Dr. Susannah Cornes is a Professor of Clinical Neurology specializing in Epilepsy and divides her time between caring for adults with epilepsy, conducting clinical and educational research, and teaching trainees at a variety of levels. In research, Cornes has studied the surgical treatment of epilepsy related to congenital and acquired brain abnormalities (such as polymicrogyria and temporal encephaloceles). She served as a principal investigator for the Stress Management Intervention for Living with Epilepsy (SMILE) trial, a large multicenter trial for adults with epilepsy, and participates in the Epilepsy Genetics Initiative and the post-approval study for Deep Brain Stimulation. She is also a leader in medical education and the principal investigator for a study leading to the development of the “NeuroExam Tutor,” a mobile platform to teach neurologic examination skills.

Cornes is passionate about training the next generation of health care providers and is a member of the UCSF Haile T. Debas Academy of Medical Educators. From 2017 to 2022, she served as the Rowe Endowed Chair for Teaching in Neurology and, from 2019 to 2021, as curriculum director and governance chair for the first phase of the UCSF Bridges Curriculum. She co-directs the UCSF School of Medicine's foundational doctoring course and is the recipient of teaching awards from the Department of Neurology, the Academy of Medical Educators and has published in a variety of areas related to medical education.

Cornes earned her medical degree and completed a residency in neurology, serving as chief resident, at UCSF. When completing her epilepsy fellowship at UCSF, she was honored with an award for her teaching. She is a member of the American Epilepsy Society, American Academy of Neurology and Directors of Clinical Skills Education (a consortium of medical educators), as well as an active participant in the Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California.