Stanford Neurosurgery and Neurology Resident Research Education Program

Progress in treating neurologic disease depends on the recruitment, retention, and support of neurosurgery and neurology physician scientists (NSci). Our major goal is to increase the number of NSci residents who transition to independent academic careers, tackling complex neurologic questions with translational impact. We will achieve this through early multidimensional support of trainees, creating a stimulating and collaboration-fostering environment. We will focus on early engagement in research training, individualized and enduring mentorship of the UE5 scholars, and iterative program design, to foster the strongest pool of NSci physician scientists. To this end, we will establish an innovative UE5 training program which extends beyond the architecture of the residency training years, to increase the recruitment of candidates, and ensure their retention and successful transition to independent research careers. These innovations include: (1) integration with established Stanford pathway programs to engage future physician scientists, (2) Day 1 enrollment of NSci residents into an UE5-foundational research training pipeline; (3) tiered, cross-departmental leadership, functioning throughout the continuum of NSci training to ensure the success of the UE5 trainees; (4) increasing trainee independence through establishment of an UE5-to-K Transition Team, and (5) continuous improvement with outside feedback from an External Advisory Committee. This adaptive UE5 educational structure will identify, equip, and encourage NSci Residents immersed in direct investigative study, increasing retention and reducing time to a mentored or independent research award. Our active, engaged commitment to NSci residents will ensure they are well-prepared for independent research careers, and directly benefit the trainees, patients, and scientific communities we serve.