The Joint Spine Section Emerging Investigator Program is a two-year national neurosurgeon-investigator mentoring program for junior spine faculty. Accepted applicants receive individualized mentoring from senior spine investigators at the American Academy of Neurological Surgery Annual Meeting, the AANS/CNS Joint Spine Section Meeting, and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons over the course of two years.

Our goal is that the program will make accepted applicants competitive for federal funding and develop robust clinical trial expertise, depending on their research interests. Chief residents, fellows, and junior faculty within their first 5 years of faculty appointment will be considered.

Deadline to apply: June 1, 2024. Contact Brigette Bahmani with questions at b.bahmani@wustl.edu

QUOTES FROM PAST RECIPIENTS:

“The Emerging Investigator Program is a fantastic opportunity for early career surgeon-scientists. It has helped me develop relationships with some of the most accomplished spine surgeon investigators in our field. I have no doubt that these mentors and experiences will be an invaluable asset as I work toward becoming an independent investigator.“ —Jacob Greenberg, MD

~~~

“Who says you can’t become a true surgeon-scientist as a spine surgeon? Tumor, vascular, and functional neurosurgeons may think spine surgeons just dabble in ‘amateur clinical outcomes research’ while they conduct ‘the real science’. Historically, I suppose that was largely the case.

But the Spine Emerging Investigators Program is a clarion call. Young, ambitious, academic spine surgeons now have a roadmap for achieving real scientific success. The program provides mentorship, encouragement, and feedback. Now… we have no excuse!” —Ahilan “Siva” Sivaganesan, MD