Neurology
Education and Training
Clinical Neuroscience Pathway
Overview
Startling breakthroughs in molecular biology and basic neuroscience have defined the cause of many diseases of the nervous system and are transforming the practice of neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry. Basic research is giving new information on how the brain works and how brain injury occurs—and how it can be prevented or improved. Recognizing the exciting opportunities now available to better understand nervous system function and to design new treatments for neurological diseases, the University of Rochester has developed an interdepartmental program, The Clinical Neuroscience Pathway, to provide an enhanced exposure to the neurosciences while pursuing the Doctor of Medicine degree.
Program Goal
The Clinical Neuroscience Pathway provides medical students with an enriched experience in the neurosciences. The program is jointly sponsored by the Departments of Neurology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Ophthalmology, Psychiatry, and Neurosurgery and includes neuroscience faculty in other departments including Brain and Cognitive Science, the Cancer Center, Pharmacology/Physiology, Microbiology and Immunology, Neuropathology, and Psychology.
The program will provide students interested in Neurology, Neurosurgery, Ophthalmology, Pathology, or Psychiatry with access to a number of stimulating clinical and research activities. In addition, students will have the opportunity to participate in activities specifically designed for medical students in the program. Pathway students will be eligible for special summer research and year-out opportunities for clinical and basic neuroscience study.
Mentoring Program
Each student may be paired with a clinical or basic neuroscientist as a faculty mentor. This mentor will meet with the student on a regular basis to discuss topics ranging from research issues, new approaches to treating neurological disease and career opportunities. Mentors will help students select summer or year-out research experiences and help develop opportunities for in-depth study.
Journal Club
The Journal Club for Neuroscience Pathway students will meet in an informal setting to discuss topical neuroscience articles. Articles chosen will be recent "landmark" papers or review articles which demonstrate molecular, cellular, and systems approaches to studying the nervous system. The goals are: to familiarize Neuroscience Pathway students with modern research methodologies, their strengths and limitations; to increase basic neuroscience literacy and familiarity with the jargon of neurology and neuroscience subspecialties; and to demonstrate the connection between discoveries "at the bench" and their potential contribution to diagnostics or patient care.
Special Conferences
Students will receive invitations to departmental programs including the Neurobiology & Anatomy seminar series, Experimental Therapeutics Unit seminars, workshops, and symposia. Students will be invited to the Department of Neurology Grand Rounds and special seminars with visiting professors. Opportunities will be provided for the students to meet with outstanding scientists from other institutions.
Special Pathway Scientific Seminars
Pathway students will be provided with the opportunity of inviting leading neuroscientists from around the world to deliver special lectures and to meet with students.
Summer Research Experiences
Opportunities will be provided for research experience in laboratories of basic and clinical neuroscientists. Stipends will be provided for this work. Pathway students will be invited to make clinical rounds or attend outpatient neurology clinic with selected neurology faculty and residents.
Clinical Experience
Pathway students will be given the opportunity to work with residents in neurology, neurosurgery, or psychiatry in an inpatient or outpatient venue to enrich their appreciation neurological disease.
History of Neuroscience Seminar and Discussion
Directed by Robert J. Joynt, M.D., Ph.D., this series of lectures and discussions will cover various aspects of the historical development of our knowledge about the nervous system and the evolution of modern neurology. Some of the topics covered will be: discovery of the brain, cortical localization, neuron doctrine, development of clinical neurology, development of electrophysiology, connection theory of higher functions, and others.
The faculty will be members of the Departments of Neurology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, and Physiology. The course will be suitable for graduate students, medical students, residents, and interested members of the faculty. The class will meet once weekly with a lecture and discussion. Suitable reading will be suggested.
University of Rochester School of Medicine Student Interest Group in Neurology (SIGN)
The purpose of this organization is to introduce and develop the interest of medical students to the field of neurology through discussions by neurologists, patient presentations, seminars, journal clubs, learning materials, arranged shadowing of neurologists in the workplace and interaction with SIGN groups at other medical schools. SIGN will be acting as a resource for summer projects. Students on the mailing list for the Neuroscience Pathway will automatically be put on the list for SIGN. More information on SIGN
Year-Out Fellowships
There are opportunities for students to take a full year of laboratory or clinical research experience in a number of areas. Molecular neuroscience, cellular neuroscience, experimental therapeutics and many other exciting programs are available.
Admission into the Program
The Clinical Neurology Neuroscience Pathway is open to all medical students who have been accepted into the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry and who have a strong interest in pursuing a career in the clinical neurosciences. While students with previous experience in neuroscience are welcome, those without such experience will also be considered. Interested students should contact: Chad R. Heatwole, M.D., Box 673, (585) 276-4822, chad_heatwole@urmc.rochester.edu.
Director
Chad R. Heatwole, M.D.