Neurosurgery

Epilepsy and Functional Neurosurgery Fellowship

The epilepsy and functional neurosurgery fellowship is co-directed by Jean-Philippe Langevin, MD and Ausaf Bari, MD, PhD.

Goals and Objectives

I. Clinical
The clinical duties of the epilepsy and functional neurosurgery fellow will be to learn advanced techniques in epilepsy and functional neurosurgery including DBS for movement disorders, pain, psychiatric disorders, MRI-guided focused ultrasound, resective and neuromodulatory techniques in epilepsy, depth electrode placement for seizure monitoring and SRS for movement disorders and pain. The use of SRS is coordinated with Neurosurgery and Radiation Oncology. This multidisciplinary setting assures the quality of patient care as well as provides clinical training benefits to all services involved. There will also be the opportunity to acquire experience in the management of peripheral nerve disorders including nerve transfers, decompressive surgeries and peripheral nerve stimulation. The fellow will participate in consultation and operative treatments at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center (Westwood), and the West Los Angeles Veterans Administration Medical Center.

II. Teaching
The duties of the epilepsy and functional neurosurgery fellow will directly enhance resident education by participating in resident didactic and operative teaching which will also benefit medical students, nursing and ancillary staff. Fellows are also expected to attend weekly multidisciplinary movement disorders, SRS and epilepsy conferences. These multidisciplinary meetings serve to enhance the clinical, research, educational and residency programs of all specialties. The fellow will also participate in presenting posters and abstracts at regional and national conferences.

III. Research
The epilepsy and functional neurosurgery fellow is expected to pursue scholarly clinical or basic science endeavors in the area of epilepsy and functional neurosurgery that he/she desires. Clinical research and basic science laboratories are available with programs relating to movement disorders, intra- and extra-operative electrophysiology, human brain mapping, mechanisms of brain circuits underlying neuropsychiatric disorders and advanced neuroimaging techniques including tractography and functional neuroimaging. Laboratories in physics, bioengineering and biomechanics are potentially available for collaboration in specific research areas to suit the interest of the fellow. 

IV. Support
The epilepsyand  functional neurosurgery fellow position will be an integral part of the neurosurgical portion of the UCLA Epilepsy and Functional Program Development. The position has support through various donars, federal grants, and clinical income.

Application Process

Eligibility: Current and recent graduates of U.S. & Canadian neurosurgery residency programs who will be eligible for a California Medical License by the fellowship start date.

Applications are submitted through the SF Match System SF Match system.

The Match opens in February two years before the fellowship start year. All application materials are due by March 31st (applications for fellows starting July 1, 2028 are due on March 31, 2026.) Interviews are held between April – May. Match Day is July 1st two years in advance of the start date. However, fellowship is not always filled at that time, so inquiries within 2 years of the start date are welcome.

Fellowship Coordinator: Abigail McCann, MPA [email protected] 

Program Details

  • Program Length: 1 year
  • Start of Program: July 1st
  • Number of Fellows per Year: 1
  • Salary/Benefits: Please see UCLA GME for details
  • Accreditation: Certified by the Committee on Subspecialty Training (CAST) of the Society of Neurological Surgeons (SNS).
  • Location/Campus: Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center (RRUMC), West Los Angeles VA Medical Center (WLA VA).