Dr. Hacker graduated summa cum laude from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a B.S. in Chemistry in 2007. She attended Vanderbilt University where she earned a Ph.D. in Cell and Developmental Biology studying neurodegenerative pathways arising from Coenzyme Q deficiency in 2013. She received postdoctoral training in neurology clinical research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) and was a visiting assistant professor at the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University in 2016. She completed the Vanderbilt School of Medicine Master of Science in Clinical Investigation (MSCI) program in 2019.

Dr. Hacker received the 2019 Kumar New Investigator Award from the North American Neuromodulation Society. She has received funding from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), the National Institute on Aging (NIA), the Department of Defense's Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP), the Michael  J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF), and the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA). 

@MalloryHacker

Dr. Charles graduated cum laude from Vanderbilt University School of Engineering in 1986 with a B.S. in Computer Science and Mathematics and earned his medical degree from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in 1990. He did his internship in the department of Medicine and his residency in the department of Neurology at Vanderbilt. From 1993-94 he was Chief Resident in Neurology, and from 1994-95 he was a Fellow in Movement Disorders and Clinical Neurophysiology at Vanderbilt. In 1996, he completed a Health Care Management course at Vanderbilt’s Owen Graduate School of Management, and in 1997 he completed the Harvard Macy Institute Program for Physician Educators at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Charles is currently Professor and Vice-Chair of Neurology and Medical Director of Vanderbilt Telehealth.

Dr. Charles is a member of the American Neurological Association, Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology, and Chair of the Alliance for Patient Access. He is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha honor medical society and in 2007 received the CANDLE Award. Recipients are chosen based upon their positive impact on the lives of physicians-in-training and are recognized by their students as examples of excellence in medical education. From 1997-98, Dr. Charles served as a Health Policy Fellow in the United States Senate on the staff of the Labor Subcommittee for Public Health and Safety. In 1998 he studied deep brain stimulation for the treatment of movement disorders as a Fulbright Senior Scholar at the Universitaire de Grenoble in Grenoble, France. In 2000 Dr. Charles was a nominee for the United States House of Representatives from Tennessee’s Sixth Congressional District.

@DavidCharlesMD

Kelly Harper is a Senior Program Manager in the Department of Neurology. She graduated with honors from Lipscomb University with a BPS in Organizational Leadership and Psychology. Kelly is the Principal Investigator on several investigator-initiated teleneurology studies and the study coordinator on clinical trials for movement disorders. She also leads departmental quality improvement projects and directs medical education programs for resident physicians and junior faculty. What she finds most enjoyable, however, is assisting with a spasticity clinic for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Outside the office, Kelly enjoys hiking, listening to true crime podcasts, traveling, and teaching her old dog new tricks.

@kellyharper_

Emily Butler is a clinical research assistant in the department of neurology. She graduated from Vanderbilt University with a BA in Neuroscience and Spanish in 2022. She worked with Dr. Charles and Dr. Hacker for three years as an undergraduate and joined the team full-time after graduation. While working to gain research experience, she is applying to medical school.

Nicole Jones is a Senior Clinical Trials Specialist in the Department of Neurology. Nicole hails from Ohio where she graduated from Kent State University with a BA in Psychology and a MS in Forensic Psychology from Tiffin University. She is an experienced coordinator previously working in the Cerebrovascular Center at the Cleveland Clinic and in the Mood Disorders Program at University Hospitals. Nicole appreciates the learning opportunities she has received thus far at VUMC from Dr. Charles and Dr. Hacker and is looking forward to all the upcoming studies!

In her free time, she enjoys working out, playing sports, being in the water, and getting out-and-about to explore the area. Nicole is looking forward to traveling more and just wants to experience life for what it is!

Lauren Schattinger is an Associate Program Manager in the Department of Neurology. She graduated from Miami University with a BS in Kinesiology, where she also ran track and field. Lauren is a Study Coordinator on sponsor initiated clinical trials for movement disorders. Lauren also assists with the educational programs for resident physicians and junior faculty hosted and with the department’s social media efforts. Lauren is most excited about the opportunities to grow as a research coordinator, learning from the experienced research team, Dr. Hacker and Dr. Charles. 

Sheff Sharp is a Clinical Trials Associate II in the Department of Neurology. He is from Nashville, Tennessee and graduated from Baylor University with a BS in Biology and a minor in Business Administration. He is excited to be part of this wonderful team, gaining research skills and experience from Dr. Charles and Dr. Hacker as he starts the process of applying to medical school.

When he is not in the office, you can find him at his local gym trying to find an excuse not to do leg day or backpacking up a mountain hoping he doesn’t encounter a bear.

Taaseen Khan is a sophomore at Vanderbilt University majoring in Medicine, Health, and Society.  On campus, he is a member of Vanderbilt Student Government, Camp Kesem, the Green Fund Committee, and Global Brigades.  In his spare time, he enjoys reading a couple of different magazines and books to a refreshing cup of tea, as well as taking the occasional morning stroll.  After graduation, he plans to attend medical school.

Dylan Makani is a first-year undergraduate student at Vanderbilt University planning to double major in Neuroscience and Human and Organizational Development, with a minor in business. On campus, he is a Healthcare Analyst in the Investment Club and volunteers for Best Buddies - Vanderbilt Chapter. Dylan enjoys playing sports and the piano in his free time. After graduation, Dylan hopes to attend medical school.

Kian Pazira is a second-year undergraduate student at Vanderbilt University pursuing a double major in Neuroscience and Medicine, Health, and Society. On campus, he is on the executive board of the Middle Eastern Student Association, and off campus, he is a student mentor for the Catholic Charities of Tennessee. In his free time, Kian enjoys playing pick-up basketball and reading. After graduation, he plans to attend medical school.

Jack Slatton is currently a junior at Vanderbilt University pursuing a double major in Neuroscience and Medicine, Health, and Society. On campus he is the Deputy Chief of Staff for Vanderbilt Student Government and is a resident advisor. He is also the treasurer of Hearts for Homeless Nashville, an organization that helps to provide heart health screenings and education to Nashville’s homeless population. Jack plays the guitar and the ukulele and enjoys running in his free time. He hopes to attend medical school after completing a Medicine, Health, and Society master’s program during his gap year. 

Ananya Terala is a second-year undergraduate student at Vanderbilt University planning to double major in Neuroscience and Medicine, Health, and Society. On campus, she is the captain of Vanderbilt Lakshva, a Bollywood-fusion dance team, and volunteers for both Vanderbilt Student Volunteers for Science and Page by Page. In addition, she has been taking Indian classical dance for 15 years. After graduation, Ananya hopes to attend medical school.

Ariana Zarghami is a sophomore at Vanderbilt University from Michigan, pursuing a double major in Neuroscience and Spanish. On campus, she is involved with the executive board for the Undergraduate Honor Council, Hillel, and AMIGOS. In her free time, she enjoys going for walks, watching sports, and playing on the club Ultimate Frisbee team. After graduation, Ariana plans to attend medical school.