 My name is David Benavides. I'm an assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in the Department of Neurology. I also have a secondary appointment in the Department of Physiology and I'm a member of the University of Maryland Medicine Institute for Neuroscience Discovery. I was always interested in becoming a physician and as I went through my college course work that's when I really understood how one could pursue both a research and a career in medicine so I pursued training both as a medical doctor as well as a scientist. In my practice I take care of patients with multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis, optical spectrum disorder, neurosarcoidosis, autoimmune encephalitis. In my research we're using models in the lab to help understand how the immune cells of the body may be targeting neurons and other brain cells and leading to the dysfunction that causes disease in patients. Hopefully the research that we're doing is going to aid us in knowing where to go next with regard to new treatments and new therapies so that patients can not only prevent further disability but also maybe the potential for regeneration and restoration. It is a privilege to take care of patients and I really look forward to the opportunity to undertake shared medical decision-making so that patients feel invested and they feel like they're really part of the treatment plan that they're going to be undertaking.