Panagiotis Kerezoudis, M.D., M.S.

Hometown: Athens, Greece
Graduate school: Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Medical school: University of Athens
Interests: Epilepsy surgery, glioma surgery, brain electrophysiology and brain-computer interface
About me: I was born and raised in Athens, Greece, and graduated from the National and Kapodistrian University in 2015. Shortly after, I joined Mayo Clinic's Neuro-Informatics Laboratory under the mentorship of Dr. Bydon, while simultaneously being accepted into Mayo Clinic's Graduate Medical Education master’s program in Clinical and Translational Science. The focus of my work has been on comparative effectiveness and patient-reported outcomes research in the realm of cranial and spine surgery. I also served as one of the co-investigators working on regenerative medicine stem cell trials involving people with degenerative spine disease and traumatic spinal cord injury. Currently, I'm working on human brain electrophysiology and brain-computer interface studies with Dr. Kai Miller and pursuing an enfolded Ph.D. degree in computational neuroscience. In my free time, I enjoy cycling, watching movies, salsa dancing, and traveling with my family.

Nitesh Patel, M.D.

Hometown: Birmingham, Great Britain
Undergraduate: Southern Nazarene University
Medical school: Texas A&M College of Medicine
Interests: Cerebrovascular
About me: I was born and raised in England and moved to Atlanta, Texas, at the age of 11. My parents moved to a small town in northeast Texas to operate a small hotel, and while helping my parents work in the hotel at a young age, I learned the importance of hard work, being of service to others, and how to fix an air conditioner in the middle of the night. I was the first in my family to attend college and subsequently became the first physician in the family after graduating from Texas A&M College of Medicine. My interests outside of neurosurgery include eating, sleeping, binging TV shows, traveling, hiking and football (soccer). Currently, I'm completing a year-long endovascular-focused training. I plan to pursue an enfolded skull base oncology fellowship after completing my chief year.

Pierce Peters, M.D.

Hometown: San Diego, CA
Undergraduate: Macalester College
Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
About me: I was born in San Diego, California, but moved to Minnesota when I was young and have lived here since. I completed an undergraduate degree in chemistry while also playing basketball and golf at Macalester College. Subsequently, I attended medical school at Mayo Clinic. Outside of neurosurgery, I enjoy listening to and playing classical music, whistling, keeping in touch with friends/family and playing all sports. Most of all, I enjoy exploring Rochester and the rest of the world with my wife, Simrit, who is a fellow in gynecologic oncology at Mayo Clinic, and our daughters, Calliope and Daphne.

Juliana Capp, M.D.

Hometown: Lages, Brazil
Undergraduate: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Medical school: Georgetown University School of Medicine
Interests: Functional neurosurgery and epilepsy
About me: Several months after my birth in Lages, Brazil, I was brought to Mayo Clinic for life-saving medical treatment before being raised in San Francisco. After studying biological engineering and management at MIT, I spent a decade as a Surface Warfare Officer-Nuclear in the United States Navy. I deployed throughout the Asian Pacific, Mediterranean, and Persian Gulf for ballistic missile defense, anti-submarine warfare, and humanitarian aid/disaster relief missions. I completed the M.D. program at Georgetown University School of Medicine while serving as a caregiver for my grandmother with Parkinson’s Disease, which sparked my interest in functional neurosurgery. Outside of neurosurgery, I enjoy horseback riding, skiing, hiking, and spending time outdoors.

Kristen Scheitler, M.D.

Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Undergraduate: Washington University in St. Louis (WashU)
Medical school: University of Missouri School of Medicine (MU)
Interests: Functional neurosurgery
About me: I'm a classically trained pianist. After obtaining my degree in finance from Washington University in St. Louis, I taught piano, music theory, and performed professionally. I had the fortune of opening for artists such as Macklemore and Chuck Berry, and performing at the SXSW Music Festival in Austin, Texas. Upon deciding to pursue medicine, I completed my postbaccalaureate premedical studies at WashU, where I also worked in laboratories investigating cancer epidemiology and genes involved in metastasis. I matriculated at the University of Missouri School of Medicine and was awarded a grant from the American Brain Tumor Association as a first-year medical student for my research in stereotactic radiosurgery. I was also awarded the Post-Sophomore Fellowship in Pathology at MU, which afforded me the unparalleled opportunity to complete an additional year of medical training in neuropathology, surgical pathology, transfusion medicine, forensic pathology, and other disciplines. My research in transfusion medicine received national recognition from the American College of Physicians, and I also assisted in the development and implementation of an accredited informatics curriculum for pathology residents at MU. I was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and received the Samuel P.W. Black Prize for Excellence in Neurosurgery. During my elective time, I'll pursue a Ph.D. through Mayo Clinic's Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in the laboratory of Dr. Kendall Lee, M.D., Ph.D. In my free time, I enjoy playing piano and accordion, songwriting, rock climbing, reading as much historical literature as possible, and attempting to complete every New York Times crossword puzzle.

