Melissa A Elafros, MD, PhD

Dr. Elafros is the Andrea and Lawrence A. Wolfe Research Professor in the Department of Neurology. With a focus on improving access to quality neurologic care for resource-limited populations in the U.S. and in low-middle-income countries, she conducts epidemiologic, health services, and clinical research aimed at determining risk factors for neurologic morbidity and mortality in these settings.

In 2009, Dr Elafros began conducting research in Zambia focused on the medical and psychosocial burden of neurologic disease. Since then, she has been continuously involved in research with patients, caregivers, and healthcare workers regarding the most pressing neurologic concerns in sub-Saharan Africa. Her first NIH-funded study examined barriers to care for meningitis, a condition that continues to cause significant mortality and morbidity worldwide. In August 2023, she launched the Zambian Cohort of Healthy Aging and Dementia (Z-CHAD) study in collaboration with Zambian neurologists and neuropsychologists. This study is determining the prevalence of dementia and associated risk factors in Zambia while also characterizing the burden and barriers to care faced by these patients and their caregivers.

Dr. Elafros also has an active research and clinical practice in Michigan. The Flint Neuropathy Study is an ongoing collaboration with Hurley Medical Center and McLaren Flint examining the prevalence of neuropathy and dementia in a predominantly Black, low-income primary care population. This work is formally characterizing barriers to neuropathy and dementia diagnosis and management in this population, which will then serve as the basis for interventions improving the management of brain and nerve health in this setting.

Dr. Elafros' research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, American Medical Association, American Academy of Neurology, and American Neurological Association. She has authored several peer-reviewed publications and is in demand as a speaker at leading institutions around the world. She is dedicated to capacity building and has mentees in three countries.

- Identification of risk factors for neurologic diseases in resource-limited regions of the United States and in low-middle income countries.
- Characterization of the psychosocial burden of neurologic diseases, including stigma, among affected individuals and their social networks.
- Identifying and addressing barriers to improve access to quality neurologic care and services for resource-limited populations.