Conference Committee | Redefining Success in Epilepsy Neuromodulation National Consensus Conference

Sandipan Pati, MD | Chair

Dr. Sandipan Pati is a Professor of Neurology and the Epilepsy Division Director at the University of Minnesota, where he also serves as the Director of the Epilepsy Fellowship Program and the Epilepsy Brain Stimulation Clinic for the Minnesota Comprehensive Epilepsy Program (MINCEP).

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Tay Netoff, PhD | Co-Chair

Dr. Tay Netoff is a Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Minnesota, where he leads the NeuralNetoff Laboratory and serves as Conference Co-Chair for the National Consensus Conference on Epilepsy Neuromodulation. He earned his B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley, followed by a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from George Washington University. He completed his postdoctoral training at the Center for BioDynamics at Boston University.

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Rosana Esteller, PhD | Co-Chair

Dr. Rosana Esteller is a pioneer in neurotechnology and a key architect of the NeuroPace RNS System, the world’s first closed-loop implantable neuromodulation system for epilepsy, powered by biomarker detection algorithms she developed.

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Robert McGovern III, MD | Co-Chair

Dr. Robert McGovern III is an Associate Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Minnesota Medical School. He serves in key leadership and educational roles as the Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery Fellowship Director and the Assistant Residency Program Director.

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Esther Krook-Magnuson, PhD | Co-Chair

Dr. Esther Krook-Magnuson is a Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Minnesota Medical School. Dr. Krook-Magnuson earned her Ph.D. from Georgetown University in the lab of Molly Huntsman, and completed her postdoctoral training with Ivan Soltesz at the University of California, Irvine. Her innovative research focuses on uncovering network dynamics and developing targeted neuromodulation strategies for neurological disorders, with a particular specialization in temporal lobe epilepsy.

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Marina Bryants, CCRP | Co-Chair, Conference Administration

Marina Bryants is the Research Manager and Associate Director of Epilepsy Research Operations at the Epilepsy Institute within the University of Minnesota's Department of Neurology. In this role, she directs a multidisciplinary research team and manages a diverse portfolio of clinical study operations. She previously served as a Clinical Research Project Manager for the MnDRIVE Deep Brain Stimulation Core, where she managed the clinical research portfolio for the NIH-sponsored Udall Center of Excellence alongside more than 15 concurrent clinical trials.

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Taylor Angel-Lopez, BIS | Conference Administration

Taylor Angel-Lopez serves as an Administrative Associate I in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Minnesota, where she provides administrative leadership for a diverse portfolio of research, education, and outreach initiatives. She manages several NIH-funded programs, including the Neuroimaging and Neuromodulation T32 Training Program, the NeuroTech Course (R25), the Center for Neuroengineering, and the Annual Minnesota Neuromodulation Symposium. In her role supporting this conference, Taylor oversees conference planning, logistics, and operational coordination to help ensure a seamless experience for attendees, speakers, and partners.

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Andrea Arifin, BS | Conference Administration

Andrea Arifin is a Data Scientist at the University of Minnesota Epilepsy Institute for Care and Cure. She leads the development of a multicenter data platform that standardizes imaging, electrophysiology, and clinical metadata to support collaborative research on thalamic neuromodulation. A proud Gopher, Andrea earned her Bachelor of Science in Data Science from the University of Minnesota.

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