Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery Fellowship

Welcome to the Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery Fellowship Program at the University of Chicago! Our fellowship program offers a comprehensive 12-month training experience that provides fellows with exposure to a diverse range of neurological conditions. As a fellow in our program, you will gain valuable experience in managing complex cases involving epilepsy, movement disorders, psychiatric diseases, intractable pain, and deep-seated brain tumors. The training encompasses both surgical and medical management, with active participation in NIH-funded research projects focusing on brain-machine interface and the development of electrophysiological biomarkers in memory formation. Additionally, fellows will contribute to clinical trials, including investigations on transplanted interneurons in hippocampal sclerosis, refractory epilepsy, and the REMASTER TRIAL exploring the effects of interstitial stereotactic laser ablation in recurrent brain metastasis/radionecrosis. Participation in IRB-approved studies, such as those evaluating interstitial laser energy application on brain physiology and the SLATE TRIAL, is a key aspect of the fellowship. Expectations include the production of three publications during the training year.

The prerequisite training requirements include a completion of a residency in neurological surgery in the United States or abroad and the passing of all pertinent US licensing examinations. The complete application must include a curriculum vitae, personal statement, as well as two letters of recommendation, one of which should be from the program director. Candidates will be selected from these applications and invited for a personal interview with a panel of faculty members and staff. One candidate per year will be chosen from the received applications.

Application requirements include:

  • Letter of interest
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Two Letters of recommendation
  • Applicant must have completed an ACGME (or foreign equivalent) accredited neurosurgery residency program by the time of the start of the fellowship date. Please provide a diploma or a notice of good standing.
  • Copies of USMLE scores and your ECGMG certificate if applicable.

Upon reviewing applications, selected candidates will be invited for a personal interview with our esteemed faculty members and staff. One candidate per year will be chosen from the received and reviewed applications. Trainees from across the globe are encouraged to apply.

Interested applicants should send their applications to Dr. Peter Warnke at peter.warnke@uchicagomedicine.org and copy Amy Johnson at ajohnson1@bsd.uchicago.edu.

The facilities include outpatient clinics, inpatient hospital wards, including a dedicated neurological ICU and epilepsy monitoring unit, operating rooms, conference rooms, and laboratory spaces in the Department of Neurological Surgery, the Department of Neurology, and the Grossman Institute of Neuroscience. The University of Chicago is the only comprehensive adult and pediatric level IV epilepsy center in the city and also has a dedicated center of excellence for movement disorders accredited by the American Parkinson Association and also houses the Safadi Program of Excellence in Clinical and Translational Neuroscience and the Grossman Institute.
The fellow will have access to two intraoperative CT scanners, robotic facilities, two interstitial laser systems as well as an intraoperative MRI scanner with full research capability.

For more information about the program and application procedures, please visit our Program Website or reach out to us at 

Amy Johnson

Our Educational Program offers fellows a dynamic curriculum blending clinical and research components. Fellows gain hands-on experience in managing diverse neurological conditions, from complex epilepsy and movement disorders to psychiatric diseases, intractable pain, and deep-seated brain tumors. Emphasizing a balance between surgical and medical approaches, the curriculum involves active participation in NIH-funded research projects on brain-machine interface and electrophysiological biomarkers in memory formation.

Fellows engage in clinical trials exploring topics like transplanted interneurons in hippocampal sclerosis, refractory epilepsy, and the REMASTER TRIAL on interstitial stereotactic laser ablation effects in recurrent brain metastasis/radionecrosis. Additionally, fellows contribute to IRB-approved studies, including the SLATE TRIAL, focusing on interstitial laser energy application effects on brain physiology. The program fosters a scholarly environment, with fellows expected to produce three publications during their training.

Supervisory and patient care responsibilities are integral to the program, involving active involvement in patient rounds, daily planning, and operating room schedules. Fellows may explore clinics based on interests, including the Movement Disorder Clinic, Epilepsy Clinic, and Pediatric Epilepsy Clinic. Operating room duties provide exposure to over 200 functional neurosurgeries after 12 months.

Our offered salary is aligned with the standards of fellowships in surgery at a PGY8 level.

Program Director 

Dr. Peter Warnke

 

Program Coordinator

Amy Johnson

 

Salman Abbasifard, MD - 2024