Salomon Cohen Cohen, M.D.

Hometown: Mexico City, Mexico
Medical school: Universidad Anahuac Escuela de Medicina
Interests: Skull-base oncology
About me: I was born and raised in Mexico City and received my medical degree at the Universidad Anahuac followed by a neurosurgery residency at the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery in Mexico City. I joined Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota in 2018 where I completed a neurosurgical international clinical fellowship and later a skull-base oncology clinical fellowship under the supervision of Dr. Link and Dr. Van Gompel. I decided to pursue a U.S. residency at Mayo Clinic because the variety and volume of cases are unparalleled to any other program and the consultants are experts in their fields and are great mentors. In my opinion, it is the best program in the country. Outside of training, I enjoy spending time with my wife, Arna, daughter, Esther, and two dogs, Chester and Rambo.

Nikita Lakomkin, M.D.

Hometown: Glastonbury, CT
Undergraduate: Vanderbilt University
Medical school: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Interests: Complex minimally invasive spine surgery, spinal deformity, neurotrauma, and translational research
About me: I grew up and went to high school in central Connecticut before attending Vanderbilt University for my undergraduate studies. There, I developed an interest in neurosurgery as well as clinical and translational imaging research. I subsequently matriculated at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, earning my M.D. degree with distinction in research and clinical care. Throughout my time at Mayo Clinic, I have developed a subspecialty interest in complex spine surgery, including minimally invasive lateral access surgery and advanced osteotomies for the surgical correction of scoliosis/kyphosis. I have been active in national organizations, including the AANS, CNS, and Spine Summit. Outside of neurosurgery, my interests include tennis, skiing, basketball, and playing competitive chess. Most importantly, I enjoy spending time with my wife Emily.

Michelle McQuinn, M.D.

Hometown: Estes Park, CO
Undergraduate: University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Medical school: New York University School of Medicine
Interests: Neuro-oncology, functional neurosurgery, clinical outcomes research, and data science
About me: I split my time growing up between Lemont, Illinois - a suburb of Chicago - and Estes Park, Colorado - a small, idyllic tourist town bordering Rocky Mountain National Park. I returned to my Midwestern roots for college at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where I majored in biological sciences. Then I went on to medical school at New York University School of Medicine. Outside of medicine, I enjoy discovering new music, art, and stories (be it novels, film, or television); puzzles (both jigsaw and crossword); hiking in and exploring national and state parks; as well as learning more about each unique environment in which I currently live.

Ryan (Chase) Ransom, M.D., Ph.D.

Hometown: Searcy, AR
Undergraduate: Harding University
Medical school: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine
Interests: Cerebrovascular and skull base neurosurgery, spine, and peripheral nerve trauma
About me: I grew up in Arkansas and attended Harding University, where I studied religion and biology. After studying arts and humanities abroad in Florence, Italy, I attended medical school at the University of Arkansas. As a medical student, I found a passion for regenerative neuroscience and translating discoveries to help neurosurgical patients and their families. At the University of Arkansas, I obtained NIH support to complete my Ph.D. research at Stanford University under the guidance of surgeon-scientist Dr. Michael Longaker. As a graduate student, I sought to understand how nerves organize tissue regeneration in salamanders, mice, and humans – species with varying degrees of regenerative potential – to help guide tissue regeneration in actual patients with debilitating injuries. My scientific findings were recognized in the form of two NIH R01 grant awards, and published in journals such as Nature, Science, and Cell. My research interests broadly include novel approaches to healing the brain and spinal cord after injury. Outside of neurosurgery, I enjoy traveling to new places, skiing, snowboarding, playing golf, and reading, as well as spending time with my wife, Katie, and our two retrievers.

