National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke – Congress of Neurological Surgeons Foundation K12 Scholar Awards

Overview

In 2015, the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) established the NINDS/CNS Getch Scholar Award. Partially named in honor of the late Christopher C. Getch, M.D., a past CNS president, the goal of the NINDS/CNS Getch Scholar award is to increase the number of neurosurgeon-scientists who are trained to conduct Research into neurological disorders.

This award is part of a larger, ongoing NINDS national career development program that is intended for neurosurgeons who possess unique clinical and Research skills that identify them as the next generation of neurosurgical leaders. The goal of the Neurosurgeon Research Career Development Program (NRCDP) is to support the Research and develop the scientific careers of junior neurosurgeon-investigators across the country.

Each two-year award is funded in part by a $200,000 contribution from the CNS Foundation, with a corresponding commitment from the NINDS.

The award is open to all neurosurgeons who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, who are within one to two years following their academic training, and who have begun, or will shortly begin, a faculty position at a U.S. academic medical center. The NINDS/CNS Getch Scholar receives up to two years of funding that promotes high quality, novel, creative Research and innovative investigation, in order to help them launch a dual, clinical-research career that includes a vibrant, well-funded independent Research program.

2022 Getch Scholar

The most recent NINDS/CNS Getch scholar was named in January 2022.

Dr. Todd Hollon, MD is a neurosurgeon and Research scientist who specializes in the treatment of brain tumors. Todd is also an Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Michigan. His postdoctoral work focused on the application of deep neural networks to advanced imaging methods to improve the speed and accuracy of intraoperative brain tumor diagnosis. He hopes to be part of the next generation of young scientists that uses computation and machine learning to make scientific breakthroughs.