Program Labs
Students have the opportunity to work in and gain experience in laboratories associated with the following clinical and scientific research centers: the Center for Integrative Brain Research (CIBR) within Seattle Children’s Research Institute (SCRI), the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC), the lab of Ed Lein, PhD at the Allen Institute for Brain Science as well as laboratories across the UW Medicine campus. Laboratories include biomedical engineering, material science, molecular imaging, fluid dynamics, computational neuroscience, neural engineering, nanotechnology, brain computer interface, robotic prosthetic devices, regenerative medicine, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, cancer biology, immunotherapy, stem cell biology, and neurophysiology. All laboratories are supported by extramural funding from the National Institute of Health (NIH),U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)National Science Foundation (NSF), non-profit foundations, and industry.
All sites contain state-of-the-art laboratory facilities where undergraduates engage with graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, medical students, residents, and faculty and visiting scientists to conduct research. Students become fully integrated into research programs and have opportunities to understand how these programs contribute to translational opportunities for medical diagnosis or treatment. These sites also have their own conference facilities that host research sessions which students have the opportunity to attend.
Each student is assigned to the laboratory of a senior research faculty member where they will work side-by-side with the faculty, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and other laboratory members. This multi-level mentorship atmosphere creates a rich environment for the student to grow and be nurtured. Students attend regular laboratory research meetings and learn how to organize and present experimental results, interpret results with respect to the hypothesis, provide critical evaluation of experimental design, data collection and interpretation. Through this experience each student learns responsible conduct of research, laboratory techniques and potentially clinical research methods including the development and testing of hypotheses - or technology- driven research and experimental design. This process teaches the fundamentals of scientific inquiry through the progression of hypothesis development, testing, re-testing, evaluation and possible modification. Each lab assesses its’ student’s educational and experience capability and designs a project and mentorship program accordingly.
Neuropathology Observations
In more recent years with the inclusion of additional leadership, the opportunity for observations in our Neuropathology Core have become an additional ‘hands on’ highlight of the MINDS program experience. Situated in the UW Biorepository and Integrated Neuropathology (BRaIN) Laboratory, students get direct exposure to human brain specimens, spinal cord specimens, from a broad array of neurodegenerative diseases in addition to traumatic brain injury and a variety of rare neurogenetic conditions that most would only read about in text books. In addition they learn about the ‘human factor’ to brain donation and some of the amazing families who have provided this ultimate gift to science.
OR & Clinical Observations
Many physicians in the Departments of Neurological Surgery and Neurology have welcomed students into their operating rooms and clinics, creating more than 500 opportunities for surgical observations and clinical observations.
OR Observations
A cornerstone of the program is mentorship by neurological surgeon–scientists and the opportunity to observe operative procedures at Harborview Medical Center, Seattle Children’s Hospital, and the University of Washington Medical Center. Students are exposed to a broad spectrum of surgeries that reflect the program’s strong integration of clinical care and laboratory research, including brain tumor resections with cortical mapping; epilepsy grid placement and seizure foci resection; deep brain stimulation; endovascular aneurysm procedures; and complex craniofacial, endoscopic, and congenital neurosurgical cases. Through these experiences, students develop a deep appreciation for compassionate, patient-centered, and safe healthcare delivery.
Operating room observation is both educational and inspirational, offering students first-hand exposure to surgical preparation, interdisciplinary teamwork, operative decision-making, and postoperative outcome assessment. This immersive OR experience is a defining feature of the program. Combined with laboratory research, Grand Rounds, Resident Education Hour, and the Friday Faculty Lecture Series, these experiences converge at the point of patient care. Together, they highlight the precision required to achieve optimal outcomes, the value of translational research, and—most importantly—the human stories of patients and their families. Students frequently describe observing neurological surgery as a transformative experience.
Students spend one to two days observing in the operating room, often following surgeons and residents through multiple procedures. Depending on case complexity, this may involve a single extended operation, such as a tumor resection or epilepsy surgery, or several shorter procedures, including spine surgeries.
Clinical Observations
In addition to operating room experiences, students have the opportunity to spend one to two days engaged in clinical observation, guided by clinical mentors that include Neurological Surgery faculty hospitalists, attending faculty, and neurologists. During these experiences, students are introduced to the foundational elements of clinical practice by observing the full clinical encounter: how clinicians communicate with patients, actively listen to patient concerns, perform neurological examinations, interpret and explain clinical findings, and discuss diagnoses and treatment options in a clear and compassionate manner. This clinical exposure reinforces the patient-centered principles emphasized throughout the program and provides students with an early, meaningful understanding of the practice of medicine.
Course Curriculum in Clinical Neurosciences
Weekly lectures from world experts in clinical neurosciences are also provided to educate and inspire program participants. An example lecture syllabus includes:
Week 1: Foundational Principles of Neuroscience and Clinical Neuroscience
Presenter: Bay Leslie-Mazwi, MD
Description: This lecture will introduce the field of clinical neuroscience, discuss the evolution of the field, and what it broadly encompasses today.
Objectives (or Outcomes): Upon completion, students will understand the broad array of disciplines that comprise the clinical neurosciences and have a general appreciation of the kinds of patients, diseases, and treatment strategies are available and under development.
Week 2: The Incredible Adaptable Brain
Presenter: Richard Ellenbogen, MD
Description: This lecture will introduce students to general neurodevelopment, how the brain grows and matures over time, and common disorders from the perspective of a pediatric neurosurgeon. Concepts such as brain plasticity and reorganization following insults early in life will be covered.
Objectives (or Outcomes): Upon completion, students will be able to identify general concepts of neurodevelopment, the most common neonatal, infantile, and pediatric central nervous system conditions, and the treatments and interventions implemented by healthcare providers in the clinical neurosciences (e.g., placing shunts in utero and associated physiological changes).
Week 3: The Aging Brain
Presenter: Suman Jayadev, MD
Description: This lecture will introduce students to the aging brain and review basic concepts and recent advances in knowledge emerging from the aging and dementia research community. Discussion will center on how our brain ages, the associations of risk factors and diseases, and how to protect the aging brain.
Objectives (or Outcomes): At the end of this lecture, students will have a basic understanding of what brain aging means and how clinicians try and help patients age well and reduce their risk of dementia.
Week 4: Neurodegenerative Disorders and Neurogenetics
Presenter: Caitlin Latimer, MD PhD
Description: This lecture introduces basic concepts of neurodegeneration and dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease, and selected neurogenetic conditions (e.g., Huntington’s disease). It will describe how these conditions are screened for, diagnosed, and managed, and the role of clinical neuroscience providers in supporting affected patients and their families.
Objectives (or Outcomes): By the end of this session, students will understand fundamental concepts of neurodegeneration and describe common neurodegenerative and neurogenetic conditions. They will also be able to outline general approaches to screening, diagnosis, and management of these disorders.
Week 5: Diagnostic Applications to Clinical Neuroscience
Presenter: Christine Mac Donald, PhD
Description: This lecture will introduce medical diagnostics and how clinicians use these tools to assess conditions of the brain and central nervous system.
Objectives (or Outcomes): Upon completion, students will have learned about how technology has been used to develop tools that are used in clinical practice to screen for and visualize clinical neuroscience conditions.
Week 6: Functional Assessments in Clinical Neurosciences
Presenter: Kris Rhoads, PhD
Description: This lecture will introduce students to different domains of cognitive functioning when determining the impact of a brain disease or condition. They will gain an overview of neuropsychology, common neuropsychological assessments, how results are interpreted, and how findings guide clinical care.
Objectives (or Outcomes): Upon completion of this lecture, students will have a basic understanding of what neuropsychology is, how it helps providers evaluate patients, and how the information is used in practice in clinical neurosciences.
Week 7: Clinical and Research Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Neuroscience
Presenter: Eric Chudler, PhD
Description: This lecture will introduce the students to the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence in the clinical neurosciences and share cutting edge technological advances such as artificial intelligence–guided surgical devices for neurological surgery procedures.
Objectives (or Outcomes): Upon completion, students will understand the rapidly evolving intersection of clinical practice, research, and technology and how AI can advance neuroscience to reach and treat patients.
Week 8: Neural engineering, Robotics, and Devices
Presenter: Jeffery Herron, PhD
Description: This lecture will introduce students to neural engineering and emerging brain–computer interface technologies. Through video vignettes featuring neurosurgery patients, students will see how innovations are tested in clinical settings and improve care and quality of life for patients with severe brain injuries and neurological diseases.
Objectives (or Outcomes): Upon completion, students will increase their knowledge about the medical device industry and how engineers work in the forefront of research, hand–in–hand with neurosurgeons. They will be exposed to examples of how these devices can help patients regain function.
Experiential Field Trips
In addition to the research and clinical experiences, the program will offer one to two experiential field trips to provide students with experiential learning opportunities that connect foundational concepts to real–world applications. Field trips will span academic, clinical, industry, business, and community settings, highlighting the breadth of contemporary neuroscience. Students will explore applications of artificial intelligence through interactions with Microsoft researchers; bioengineering and neurotechnology at the National Science Foundation–funded UW Center for Neurotechnology and the industry–funded UW BioRobotics Laboratory; and computational and protein design at the Institute for Protein Design, directed by 2025 Nobel Prize winner, David Baker, PhD. Visits on biotech innovation and product development will illustrate how discoveries are translated into devices and therapies. For example, concussion and traumatic brain injury clinical advances will be elucidated through field trips to the UW Sports Medicine clinic (care for head injuries), VICIS (helmet development research), and professional sports organizations (injury prevention, return-to-play protocols for Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Seawolves). Finally, a tour with the Chief Health Administrator of the Tulalip Health System will ground students in culturally responsive care and research, emphasizing ethical, community–focused approaches to acute and chronic neurosurgical and neurological issues. Collectively, these trips will deepen their understanding of translational science, strengthen professional identity formation, and motivate engagement in clinical neuroscience.