Rahul Kumar, M.D., Ph.D., M.S.

Hometown: Germantown, TN
Undergraduate: University of Pennsylvania
Graduate: St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences & University of Pennsylvania
Medical school: University of Tennessee Health Science Center
About me: I was raised in the suburbs of Memphis, Tennessee. I majored in biochemistry and biophysics while receiving my M.S. in physics from the University of Pennsylvania. While subsequently pursuing my M.D. at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, I completed my Ph.D. at the St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences under the mentorship of Paul Northcott, Ph.D. During this time, I utilized applied and functional genomics to study medulloblastoma and other pediatric brain tumors. In addition to neurosurgery, my academic interests span oncology, developmental biology, and genomics. In my free time, I enjoy honing my data science skills, spirited drives in good weather, and flying when the skies are clear.

Alex Pais, M.D.

Hometown: Richmond, VA
Undergraduate: George Mason University
Medical school: Virginia Commonwealth University
About me: I grew up in a military family and moved frequently. I have lived in numerous locations in the United States and graduated high school in Stuttgart, Germany. I elected to enlist in the Marine Corps upon graduating high school. After serving two tours to the Middle East as an infantry marine, I earned my B.S. from George Mason University in conflict analysis and resolution. During this time, my mother was diagnosed with late-stage cancer. Witnessing the tremendous medical care she received during her long battle with cancer influenced me to change careers and pursue medicine. I chose Mayo Clinic for residency because no other program offered the same complexity, volume, guided autonomy, unique chief experience, or robust elective time. Outside of neurosurgery, I enjoy playing guitar. While my playing is mediocre, my taste for expensive guitar gear is superb. I also enjoy being physically active and spending time with my wife, Rachael, son, and our two cats. Rachael is an exceptionally talented cook which directly competes with my general enjoyment of exercise. You can often find us exploring the trail systems throughout town or enjoying a night out at Forager Brewery.

Zach Pennington, M.D.

Hometown: Midland, MI
Undergraduate: Johns Hopkins University
Medical school: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Interests: Academic spine with a focus on primary intra-axial spine tumors, vertebral column metastases, and adult spinal deformity
About me: I was born and raised in Midland, Michigan. I completed my undergraduate studies in neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, where I was elected Phi Beta Kappa as a junior. I then went on to attend the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. During the course of my studies, I completed an institution-funded research year under the mentorship of Dr. Daniel Sciubba and Dr. Nicholas Theodore in the Department of Neurosurgery, with focuses on predictive analytics and complication avoidance in spinal deformity and spinal tumor surgery, and on a porcine model of traumatic spinal cord injury. For my work, I received the Harvey Cushing Medical Student Research Award. My research interests include spinal tumor and adult spinal deformity outcomes and working in the labs of Drs. Bydon and Elder, along with other members of the Mayo Spine Team. I chose Mayo Clinic for the operative volume and early autonomy. Outside of neurosurgery, my interests include weightlifting, hitting golf balls at the local driving range, and Big Ten football.

Jenny Perez, M.D., Ph.D.

Hometown: Houton, TX
Undergraduate: Oakland University
Graduate: Wayne State University School of Medicine
Medical school: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
About me: I was born and raised in Houston, Texas, and have now lived in six different states. Prior to medical school, I pursued a traditional Ph.D. with research focusing on changes in molecular pathways during neuron degeneration and subsequent regeneration. I went on to complete a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Washington in collaboration with the Allen Brain Institute with research aimed at developing functional neuronal circuits from stem cells in vitro and implanting them in vivo. During medical school, I served four years as class president and mentored premedical students from underrepresented minorities. I gained an interest in personalized treatment strategies for brain tumors and earned a Copeland Fellowship for my research in pediatric high-grade gliomas. I spend my free time playing guitar. I also enjoy traveling with my husband, canoeing, and taking scenic photos with our drone.

Eugene Bah, M.D., Ph.D.

Hometown: Jakiri, Cameroon
Undergraduate: Worcester State University
Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine.
Graduate school: Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Interests: General neurosurgery and neuro-oncology
About me: I was born and raised in Cameroon before moving to Worcester, Massachusetts, as a teenager. I studied Chemistry at Worcester State University and performed research at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, before moving to Rochester, Minnesota, to complete the combined M.D. and Ph.D. program at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family, being outdoors, visiting national parks, and playing/watching soccer.

