University of Pittsburgh Neurosurgery

19/12/2025

The Spine Computational Outcomes Learning Institute (SCOLI) has been awarded a $5k grant from the Presbyterian Medical Executive Committee to fund their Spine and Scoliosis Support group, a forum for spinal disorder patients to share stories and learn about new treatment approaches from leading experts in spine surgery, physical therapy, pain management and other spine-related disciplines.

18/12/2025

UPMC neurosurgeon Fadi Sweiss—serving north central Pennsylvania—talks about treatments for various spinal conditions on WNEP-TV.

Newswatch 16's Justin Gick spoke with a neurosurgeon at UPMC about different spinal conditions and treatment options available to patients.

18/12/2025

Nitin Agarwal and colleagues D. Kojo Hamilton, Ayesha Akbar Waheed, and Janam Patel, have been awarded a $48k U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Competitive Career Development Fund grant to advance early detection and improved care for veterans living with cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

17/12/2025

SCOLI principal research fellow Ayesha Akbar Waheed presented two oral talks at the recent Cervical Spine Research Society annual meeting in Washington, D.C. Her presentations—“Restoring Matrix Homeostasis in Diabetic Intervertebral Discs” and “TGF-beta Priming Synergistically Enhances LOX-Mediated Matrix Preservation in Aged, Acidic Intervertebral Discs—explored innovative approaches to intervertebral disc regeneration. These studies advance our understanding of targeted therapeutic strategies for disc degeneration in both diabetic and age-related pathological conditions.

04/12/2025

Congratulations to Hansen Deng for his selection as a 2025 AO Spine North America Davos Fellow at the recent AO Spine Advanced Course—Cervical Spine: Dealing with Complex, Revision and Deformity Problems—in Davos, Switzerland.

This program brings together emerging spine surgeons from around the world for advanced education, case-based learning, and direct interaction with experienced AO faculty. Participants engage in expert-led discussions, hands-on sessions, and a dedicated social and educational program designed specifically for AO SNA fellows. The Davos courses offer a valuable opportunity to learn alongside international peers and deepen involvement in the AO community.

https://www.neurosurgery.pitt.edu/news/deng-selected-ao-spine-na-davos-fellow

02/12/2025

University of Cambridge/Fang-Cheng Yeh study shows that our neural wiring evolves through five major stages from birth to late old age—shaping how we learn, think, and age. These phases are separated by sudden turning points that mark big shifts in how the brain is organized. The most surprising discovery is that adolescent-style development lasts into our early thirties. The work helps explain changing abilities and risks at different points in life.

A large study of brain scans shows that our neural wiring evolves through five major stages from birth to late old age. These phases are separated by sudden turning points that mark big shifts in how the brain is organized. The most surprising discovery is that adolescent-style development lasts int...

24/11/2025

The neurosurgery team of Nitin Agarwal, Shaunak Patil, Janam Patel and Ayesha Waheed was one of three teams selected for runner-up awards at the recent University of Pittsburgh’s Sustainability in Healthcare Challenge competition for their project “Closing the Loop: A Multi-Layer Mask System to Capture, Convert, and Neutralize Anesthetic Gases.” https://www.neurosurgery.pitt.edu/news/neurosurgery-team-runner-pitt-challenge

21/11/2025

Abigail Crum and Nitin Agarwal have published a new book, Neurosurgery Fundamentals for Advanced Practice Providers, that provides a strategic, practical, and a complete guide for building high-performing neurosurgical teams. https://www.neurosurgery.pitt.edu/news/agarwal-co-edits-book-building-neurosurgical-teams

14/11/2025

David Okonkwo receives high praise in Post-Gazette article for Asante Samuel's spinal fusion surgery and star cornerback's clearance to play football again.

Asante Samuel Jr. checked into a Pittsburgh hospital in April for the first surgery of his life, so naturally, there were some nerves. But Samuel actually...

13/11/2025

84-year-old, neurosurgeon, author, and eight-time Ironman athlete Dr. Joseph Maroon joins Assisted Living Magazine to share how simple habits, purpose, and perspective can transform the aging process.

At 84 years old, neurosurgeon, author, and eight-time Ironman athlete Dr. Joseph Maroon embodies what it means to age with vitality. After four decades with the Pittsburgh Steelers and a lifetime dedicated to brain and longevity research, Dr. Maroon joined Assisted Living Magazine to share how simpl...

13/11/2025

Congratulations to Joseph Garcia for taking the top presentation award at the 20th Anniversary Stuart Rowe Society Lectureship and Research Day. Prateek Agarwal and Hansen Deng shared runner-up awards.

Honored guest Edward Chang—professor and chair of neurosurgery at the University of California, San Francisco—gave a great talk on "Discovering the Source Code of the Human Mind" at evening reception at Pittsburgh's Duquesne Club.

https://www.neurosurgery.pitt.edu/news/garcia-takes-top-rowe-presentation-award

13/11/2025

Stuart Niles Rowe Professor Jorge González-Martínez and department chair Robert Friedlander welcome Edward Chang as the 2025 Stuart Rowe Society guest lecturer. It was an honor to host Dr. Chang at our 20th anniversary event, honoring the founding father of neurosurgery in Pittsburgh.