Officers
| Co-Presidents | Emma Leone & Jairo Hernandez |
| Co-Treasurers | Brice Sewell |
| Faculty Advisor | Miguel Chuquilin |
Welcome to the Student Interest Group in Neurology!
“The brain is a monstrous, beautiful mess. Its billions of nerve cells-called neurons-lie in a tangled web that displays cognitive powers far exceeding any of the silicon machines we have built to mimic it.” – William F. Allman
The goal of SIGN is to provide a forum where anyone interested in the fascinating field of neurology can learn about the many amazing things involving our three-pound gem. The intent is to unite and educate students and those interested in the field of neurology through the utilization of research, publications, interviews, etc. As the founding father of neurosurgery Dr. Harvey Cushing stated, “A physician is obligated to consider more than a diseased organ, more even than the whole man – he must view the man in his world.” The aim is to establish a united community under the common goal of educating one’s self, not just in the fundamental field of neurology, but the essential effects it has on the patients we as students will inevitably be treating.
What is Neurology?
Neurology is a medical specialty treating disorders of the nervous system. To be specific, it involves the diagnosis and treatment of all categories of disease involving the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems, including their coverings, blood vessels, and all effector tissue, such as muscle. The corresponding surgical specialty is neurosurgery. A neurologist is a physician specializing in neurology and trained to investigate, or diagnose, and treat neurological disorders. Neurologists may also be involved in clinical research and trials as well as basic and translational research. Neurology, as a branch of medicine, differs from neuroscience, which is the scientific study of the nervous system in all its aspects.
Neurology Residency & Fellowship
A residency in Neurology requires a preliminary training year in Internal Medicine as a PGY-1 followed by a three-year residency in Neurology. Some programs are combined with the PGY-1 year and others you must apply for separately.
For further information regarding neurology residencies in general as well as UF Neurology Residency Program, Dr. Aisha Elfasi (PGY4 & Education Chief Resident for UF Neurology Residency Program) is our current SIGN Resident Mentor.
Shadowing Opportunities
The following physicians have generously offered for students to shadow them in clinic and in the hospital. Shadowing provides a valuable opportunity to explore specialties hands-on, connect with future mentors, and participate in patient care.
The physicians listed below are not an exhaustive list. If you do not see a doctor or subspecialty you are interested in shadowing, or for general inquiries, contact Kelly Martin (Administrative Support Assistant).
| Faculty Name | Department of Neurology |
| Addie Patterson | Movement Disorders – Associate Director Neurology Residency Program |
| Christina Wilson | Vascular Neurology – Interim Chief Vascular Neurology Division, Associate Chair of Education, Neurology Residency Program Director, Vascular Neurology Fellowship Program Director |
| Chris Robinson | Neurocritical Care – Neuroscience Course Director UFCOM, Neurocritical Care Fellowship Program Director |
| Gabriel Bonnell | Vascular Neurology |
| Giridhar Kalamangalam | Epilepsy – Division Chief of Epilepsy |
| Pouya Ameli | Neurocritical Care |
| Amita Singh | Vascular Neurology |
| Maria Bruzzone | Epilepsy |
| Miguel Chuquilin | Neuromuscular Neurology – Neurology Clerkship and Fellowship Director |
Getting Involved with Research
For updates on current research and opportunities in the fields of neurology and neurosurgery, click 2021 Research Blitz Slides. Additional projects through the UF Medical Student Research Program can be found here: Neurology Projects, Neurosurgery Projects. For more general information regarding getting involved in neurology and neurosurgery research with the University of Florida, click here.
Resources from the National MS Society
- Professional Resource Center – Useful interdisciplinary resources on MS management to share with colleagues and patients