursue it.
What makes BCH stand out to me is its clear commitment to shaping residents into leaders, whether in clinical practice, research, advocacy, or education. I was looking for a program where I would grow not only as a clinician but also as someone prepared to make a broader impact in pediatric neurology, and Boston Children’s is the ideal place to do that.

Matt grew up in MA and attended Boston College for undergrad. He completed medical school at UMass Medical School in Worcester, MA and continued onto a combined Neurodevelopmental Disabilities residency program completing pediatrics training at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, MA and is currently continuing his training at Boston Children’s Hospital.

Some of Matt’s area of clinical and academic interest include Autism Spectrum Disorder and neurogenetics. Outside of the hospital, Matt enjoys spending time with his wife, daughter, two dogs and cat. He enjoys following Boston sports teams and exploring restaurants around Boston.

I chose BCH because I had a great experience rotating here as a medical student. I was also excited to return to Boston and be close to family.

Nila Sivanenthiran is a fourth-year resident in the Neurodevelopmental Disabilities program. She earned her medical degree from University College Dublin in Ireland and completed the first two years of her pediatrics training at Baystate Medical Center. Nila has a strong clinical interest in caring for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, with a focus on addressing the genetic, cognitive, and medical comorbidities that often accompany the diagnosis. She is also passionate about quality improvement efforts aimed at reducing time to diagnosis and enhancing access to services for children and families affected by autism.

The program directors and chief residents were so welcoming and genuinely interested in getting to know me as an individual, as well as in supporting the development of my professional goals. There are also so many great mentors here who offer outstanding guidance not only in traditional paths like clinical practice and research, but also in less conventional avenues such as medical innovation, advocacy, and healthcare policy. The hospital’s commitment to academic excellence makes it an ideal place to train!

As a medical student in Germany, I once volunteered my one-year-old child to take part as a “patient” in a pediatric exam course led by a visiting faculty member from Boston Children’s Hospital. I was deeply moved by the expertise, care, and understanding we experienced. It was my first personal encounter with BCH – a place where world-class medicine and genuine compassion go hand in hand.

When an unexpected opportunity led to my family’s relocation to the Boston area in 2019, that possibility motivated me to pursue medical practice in the US. I feel very fortunate to be a part of the NDD program, where learning and growth are fostered alongside kindness and empathy.

Prior to moving to the United States, I completed six years of medical school and a PhD in the field of Neurophysiology at the Friedrich-Alexander-University, Erlangen. Afterward, I completed two years of a German Pediatric Residency and one year of Child Psychiatry Training.

Outside of medicine, I love spending time with my family – my husband, our two children, and our dog Theo! I love swimming, German cakes, and decaf coffee. 

I chose Boston Children’s because I wanted to grow in a program that balances excellence with purpose. Its combination of rigorous training, a culture of innovation and research, and a patient-centered mission resonated with my own values as a physician