Awais Riaz, MD, PhD
Assistant Clinical Professor of Neurology
Director, Intraoperative Monitoring Services
Interim Medical Director, Comprehensive Epilepsy Program and Clinical Neurophysiology Laboratory
Faculty Associate, Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program
Education:
- Undergraduate: Government College, Lahore, Pakistan; Pre-Med
- Medical School: King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan; M.B.B.S.
- Graduate Degrees: Southern Illinois University, Springfield, IL; Ph.D. (Neuropharmacology)
- Neurology Residency: Southern Illinois University, Springfield, IL
- Fellowships Epilepsy/Clinical Neurophysiology: Washington University, St. Louis, MO and Southern Illinois University, Springfield, IL
Dr. Awais Riaz received his medical education from King Edward Medical University in Lahore Pakistan. He joined the Southern Illinois University, Springfield, IL as a Pharmacology Fellow where he completed his Ph.D. in Neuropharmacology. His dissertation involved mapping out the functional anatomy of the pathways underlying audiogenic seizures during alcohol withdrawal. Using microwire electrodes in awake animals, he studied the effects of alcohol intoxication and withdrawal on single unit recordings in the auditory midbrain and the reticular formation. Using microinjection techniques in these anatomical regions, he also studied the role of GABA and excitant amino acid neurotransmitters in this seizure model. He then completed his Neurology residency at the same institution followed by Epilepsy/Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship at Washington University, St. Louis, MO and Southern Illinois University, Springfield, IL.
After completion of his training, Dr. Riaz spent several years in private practice. He maintained his academic ties as Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurology and Assistant Director of Epilepsy/Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship at Southern Illinois University, School of Medicine.
In 2004, Dr. Riaz joined the University of Utah as full time faculty. Since 2006, he has been the director of the Intraoperative Neurophysiologic Monitoring Services at the University of Utah Hospital.
Clinical and Research Interests:
His interests include improving the existing protocols for intraoperative monitoring, incorporating evoked potentials, electroencephalography (EEG) and transcranial dopplers. Also to improve protocols for pre-surgical, extraoperative mapping of the eloquent cortex and motor areas.
In light of the recent emphasis on translational research and in an attempt to bridge the clinical and basic epilepsy programs, he developed an epilepsy course geared towards basic scientists. This unique course covers the entire spectrum of basic science and clinical aspects of epilepsy and is offered through the integrated neuroscience program in collaboration with Dr. Ed Dudek, Chair of Physiology, Dr. Steve White, Director, Anticonvulsant Drug Development Program and Dr. Karen Wilcox, senior scientist with the same program.
Another area of his interest is developing methods for easier and universal remote access for EEG and intraoperative monitoring.
Dr. Riaz is the Chair of the General Neurology Section of the American Academy of Neurology and Chair of the Student and Resident Education Subcommittee of the American Epilepsy Society. As an active member of the American Academy of Neurology, Political Action Committee (BrainPAC), he is involved in advocacy efforts for issues faced by patients and physicians, visiting Capitol Hill on a regular basis.
He is also a member of the American Society of Neuromonitoring and has been a member of American Medical Informatics Association and Wilderness Medical Society.
On local level, he is chair of the Professional Advisory Board for the Epilepsy Association of Utah and works with the Ethics Committee of the University of Utah Hospital.
When not busy at work, he enjoys African drumming, traditional archery, trap shooting and resurrecting obsolete computers using Linux.
Selected Publications
Electronic Media:
- Dr. Riaz is a member of the Student and Resident Education Subcommittee of the American Epilepsy Society which maintains an electronic textbook of epilepsy and powerpoint slides on their web site. Click here to go to the online Epilepsy Education Program.
- Dr. Riaz developed an interactive online quiz for this education program. You can access the quiz by clicking on this link.
- Quiz 1-Basic Mechanisms of Epilepsy
- Quiz 2-Clinical Epilepsy
- Quiz 3-Medical and Surgical Treatment of Epilepsy
Dr. Riaz is currently completing an electronic handbook of EEG for use on a PC or PDA.
Book Chapters:
- Matsuo F., Riaz, A. (2009). Lamotrigine. In Shorvon S, Perucca E, Fish D, Dodson E (Eds.), The Treatment of Epilepsy 3rd Ed. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing. (in press)
- Faingold CL, Riaz A. (1992). Convulsant drug-induced seizures: neuronal networks and neurotransmitter mechanisms. In “Drugs for control of epilepsy; actions on neuronal networks in seizure disorders” (Faingold CL, Fromm GH). Boca, FL, CRC Pres
Review Articles:
- Faingold CL, N'Gouemo P, Riaz A. (1998). Ethanol and neurotransmitter interactions--from molecular to integrative effects. Prog Neurobiol, 55(5), 509-35.
- Faingold CL, Riaz A. (1995). Ethanol withdrawal induces increased firing in inferior colliculus neurons associated with audiogenic seizure susceptibility. Exp Neurol, 132(1), 91-8.
- Faingold CL, Riaz A. (1994). Increased responsiveness of pontine reticular formation neurons associated with audiogenic seizure susceptibility during ethanol withdrawal. Brain Res, 663(1), 69-76.
- Riaz A, Faingold CL. (1994). Seizures during ethanol withdrawal are blocked by focal microinjection of excitant amino acid antagonists into the inferior colliculus and pontine reticular formation. Alcohol Clin Exp Res, 18(6), 1456-62.