Aliya Frederick, MD, PhD
Dr. Aliya Frederick, MD, PhD, is a distinguished Pediatric Neurologist and Assistant Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics at the University of California, San Diego, and Rady Children’s Hospital. With over a decade of experience in healthcare, Dr. Frederick specializes in clinical neurophysiology, pediatric headaches, epilepsy, and migraine management. She has advanced expertise in Botox treatments for chronic migraines and EEG interpretation, both inpatient and remote, providing comprehensive care to children with complex neurological conditions. Her clinical work is complemented by rigorous participation in clinical trials, ensuring her patients benefit from the latest evidence-based therapies.
Beyond her clinical practice, Dr. Frederick is a dedicated advocate for health equity and professional mentorship. She has played a pivotal role in establishing team resource groups and health equity initiatives that provide training, support, and inclusion for bedside healthcare staff. Dr. Frederick actively mentors students and trainees of color, building pathways for success in medicine and science, and she extends her advocacy to youth mentorship programs, leveraging pageantry platforms to encourage interest in STEM and healthcare careers. She attributes her success to a combination of openness to opportunity, willingness to embrace unfamiliar paths, strong mentorship, and an enduring commitment to service.
Recognized as a 2025 San Diego Black Leader of Influence, Dr. Frederick exemplifies impact-driven leadership and compassionate patient care. Her current work as an Assistant Professor includes managing inpatient and outpatient neurology patients, treating epilepsy and pediatric headache disorders, running a specialized Botox clinic, and interpreting EEG studies. Guided by core values of equity, mentorship, compassion, and curiosity, she is dedicated to improving healthcare systems while cultivating meaningful, long-term relationships with patients and families. Through her leadership, advocacy, and clinical expertise, Dr. Frederick continues to shape the field of pediatric neurology while inspiring the next generation of clinicians and researchers.
• University of Maryland Baltimore County - BS in BMB
• Vanderbilt University School of Medicine - MD, PHD, Neuroscience
What do you attribute your success to?
Dr. Frederick attributes her success to openness to opportunity, willingness to try new paths, strong mentorship, and a commitment to service. She emphasized the importance of saying yes to opportunities that promote growth, even when they feel unfamiliar or challenging.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Dr. Frederick credits mentors throughout her academic and medical career who encouraged her research interests, leadership development, and commitment to equity. These mentors helped shape her confidence as both a clinician and an academic leader.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Dr. Frederick advises young women to embrace new opportunities, stay open to evolving career paths, seek strong mentorship, and remain curious. She emphasizes the importance of saying yes to opportunities that foster growth, even when they feel unfamiliar or challenging.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Dr. Frederick identifies several key challenges in neurology, including the need for continued innovation in migraine treatment and the complexity of managing chronic neurological conditions with limited options. At the same time, she sees significant opportunities in advancing neuromodulation and non-medication therapies for migraines, expanding research in pediatric headache disorders, and integrating equity-focused approaches into neurological care.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Outside of clinical work, Dr. Frederick is passionate about mentoring youth, particularly encouraging interest in STEM and healthcare careers. She is involved in pageantry as a mentorship and advocacy platform, using it to inspire confidence, education, and leadership in young people.