Michael Martini, M.D., Ph.D.

Hometown: Stockton, CA
Undergraduate: Middlebury College
Medical school: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Interests: Skull base, complex spine, and neuro-oncology
About me: I was born and raised in Stockton, California. I earned a bachelor’s degree in molecular biology and Biochemistry from Middlebury College in Vermont and graduated as class salutatorian. Subsequently, I traded in the idyllic landscape of Vermont for the concrete jungle of New York City to attend medical school at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. While at Mount Sinai, I received an NIH grant to support my Ph.D. training in medicinal chemistry and chemical biology in the laboratory of Dr. Jian Jin. My doctoral project focused on the development of novel dopaminergic agonists to improve the pharmacological treatment of Parkinson’s Disease. My research interests in neurosurgery are broad and include leveraging methods in drug discovery and proteomics to understand the biochemical mechanisms of neurosurgical diseases, such as brain tumors and aneurysms, as well as building machine learning models to predict neurosurgical outcomes and improve patient care. Outside of neurosurgery, I enjoy playing tennis and guitar, lifting weights, kayak fishing, and spending time with my wife, Sarah, and our Goldendoodle, Charlie. 

Kobie Mensah-Brown, M.D., M.S.

Hometown: Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Undergraduate: University of Pennsylvania 
Medical school: Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
Interests: Functional neurosurgery, skull base, tissue engineering, and translational electrophysiology
About me: I was born in South Africa and raised in the United Arab Emirates. I attended the University of Pennsylvania where I studied bioengineering, biophysics, and mathematics. I took the scenic route to medical school after spending some time in research and tech before finally attending the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania where I earned my M.D. and M.S. in Translational Medicine. Throughout medical school, my primary research focused on neural activity in human brain organoids in the lab of Dr. Isaac Chen. However, I also spent a significant amount of time developing augmented reality, computer vision, and machine learning-based peri-operative tools. I was elected to AOA and received the Gary M. and Helen Apostolou Philips Prize for Academic Excellence. Outside of neurosurgery, I enjoy playing all types of guitars, coding, basketball, and languages.

Vaishnavi Rao, M.D.

Hometown: San Diego, CA
Undergraduate: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 
Medical school: Stanford University School of Medicine 
Interests: Cranial cases including cerebrovascular, skull base, microneurosurgery, trauma neurosurgery, neuroimaging, computational methods, and data analytics
About me: I am originally from San Diego, California. My love for neurosciences began early on as a teenager, after spending most of my time after school in a neurobiology laboratory. I subsequently pursued a degree in Brain and Cognitive Sciences at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. While there, I developed a computational skillset which I further honed at Stanford Medical School through neuroimaging-based research on cerebrovascular diseases including stroke, carotid artery disease and Moyamoya. This work was recognized by the American Heart Association through the Silverman Scholarship and Student Scholarship in Cerebrovascular Disease. I am excited to train in neurosurgery at Mayo Clinic, where I aspire to incorporate Mayo’s culture of excellence in patient care and technical skills on a day-to-day basis. My hobbies include Indian classical music, writing, spending time with friends and family, and exploring nature through scenic walks and hikes.

Archis Bhandarkar, M.D., M.S.

Hometown: Sterling, VA
Undergraduate: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
Graduate school: Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Interests: Peripheral nerve, spine, and functional disorders
About me: I was born and raised in Sterling, VA, a suburb of Washington D.C. I graduated from MIT, dual majoring in electrical and biological engineering. Then I matriculated at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science and simultaneously completed my M.S. and M.D. degrees. I pursued Mayo Clinic for residency because I believe in their mission and focus on the patient. “At Mayo, everyone on the care team goes the extra mile to meet the needs of our patients and it's exciting to work with people who all care so much about doing the best we can for the patient.” My career goal is to become an academic neurosurgeon with a clinical practice focused on peripheral nerve, spine, and functional disorders. When away from the hospital, you can find me grabbing a slice of pizza at the famous Pasquale’s Pizzeria or watching classic Bollywood movies.

Nicole De La Pena, M.D.

