Class of 2026
Eshita Shah, MD, MS
University of California, San Diego San Diego, California
A Lifelong Interest, Shaped by Experience I was born in India and moved to the United States when I was about five, growing up in Northern California. My interest in science took shape in high school, when I was drawn to the brain. It’ s fascinating— it controls everything we do. At the same time, my grandfather had neuropathy( nerve damage), and I saw how much it affected him. He would often talk about his neurologist and how much the medications helped.
By the time I got to UCLA, where I studied neuroscience, I knew I was interested in neurology. I kept an open mind through medical school, but what ultimately drew me to neurology was the patients. I loved seeing all types of neurology patients, and over time, I found myself especially drawn to Parkinson’ s disease and the long-term relationships clinicians build with their patients.
Finding Purpose in Parkinson’ s Care and Research One of my earliest experiences with Parkinson’ s solidified that interest. As a fourth-year medical student, I saw a patient with significant dyskinesia who had undergone deep brain stimulation. I watched as the settings were adjusted and the dyskinesias improved almost immediately. That was the moment I knew this was what I wanted to do.
As an Edmond J. Safra Fellow, having protected time for research has shaped my training in ways I didn’ t anticipate. I’ ve been able to participate in clinical studies like the Parkinson’ s Precision Medicine Initiative( PPMI, previously known as Parkinson’ s Progression Markers Initiative) and work closely with patients from across the country, which has been deeply rewarding. My primary project focuses on developing a biosensor to measure levodopa levels— similar to a glucometer for diabetes— with the goal of better understanding how medication levels relate to symptoms in real time and to ultimately improve how we tailor treatment.
Next Stop: Stanford Being an Edmond J. Safra Fellow has been both an honor and a responsibility. It has opened doors, connected me with mentors and deepened my understanding of clinical research. It has also reinforced my commitment to improving quality of life for people with Parkinson’ s.
Next, I’ ll be joining Stanford University as a faculty member. I’ m excited to continue combining patient care with clinical research and to stay involved in clinical trials, which offer another meaningful way to connect with patients.
14 The Edmond J. Safra Fellowship in Movement Disorders