University of MIami Neurosurgery eDucation Strategy UMINDS

The University of MIami Neurosurgery eDucation Strategy (UMINDS) over-arching goal is to foster the development of research scientists in our program and help prepare them for a career as an independent NIH funded researcher. The proposed program leverages university wide initiatives in neuroscience and neurobiology to form an interdisciplinary group of mentors from multiple departments at the University of Miami. The program is led by a group of clinicians and scientists with a rich track record of resident education and independent neurosurgical funding (Allan D. Levi, MD PhD; Antonio Iavarone, MD; and Dalton Dietrich, PhD). The principal investigators selected extremely qualified mentors that have elevated the scientific and clinical skillsets of our resident cohort. To accommodate the wide range of resident research interests, we will continue our two separate research education tracks: basic/translational science and health outcomes/disparities. The latter will focus on understanding and correcting health disparities in neurosurgery by combining genomic, epidemiologic, and clinical research. The present proposal is a renewal of our current UMINDS R25 program that will continue to help transition neurosurgery residents into junior faculty positions and facilitate the acquisition of independent career development awards (K-equivalent or greater). The goals of our program are 1) to create an avenue for residents to maintain robust research throughout their residency; 2) to fully prepare neurosurgery residents for careers as independent surgeon-scientists; 3) to enhance our trainees’ ability to attain research funding; 4) and to generate high quality research that will ultimately improve health outcomes and scientific knowledge in our community. By providing mentorship, structure and infrastructural support, the UMINDS unique training program continues to augment the research education and future careers of our neurosurgery trainees.