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Neurology and Neurosurgery

Neurocritical Care Fellowship

Research Track

For fellows pursuing the research track, the focus is on clinical, translational and/or laboratory-based research.

Research Track Highlights

  • About 10 months of dedicated elective time during the fellowship is available for fellows to immerse themselves in their chosen research projects, develop grant proposals and contribute to the advancement of neurocritical care.
  • Flexibility to continue in our division on the T32 and K23 funding pathways, if available, to further support academic development.
  • Fellows will be paired with a faculty mentor based on their research interests and areas of expertise.

Research Projects

Examples of ongoing research by division faculty that fellows participate in:

  • Precision Medicine Center of Excellence (PMCOE): The PMCOE in neurocritical care provides a platform for cutting-edge AI/ML research in neurocritical care. Led by Jose Suarez, the center houses a team of data scientists and researchers who leverage a large big data analytics platform with high-frequency physiological waveform signals recorded from over 2,000 patients in the neurocritical care unit. This resource provides an excellent foundation for fellows to engage in AI/ML research and explore novel approaches to patient management using large-scale data.
  • Division of Brain Injury and Outcomes (BiOS): Housed at the intersection of neurology and neurocritical care, BiOS provides a platform for fellows to engage in clinical trials such as BEACH and ReASSESS, and work with large datasets of clinical trial patients with longitudinal outcomes This includes CLEAR-III and MISTIE-III trials. Led by Professor Daniel Hanley, founding director of the NCCU at Hopkins, BiOS offers fellows an opportunity to collaborate on significant clinical research initiatives.
  • Family-Centered Communication and Prognostication Science: Led by Dr. Meuhlschlegel’s lab, focusing on improving communication in critical care settings and advancing the science of neuroprognostication.
  • The HERALD Group: Clinical and translational research investigating approaches to mitigate acute brain injury in ECMO patients and devising novel ECMO devices, a unique area of expertise at Hopkins.
  • Cerebral Autoregulation and Multimodality Neuromonitoring: Explore innovative applications of invasive and non-invasive multimodality monitoring in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage, sepsis and other complex neurological conditions.
  • Non-Invasive Optical Approaches for Neurological Monitoring: Translational research in collaboration with the Applied Physics lab aimed at developing novel optical methods for real-time neurological monitoring, offering non-invasive alternatives for critically ill patients.
  • Biomarkers Research: Investigating plasma biomarkers in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), ECMO, and acute brain injury, with potential for early detection and better patient outcomes.
  • Ongoing Clinical Trials: Fellows can contribute to several ongoing trials in the division including BOOST-3, BEACH and other pivotal studies in neurocritical care.
  • Advanced MRI Research and Imaging Biomarkers: Exploring novel MRI techniques for early detection and prognostication of neurological injury, white matter disease
  • Simulation and Education Research: Investigating the role of simulation-based education and virtual reality for procedural training, helping to shape the next generation of ICU leaders.
  • Quality Improvement Research: Fellows have access to the Armstrong Institute, offering resources for conducting quality improvement (QI) projects in critical care settings.

Additional Funding Support

In addition to these exciting research opportunities, funding support is available through various intramural and extramural channels:

  • Martha Rhoades Spivey Award: Every spring, fellows are encouraged to submit grant proposals for this award, which provides funding for travel and research-related expenses.
  • Zach Sowers Brain Trauma Research Fund raises money to help support neurocritical care research.
  • Physician scientist training program offers additional intramural funding opportunities.
  • External funding sources (e.g., AAN, AHA, NCS fellowship grants) further support fellows’ research endeavors.