The Congress of Neurological Surgeons congratulates all the honorees recognized at the 2025 CNS Annual Meeting. These honorees are neurosurgeons and future neurosurgeons who are driving the profession forward through continuous innovation, and CNS is proud to provide an opportunity to advance scientific exchange and shine a spotlight on meaningful breakthroughs in neurosurgery at our Annual Meeting.
*names listed are the presenting authors
Congratulations to the following honorees:
SANS Residents’ Challenge
- 1st place: University of Kansas
- 2nd place: George Washington University
- 3rd place: University of Minnesota
Innovator of the Year
Navzer Engineer
Vivistim Paired VNS System
CNS Resident Award
Endoluminal Biopsy and Single-Cell Multiomics Enable Immune Profiling of Intracranial Aneurysms
Joseph Antonios
Neurosurgery Publications Top Paper of the Year
“Three-Dimensional Morphological Change of Intracranial Aneurysms Before and Around Rupture” by Maarten J. Kamphuis, Kimberley M. Timmins, Hugo J. Kuijf, Eva K. L. de Graaf, Gabriel J. E. Rinkel, Mervyn D. I. Vergouwen, and Irene C. van der Schaaf
Abstract and Poster Awards for the 2025 Congress of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting
Institutions with the Highest Number of Accepted Abstracts
- 1st place: Johns Hopkins
- 2nd place: UBNS
- 3rd place: Stanford
- 4th place: Ichan School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- 5th place: Thomas Jefferson
Disparities in Healthcare
Best Basic Science Poster:
Metabolic Syndrome as a Prognosticator of Survival in Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma
Advith Sarikonda
Best Clinical Research Posters:
Factors Contributing To Delays In Neurosurgical Care: A Systematic Review Of Multilevel Barriers And Disparities
Ta’Kiya Moore
Using Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter-Eyeball Transverse Diameter Index To Predict The Magnitude Of Intracranial Pressure In Head CT Scans In Ghana
Nina Dwumfour-Poku
Identifying Drivers Of Language-based Disparities In Neurosurgical Care: A Qualitative Study
Liana Wiepert
Best Operative Technique Posters:
Bridging The Gap: Comparing Augmented Reality Neuronavigation Use Between Ethiopian and U.S. Neurosurgeons To Evaluate Feasibility In Low-Resource Settings
Julia Sharma
Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities in Carotid Endarterectomy Outcomes: A Nationwide Study of 47,000 Patients
Rodrigo Sandoval
CNS Data Science
Best Basic Science Posters:
A Deep Learning Model For Ventricle Segmentation, 3D Reconstruction, And Ventriculomegaly Detection In Rodents
Sundeep Chakladar
Genomics-Enhanced Machine Learning Model Predicts Long-Term Opioid Use Following Spine Surgery
Matthew Adam Sjoholm
Best Clinical Research Poster:
Biological Age Outperforms Frailty In Predicting Outcomes After Brain Operations: A National Analysis Of 29,000 Patients
Ritvik Jillala
Best Operative Technique Posters:
Can Synthetic Data Safely Expand Clinical Datasets In Rare Brain Tumors?
Shrinit Babel
Training Artificial Intelligence To Recognize Surgical Steps In Microscope-based Videos Of Middle Cerebral Artery Aneurysm Clipping
Thomas On
Best Data Science Award:
General Machine Intelligence for Clinical Neuroimaging
Todd Hollon
CNS Medical Education and Training
Best Basic Science Poster:
Educational And Professional Pathways To Leadership: A Profile Of Neurosurgery Department Chairs And Program Directors In The United States
Adham Khalafallah
Best Abstract in Medical Education and Training Award:
Dedicated Research Structure During Neurosurgery Residency: Impact On Academic Productivity And Long Term Success
Ankush Chandra
Section on Cerebrovascular Surgery
Best Basic Science Posters:
Bypassing Surgical Failure: The Role Of Biomarkers In Predicting Revascularization
Maya Toothman
Baseline Sex Differences And Minimal Stroke-Induced Immune Activity Of The Choroid Plexus In Aged Mice
Annabel McAtee
Best Clinical Research Posters:
Predicting Catheter-Specific Mechanical Thrombectomy Outcomes Using Machine Learning
Christopher Sollenberger
Clinical Presentation And Outcomes In Non-Traumatic, Non-Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis
Chris Aboujudom
Best Operative Technique Posters:
Patient-Centered Microsurgical Strategies For Giant Intracranial Aneurysms Using Double Machine Learning
Shrinit Babel
A Window To The Brain: Trans Sonolucent Cranioplasty Ultrasound For Long-Term STA-MCA Bypass Patency Monitoring
Eric Grin
Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves
Best Basic Science Posters:
Development Of A Gait-Based Dynamic Spinal Alignment Model: A Prospective Feasibility Study
Tim Bui
Assessing Ambulatory Dysfunction In A Mouse Model Of Metastatic Spine Disease
Seeley Yoo
Best Clinical Research Posters:
Extending The T4-L1 Hip Axis Framework: Predictive Values Of Alignment Error In Short And Long Fusions For Adult Spinal Deformity
Karan Joseph
Performance Of ChatGPT Versus Spine Surgeon As An Emergency Department Spine Call Consultant
Taha Taka
Best Operative Technique Posters:
Ten-Step Technique For Navigated Tubular Transforaminal And Extraforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Ahmet Kartal
Avoiding Pin‑Related Injuries In MI‑TLIF: Complications Stratified By Green, Yellow, And Red Placement Zones
Noah Willett
Best Peripheral Nerve Abstract Award:
Electro-Guided Nerve Conduits: Finite-Element Optimization Of Embedded Electrode Arrays For Critical-Gap Repair
Serajh Esmail
Section on Neurotrauma and Critical Care
Best Basic Science Poster:
Spatial Distribution Of Blood Flow Predicts Recovery After Porcine Spinal Cord Injury
Denis Routkevitch
Favorable Recovery Potential In Traumatic Brain Injury Patients Who Underwent Withdrawal Of Life-Sustaining Therapy: An IMPACT Analysis Of The National Trauma Data Bank
Saar Kariv
Best Clinical Research Poster:
Comparative Outcomes In Moderate To Severe TBI Patients On Pre-injury Anticoagulation And Antiplatelet Therapies
Julian Burwell
Effectiveness Of Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin Versus Unfractionated Heparin For Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis After Penetrating Brain Injury
Jiaqi Liu
Best Operative Technique Poster:
Seizure Risk Following Surgical Treatment Of Chronic Subdural Hematoma: A National Retrospective Cohort Analysis
Jason Sherman
Advancing Cranioplasty Techniques Through Exoscopic Magnification
Marcio Yuri Ferreira
Section on Pain
Best Basic Science Poster:
The Incidence Of Eosinophilia In Refractory Chronic Pain Requiring Neuromodulation
Julie Pilitsis
Best Clinical Research Poster:
Identifying Predictors Of Long Term Success In Spinal Cord Stimulation For Chronic Pain: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Darshan Sangani
Best Operative Technique Posters:
Palliative Focused Ultrasound Thalamotomy For Refractory Cancer Pain: Case Report Illustrating Targeting Methodology
Ashwin Ramayya
Section on Pediatric Neurosurgery
Best Basic Science Poster:
BMAL1 Disruption Enhances Temozolomide Response And Eliminates Time-of-Day Treatment Effects In Pediatric High-Grade Glioma Models
Ella Nettnin
Best Clinical Research Poster:
Association Between Foramen Size And Chiari Malformation In The Pediatric Population
Lars Northcut
Best Operative Technique Posters:
Subpial Cerebellar Tonsillectomy For Decompression Of The Cervicomedullary Junction In Children And Young Adults
David Laird
James Rutka Pediatric Tumors Award:
Restricted B-cell Receptor Repertoires In Pediatric High-Grade Glioma
Amelia Stepniak
Section on Pediatric Neurosurgery Best Basic Science Abstract Award:
Single-Cell Sequencing Of Human Choroid Plexus Identifies Novel Targets For Molecular Therapy Of Hydrocephalus
Stuart Harper
Section on Pediatric Neurosurgery Best Clinical Research Abstract Award:
Diagnostic Performance Of MRI And CSF Cytology In Detecting Leptomeningeal Metastasis And Recurrence In Medulloblastoma: Implications For Surveillance Strategies
Zain Peeran
Section on Peripheral Nerves
Best Basic Science Poster:
Functional Correlates Of Peripheral Nerve Stimulation: A Proof Of Concept In Rodent Model Of Sciatic Nerve Stimulation
Sebastian Lares
Best Clinical Research Poster:
Peripheral Neurectomy With Nerve Cap Placement For Medically Refractory Supra-orbital And Post-herpetic Neuralgia: A Case Series
Mohammadmahdi Sabahi
Best Operative Technique Posters:
SAVI SCOUT Radar Localization For Peripheral Nerve Soft Tissue Lesions: A Novel Intraoperative Navigation Technique
Katelyn Candido
Section on Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery
Best Basic Science Poster:
A Lateral Geniculate Nucleus Visual Prosthesis: Rodent Proof Of Principle Of A Novel Paradigm
Edward Bader
Best Clinical Research Posters:
Electrode Type And Long-Term Clinical Response To RNS: A Single-Center Cohort With 5-Year Follow-Up
Matthew Wierzbicki
Best Operative Technique Posters:
The Modern Utility Of Awake DBS Surgery With Microelectrode Recording
