Bowers Neurosurgical Frailty and Outcomes Data Science Lab

Senior Scientific Advisor USA Meic Schmidt served as Chairman for the past 7 years at NYMC/WMC & the University of New Mexico, overseeing the academic transformation of both departments with exponential increases in neurosurgical research at both institutions. He has served as the senior scientific advisor since the lab’s inception in the summer of 2017. With over 375 publications, an H-index >50, and an i10-index of 150, he is one of the most highly published neurosurgeons in the world.

Topiwala National Medical College Mumbai, India Joanna is a medical student from India. Her interest in neurosurgery began when she rotated on the neurosurgery service at a busy public hospital in Mumbai. Her research interests include pre-operative risk stratification, medical education and healthcare disparities. She would like to pursue a career as a cerebrovascular neurosurgeon trained in the United States. In her free time, she volunteers to teach children to swim at the YMCA, plays ultimate frisbee and runs.

Georgetown University School of Medicine - Washington, D.C. Michael is a second-year medical student in the Class of 2026 at Georgetown University School of Medicine. He was born and raised in Kensington, Maryland. Michael completed his undergraduate studies in neuroscience and economics at Bowdoin College, where he captained the varsity men’s lacrosse team. At Georgetown, Michael studied neurosurgical ethics as a Pellegrino Student Scholar, is co-president of the medical student Neurosurgery Interest Group, and serves as the Strategic Planning Coordinator for the medical student-led HOYA Clinic. His clinical interests are broad and include spine, cerebrovascular, and tumor neurosurgery, as well as health economics and innovation. In his free time, Michael enjoys long-distance running, snowboarding, and spending time with his family.

Texas Tech Health Science Center El Paso Student doctor Shubhang Bhalla is an MD-MPH candidate at the Texas Tech Health Science Center El Paso. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Saint Thomas in Houston, Texas. Currently, he is operating as a research fellow pursuing varied neurosurgical research interests in the Bowers Data Science Lab. His research interest include vascular and trauma neurosurgery. Outside the lab, he enjoys weightlifting, archery, basketball, and spending time with his puppy.

MD, PhD student University of New Mexico Aaron is an MD-PhD student specializing in Biomedical Engineering at the University of New Mexico. With a Master's in Statistics and a strong foundation in biochemistry, biology, and mathematics, he's dedicated to advancing data-driven healthcare. Aaron earned his Bachelor's degrees cum laude in Mathematics, Biology, and Biochemistry. His Master's research focused on Machine Learning for COVID-19 patient classification from exhaled breath signals. His research blends data science, machine learning, and cancer immunology, aiming to bridge research and clinical practice. Apart from academia, Aaron is deeply committed to community service and patient-centered care. He's proficient in Python, R, SPSS, Matlab, and skilled in clinical research and image analysis. Beyond academics, he enjoys martial arts, swimming, and outdoor activities. He's also an avid traveler, gardener, and cinema enthusiast. As a member of Bower's Data Science Lab, Aaron Segura brings expertise and passion to drive data-driven solutions in healthcare, promising innovative contributions as a future physician-scientist.

Medical student University of Kentucky Carmelo Venero Jr. is a medical student at the University of Kentucky-Bowling Green campus. He graduated from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville with magna cum laude honors for a degree in Biomedical Engineering. His medical interests revolve around cerebrovascular and skull base topics. He is passionate about Spanish in medicine and has helped out in organizations nationally such as Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA). As a member of Bower's frailty group, he strives to assist in modern day advancements in medicine for the best patient care possible. Personally, Carmelo enjoys running and watching major league baseball.

Medical student King Edward Medical University Pakistan Javed is a medical student from Pakistan. His research interests include brain & spinal tumors, neurotrauma  and gamma knife radiosurgery. He would like to pursue a career as a neurosurgeon in the United States. In his free time, he enjoys watching movies and spending time with family.

Georgetown University School of Medicine - Washington, D.C. Stefan Prvulovic is a first-year medical student in the class of 2027 at Georgetown University School of Medicine. Originally from Denville, New Jersey, Stefan completed his undergraduate studies at Tulane University, majoring in neuroscience and minoring in Public Health. Graduating Summa cum Laude and a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society, Stefan matriculated directly into medical school with strong commitment to his chosen path. Stefan's medical interests are expansive, ranging from tumor to spine neurosurgery. Committed to making a positive impact in the field, he actively serves as a student advocate and volunteer with the National Brain Tumor Society. Here, Stefan passionately advocates for patients' rights and strives for improved care for those dealing with glioblastoma. Outside the realm of medicine, Stefan finds balance through competitive tennis, the serenity of meditation, weight lifting, and cherished moments with family. With a dedication to excellence in his medical studies and a commitment to patient advocacy, Stefan aspires to contribute significantly to the field of neurosurgery.

SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University  Pemla is a medical student in the Class of 2026 at SUNY Downstate. She graduated from Stony Brook University summa cum laude with a degree in Neuroscience and a minor in Mathematics. Her clinical interests are broad and include neuro-oncology, skull base and spine.  In her free time, Pemla enjoys weight-lifting, trying new restaurants, and spending time with her family.

Undergraduate Student  UCLA  Aryan Gajjar is an undergraduate student studying Human Biology and Society at UCLA. He is interested in medicine and biotech, with a particular interest in how technologies and artificial intelligence may improve patient outcomes and care. His prior studies focused on spinal stimulation and increasing trunk function in patients with spinal cord injuries. He enjoys traveling, hiking, skiing, and tennis in his spare time.

Junior Specialist University of California, San Francisco Department of Neurological Surgery Damian Sanchez is a PROPEL scholar at the University of California, San Francisco. He recently obtained his Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of California, Merced. His research interests include cerebrovascular and CNS disorders. Using his extensive knowledge in computer science, he looks forward to utilizing his expertise in defining frailty indices that are predictive of post-neurosurgical outcomes. He seeks to attain a medical degree to become a neurologist. His interests include spending time with his family, playing basketball, and staying involved with his community.

Third-year medical student Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine Nithin Gupta, is a third-year medical student at the Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine, class of 2025. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in genetics, complemented by a minor in biotechnology from North Carolina State University. His academic pursuits are deeply rooted in his research interests, which span the disciplines of spine, peripheral nerve, and neuro-oncology. Beyond his academic endeavors, Nithin is committed to enhancing research and educational opportunities for medical students, both domestically and internationally. He plays a pivotal role as the Research Director for NERVE and contributes significantly as a member of the World Neurosurgery Global Champion's Program and Duke Global Neurosurgery and Neurology. Outside the confines of medicine, Nithin's interests include weight-lifting, snowboarding, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.

M3 at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine Chase Smitterberg is a third-year medical student in the class of 2025 at the Michigan State University (MSU) College of Human Medicine. He is currently enriching his medical education through the Leadership in Medicine for the Underserved Certificate program in Flint, MI. Following graduation from the Honors College at MSU with an honors degree in Neuroscience and additional major in Human Biology, Chase honed his research skills and understanding of healthcare disparities through a Post-Baccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award Fellowship at the National Institute on Drug Abuse. In pursuit of addressing healthcare inequities, Chase has taken a proactive role as co-president of Spartan Street Medicine Flint. This leadership initiative focuses on community outreach, street medicine initiatives, and the establishment of a student-run free clinic, highlighting his dedication to creating sustainable healthcare solutions. Chase’s background through education, research, and community involvement have laid the foundation for his ambition to innovate in orthopedic surgery with a focus on equitable care. Outside of medicine, Chase enjoys hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing.