Neuroscience Education Programs

Support education and training for future neuroscience specialists worldwide.

Donate to Neuroscience Education and Training Programs

Neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, brain tumors, and traumatic brain injury have a devastating impact on individuals and society. With the prevalence of neurological diseases increasing worldwide, it is imperative to train future generations of neuroscience specialists who are willing to take on the challenge of studying these complex diseases, developing new treatments, and providing care to a rapidly aging population.

Education has always been a cornerstone of Barrow Neurological Institute’s mission. With support from philanthropy, its renowned physicians and scientists can provide education for all levels of learning—from high school and undergraduate students to fellows and international observers to colleagues at partner sites around the world.

Your Donations Help Inspire Future Leaders in the Field

The Summer High School and Undergraduate Internship Programs offer students an all-encompassing neuroscience education experience under the mentorship of renowned Barrow scientists and physicians. Students have the opportunity to intern in basic and translational neuroscience research laboratories, the Ivy Brain Tumor Center, Neuroimaging Center, Thurston Innovation Center, Neuroscience Publications, Spinal Biomechanics Laboratory, Virtual Reality Spine Laboratory, Neuro-Rehabilitation Center, and more.

Barrow Brings Medical Education to East Africa

Tuesday Seminars

Every Tuesday, students learn about topics of interest in neuroscience directly from Barrow specialists. The “Tuesday Seminars” feature two speakers from each department: one clinician and one scientist, allowing them to see firsthand the critical role research plays in clinical care.

Neuroscience Technology Boot Camps

The weekly Neuroscience Technology Boot Camps allow students to become familiar with state-of-the-art and next-generation technologies integral to conducting neuroscience research.

Career Day Panel

During the Career Day Panel and Q&A session, Barrow faculty and staff, medical students, and graduate students share their experience and expertise with students.

High School and Undergraduate Symposiums

At the culmination of the programs, high school and undergraduate students presented the research they worked on over the summer to peers and Barrow faculty during their respective symposiums.

I was fascinated by the research in Dr. Rita Sattler’s lab and knew it was something I wanted to be a part of. I feel so honored to have been given the opportunity to contribute to this groundbreaking research, knowing that one day, it’ll change the lives of so many ALS/FTD patients and their families.

Avery Carter, Northern Arizona University

Mentor: Rita Sattler, PhD, Neurodegenerative Research

I am incredibly grateful to have been able to gain more hands-on experience in aneurysm and AVM research in the Hashimoto Lab. This internship has made a significant impact on my education and ability to learn more in the lab.

Hannah Jackson, BASIS Chandler

Mentor: Tomoki Hashimoto, PhD, Barrow Aneurysm and AVM Research Center

My mentors taught me so much about the applications of technology in the medical field. Working in the Spine VR Lab allowed me to see how cutting-edge technology like VR and artificial intelligence can be used to enhance patient and provider experiences.

Daniel Zhu, Brown University

Mentor: Chinami Michaels, Spine Virtual Reality (VR) Lab

I am so grateful that the Ivy Brain Tumor Center has opened its doors as a hub for curious high schoolers to participate in critical research. It is so inspiring to be able to observe the most advanced and critical brain tumor research.

Evangeline Little, Cate High School

Mentor: Shwetal Mehta, PhD, Ivy Brain Tumor Center

You Make a Global Impact Through Education

Barrow Global Neurosurgery: Franke Global Neuroscience Education Program

With the generous support of the Franke family through the Franke Global Neuroscience Center, Barrow can provide extensive resources to train neurologists, neurosurgeons, nurses, and staff at their site of origin. This Train Forward approach equips hospitals in developing countries with the skills to improve patient outcomes long after the Barrow Global Team has departed. Barrow Global’s partner site for neurosurgery is Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) in Tanzania, East Africa.

The program is led by led by Rita Sattler, MSc, PhD, Professor of Translational Neuroscience. “The support from the Franke’s will connect us with more underserved students in the community and worldwide, allowing us to provide them with a unique and rewarding educational experience that they would not have otherwise had,” said Dr. Sattler.

Students have the opportunity work in departments across Barrow, including Neuroscience Research Laboratories, the Thurston Innovation Center, the Spine Biomechanics Laboratory, Neuro-Rehabilitation Center, Neuroscience Publications, Marketing, and Philanthropy.

Over the span of 10 to 12 weeks, students work in their respective departments, attend weekly seminars, learn about career options, and present their research at Barrow symposiums. Even after the programs end, our students say that the long-lasting mentorships, collaborations, and friendships they have formed with their Barrow mentors and peers will be invaluable to their future.

Barrow Global Neurolog

Through a bidirectional partnership with the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa, the Barrow Department of Neurology has established a program to cross-train neurologists from South Africa and the United States. Brad A. Racette, MD, FAAN, Kemper and Ethel Marley Professor and Chair of Neurology at Barrow, is leading this initiative.

The bilateral exchange program allows Barrow neurology residents to gain a deeper understanding of global neurologic care. At the same time, Barrow neurology experts will provide training to international fellows from the University of the Witwatersrand. The initial emphasis for this program is on epilepsy, stroke, and neuro-critical care.

Franke Global Neuroscience Education Programs

Franke Global Neurosurgery Fellowship

Fellows spend three months training at Barrow and then travel to KCMC for nine months, where they serve as a primary part of the neurosurgical faculty. The inaugural fellow, Kerry Vaughan, MD, spent her time at KCMC fully immersed in its culture, influencing all aspects of neurosurgical care and education. Funded through philanthropy, Dr. Vaughan and the Barrow Global team trained the KCMC team on complex cases, leading to multiple landmark procedures.

International Sonntag Spine Center Research Fellowship

This one-year research fellowship in the Sonntag Spine Center’s Spinal Biomechanics Laboratory is offered to international surgeons. During his time as the inaugural fellow, Temesgen G. Assefa, MD, wrote seven different research manuscripts, received one of the Foundation's competitive Neuroscience Fast Track Awards, and attended several out-of-state training courses.

Franke Global Undergraduate Internship Program

This program provides two international students with the opportunity to spend 10 weeks over the summer interning at Barrow and working in one of its renowned research labs. The 2024 Franke Interns were Francisco Javier Gomez Vertiz from Guanajuato, Mexico, and Vitor Ikeda Ito Silva from São Paulo, Brazil. They were chosen from 74 applicants representing 24 countries.

International Observers, Scholars, and Students

The Barrow Visiting Scholar and Neuroscience Observer Program enables visiting neuroscience faculty worldwide to learn advanced techniques and skills that will allow them to improve patient care. In 2024, Barrow hosted 60 visiting scholars and observers representing 27 different countries.

Discover More Programs

At Barrow Neurological Foundation, your donation is crucial in supporting three key areas: advanced patient care, curative research, and education for the next generation of neuroscientists. Learn more about how your donation impacts each of the areas we treat.