Sami J Barmada, MD, PhD

Dr. Barmada received his Ph.D. in the Medical Scientist Training Program at Washington University in St. Louis, and completed his neurology residency and postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Dr. Barmada moved to the University of Michigan as an Assistant Professor of Neurology in 2013, was promoted to Associate Professor in 2020, became Director of the University of Michigan Brain Bank in 2021, and an Associate Director of the Medical Scientist Training Program at UM in 2024. Combining basic biology with translational research and technology development, his research centers on critical abnormalities in RNA and protein metabolism in neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). His clinical practice in the Cognitive Disorders Clinic at the University of Michigan mirrors his research program, focusing on comprehensive, considerate and evidence-based care for people with degenerative diseases of the mind.

Dr. Barmada was awarded the Young Physician Scientist Award from the American Society for Clinical Investigation in 2014, was named the distinguished Angela Dobson and Lyndon Welch Research Professor at the University of Michigan in 2015, received the prestigious Derek Denny Brown Award from the American Neurological Society in 2022, and the Jacob Javits Neuroscience Investigator Award from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke in 2025. Dr. Barmada serves on the scientific advisory board of the Robert Packard Center for ALS Research, the NEALS consortium, the Live Like Lou Foundation, Eikonizo Therapeutics, Synapticure, and Ninesquare Therapeutics. He has taken an active role in raising awareness of ALS and FTD in the community, participates in several local and national fundraising efforts, and helps guide priorities for national research funding through NIH-sponsored panels.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and
Frontotemporal dementia

University of Michigan Health participates with most health insurance plans.

Mechanisms of disease in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia.
Modeling of neurodegenerative phenotypes in primary and human stem cell-derived neurons and astrocytes.
Identification and characterization of novel therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. 

Sami Barmada, MD, PhD - Michigan Research Experts Publication