Melodie R. Winawer, MD

Present

NIH/NINDS R01 NS114122 (Multi-PI: Melodie Winawer, Columbia University; Peter Crino, University of Maryland; Erin Heinzen, University of North Carolina)
08/15/2020 – 07/31/2025; NCE through 7/31/26
Somatic Mutation in Intractable Focal Epilepsy
Goal: To identify and define the range of brain somatic mutations in intractable focal epilepsy, elucidate clinical phenotypes associated with these mutations, use advanced imaging to detect subtle abnormalities, and determine spatial patterns of histopathologic and electrophysiologic alterations.
Role: Principal Investigator

NIH/NINDS R01 R01NS115017 (Multi-PI: Erin Heinzen, University of North Carolina and Peter Crino, University of Maryland)
7/1/20-6/30/25
Defining disease mechanisms in SLC35A2 epilepsy
Goal: in this study, we seek to: (1) determine the brain cell types involved in SLC35A2 epilepsy, (2) study effects of the variants on neuronal glycosylation, neuronal development, and neuronal activity, and (3) assess the ability of galactose supplementation to reverse the deleterious effects of the variants on neurons
Role: Co-Investigator

Cohen Center for Infection Associated-Chronic Illnesses Initiative
Role: Chief of IACI Neurology Division
The goal is to expand the current patient care and research efforts for infection associated chronic illnesses, lyme, and other tick and vector-borne conditions by establishing Cohen Center for Infection-Associated Chronic Illnesses (IACI). This initiative aims to reduce treatment barriers, provide access to advanced research, and enhance the care and outcomes for patients suffering from post-infectious syndromes.

Recently Completed

NIH/NINDS R21 NS118349 (Multi-PI: Melodie Winawer, Catherine Schevon, Peter Canoll)
12/1/21-11/31/23, NCE through 12/31/2024.
Single Nucleus Transcriptional Profiling in Intractable Focal Epilepsy
Goal: To use single nucleus transcriptional profiling of electrophysiologically localized brain tissue obtained during epilepsy surgery to allow identification of genes that are expressed in the seizure focus versus those expressed in regions that resist seizure spread.
Role: Co-Principal Investigator

NIH/NINDS R21 NS101303 (Multi-PI: Melodie Winawer, Columbia University,
Heath Pardoe, New York University)
9/30/2017-4/30/20; NCE through 5/31/21
Making the Invisible Visible: Advanced MRI in Non-Lesional Focal Epilepsy
Goal: To use advanced 3T and 7T MRI technology with computational morphometric processing to better identify epileptogenic lesions in apparently non-lesional focal epilepsy.
Role: Principal Investigator

NIH/NINDS R03NS103125 (Multi-PI: Melodie Winawer, Columbia University,
Peter Canoll, Columbia University)
08/01/2017 –07/31/2019
Do Seizures Stimulate Glioma Progression?
Goal: To determine whether seizures cause or accelerate glioma progression in mouse glioma models.
Role: Principal Investigator

NIH/NINDS R01NS089552 EUREKA (Multi-PI: Melodie Winawer, Columbia University,
Peter Crino University of Maryland)
8/1/14-7/31/19
Discovery of Novel Molecular Abnormalities Underlying Non-Lesional Focal Epilepsy
Goal: To investigate the role of somatic mutation and/or foreign (e.g. viral) nucleic acids in brain tissue of patients undergoing surgery for non-lesional focal epilepsy.
Role: Principal Investigator

Supplement to NIH/NINDS R01NS089552 EUREKA (PI: Melodie R. Winawer, Columbia University, Co-I Manu Hedge, UCSF)
9/2015-8/2016; No cost extension through 7/2017
Discovery of Novel Molecular Abnormalities Underlying Non-Lesional Focal Epilepsy
Goal: To add the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), as a site for patient enrollment in the currently funded Eureka Project.
Role: Principal Investigator

The Human Epilepsy Project (Multiple PIs: Kuzniecky, Lowenstein, Shinnar, Dlugos, French, Winawer)
4/1/12-6/30/19 Funded by the Epilepsy Consortium.
Goal: To identify clinical, genetic, metabolomic, imaging, and EEG predictors of
outcome in a prospective study of new-onset epilepsy
Role: Co-Investigator

NIH U01 NS077367 (MPI: Berkovic/Ottman/Epstein/Cossette)
09/01/12-08/31/15
Epi4K: Gene Discovery in 4,000 Epilepsy Genomes. 5 of 7: Multiplex Families and Pairs
Goal: To identify genetic variation influencing risk for epilepsy in a collaborative study using
whole genome and whole exome sequencing in 4,000 epilepsy patients.
Project 5 will investigate genomes in multiplex families and affected relative pairs with epilepsy.
Role: Co-Investigator

R01 NS078419 (Ottman)
04/01/12-03/31/16
Psychosocial Impact of Genetics in Epilepsy
Goal: To investigate psychosocial outcomes and their relations with genetic attributions
and actual genetic test results in families containing multiple individuals with epilepsy.
Role: Co-Investigator