Notable Achievements

NREF & Bagan Family Foundation Research Fellowship Grant

The NREF Research Fellowship Grant provides funding for neurosurgeons preparing for academic careers as clinician investigators. 

  • 2017 —Kunal Gupta, M.B.B.Chir., Ph.D.; Investigating the role of the Wnt pathway in the development of epilepsy

Aneurysm and AVM Foundation Research Grant

The Aneurysm and AVM Foundation Grants respond to the cerebrovascular community's need for projects that highlight innovative research strategies that will support the development of novel therapies, clinical management and recovery for adult and/or pediatric patients. 

  • 2016 — Tristan Stani, M.D.; An Investigation of Epoxyeicosatrienoic Acids as a Treatment Strategy to Improve Glymphatic Flow, Cerebral Blood Flow and Behavioral Outcomes Following Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Rats

Depuy-Synthes Award for Resident Research on Brain and Craniofacial Injury

Selected by the Section on Neurotrauma and Critical Care. Up to $2000 is awarded to a resident/fellow abstract related to head injury

  • 2016 — Abigail Rao, M.D.; The Utility of Thromboelastography for Predicting the Risk of Progression of Intracranial Hemorrhage in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients

Congress of Neurological Surgeons Resident Award

  • 2013 — Hai Sun, M.D., Ph.D.; Electrophysiological Evidence of the Efference Copy in Human Voluntary Movements

Oregon Clinical & Translational Research Institute Pilot Project Funding for Translational Research Leading to Biomedical Commercialization

The intent of this funding mechanism is to accelerate the delivery of healthcare technologies from academia to the marketplace and thereby to improve health care.

  • 2012-13 — Neil Roundy, M.D.; Bioabsorbable clip and applier for minimally invasive watertight closure of human dura

Christopher C. Getch CNS Fellowship Award

The Christopher C. Getch fellowship aims to help post-residency neurosurgeons and fellows obtain advanced training in the clinical application of scientific knowledge related to neurosurgical practice. In fulfillment of the CNS Mission to advance health and improve lives worldwide, the Christopher C. Getch fellowship is granted to a neurosurgeon or fellow engaged in clinical research that promises to significantly impact the field of neurosurgery.

  • 2012-13 — Hai Sun, M.D.; A Novel Murine Neocortical Epilepsy Model Created by Over-expression of Adenosine Kinase in Cortical Astrocytes

AANS Styker Neuro-Oncology Award

This award, presented at both the AANS and CNS meetings, is given to a high ranking brain tumor clinical or basic science abstract submitted by a resident or medical student.

  • 2013 — Eric Thompson, M.D.; Characterizing the Role of Zona Occludens 1 and its Putative Modulators in Tumor-Related Vasogenic Edema

NREF/Porex Surgical Research Award

Established by the Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation (NREF) of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons in 1983, the Research Fellowship provides training for neurosurgeons who are preparing for academic careers as clinician investigators.

  • 2008 — Jason Weinstein, M.D.; Optimization of N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) Administration for Neuroprotection in an Experimental Rat CNS Injury Mode
  • 2007 — Justin Cetas, M.D., Ph.D.; Central mechanisms of pain in dural inflammation

MRF Early Clinical Investigator Support Award

The Medical Research Foundation supports promising biomedical exploration and the development of research careers in clinical investigation in Oregon through a program of vitally important seed grants. MRF Early Clinical Investigator Support Program: Encourages the development of research careers in clinical investigation by awarding small grants to clinical fellows interested in developing preliminary data in support of an NIH (or similar) career development application.

  • 2011-12 — Eric Thompson, M.D.; Characterizing the Role of Zona Occludens 1 and its Putative Modulators in Tumor-Related Vasogenic Edema
  • 2008 — Zachary Litvack, M.D.; Hemodynamic Monitoring by Transpulmonary Thermodilution (PICCO) Compared to Pulmonary Artery Catheterization in Patients with Cerebral Vasospasm After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

Council of State Neurosurgical Societies (CSNS) socioeconomic fellow (northwest)

The AANS/CNS sponsored Medtronic Socioeconomic fellowship consists of a one year period where the selected resident is involved in all aspects of the CSNS including attendance at the two semi-annual meetings. This exciting opportunity provides residents with broad exposure to pertinent neurosurgical socioeconomic issues and an introduction to the world of organized neurosurgery.

  • 2011-12 — Eric Thompson, M.D.
  • 2008-09 — Zachary Litvack, M.D.

