Fellowship to Foster Education and Collaboration Between US and International Countries

BrainLAB AG, a global leader in image-guided medical technology, today announced its participation in the Section on Tumors/BrainLAB International Research Fellowship—the result of a new partnership with the Section on Tumors of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS).

The fellowship will provide a program for international neurosurgeons or graduating residents from outside the United States or Canada to perform clinical, translational or basic research in the field of neurosurgical oncology in a clinical or laboratory setting within the United States. The goal of the fellowship is to foster education and collaboration between facilities in the U.S. and international countries.

The Section on Tumors has established a list of investigators in the U.S. who are interested in sponsoring and mentoring an international neurosurgeon, and who can provide the necessary space and supplies for the applicant during the project/study period.

Fellows will be chosen through a competitive application process. A review committee, consisting of the chair of the AANS/CNS Tumor Section and five others appointed by the chair, will examine all submissions. Applications will be judged based on the novelty and scientific merit of the proposed study, the credentials of the applicant, and the support provided by the accepting program/laboratory.

Although the focus must be on neurosurgical oncology, all categories of investigative studies will be considered eligible for this fellowship, including, but not limited to, basic science, epidemiology, anatomic studies, preclinical or translational studies, and clinical trials. Areas of study may be within any sub-specialty of neurosurgical oncology, including, but not limited to, primary brain tumors, metastatic brain tumors, spine and spinal cord tumors, peripheral nerve tumors, and skull base tumors. Preference will be given to proposals undertaking hypothesis-driven research.

The winning fellow, whom will be announced on January 15, 2007, will be required to submit a written Mid-Year Progress Report and, at the completion of the project, a written Summary Report describing the results of the study. The applicant may also present an oral summary of the project at the AANS or CNS Annual Meeting upon completion of the fellowship. The chosen fellow will receive $50,000 in salary support and travel expenses for a period of one year.

According to Ronald Warnick, MD, Chairman of the AANS/CNS Tumor Section, “support from BrainLAB AG was a critical step in the successful implementation of this fellowship. Our hope is that this international fellowship will increase the opportunity for neurosurgeons from outside the US to undertake meaningful scientific research in the US.”  

“We are pleased to partner with AANS/CNS to offer talented foreign neurosurgeons the opportunity to collaborate with institutions in the US,” said Paolo Jelmoni, Director of Marketing Neurosurgery, BrainLAB. “We are constantly looking for opportunities to create an environment for innovation. The fellowship will help disseminate the latest research techniques being practiced throughout the U.S. and around the world.”

For more information on the fellowship, application procedures and a list of host institutions, visit www.tumorsection.org or contact the Development Department of AANS at +1 (847) 378-0500 or tlb@aans.org.

About AANS
Founded in 1931 as the Harvey Cushing Society, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) is a scientific and educational association with over 6,800 members worldwide. The AANS is dedicated to advancing the specialty of neurological surgery in order to provide the highest quality of neurosurgical care to the public. All active members of the AANS are certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (Neurosurgery) of Canada or the Mexican Council of Neurological Surgery, AC. Neurosurgery is the medical specialty concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of disorders that affect the spinal column, spinal cord, brain and peripheral nerves.

For more information, visit www.aans.org.

About CNS
The Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) is an association, which has existed since 1951. The purpose of the organization is to promote the advancement of neurosurgery through education, research, and scientific knowledge. The Congress of Neurological Surgeons maintains its vitality via the volunteer efforts of its members, promoting leadership in service to the public and to our colleagues in other disciplines, and to the special needs of our fellow neurosurgeons throughout the world and at every stage of their professional lives.

Members of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) include neurosurgeons in-training, board-eligible, and board certified physicians from the United States and other countries. Through active membership, research, advocacy, and continuing medical education, the CNS is dedicated to advancing the field of Neurosurgery.

For more information, visit www.neurosurgeon.org.