Penn State Health Neurosurgery is committed to advancing neurosurgery treatments through research. Each member of our faculty actively participates in research, and many of our faculty members are recognized leaders in their fields.
Learn More About Neurosurgery
Our departmental philosophy for research is that discovery is as important as patient care. For this reason, we place a strong emphasis on the importance of developing the next new treatment for tumors of the nervous system, repairing nerve damage and surgical approaches.
Our faculty members in neurosurgery have a broad range of research interests. They have successfully worked together and with others in the medical community to answer many questions that face neuroscience.
We are involved in clinical and basic science research, including clinical trials, clinically-based research, preclinical and translational research.
The research group has expertise in:
- Development of new drugs to treat brain and peripheral nerve tumors
- Increasing effectiveness of delivering drugs to brain tumors through state-of-the-art nanotechnology
- Improved methods for imaging brain tumors
- A Center for Neural Engineering that leads efforts in the development of brain-computer interfacing
- New approaches for neurosurgical treatment of brain aneurysms
- Using 3D models to understand tumor growth
- Using a neurosurgical approach to deliver nutrients to the spinal cord in models of Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS)
- New models for limiting inflammation and immune function in stroke
- Using nanotechnology to improve regrowth of nerves following damage
Our department has become a national leader in studies on quality of life for both patients and their caregivers.
James R. Connor, PhD, is Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Neurosurgery.
A variety of continuing education programs take place in neurosurgery. When available, registration information is listed here.
Contact Us
To speak to someone about neurosurgery research, please call 717-531-4541.