Department of Neurological Surgery

Dear Colleague, 

It’s my pleasure to highlight some of the exciting accomplishments and milestones within the UC San Diego Department of Neurological Surgery.

First, I want to recognize the outstanding leadership of our faculty. Dr. Martin Pham received the Exemplary Professionalism in the Clinical Learning Environment Award, a testament to his unwavering commitment to integrity, mentorship, and ethical leadership. Dr. Jeffrey Tomlin continues to make significant contributions on the national stage, serving as a trauma committee member for the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and as the 2026–2027 President-Elect of the Neurological Society of America (NSA).

We are also excited to welcome Marc Niethammer, Ph.D., as Professor of Computer Science and Engineering and Neurological Surgery. Dr. Niethammer’s work bridges medicine and machine learning, with a focus on developing computational algorithms to extract quantitative insights from medical data—often through advanced imaging. His expertise will be essential as we continue to innovate at the intersection of technology and neuroscience.

I am especially excited to welcome our three new residents; Guan Li, Julie Necarsulmer, and Kyle Zappi to our neurosurgery team. I look forward to their continued success at UC San Diego and future contributions to our specialty. 

I look forward to joining many of you at the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) Annual Scientific Meeting in Boston, where we will celebrate 50 years of the Washington Committee. This milestone marks decades of critical advocacy to preserve neurosurgeons’ ability to practice medicine and ensure patient access to care.

Finally, I recently authored a letter—endorsed by medical professionals across specialties from anesthesiology to urology—urging the National Institutes of Health to rescind a proposed cap on indirect cost payments for federal research grants. These grants are vital to supporting innovation and advancing care across academic medicine, and protecting their value is a shared responsibility. I was proud neurosurgery led 45 medical societies, including the AMA, in this essential effort for biomedical research.

Thank you for your continued dedication to advancing neurological surgery. Together, I am confident we will shape the future of care, discovery, and cures in neurologic disease.

Connect with us in Boston, Massachusetts April 25-28 at the 2025 American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) scientific meeting. This premier event brings together leading neurosurgeons, researchers, and healthcare professionals from around the world to explore the latest advancements, techniques, and innovations in neurological surgery. 

UC San Diego Department of Neurological Surgery Chair and Chair of the AANS/CNS Washington Committee Alexander Khalessi, MD, MBA, will give the committee update and celebrate 50 years of the Washington Committee advancing key health care initiatives to protect neurosurgeons’ ability to practice medicine and patient access to care. 

UC San Diego Department of Neurological Surgery Faculty Dr. Martin Pham received the Exemplary Professionalism in the Clinical Learning Environment Award that celebrates unwavering dedication to professionalism, integrity, and ethical leadership, as well as commitment to fostering a positive, supportive environment for patients, learners, and colleagues. 

Dr. Jeffrey Tomlin serves as a trauma committee member for the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and is 2026-2027 President Elect for the Neurological Society of America (NSA). His leadership roles reflect his commitment to advancing trauma care and neurological medicine at the national level. 

UC San Diego Neurological Surgery Department Chair Alexander Khalessi, MD, MBA, named Chair of the Advisory Council for Neurological Surgery for the American College of Surgeons (ACS). This leadership role is the highest dedicated position for a neurosurgeon in the House of Surgery. 

UC San Diego Neurological Surgery Department faculty Thomas Beaumont, MD, PhD co-authored a book on the history and management of third ventricle colloid cysts. The study offers valuable insights for both clinicians and researchers, highlighting advancements in diagnosis, surgical techniques, and patient outcomes.  

We are proud to welcome Marc Niethammer, Ph.D. to our UC San Diego Neurosurgical Department faculty as Professor of Computer Science and Engineering and Neurological Surgery! He holds a joint appointment with us and UC San Diego Computer Science and Engineering (CSE). His expertise is key to driving innovation where technology meets neuroscience. Click the link to learn more about Marc Niethammer and his publications.

A study led by UC San Diego Department of Neurological Surgery Resident Mickey Abraham, MD, PGY-5, and Faculty Joseph Ciacci, MD, is testing a new implantable device that uses gentle electrical stimulation to help restore movement in people who have weakness or paralysis after a stroke. 

Our Chair Alexander Khalessi, MD, MBA served on the trial steering committee and J. Scott Pannell, MD was the UCSD site PI of the NEJM EMOBLISE publication. This high-impact study offers promising advancements for patients suffering from subdural hematomas—a serious and often life-threatening condition.

We are thrilled to welcome our three new residents Guan Li, Julie Necarsulmer, and Kyle Zappi to the UC San Diego Neurosurgery family! Their training at UC San Diego will shape the future of patient care and innovative treatments. We look forward to their continued success at UC San Diego and future contributions to our specialty. 

The UC San Diego neurosurgery medical student research group is designed to foster collaboration between faculty, residents and medical students to advance cutting-edge research in neurosurgery and neurological sciences. The meeting occurs on the first Monday of every month. If you are a med student and are interested in joining email Resident Ron Sahyouni, MD, PGY-5.

Residents trained in cranial surgery techniques at our Center for the Future of Surgery, led by world-class faculty in one of the largest global training facilities. 

Our chief residents Arvin Wali, MD, and Daniel Diaz-Agular, MD, have taken positions in the neurosurgery field. Dr. Wali will join UC San Diego Neurological Surgery as a faculty member. Dr. Diaz-Agular is joining the Center for Neurosciences, Orthopaedics & Spine (CNOS) in Sioux City, Iowa.

Our UC San Diego Neurosurgery Department Chair Alexander Khalessi, MD, MBA shared his insights on why neurosurgery is a unique specialty to Preuss middle and high school students interested in a neurosurgery career! The Preuss School at UC San Diego is a unique charter middle and high school for low-income scholars who strive to become the first in their families to graduate from college.

We love our UC San Diego Neurological Surgery family! Faculty, residents, staff and researchers spent time on a boat in the San Diego Bay for a much-deserved wellness day and to sail-ebrate their hard work! Taking time to recharge as a community helps strengthen the collaboration, resilience, and well-being that power our mission and create a stronger future for neurosurgery.

Medical professionals representing a broad range of medical specialties from anesthesiology to urology are backing a letter written by a Dr. Alexander Khalessi. The letter calls for the National Institutes of Health to rescind a controversial cap on indirect cost payments that significantly increase the value of federal research grants. 

Thomas Beaumont, MD, PhD, removed a pituitary gland tumor from a patient who was deeply moved by the exceptional care she received at UC San Diego Health. Inspired by her recovery—and as a mother of two—she later became a nurse and joined the health care team herself.

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