Aynara C. Wulsin, MD, PhD

I am a pediatric neurologist and physician-scientist dedicated to improving the care for children with epilepsy, particularly those with underlying genetic causes. I am dedicated to supporting children and their families through what can often be a long and challenging journey, combining compassionate care with the latest advances in research. I completed the International Baccalaureate at the United World College in New Mexico, earned my BA in biochemistry at Colby College, and received my MD / PhD degrees through the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) at the University of Cincinnati, where my graduate research focused on how stress hormones influence the development of epilepsy. I completed residency training in child neurology at Cincinnati Children’s and then pursued an epilepsy fellowship with a focus in epilepsy genetics at Boston Children’s Hospital.

Clinically, I care for children with a wide range of epilepsies, with specialized expertise in genetic epilepsies through dedicated Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) and CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder (CDD) clinics. As part of our Epilepsy Neurogenetics Program, I evaluate children with suspected genetic epilepsy, using advanced genomic testing to guide diagnosis and management while connecting families to relevant patient organizations and available clinical trials when appropriate.

My commitment to evidence-based, research-driven care is also personal. When my firstborn son was treated with therapeutic cooling—then a newly implemented, evidence-supported protocol—after a hypoxic-ischemic brain injury at birth, I witnessed firsthand how scientific advances can directly improve clinical outcomes. That experience profoundly shaped my approach to medicine and continues to inspire my dedication to ensuring that every child and family I care for receives family-centered care informed by the best and most current research.

My research program focuses on understanding how genetic variants, and their effects on molecular processes, influence the development of epilepsy. A central question is why—even among children who share the same genetic variant—epilepsy can present with such widely different outcomes. The goal is to use these insights to guide the development of improved therapies and interventions. My primary project investigates somatic mosaicism—a process in which some brain cells carry additional genetic changes while others do not—as a potential explanation for the variability seen in epilepsy surgery outcomes among patients with TSC. By studying the degree of somatic mosaicism in different regions of the brain, we aim to identify genetic or molecular markers that could improve surgical targeting or inform therapeutic targets that can ultimately lead to better seizure control in children with TSC.

Over the past three years, I have established a partnership with a network of national health institutes in Mexico City, where I was born and raised. Led by the National Institute of Perinatology, this collaboration aims to expand access to diagnostic and standardize the clinical management for Mexican children with TSC. It also creates valuable opportunities to study genetic and clinical variability within this population, helping us develop care strategies that are better tailored to regional needs.

Outside of work, I enjoy exercising and spending time with friends and family. We love exploring Cincinnati’s parks, cheering on FC Cincinnati, attending performances by the Cincinnati Ballet, and discovering new restaurants across the city.