Dr. Seyed Hassan Tonekaboni | Medicine and Dentistry | Outstanding Contribution Award
Clinical Research Fellow from Shahid Beheshti Medical University, Iran
Dr. Seyed Hassan Tonekaboni is a distinguished Pediatric Neurologist and academic leader with over three decades of experience in clinical care, research, and medical education. He currently serves as a Clinical Research Fellow at the Autism Research Centre, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital in Toronto, Canada, under the supervision of Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou. Prior to this, he held the prestigious position of Full Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Shahid Beheshti Medical University (SBMU) in Tehran, Iran, and was a senior staff pediatric neurologist at Mofid Children’s Hospital. His expertise lies in pediatric neurology, neurogenetics, epilepsy, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Dr. Tonekaboni has been instrumental in shaping child neurology services in Iran and has led numerous research initiatives addressing the diagnosis, treatment, and management of neurological conditions in children. His contributions extend to education, where he played key roles in postgraduate training and curriculum development. A respected voice in his field, he has served on national committees, editorial boards, and research centers, contributing significantly to pediatric neurology research in Iran and internationally. With a strong foundation in clinical practice and a growing international research portfolio, Dr. Tonekaboni is recognized for his enduring impact on child health and neurodevelopmental care.
Professional Profile
Education
Dr. Seyed Hassan Tonekaboni’s educational journey is both extensive and highly specialized, reflecting his deep commitment to pediatric neurology and medical genetics. He obtained his medical degree (MD) from Shahid Beheshti Medical University (SBMU), Tehran, in 1990. Following his general pediatric residency at the same institution, he pursued a subspecialty in Pediatric Neurology from 1996 to 1998, earning his national board certification in this field. To further enhance his expertise, Dr. Tonekaboni undertook a prestigious fellowship in Medical Genetics (AFSA: Attestation de Formation Spécialisée Approfondie) at Pierre and Marie Curie University and Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris, France, from 2003 to 2004. His postgraduate training includes clinical research fellowships and observerships in Canada, including at the SickKids Hospital and the Autism Research Centre at Holland Bloorview in Toronto. These programs focused on neurogenetics, neuromuscular disorders, and autism spectrum conditions, broadening his clinical and research skills in international settings. His comprehensive educational background—spanning Iran, France, and Canada—has allowed him to integrate global best practices with regional expertise. This diverse academic foundation has greatly informed his approach to complex pediatric neurological disorders and has supported his leadership in clinical research and academic development in both national and international contexts.
Professional Experience
Dr. Seyed Hassan Tonekaboni has amassed a wealth of professional experience across clinical, academic, and research domains in pediatric neurology. His early career began at Mofid Children’s Hospital, where he served as a Staff Pediatrician and Clinician Educator from 1993 onward. Over the decades, he progressively held key academic roles at Shahid Beheshti Medical University (SBMU), becoming Assistant Professor in 2004, Associate Professor in 2005, and ultimately Full Professor by 2012. In these roles, he taught medical students and trained residents while managing pediatric neurology inpatient and outpatient services. From 2005 to 2017, he led the Medical Research Development Centre at Mofid Hospital, demonstrating his leadership in advancing research infrastructure. Dr. Tonekaboni has also held national positions, such as Vice Dean of Postgraduate Medical Education at SBMU, Vice President of the Iranian Neurogenetic Society, and a member of multiple Ministry of Health evaluation boards. His international engagement includes a research fellowship at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital in Canada, where he focuses on autism and neurodevelopmental research. His career reflects a deep commitment to integrating clinical excellence with research and policy development, making him a central figure in pediatric neurology in Iran and an emerging contributor in global pediatric neuroscience.
Research Interests
Dr. Seyed Hassan Tonekaboni’s research interests are grounded in pediatric neurology, with a particular emphasis on epilepsy, neurogenetic disorders, neurodevelopmental disabilities, and clinical pharmacology. His scholarly work spans several key domains, including the treatment and management of refractory epilepsy in children, neurocognitive outcomes of pharmacologic interventions, and the impact of dietary therapies like the ketogenic and Atkins diets on seizure control. Recently, his interests have expanded into neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), especially in the context of his ongoing clinical research fellowship in Canada. Dr. Tonekaboni is deeply invested in translational research that bridges clinical observations with practical therapeutic strategies. His studies often explore the efficacy and safety of antiepileptic drugs, diagnostic tools for genetic neurological conditions, and family-centered care approaches. He also investigates sociocultural factors influencing care delivery, such as maternal knowledge and attitudes toward childhood epilepsy. Through his involvement with national research centers and international academic institutions, Dr. Tonekaboni aims to contribute to evidence-based pediatric neurology practices. His multidisciplinary approach is informed by clinical observation, genetic science, and public health principles, making his work both scientifically valuable and socially relevant in improving outcomes for children with neurological disorders.
Research Skills
Dr. Tonekaboni possesses a comprehensive set of research skills that support his multidisciplinary approach to pediatric neurology. His clinical expertise enables him to design and conduct robust observational and interventional studies, particularly in epilepsy and neurodevelopmental disorders. He is well-versed in clinical trial design, including randomized controlled trials, as demonstrated in his investigations on the use of levetiracetam, buccal midazolam, and ketogenic diets for seizure control. His training in medical genetics has equipped him with skills in genetic diagnostics and the interpretation of genomic data, especially within the context of pediatric neurogenetic syndromes. Additionally, his experience at the Autism Research Centre and SickKids Hospital in Canada has expanded his competence in neurodevelopmental assessments and autism-related behavioral research. Dr. Tonekaboni is proficient in grant writing and has successfully secured research funding for multiple clinical studies. He also demonstrates strong academic writing and publication skills, contributing to peer-reviewed journals and serving on editorial boards. His leadership in research development at Mofid Children’s Hospital involved mentoring junior researchers and enhancing institutional research capacity. His methodological skills, combined with a collaborative mindset and clinical insight, make him adept at translating research findings into improved patient care strategies in pediatric neurology.