Hometown: Albuquerque, NM
Undergraduate: University of Arizona
Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
Interests: Neuro-oncology, skull base, and peripheral nerve surgery, with research interests in neuro-imaging and structural connectivity, as well as neuroanatomy and surgical approaches
About me:  I was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I attended the University of Arizona and earned my bachelor's degree in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science and Molecular and Cellular Biology. Then I attended medical school at Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine in Phoenix, Arizona. My career goal is to remain within academic neurosurgery, as I have a passion for neurosurgical education, teaching, and mentorship. A fun fact about me is that I have a strong art background (outside of my love of science). I love film and digital photography, have a history as a competitive dancer, and am trained in multiple wind and brass instruments. I'm excited to remain at Mayo Clinic for training because I'm inspired by the department's commitment to fostering excellence in surgery as well as in patient care. I love the focused mentorship that occurs between faculty and residents. Every time I rotated at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, the department felt like home. My favorite thing to do in Rochester is exploring Thursdays Downtown during the summer – it’s such a great way to find amazing food and vendors in Rochester!

Giorgos Michalopoulos, M.D.

Hometown: Athens, Greece
Graduate school: Mayo Clinic Graduate School - Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences
Medical school: University of Athens School of Health and Sciences
Interests:  Neuro-oncology, vascular and skull base neurosurgery, and data science
About me: I grew up in Athens, Greece, and was a professional basketball player since my high school days. I graduated from the medical school of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens in 2020. After a brief period of internal medicine residency in Greece, I joined the Neuro-Informatics lab at Mayo Clinic as a research fellow under the mentorship of Dr. Bydon. The research focus included spinal surgical outcomes, quality registries, data science, and neuro-oncology. As a research fellow, I obtained an MSc in Clinical and Translational Sciences, with my thesis being on stereotactic radiosurgery for brain metastases. Outside of neurosurgery, I enjoy playing basketball, reading classical literature, sailing, and skiing.

Seth Ransom, M.D.

Hometown: Searcy, AR
Undergraduate: Harding University
Medical school: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine
Interests: Spine, vascular, skull base, and tumor
About me: I was born and raised in Searcy, Arkansas, where I was inspired from a young age to become a doctor as I witnessed my father, a family practice physician, care for those within our community. I completed my undergraduate degree in molecular and cellular biology at Harding University and then attended medical school at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. I have held research appointments at Stanford University, UAMS, and Mayo Clinic's investigating regenerative capabilities of bone and neurobiology. I'm passionate about multiple aspects of neurosurgical research including neuroprotection and the inflammatory microenvironment in the setting of traumatic injury. I'm interested in many areas of operative neurosurgery such as the spine, vascular, skull-base, and tumor. It's my firm belief that the Mayo Clinic’s emphasis on patient-centered and individualized care will allow me to develop my operative, clinical, and research skills to the highest level possible. When I'm not working, I love to golf, play piano, cook, and snowboard. In the summers, I can be found on the back nine at Eastwood Golf Course and, in the winters, I enjoy taking day trips to Welch Village.

Graham Johnson, M.D., Ph.D.

Hometown: Minnetonka, MN
Undergraduate: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Medical school: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Graduate School: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Interests: Epilepsy surgery
About me: I was born and raised in Minnetonka, MN and completed undergraduate training in Electrical Engineering and Biochemistry at UW-Madison. I worked for Honeywell and Medtronic where I developed a passion for the electrical phenomena of the human body. I then conducted M.D. Ph.D. training at Vanderbilt University working under Dario Englot researching drug-resistant epilepsy with stereotactic-EEG and neuroimaging. I wish to pursue epilepsy surgery as a subspecialty and continue exploring interpretable brain-states amenable to adaptive closed-loop neuromodulation. Mayo Clinic provides an unparalleled environment to maximize my impact in these endeavors. I enjoy spending time with my wife and five kids, as well as all my family in Minnesota - I also love cooking, gardening, knitting, music, and building audio tube amplifiers.

Derrick Obiri-Yeboah, M.D., M.A.

