Research and Clinical Experiences in Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Neurosciences (R-CEIN)

The mortality and morbidity of brain disease have a high impact across all stages of life. In the United States and worldwide, neurological diseases are estimated to be one of the costliest disease categories in terms of healthcare spending. Despite the emergence of neurologically based health challenges faced by many Americans, there is currently a shortage of neurologists in the United States. The demand for neurologists is projected to grow faster than supply, with an expected need for an additional 21,400 neurologists by 2025, leading to at least an 18% shortfall (3). According to the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) in the USA, the number of American AAN members who self-identify as general neurologists has fallen from 46% in 2014 to 28% in 2023 (4). Neurosurgery has also experienced a significant decline in the number of individuals pursuing a career in neurological surgery in recent years (5,6). To address this workforce shortage, the NIH's National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) has established specific initiatives designed to fund and conduct neuroscience research training, ultimately cultivating a vibrant and talented group of future leaders in the field. Scientific training, mentorship, and professional development are key cornerstones of the NIH NINDS mission to ensure Trainees are provided with a foundation for pursuing a wide range of careers in academic or industry research, as well as teaching, science, policy, writing, and research administration, among others, within the neuroscience field. Our goal is to address the neuroscience workforce shortage in the country and in Rhode Island through our proposed program. The Research- Clinical Experiences in Neurology and Neurosurgery (R-CEIN) program will provide a comprehensive summer experience for talented rising sophomores/juniors from the University of Rhode Island, Providence College, or Rhode Island College and/or a U.S. institution of higher education at Brown University. This program will cultivate a vibrant and talented group of future leaders in the field of neurosciences with the following Aims: 1) Exposure to clinical experiences in Neurology and Neurosurgery, 2) Training in research with projects in neurology, neurosurgery, and neuroscience 3) Skills training and career development, and 4) Cultivation of longitudinal mentorship opportunities.