AANS Young Neurosurgeons Committee

  • 2013 — Eric Thompson, M.D. (elected member)

Society for Neuroscience Oregon Chapter Resident Paper Award

  • 2008 — Justin Cetas, M.D., Ph.D.; A Novel medullary center for the control of cerbral blood flow

OHSU School of Medicine Alumni Association Resident Paper Award

  • 2008 —Jonathan Carlson, M.D., Ph.D.; Neural basis of pathological pain after nerve injury

Cerebrovascular Disease Research Award (Section on Cerebrovascular Surgery of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons/Congress of Neurological Surgeons)

  • 2008 — Justin Cetas, M.D., Ph.D.; Medullary control of cerebral blood flow and its potential role in cerebral vasospasm

William Sweet Award from the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)

The William H. Sweet Young Investigator Award is awarded annually by the AANS/CNS Section on Pain for the best paper presented at the AANS Annual Meeting Pain Section by either a resident or a young neurosurgeon within five years of completion of his or her training.
  • 2008 — Jonathan Carlson, M.D., Ph.D.; Unmasking A Novel Brainstem Compensatory Mechanism in Neuropathic Pain
  • 2007 — Jonathan Miller, M.D.
    Evaluation of Neurovascular Compression in Patients with Trigeminal Neuralgia Using High-Resolution Three-Dimensional Reconstructed CISS Fused with MRA and Gadolinium-Enhanced MRI

Robert Florin Award from the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)

Awarded by the Council of State Neurosurgical Societies for the best abstract submitted by a Neurosurgeon. Selected on content and methodology relative to Socio-Economic issues.
  • 2008 — Zachary Litvack, M.D.
    Impact of Malpractice Environments on the US Neurosurgical Workforce 2005-2007
    Zachary Litvack, M.D., Mathew Hunt, M.D., Kim Burchiel, M.D.

Western Neurosurgical Society (WNS) Research Resident Award

Presented by the WNS for the abstract that receives the highest rank for basic science when rated independently by evaluators. The resident is invited to present at the annual meeting.
  • 2008 — Justin Cetas, M.D., Ph.D.; Coupled control of pain and cerebral blood flow in the medulla
  • 2007 — Kenny Liu, M.D.; Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP-1) mediated cell death following cerebral ischemia is androgen dependent
  • 2006 — Kiarash J. Golshani, M.D.; Role of the endothelin A and B receptors in maintenance of cerebrovascular tone
  • 2005 — Jonathan Carlson, M.D., Ph.D.; Pain modulation in the rostral pons

Western Neurosurgical Society (WNS) Clinical Resident Award

Presented by the WNS for the abstract that receives the highest rank for clinical science when rated independently by evaluators. The resident is invited to present at the annual meeting.
  • 2016 — Priscilla Pang, M.D., M.S.;External Retrospective Validation of Brain Injury Guidelines (BIG) Criteria as a Component of a Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) Cycle for Improved Care Value in the Management of Low-Risk Neurotrauma Patients
  • 2009 — Zachary Litvack, M.D.; Dural Splitting Decompression for Chiari Malformation: Safety, Efficacy and Cost-Benefits
  • 2007 — Jonathan Miller, M.D.; Predictors of long-term success after microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia
  • 2005 — Matthew Hunt, M.D.; Intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging and transsphenoidal surgery

AANS Resident Award: Poster Presentation

  • 2010 — Eric Thompson, M.D.;Characterizing Vascular Properties of Pediatric Brain Tumors Using Dynamic MRI with Ferumoxytol and Gadolinium, which was awarded Second Place at the 2010 AANS Annual Meeting in the category of General Interest
  • 2006 — Jason Weinstein, M.D.; Contrast Ultrasound Assessment of Cerebral Perfusion in Patients Undergoing Decompressive Craniectomy for Traumatic Brain Injury

NL Tartar Trust Research Fellowship

A one year award to support research endeavors in the OHSU School of Medicine.
  • 2018 — Erik Brown M.D.,PhD.; Pilot Studies using electrocorticography to investigate the role of the posterior superior temporal gyrus in language processing
  • 2006 — Zachary Litvack, M.D.; Pilot Studies of Dynamic Contrast Magnetic Resonance / Three Site Exchange: An imaging technique with potential for early detection of tumors of the central nervous system
  • 2004 — Jonathan Carlson, M.D., Ph.D.; Motor Cortex Stimulation in the Spinal Nerve Ligation Model of Neuropathic Pain

Tasker Award from the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS)

The Ronald Task Award, is given by the CNS for the highest-ranked abstract dealing with a pain topic submitted by a resident or attending neurosurgeon who is no more than six years out from the completion of training.
  • 2004 — Jonathan Carlson, M.D., Ph.D.; The Mesopontine Tegmentum: A New Pain Modulatory Region

OHSU Department of Emergency Medicine — Outstanding Consultant of the Year

Each year at the OHSU Department of Emergency Medicine graduation ceremony, a select number of nurses and attending physicians are recognised for their outstanding efforts throughout the year.

  • 2007 — Jason Weinstein, M.D.
  • 2005 — Kenny Liu, M.D.

OHSU GME Distinguished Service Resident Award

  • 2005 — Matthew Hunt, M.D.
    This award is given in recognition of Dr. Hunt’s many notable contributions to the efforts of the GME Committee in 2005 that took considerable time and effort and greatly enhanced the final outcome of all GME programs at OHSU.