Nicolle Ionascu

At the intersection of neurology and psychology stands Dr. Nicolle Ionascu, a UCSF-trained clinical neuropsychologist whose expertise spans over 15 years in the field. Specializing in neuropsychological evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment, Dr. Ionascu brings a wealth of experience to patients facing developmental, age-related, and trauma-induced neuro-cognitive challenges.

As the staff neuropsychologist in the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, Dr. Ionascu plays a crucial role in addressing complex neurological cases in pediatric patients. Her previous positions, including staff neuropsychologist at Presbyterian Hospital's Rehabilitation Center and Carolinas Center for Development and Rehabilitation in Charlotte, N.C., have further honed her skills in diverse healthcare settings.

Dr. Ionascu's career began at San Francisco General Hospital and the Veteran's Affairs Medical Center in San Francisco, laying a solid foundation for her future endeavors. Her academic journey includes an undergraduate degree from U.C. Berkeley and a doctoral degree from the Wright Institute in Berkeley, California, reflecting her commitment to excellence in education and training.

Beyond her clinical work, Dr. Ionascu is deeply involved in advancing the field of neuropsychology. She is a co-founder of Eysz Inc., a company dedicated to non-invasive seizure detection, demonstrating her innovative approach to neurological challenges. Her role as a Medical Advisory Board member for SimpleTherapy Inc. showcases her interest in alternative approaches to pain management. Additionally, as an affiliate neuropsychologist for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), she performs evaluations of pilot and air traffic controller cognitive and behavioral fitness, highlighting the broad applicability of her expertise.

Dr. Ionascu's commitment to education extends to teaching undergraduate and graduate psychology courses at Queens University and Argosy University. Her contributions to the field include co-authoring numerous medical journal articles and magazine pieces in neuropsychology and child development. As a research neuropsychologist in clinical trials of rare developmental cognitive diseases, she continues to push the boundaries of knowledge in her field.

At Diablo Valley Neuropsychology, Dr. Ionascu offers a comprehensive suite of services. These include HIMS Neuropsychological/CogScreen evaluations for the FAA, Work Readiness/Return to Work assessments, and Worker's Compensation consultative services. Her practice also encompasses expert witness services, independent medical neuropsychological evaluations for both plaintiffs and defendants, and competency evaluations.

Dr. Ionascu's approach to neuropsychological testing is both thorough and insightful. She likens it to scanning a hard drive's software rather than simply testing if the hard drive is broken, providing a nuanced view of the brain's cognitive and behavioral functioning. Her evaluations assess specific areas of intellectual ability, memory, academic achievement, processing speed, problem-solving, multi-tasking, logic, physical dexterity, and emotional state.

Clients working with Dr. Ionascu can expect compassion, respect, and understanding. Her practice values timely communication, clear recommendations, and post-diagnostic follow-through. With her extensive experience and comprehensive approach, Dr. Ionascu stands ready to help patients and families navigate the complex landscape of neuropsychological challenges, offering expert guidance and personalized care.