Nishant Kumar Mishra, FRCP, PhD, FAHA, MD, MBBS, FESC

Biography

Nishant Kumar Mishra, MD, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Neurology at Yale School of Medicine and Stroke Director at the West Haven VA Medical Center. He is a vascular neurologist and physician-scientist whose work connects acute stroke treatment with the prevention of long-term neurological complications.

His research focuses on post-stroke epilepsy, treatment safety, and cognitive outcomes after stroke. His earlier studies examined thrombolysis outcomes in patient groups historically excluded from treatment, contributing evidence to discussions about treatment eligibility. His current work investigates how clinical characteristics, biomarkers, and genetic susceptibility can help identify patients at risk of post-stroke epilepsy and inform future prevention studies.

Dr. Mishra co-founded the International Post-Stroke Epilepsy Research Consortium (IPSERC), working with international collaborators to advance research on seizure risk, treatment, and outcomes. He also investigates bilingualism and cognitive reserve, examining how linguistic experience may relate to cognitive health and recovery.

His training includes a PhD in Stroke Medicine at the University of Glasgow, postdoctoral research at Stanford University, neurology residency training at Tulane University and Mount Sinai, and vascular neurology fellowship training at UCLA. He also served as an ORISE fellow at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

At Yale and the VA, Dr. Mishra combines clinical care, research, and mentorship. His goal is to help stroke survivors preserve neurological function, independence, and quality of life.

Research Overview

My research addresses a central question: How can we improve life after stroke by predicting complications, selecting safer treatments, and developing strategies for prevention and recovery?

Post-stroke epilepsy: prediction and prevention

Post-stroke epilepsy can complicate recovery and affect independence and quality of life. I study clinical, imaging, electrophysiological, and genetic factors associated with seizure risk after stroke. Through the International Post-Stroke Epilepsy Research Consortium (IPSERC) and the International Post-Stroke Epilepsy Research Repository (IPSERR), I work with collaborators to support harmonized data collection, collaborative analyses, and the development of future prevention studies.

Treatment safety and vascular outcomes

My work examines the effectiveness and safety of treatments across the stroke care continuum. Earlier research evaluated thrombolysis outcomes in populations historically excluded from treatment. Current interests include antiseizure medication selection and potential interactions with therapies used to prevent recurrent stroke and cardiovascular events. The goal is to generate evidence that helps clinicians balance seizure control, vascular protection, and treatment-related risks.

Cognitive reserve and recovery

I investigate how bilingualism and linguistic experience may relate to cognitive reserve and neurological outcomes. This work examines whether these experiences help explain differences in cognitive function and recovery, with the longer-term aim of informing accessible approaches to brain health.

Approach and collaboration

My research combines clinical observation, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, collaborative registries, and analyses of routinely collected health data. Across these approaches, I prioritize questions that arise in patient care and findings that can inform clinical decisions and prospective studies.

I welcome collaboration with investigators in stroke, epilepsy, neuroimaging, genetics, epidemiology, rehabilitation, and clinical trials.

Teaching and Mentoring

My teaching emphasizes careful observation, neurological localization, clinical reasoning, and compassionate communication. I encourage learners to connect the patient’s story with the examination, interpret evidence critically, and recognize uncertainty when making clinical decisions.

In research mentorship, I help trainees develop focused questions, select appropriate methods, interpret findings, and communicate results clearly. Projects may include systematic reviews, clinical outcomes research, and collaborative studies of stroke and post-stroke epilepsy.

I welcome inquiries from students, residents, fellows, and early-career investigators interested in vascular neurology and clinical research. Prospective mentees should send a brief description of their interests, a CV, their availability, and any relevant research experience.

Research and mentorship inquiries: nishant.mishra@yale.edu

For inquiries about funded research opportunities at the VA, please contact nishant.mishra@va.gov. Availability and eligibility depend on the specific position.

Clinical Care Overview

I care for patients with stroke and cerebrovascular disease, with attention to acute treatment, prevention of recurrent events, and the complications that can emerge during recovery.

A stroke affects more than a scan or an examination. It can change a person’s mobility, cognition, mood, relationships, and sense of independence. My approach begins with understanding what matters most to each patient and explaining the diagnosis, treatment choices, and next steps clearly.

As Stroke Director at the West Haven VA Medical Center, I work with multidisciplinary colleagues to improve stroke recognition, evaluation, treatment, and continuity of care. I also connect clinical care with research questions aimed at improving long-term outcomes for stroke survivors.

For appointments and patient care information, please visit my Yale Medicine clinical profile.

Collaboration and Research Opportunities

I welcome inquiries about collaborative research on:

• Post-stroke epilepsy, including risk prediction, biomarkers, and prevention.
• Antiseizure medication safety and vascular outcomes.
• Stroke registries and studies using routinely collected health data.
• Bilingualism, cognitive reserve, and outcomes after stroke.
• Multicenter observational studies and clinical trial development.

Investigators interested in IPSERC or IPSERR are welcome to contact me to discuss scientific interests and potential participation.

For research collaborations, mentorship, or academic speaking inquiries, please email nishant.mishra@yale.edu with a brief description of your interests.