On behalf of the Chair of Neurosurgery,
Daniel Yoshor, MD, I would like to welcome you to the research website of the Department of Neurosurgery. The human brain is one of the most complex and interesting entities in the universe. In addition to the sheer excitement of investigating the brain's mysteries, unlocking them will also let us better help patients who suffer from brain diseases and disorders. The Department has over a dozen faculty whose primary mission is to study the brain in order to benefit human health.
The Department's research mission focuses on two topics:
- Research in clinical and translational neuroscience to understand and treat neurosurgical disorders, including the development of therapeutic approaches and devices.
- Research in basic neuroscience that leverages Neurosurgery’s unique and direct access to the human nervous system.
These efforts include many colleagues in other clinical and basic science departments in the Perelman School of Medicine, and other schools in the University of Pennsylvania.
The primary funder of research in the Department is the National Institutes of Health, the world's largest supporter of biomedical research. Research in the Department has grown rapidly from a total of $2.6M in 2018 to $11.1M in 2023. Please explore this web page to learn more about our clinical research in Cerebrovascular and Neurointerventional Surgery; Functional and Stereotactic Neurosurgery; Neurosurgical Oncology and Spine and Peripheral Nerve Surgery. Our basic science groups examine Systems Neuroscience; Brain Injury & Repair; Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration; and Pediatric Brain Tumors.
Penn Neurosurgery Research promotes the FAIR ethic in science: findability, accessibility, interoperability, and reusability. Increasing the diversity of the scientific enterprise will ensure that its benefits accrue to the neediest among us, especially underserved populations.
Michael S. Beauchamp, PhD
Vice-Chair for Research, Department of Neurosurgery
Professor of Neurosurgery