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Catherine J. Chu

Catherine J. Chu, MD, MA, MSc

Pediatric Epilepsy NeurologyPediatric Neurology

Highlights

Age Groups Seen

  • Infant 0-2
  • Child 3-12
  • Adolescent 13-17

Languages

  • English

In-Network Plans

View All Accepted Plans (8)

Gender

Female

Johns Hopkins Affiliations:

  • Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Faculty

About Catherine J. Chu

Professional Titles

  • Director of Pediatric Neurology
  • The Haller Professor in Pediatric Neurologic Diseases
  • The Lederer Endowed Chair of Pediatric Epilepsy
  • Director of the John M. Freeman Pediatric Epilepsy Center

Primary Academic Title

Associate Professor (PAR) of Neurology

Independent Clinician

Logo for Independent Clinician

Background

Catherine Chu is the director of the Division of Pediatric Neurology and the John M. Freeman Pediatric Epilepsy Center in the Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology, as well as the vice president of child neurology at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. 

As a child neurologist, epileptologist and clinical neurophysiologist, Dr. Chu cares for children diagnosed with epilepsy and disorders of the nervous system (neurophysiology). She specializes in electroencephalogram (also known as EEG) analysis, seizure localization, surgical planning and neuromodulation for adult and pediatric patients with difficult to control epilepsy. 

She is nationally and internationally recognized for her work identifying causes of and treatment options for cognitive dysfunction and seizures in epilepsy and neurodevelopmental disorders. Dr. Chu’s team specializes in identifying and developing tools to detect and understand brain rhythms that support complex cognitive functions throughout development, including how these rhythms are disrupted by seizures and neurodevelopmental disorders.  

Dr. Chu earned her medical degree and a master’s degree in social anthropology from Harvard University. She completed an internship in pediatrics at Massachusetts General Hospital, and then a residency in neurology and child neurology at Massachusetts General and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. After completing two fellowships at Massachusetts General, one in epilepsy and another in clinical neurophysiology, Dr. Chu earned a master’s degree in medical science, focused on clinical investigation, from Harvard Medical School.

Centers and Institutes

CV

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/-/media/neurology-neurosurgery/documents/CV/Catherine-Chu.pdf

Additional Academic Titles

Associate Professor (PAR) of Pediatrics

Research Summary

Dr Chu’s primary research focus is in identifying, understanding and treating brain rhythms that contribute to seizures and cognitive symptoms in epilepsy. She also collaborates in multicenter studies to increase knowledge in rare populations. She also works with industry to discover neurophysiological biomarkers to accelerate treatments in neurodevelopmental disorders

Google Scholar - Publications

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=9bRhN4IAAAAJ

PubMed - Publications

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/1JqQ7C_Nb45Qg/bibliography/public/

Honors

  • Mary Gates Prize, Bonderman Honors Fellowship, Early Identification Scholarship, Univ of WA, 1996-1999
  • Barry Goldwater Scholarship, U.S. Congress, 1997-1999        
  • Guthrie Prize for outstanding undergraduate thesis in Psychology, University of Washington, 1999                      
  • Presidential Medal for top undergraduate student in the Natural Sciences, University of Washington, 1999     
  • U.S. William Fulbright Research Fellowship, U.S. Department of State, 2002-2003  
  • Social Medicine Scholarship, and Freeman Foundation Fellowship, Harvard University, 2002-2004         
  • National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, Social Anthropology, 2002-2005    
  • Clinical Investigator Training Program, the Harvard Catalyst Clinical and Translational Science Center, 2011-2013      
  • Child Neurology Residency Program Associate Director, Director, Massachusetts General Hospital, 2012-2016
  • Child Neurology Society, Infantile Spasms Award, 2010-2012
  • Founder, Director, Neonatal and Pediatric Continuous EEG Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, 2010-2025
  • American Brain Foundation and American Academy of Neurology Clinical Research Training Scholarship, 2011-2013
  • National Institutes of Health K12 Child Neurology Career Development Award, 2012-2015
  • Claflin Distinguished Scholar Award, MGH Executive Committee on Research, 2013-2015
  • Massachusetts General Hospital for Children Pilot Award, 2015-2016
  • National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke K23 Career Developmental Award, 2015-2020
  • Pediatric Epilepsy Research Consortium site PI 2015-2025
  • Neonatal Seizure Registry site-PI, 2016-2025
  • American Clinical Neurophysiology Society High Density EEG Executive Committee, 2017-2020
  • Founder, Director, Pediatric Responsive Neuromodulation Clinic, Massachusetts General Hospital, 2018-2025
  • National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke PI R01NS115868 Award, 2020-2025
  • National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Mental Health co-I on 6 R-level/U-level programs, 2020-2025
  • National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke PI R01NS119843 Award, 2021-2025
  • Epilepsy Foundation New England, Shark Tank Research Award, 2023-2024
  • Exam Committee, United Council for Neurological Subspecialties, Neonatal Neurocritical Care, 2023-2026
  • Center for Faculty Development John T. Potts Junior Faculty Mentoring Award Nominee (8 nominees across the institution), 2024    
  • National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke PI R01NS139524 Award, 2025-2030

Memberships

  • Member, American Epilepsy Society, 2008-present 
  • Member, Society for Neuro, 2010-2015
  • Member, American Clinical Neurophysiological Society, 2018-present
  • Member, American Neurological Association, 2024-present
  • Member, Child Neurology Society, 2017-2016; 2025-present

Locations

  1. Levi Watkins, Jr., M.D., Outpatient Center

Expertise

Education

  • Graduate School: Harvard School of Arts and Sciences, Clinical Investigation, MMSc, 2013
  • Fellowship: Massachusetts General Hospital, Epilepsy and Neurophysiology, 2010
  • Residency: Massachusetts General Hospital, Child Neurology, 2009
  • Medical Education: Harvard Medical School, MD, 2004
  • Graduate School: Harvard School of Arts and Sciences, Anthropology, MA, 2004

Board Certifications

  • Epilepsy: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, 2018
  • Clinical Neurophysiology: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, 2011
  • Neurology with Special Qualification in Child Neurology: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, 2009

Insurance

Please contact the location directly to confirm your health plan is accepted.
Search plans
  • First Health
  • Geisinger Health Plan
  • HealthSmart/Accel
  • MultiPlan
  • Pennsylvania's Preferred Health Networks (PPHN)
  • Point Comfort Underwriters
  • Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
  • Veteran Affairs Community Care Network (Optum-VACCN)