Year 5 (PGY5)

The PGY-5 year is devoted to laboratory research and basic science under the supervision of a faculty member. During earlier years of the program, the resident is expected to have identified a research mentor and developed a proposal for a 12-month research project in basic or clinical neurosurgical science. The Department has many basic neuroscientists to oversee research, but residents may work with any neuroscientist in residence at UCSF or with clinical neurosurgical faculty who maintain active scientific interests, as approved by the program director and chair. The resident is expected to function as an independent investigator within the limits determined by their background and aptitude. This year of laboratory research provides an opportunity for the resident to acquire facility in scientific methods of investigation and to bring a clearly defined project to completion. The resident also gains experience in medical writing and is encouraged to present data at neurosurgical meetings. In advance of the research year, the resident is encouraged to seek outside funding, such as through the National Research Service Awards (NRSA) grant process. Although successful attainment of outside funding is not required, the process of grant writing is a valuable part of the research experience and further prepares the resident for a career in academic neurosurgery. Based on federal guidelines, residents with NRSA training grants have no clinical duties and similar guidelines are applied to all residents in this year of training. Year 6 (PGY6) ►