Matthew Baker
Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery Resident Basic Science Award:
Invasive Network Mapping Enables Personalized Multi-nodal Deep Brain Stimulation For Treatment-refractory Chronic Pain
Yuhao Huang
Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery Resident Clinical Award:
High-Resolution Electrophysiologic Mapping: From Cranial Nerves To The Central Sulcus
Daniel Cummins
Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery Young Neurosurgeon Basic Science Award:
Spinal Cord Stimulation Combined With Rehabilitation Improves Motor Function And Functional Connectivity In Spinal Cord Injury Patients
Luigi Albano
Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery Young Neurosurgeon Clinical Award:
Hippocampal Dosimetry And Neurocognitive Functions In Sellar And Parasellar Lesions Treated With Gamma Knife Radiosurgery
Sanubar Nazarlı
Julius Goodman Resident Award:
Emerging Trends In Private Equity–Backed Neurosurgical Care
Rishi Jain
Samuel Hassenbusch Young Neurosurgeon Award:
Surgical Demand Elasticity In Neurosurgery During The COVID-19 Pandemic: A National Multicenter Analysis
Georgios Sioutas
Southeastern Brain Tumor Foundation (SBTF) Award:
Predicting Brain Metastasis Development In Lung Adenocarcinoma Patients Using DNA Methylomes
Jeffrey Zuccato
American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA) Young Investigator Award:
Early And Late Gamma Electrocorticography Signatures Enhance Localization Of Language Cortex During Awake Craniotomy Procedures
Sujit Prabhu
BrainLab Neurosurgery Award:
Focused Ultrasound–Induced Blood–Brain Barrier Disruption For Enhanced Drug Delivery In Glioblastoma: A Clinical Trial–Based Analysis
Muhammad Karim
Columbia Softball Skull Base Surgery Award:
The ANS-7 Score: An Externally Validated Seven-Point System Predicting Poor Facial Nerve Outcome Following Resection Of Vestibular Schwannomas
James Feghali
Journal of Neuro-Oncology Award:
Myeloid-Induced Axonogenesis Coordinates Neural And Immune Remodeling In Glioblastoma
John Choi
Lunsford and Leksell Radiosurgery Award:
Leveraging Machine Learning To Develop A Novel, Intuitive, And Interpretable Risk Assessment Score For Predicting Local Tumor Progression After Stereotactic Radiosurgery For Spinal Metastases
Suchet Taori
Mizuho Minimally Invasive Brain Tumor Surgery Award:
Surgical Management Of Giant Craniopharyngiomas: Expanded Endoscopic Endonasal Or Transcranial Approach?
Youyuan Bao
Raymond Sawaya Neuro-Oncology Trainee Award:
MiRNA Profiling On Liquid Biopsy Outperforms Automated MRI Radiomics For Patient Outcome Prediction In Glioblastoma: Integrated Machine Learning Analysis Of Longitudinal, Multimodal Data From 73 Patients
Owen Leary
Rosenblum – Mahaley Clinical Research Award:
Phase I/II Study Combining Checkpoint Inhibitor (CPI) For Recurrent Glioblastoma (rGBM) At Various Timepoints Before OR After Laser Interstitial Thermotherapy (LITT) With Incorporation Of Integrated Biomarker (DVI)
Andrew Sloan
Ronald R. Tasker Young Investigator Award:
Examining Attentional Bias In Chronic Pain: Effects Of Spinal Cord Stimulation
Ilknur Telkes
Zeiss Brain Tumor Award:
Tumor Delineation In Meningioma With FG001, A Novel UPAR-targeting Fluorescent Agent For Optimizing Surgery
Jane Skjøth-Rasmussen
StacheStrong Award:
GBM And The Environment: Incidence Of GBM And Water Pollutant Levels In Florida
Vratko Himic
Medtronic Award:
Insights Into Radiotherapy Response And Meningioma Biology Through Molecular Characterization Of RTOG-0539 Clinical Trial
Leeor Yefet
Duke Samson Award:
Complement System Activation In Cerebrospinal Fluid After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Correlates With Development Of Vasospasm And Shunt Dependence
Julia Pazniokas
Galbraith Award:
Surgical Revascularization Resolves Asymmetry In Cortico-Cerebellar Vascular Reactivity And Resting-State Connectivity In Anterior Circulation Moyamoya
Srivats Srinivasan
NATUS/Resident Fellow Award for Neurocritical Care:
A Breath-Based Diagnostic Platform for Detecting Traumatic Brain Injury Severity in Real Time
Dilmareth Natera
Natus Resident/Fellow Award for Traumatic Brain Injury:
Interhospital Variation in Operative Intervention for Firearm-Related Penetrating Traumatic Brain Injury and Associations with Inpatient Mortality
Brij Karmur
Sherry Apple Resident Travel Scholarship (WINS) Award:
TERT Expression Predicts Progression-Free Survival In Meningiomas Independent Of TERT Promoter Mutation
Chloe Gui