Hometown: Ghana
Undergraduate: Hope College
Medical school: Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine
Graduate School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Interests: Skull base surgery, spine surgery, neuro-oncology, global neurosurgery
About me: I was born and raised in Ghana, where I lived with my family before moving to the US at age 18 to study at Hope College in Holland, MI. There, I majored in chemistry and worked closely with organic chemist Dr. Elizabeth Sanford and neuroscientist Dr. Peter Vollbrecht. After Hope, I moved to Ohio to attend medical school at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine during which I simultaneously earned a Master's in Bioethics and Medical Humanities from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. My medical school research projects were dedicated to understanding peritumoral edema in low-grade tumors, under the guidance of Drs. Varun Kshettry, Pablo Recinos, and Justin Lathia, and to exploring the biomechanics of Bertolotti Syndrome with Dr. Michael Steinmetz. Thanks to grants from the Rottman Family Fund, I also had the opportunity to investigate the ocular and neurological impacts of HIV on pediatric patients in Kumasi, Ghana, under the supervision of Dr. Martyn Dickens. Outside of work, I find joy in being outdoors, hiking, backpacking, engaging in sports. You will also often find me in the kitchen whipping up jollof rice. I chose Mayo Clinic for my residency due to its unique apprenticeship training model. This model provides the opportunity to learn directly from thought leaders in the field within a world-class team that places the highest priority on patient safety, while continually striving to enhance current standards through research.

Kedous Yared Mekbib, M.D., M.H.S.

Hometown: Ottawa, Canada
Undergraduate: University of Ottawa
Medical school: Yale School of Medicine
About me: I was born and raised in Ottawa, Canada, the eldest of four to immigrant parents from Ethiopia. My father who worked as a taxi driver and my mother as a senior caregiver taught me the value of hard work, perseverance, and grit. I would become the first in my family to graduate university and then the first to become a doctor. I went to the Yale School of Medicine where I earned my MD as well as a master’s degree conducting genomics research in the lab of Dr. Kristopher Kahle at Massachusetts General Hospital where I was very fortunate to co-first author publications in Nature Medicine and Nature Communications. I chose Mayo Clinic for residency because I believe this is the best place for me to develop into the best neurosurgeon I can be for my patients and hopefully one day make a real impact on the field. Outside of neurosurgery, I enjoy lifting weights, playing or watching soccer (Liverpool anyone??), studying history and traveling.

Julian Rechberger, M.D., Ph.D.

Hometown: Austria
Undergraduate: Karl Franzens University
Medical school: Paracelsus Medizinische Privatuniversitat
Graduate School: Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
About me: I was born in a small town in Austria and was raised with dreams of following in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s footsteps. While my love for sports propelled me to clinch numerous national championship titles and compete internationally in cycling, swimming, and triathlon, my fascination with the intricacies of the nervous system steered me towards science. After studying philosophy at Karl Franzens University in Graz, I attended medical school at Paracelsus Medical University (PMU) in Salzburg. Thanks to a longstanding collaboration between PMU and Mayo Clinic, I had the privilege of conducting my M.D. research under the mentorship of surgeon-scientist Dr. David Daniels in Rochester, MN. Following medical school, I continued my research endeavors in Dr. Daniels' lab, embarking on a traditional Ph.D. journey at Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. My research primarily focused on refining pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters of therapeutics administered through invasive drug delivery methods like convection-enhanced delivery. My scientific contributions led to multiple successful grant applications and publication in esteemed scientific journals. I am thrilled to remain at Mayo Clinic for my residency training, as I am confident that the unparalleled mentorship model, the operative volume and complexity, the progressive responsibility and autonomy, and the abundant research opportunities and resources will enable me to evolve into the best physician I can be. My ultimate goal is to not only make a difference in the lives of my patients but also to influence the future of neurosurgical practice. Outside of neurosurgery, I enjoy spending quality time with my girlfriend Elena, an aspiring plastic surgeon, who shares my passion for exploring the natural beauty of Rochester and its surroundings, as well as traveling to northern Minnesota, other U.S. states, and Europe.

Jeremiah Harrison, M.D.

Hometown: Galax, Virginia
Undergraduate: Radford University 
Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine

Interests: Complex spine, vascular, neuro-oncology, and neuro-trauma

About me: I was born in El Paso, Texas and moved around a lot as a child, even spending part of my childhood in Kuwait. My family finally settled in Galax, Virginia where I grew up on my grandfather's cattle farm. During high school, I had an accident that required emergent neurosurgical intervention, and I had my life saved by a neurosurgeon. Ever since then, it has been my life-long goal to become a compassionate and technically excellent neurosurgeon. I was fortunate to complete my medical school education at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, and realized very early on that this is a very special place in terms of compassion, team-work and excellent care of our patients. Outside of the hospital, I enjoy spending time with my wife Taylor and our young son. We enjoy exploring the amazing trail system in Rochester, especially the Douglas trail.

Divi Raj, M.D

Hometown: Livingston, New Jersey
Undergraduate: Emory University
Medical school: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Interests: Brain tumors, functional neurosurgery, liquid biopsy

About me: I was born in Mumbai, India, and raised in Livingston, New Jersey. I completed my undergraduate studies in neuroscience and economics at Emory University, during which I pursued research in functional neurosurgery for depression in Dr. Helen Mayberg’s Depression Biometrics Lab. I then attended the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where I developed a deep passion for neurosurgical research and patient care.

During medical school, I had the privilege of working under Dr. Chetan Bettegowda and Dr. Henry Brem as a research fellow, investigating liquid biopsy and novel therapeutics for brain tumors. For this work, I was honored to receive the Harvey Cushing Medical Student Research Award.

I chose Mayo Clinic for residency because of its culture of excellence — where both residents and consultants are deeply committed to providing exceptional care in the operating room and at the bedside. The environment also offers unparalleled opportunities to grow as a neurosurgeon-scientist. I plan to specialize in brain tumor and functional neurosurgery, with continued research into liquid biopsy and innovative treatments for neurosurgical diseases.

Outside the hospital, I enjoy playing the guitar and violin, spending time outdoors, reading about history, learning about different cars, following F1, and watching movies.

Lea Scherschinski, M.D., Ph.D.

Hometown: Berlin, Germany
Medical School: Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin

Graduate School: Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin & Barrow Neurological Institute

Interests: Cerebrovascular and skull base neurosurgery

About me: I was born and raised in Berlin, Germany, where I earned my medical degree from Charité – Universitätsmedizin. My path to neurosurgery was shaped by a close family friend’s battle with a malignant brain tumor — an experience that gave profound meaning to my calling in medicine and inspired my early research efforts into key signaling mechanisms in gliomas and the development of targeted therapeutics to improve patient outcomes. During medical school, I pursued a research fellowship at Harvard Medical School, where I leveraged stem cell engineering techniques to design targeted immunotherapies for neurodegenerative diseases. After graduation, I joined the Barrow Neurological Institute, where I earned a Ph.D. in cerebrovascular neuroscience. My graduate work focused on developing murine and human-derived organoid model systems to unravel the pathophysiology of cerebrovascular diseases, with the goal of advancing precision therapies for complex neurovascular conditions. I chose Mayo Clinic for residency because of its unparalleled commitment to clinical excellence, research innovation, and mentorship — an environment that empowers me to become a cerebrovascular and skull base neurosurgeon and scientist. Outside of neurosurgery, I find joy in figure skating, reading, and spending quality time with my family, whose love and strength continue to inspire the compassion I strive to bring to every patient encounter.

Damian Teasley M.D. M.S

Hometown: Vallejo, CA
Undergraduate: Brigham Young University

Medical School: Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons

Interests: Neuro-oncology and skull base

About me: I was raised in the suburbs of the San Francisco Bay Area. Before completing my undergraduate studies, I spent two years in Brazil as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. As a first-generation college student, I attended Brigham Young University, where I majored in Biology and taught undergraduate anatomy and dissection. I attended medical school at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, where I had the privilege of conducting research as a Dean’s Research Fellow under the mentorship of Dr. Jeffrey Bruce and Dr. Peter Canoll. My work primarily focused on the effects of locally delivered chemotherapy and immunomodulatory agents on the myeloid populations of the central nervous system. I wish to pursue a career in neuro-oncology and continue to study the effects of the tumor microenvironment on glioma progression, treatment resistance, and recurrence. I chose Mayo Clinic because of the incredible opportunities to push the boundaries of translational work in neuro-oncology, the world-class faculty, and the early operative autonomy offered through the mentorship model. Outside of medicine, I cherish my time with my wife and three children, exploring the outdoors, trying new cuisines, and playing sports.