Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation

09/09/2025

The Lynda Yang Honor Your Mentor Fund supports groundbreaking clinical research in peripheral nerve surgery.

Celebrate Dr. Yang’s legacy and her impact on the field by contributing to the fund named in her honor: https://ow.ly/K8C950WT5o1

To support clinical research in peripheral nerve surgery,..

09/08/2025

Celebrate a legacy of mentorship and excellence in neurovascular research. The Harbaugh-Drake Honor Your Mentor Fund supports the annual Harbaugh-Drake Neurovascular Outcomes Research Scholar, who presents at the AANS Annual Scientific Meeting.

Dr. Robert Harbaugh’s lasting impact includes decades of leadership, innovation and mentorship at Penn State, where he served as chair of neurosurgery and advanced the field of neurovascular outcomes research.

Honor the contributions of Drs. Harbaugh and Drake with a gift to the fund named in their honor: https://ow.ly/HXyC50WT5kL
Penn State Health

To support the annual Harbaugh - Drake Neurovascular Outcomes...

09/04/2025

The NREF has transformed neurosurgery and advanced countless careers through its commitment to research, education, and innovation. But the journey is far from over.

By supporting the NREF, you help push the boundaries of medical discovery and strengthen the future of neurosurgical care. Your gift fuels research breakthroughs, fosters education, and drives innovations that save lives.

💡 Together, we can shape the future of neurosurgery.

Donate today: https://ow.ly/3aUn50WQpM6

09/03/2025

Applications for all 2026-27 NREF Grants & Fellowships are now open!

The NREF is proud to support the next generation of neurosurgical pioneers through a wide range of research grants and fellowship opportunities. These programs fund groundbreaking investigations, foster academic growth and help advance patient care across all neurosurgical subspecialties.

Whether you're a resident, fellow or early-career neurosurgeon, now is your chance to secure critical funding and elevate your career.

Apply today: https://ow.ly/8n1p50WQpKE

As a premier funder of neurosurgical studies, the Neurosurgery Research & Education Foundation (NREF), philanthropic arm of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), focuses on providing fellowship funding in basic neuroscience and neurosurgical programs in North America.

08/31/2025

September is Aneurysm Awareness Month—a time to spotlight a silent threat affecting 1 in 50 people. That’s 6 million individuals in the U.S. living with an unruptured brain aneurysm.

Your support can fund life-saving research and drive innovation in treatment. Join the NREF and AANS CNS Joint Cerebrovascular Section in turning hope into action. Together, we can save lives.

Make a difference today: https://ow.ly/JuE050WNvbh

08/29/2025

Exciting opportunities await: Applications for all 2026-27 NREF Grants & Fellowships open Monday, Sept. 1!

If selected, you'll gain more than funding—you’ll get support to advance your research, elevate your academic profile and shape the future of neurosurgery. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the next wave of innovation.

Apply here: https://ow.ly/OyUt50WNvao

As a premier funder of neurosurgical studies, the Neurosurgery Research & Education Foundation (NREF), philanthropic arm of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), focuses on providing fellowship funding in basic neuroscience and neurosurgical programs in North America.

08/28/2025

Meet Rhiannon Champagne, 2025 Medical Student Summer Research Fellowship Grant recipient. Her research at Texas A&M University School of Medicine focuses on how reduced blood flow to the gut may lead to brain inflammation and increase the risk for conditions like Alzheimer’s and stroke. With support from the NREF, Rhiannon is building new knowledge that could lead to better prevention and treatment strategies.

08/26/2025

Celebrate the legacy of Dr. Fred Gentili—a world-renowned expert in skull base and minimally invasive neurosurgery whose dedication to mentorship transformed the careers of countless trainees. The Fred Gentili Honor Your Mentor Fund supports continued excellence in skull base education and honors his lasting impact on the field. Join us in celebrating his contributions by making a gift today: https://ow.ly/MXiw50WM3ZI

08/19/2025

On this World Humanitarian Day, join your fellow philanthropists in advancing neurosurgery worldwide through the NREF Global Humanitarian Fund. Your support helps build sustainable neurosurgical programs and expands access to care in underserved regions.

“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”
Support global impact: https://ow.ly/RW8W50WI9no

08/15/2025

The NREF is committed to advancing neurosurgery through groundbreaking research that explores new treatments, surgical innovations and technologies that shape the future of care. Your support also funds studies that identify best practices linked to improved outcomes—enhancing recovery, safety and quality of life for patients. Help drive progress in neurosurgical science and care: https://ow.ly/46RH50WFjqS

08/13/2025

The NREF offers a robust range of neurosurgical education, from clinical technique reviews and coding essentials to career development and mentorship-focused sessions. Access online courses and complimentary webinars designed for residents, fellows, practicing neurosurgeons and advanced practice providers. Explore the full archive: https://ow.ly/zFQw50WFjmB

08/11/2025

Dr. Andrew Hale, 2024-25 NREF & Academy of Neurological Surgeons Research Fellowship Grant recipient, recently completed his fellowship at the UCT Neuroscience Institute. His groundbreaking work used induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to create brain organoids containing mutations found in patients from a region in South Africa where 50% of hydrocephalus cases occur. This work advances understanding of the molecular features of the condition.

Through in vitro analysis, Dr. Hale is uncovering the mechanisms behind brain injuries that precede hydrocephalus by modeling patient-specific neurological injuries in organoids that mimic the developing brain cortex. He is also conducting single-cell and genome sequencing of human hydrocephalic tissue that would otherwise be discarded during surgery.

Thanks to NREF funding, Dr. Hale and his team developed the first-ever brain organoids for any purpose on the African continent.

Your support makes research like this possible. Help fuel the next breakthrough by donating to NREF today: https://ow.ly/m27z50WE3Y2