Awards and Honors
Over the course of his career, Dr. Seyed Hassan Tonekaboni has received numerous recognitions for his academic, clinical, and research achievements. Although specific named awards are not extensively listed, his honors are reflected in the prestigious positions he has held and the trust placed in him by national and institutional bodies. He has been appointed to critical national committees in Iran, including the Iranian National Board of Pediatric Neurology, the National Council of Neurology, and the Medical Graduate Evaluation Committee under the Ministry of Health. His election as Vice Dean of Postgraduate Medical Education and Head of the Research Development Centre at SBMU indicates high institutional recognition. Moreover, his selection as a fellow at internationally respected institutions—such as the Autism Research Centre in Canada and Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital in France—reflects global recognition of his expertise and potential. He has also served as Chief Editor and Editorial Board Member for various scientific journals, such as the Iranian Journal of Child Neurology, confirming his scholarly influence. These appointments and invitations to contribute to academia, clinical service, and research infrastructure development are strong indicators of his outstanding contributions to pediatric neurology both nationally and internationally.
Conclusion
Dr. Seyed Hassan Tonekaboni is an accomplished pediatric neurologist and academic whose impact spans decades of clinical innovation, research leadership, and educational mentorship. His career reflects a seamless integration of clinical excellence and scholarly productivity, particularly in pediatric epilepsy, neurogenetics, and neurodevelopmental disorders. With a robust academic foundation and international collaborations in France and Canada, he has developed a global perspective on pediatric neurological care. Dr. Tonekaboni’s leadership roles in medical education, research administration, and national healthcare policy underscore his broad influence and commitment to advancing child health services in Iran and beyond. While his research visibility could be further amplified through increased high-impact international publications and global grant acquisition, his current portfolio demonstrates a substantial and meaningful contribution to medical science. His multidisciplinary approach, spanning clinical trials, genetics, education, and autism research, reflects his adaptability and dedication to addressing evolving challenges in pediatric neurology. In conclusion, Dr. Tonekaboni exemplifies the qualities of a seasoned clinician-scientist whose work continues to shape both academic scholarship and patient care. He is a strong candidate for recognition through awards that honor outstanding contributions to medical research and child neurological health.
Publications Top Notes
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Title: Genetics of intellectual disability in consanguineous families
Authors: H. Hu, K. Kahrizi, L. Musante, Z. Fattahi, R. Herwig, M. Hosseini, C. Oppitz, …
Journal: Molecular Psychiatry, 24(7), 1027–1039
Year: 2019
Citations: 224 -
Title: Effect of inbreeding on intellectual disability revisited by trio sequencing
Authors: K. Kahrizi, H. Hu, M. Hosseini, V.M. Kalscheuer, Z. Fattahi, M. Beheshtian, …
Journal: Clinical Genetics, 95(1), 151–159
Year: 2019
Citations: 78 -
Title: Spastic paraplegia with thin corpus callosum: description of 20 new families, refinement of the SPG11 locus, candidate gene analysis and evidence of genetic heterogeneity
Journal: Neurogenetics, 7(3), 149–156
Year: 2006
Citations: 64 -
Title: GM2-Gangliosidosis (Sandhoff and Tay Sachs disease): diagnosis and neuroimaging findings (an Iranian pediatric case series)
Authors: P. Karimzadeh, N. Jafari, H.N. Biglari, S.J. Dari, F.A. Abadi, M.R. Alaee, …
Journal: Iranian Journal of Child Neurology, 8(3), 55
Year: 2014
Citations: 61 -
Title: Efficacy of the Atkins diet as therapy for intractable epilepsy in children
Authors: S.H. Tonekaboni, P. Mostaghimi, P. Mirmiran, A. Abbaskhanian, F.A. Gorji, …
Journal: Archives of Iranian Medicine, 13(6), 492–497
Year: 2010
Citations: 60 -
Title: Ryanodine receptor type 3 (RYR3) as a novel gene associated with a myopathy with nemaline bodies
Authors: Y. Nilipour, S. Nafissi, A.E. Tjust, G. Ravenscroft, H. Hossein Nejad Nedai, …
Journal: European Journal of Neurology, 25(6), 841–847
Year: 2018
Citations: 50 -
Title: Neurocognitive effects of phenobarbital discontinuation in epileptic children
Authors: S.H. Tonekaboni, N. Beyraghi, H.S. Tahbaz, S.A. Bahreynian, …
Journal: Epilepsy & Behavior, 8(1), 145–148
Year: 2006
Citations: 48 -
Title: Knowledge, attitudes, and practices among mothers of children with epilepsy: a study in a teaching hospital
Authors: A.A. Kolahi, M. Abbasi-Kangevari, P. Bakhshaei, F. Mahvelati-Shamsabadi, …
Journal: Epilepsy & Behavior, 69, 147–152
Year: 2017
Citations: 47 -
Title: Diagnosis and treatment of late-onset Pompe disease in the Middle East and North Africa region: consensus recommendations from an expert group
Authors: MENA Pompe Working Group, F. Al Jasmi, M. Al Jumah, F. Alqarni, …
Journal: BMC Neurology, 15, 1–17
Year: 2015
Citations: 47 -
Title: Bone mineral density in ambulatory children with epilepsy
Authors: O. Yaghini, S.H. Tonekaboni, S.M. Amir Shahkarami, F. Ahmad Abadi, …
Journal: The Indian Journal of Pediatrics, 82, 225–229
Year: 2015
Citations: 40