Recently trained neurologist deepens clinical and research expertise through PMDC fellowship

A longstanding fascination with brain function has guided Haripreet Mayo, M.D., throughout his academic career, from his study of linguistics at the University of Maryland, College Park through his neurology residency at VCU Health. During the latter, early rotations gave him a close look at Parkinson’s disease and the cognitive changes that often accompany it. 

Since joining the VCU Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center (PMDC) as a fellow in January 2025, he has immersed himself in the PMDC’s clinical environment while contributing to ongoing research efforts. His current projects span neurodegenerative disease mechanisms, cognitive fluctuations in Lewy body dementia and broader inquiries into disease-modifying therapies. 

Now in the second year of his fellowship, Mayo is enthusiastic about the future of the field. “We’re trying to look into potential disease-modifying therapies for either Parkinson’s or other neurodegenerative conditions, which definitely excites me,” he said. Access to clinical trials and research infrastructure offer further motivation, along with the potential to offer disease-modifying therapies to patients. 

In the clinic, Mayo’s patient-care philosophy is grounded in presence and conversation. He emphasizes the importance of “listening to the patient, not going in with a set expectation.” Meeting people where they are is more important than simply telling them what they need to know or ought to do, he said. 

Some patient interactions have shaped him profoundly. “The first time I diagnosed someone with young-onset Parkinson’s was particularly powerful,” he said. “Seeing someone who was younger than myself be very clearly symptomatic of this degenerative condition motivated me to want to offer patients impactful therapies that relieve symptoms.” 

Mayo’s broad linguistic background also enhances his diagnostic and patient-care abilities. Along with his linguistics degree, he is natively proficient in English, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu and has studied Spanish, Latin and Greek. “There have been situations where the patient didn’t speak English well, and there wasn’t an interpreter available,” he said. This knowledge also helps him observe and identify language disorders stemming from stroke or rarer neurodegenerative conditions like primary progressive aphasia. 

With another year ahead at the PMDC, Mayo looks forward to leaning into advanced clinical techniques and research-driven care. “I want more experience with areas I’ve become more interested in in the last year, including deep brain stimulation and cognitive disorders that overlap with movement disorders,” he said.