Jafar Kafaie, MD

Jafar Kafaie M.D., Ph.D., is a board-certified, fellowship trained neurologist who specializes in  neurological, acquired and hereditary muscle diseases, neuropathies, motor neuron diseases and neuromuscular junction disorders. He serves as vice chair of the Adult Neurology Residency Program and is a professor of Neurology at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. Along with several division and program leadership roles, he serves as Hackensack Meridian Health’s Northern Region Director of Neuromuscular Diseases. 

In his practice, he uses electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS) to evaluate and treat neuromuscular diseases. Dr. Kafaie's clinical and research interests include motor neuron disease (ALS/Lou Gehrig’s disease and spinal muscular atrophy), peripheral neuropathies (Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy and Charcot-Marie-Tooth Neuropathy (CMT)), and myopathies. He is developing a cutting-edge neuromorphic AI system to prevent falls in patients with Parkinson’s disease and has conducted clinical trials in CMT. He is also deeply engaged in translational research initiatives aimed at advancing precision neurology.

As vice chair of Education and director of the Adult Neurology Residency Program, and professor of Neurology at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Dr. Kafaie trains the next generation of physicians and neurologists. He emphasizes critical thinking and lifelong learning, preparing physicians to lead in a rapidly evolving field. His holistic and collaborative approach reflects a dedication to both improving patient outcomes today and shaping the future of neurology through innovation and scholarship.

He received his medical degree from Tehran Medical University in Tehran, Iran, and his Ph.D. in molecular biology at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. During his studies, he decided to pursue his interest in neurology, completing his training at Washington University in Saint Louis, Missouri, followed by a fellowship in neuromuscular medicine. 

Dr. Kafaie is a member of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM), Northeast ALS Consortium (NEALS), Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation, and the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles, abstracts, and book chapters, and serves as a reviewer for leading journals, including Frontiers in Neurology and the Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine.