The resident will initially obtain experience in performing operative procedures under supervision. During the second or third year the residents attend the Neurobiology Course at Woods Hole, Massachusetts and the Neurosurgery Review Course at the Cook County Post Graduate program in Chicago. These intensive, two week lecture series broaden the basic science foundation and prepare the resident for taking the written portion of the American Board of Neurological Surgery Examination. All residents spend 12 months in the research laboratories of the NYU Department of Neurosurgery or with neuroscientists in other departments of the NYU School of Medicine. Although specific laboratory techniques are taught, the major goal of this year is to provide trainees with the intellectual background for pursuing further investigative work following completion of their residency training.
Supervision is by staff members or basic scientists.
Projects have ranged from unique, relatively free standing experiments to those that are integral parts of ongoing research. Residents are encouraged to publish the results of their work at local and national meetings. Recent resident projects have included a model of cerebral infarction and the application of pharmacological agents for amelioration of infarction, Fourrier analysis of intracranial pressure wave forms, metabolism of brain tumors, and transplantation of dopaminergic cells in an animal model of Parkinsons disease. Four, six month long, chief resident rotations comprise the final two years. Initially, at Tisch Hospital the resident alternates as chief between the two adult services.