Roles
Assistant Professor
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Biography
I was born and raised in Orlando, FL. I later attended Rollins College in nearby Winter Park, FL. It was at Rollins where my interest in medicine was sparked during the study of microbiology and organic chemistry. At that time, I began researching biomarkers in traumatic brain injury at Orlando Regional Medical Center under the guidance of Dr. Linda Papa. After graduating magna cum laude at Rollins, I attended the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine with an academic scholarship. I continued my research in traumatic brain injury in Dr. Ross Bullock's lab where we studied hypothermia in a subdural hematoma model. It was through this research that I discovered neurosurgery, and began researching peripheral nerve injury specifically severe peripheral nerve injury with Dr. Allan Levi. I graduated medical school with research distinction and decided to stay at the University of Miami – Jackson Memorial Hospital for my neurosurgery training with our exceptional group of neurosurgeons. I continued working closely with several members of the University of Miami Department of Neurosurgery with a particular interest in complex spine surgery and peripheral nerve surgery. I completed fellowships during my residency training in both complex spine and peripheral nerve surgery. During residency I was awarded several academic and industry grants in peripheral nerve research and have gone on to publish nearly 70 peer-reviewed publications and presentations.
After completing my training, I was offered a position within the department as Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery. I am proud to offer the latest treatments in spine surgery including navigation, anterior and lateral approaches to the spine, complex minimally invasive techniques, deformity corrections, microscopic surgery, spinal cord surgery, robotic surgery, artificial disk placement, revision spine surgery, motion preserving surgery, tubular approaches to the spine, and many others. Due to my unique training I also am able to evaluate patients with nerve injuries and nerve pain. Within the field of peripheral nerve my most common treatments include nerve transfers, nerve decompressions, nerve repairs, brachial plexus repair, severe peripheral nerve injuries, and others. -
Education & Training
Education
Licensures and Certifications
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Honors & Awards
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Teaching Interests
In the University setting we are very fortunate to be able to offer the latest technologies and collaborative approaches to complex cases. We work closely with the orthopedics, plastics, neurology, otolaryngology, rehab, radiology, anesthesia, critical care, emergency medicine, and many other departments to provide the best care to our patients. With interested medical students and residents, a teaching environment provides ideal conditions -
Research Interests
At the Miami project to cure paralysis we have a center focused on translational research. Within peripheral nerve were able to offer clinical trials utilizing a patient own Schwann cells implanted at the time of nerve repair. This study is actively enrolling (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03999424). We are partnering with other Neurosurgery programs around the country to also offer a nerve transfer option for spinal cord injured patients. We also have an active Preclinical Research arm. Here using a combination of NIH and industry funded projects we are exploring different strategies to enhance nerve repair including cellular and structural approaches. -
Publications
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