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The Department of Neurological Surgery (DNS) at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine is committed to the training of future leaders in the field of brain and spine surgery. All trainees (fellows, residents, medical students and visiting scholars) are exposed to models of translational science in academic conferences, on the services of neurosurgery faculty, in exposure to and education about clinical research, and in rotations in laboratories engaged in neurosurgical research. Residents are expected to meet specific curriculum objectives related to the science of neurosurgery during clinical rotations and in specialty and research electives. Residents in the Department’s ACGME approved residency program have the option of pursuing a special track for Neurosurgeon-Scientist Career Development. Interested trainees are encouraged to commit to this track and select a scientific mentor and project focus and aims, during their first short elective in PG2-3 years. The scientific mentor would be a Northwestern faculty with an active research program related to or collaborating with neurosurgery. These can include any area of basic science, engineering, or population or outcomes science with translational bridges to neurosurgery. Familiarity with the scientific questions and techniques related to the project are accomplished during this time. Prospective trainees are encouraged to apply for training grants, formally articulating research and training aims under the prospective scientific mentor. The project, aims, and the scientific mentorship are reviewed and approved by the residency training program director, and the Department chair and vice-chair for research. The Neurosurgeon-Scientist trainee spends a dedicated period of 12 to 18 months during the course of PGY4-6 years, in continuous protected time of research, “incubating” in the selected scientific mentor’s laboratory. Following this period, the trainee shall be prepared to apply for pilot or career development grants, as a junior faculty in neurological surgery. Trainees receive support and guidance at every stage of that process. The Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine offers numerous resources and programs supporting the development of Neurosurgeon-Scientists, including the Northwestern University Center for Applied and Translational Science and the Physician Scientist Training Program. For information about neurosurgery research programs, visit http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/neurosurgery/, or contact Issam Awad, MD, MSc, FACs, MA (hon) Professor of Neurological Surgery
Vice Chairman for Research and Program Development
Department of Neurological Surgery
Evanston Northwestern Healthcare
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
2650 Ridge Avenue, Room 4215
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 570-1440
Fax (847) 570-1442
Email: i-awad@northwestern.edu
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