We are thrilled to welcome you to the Neurosurgery Student Interest Group (NSIG) at the University of Arizona College of Medicine Tucson. Founded in Fall 2024 by MD-PhD student, Manlin Shao, and neurosurgery resident, Dr. Dara Farhadi (PGY3), NSIG has been a go-to resource to learn about neurosurgery and to connect with like-minded students.
Why NSIG Was Formed
With growing interest in neurosurgery among medical students but limited opportunities to engage with the specialty early in training—and with formal rotations only available in fourth year—we recognized the need for a dedicated space to connect students with the field. Inspired by the success of a similar group at the Phoenix campus, which Dr. Dara Farhadi (PGY3) participated in as a medical student, we launched NSIG at UACOM–Tucson. With Dr. Farhadi’s commitment to mentoring and the strong support of our faculty advisor and department chair, Dr. Pilitsis, NSIG now serves as a bridge between students and the Department of Neurosurgery.
MISSION
NSIG’s mission is to provide educational resources, hands-on experiences and more that inspire and prepare future neurosurgeons.
Past Events
With close collaboration with faculty, residents and staff the University of Arizona Department of Neurosurgery, NSIG has hosted a range of events. Since its founding, NSIG held the following:
- Faculty feature event with Drs. Julie G. Pilitsis and Richard V. Chua
- Challenges of Brain Tumors with Dr. Kristin Huntoon
- Post-match panel 2025 with Drs. Katie Riordan and Izzie Bauer
- How to Ace Your Sub-I’s with Dr. Katie Riordan
- Surgical Scrub Training with Drs. Ryan Palsma and Dara Farhadi
- Research methodology and how to navigate EHR workshop
- EVD Placement workshop and more!
NSIG also launched its hallmark research group, Project Palo Verde, in collaboration with Dr. Dara Farhadi and multiple faculty in the Department of Neurosurgery. Project Palo Verde aims to boost medical student neurosurgery research to prepare interested students for residency and foster a deeply collaborative environment. It also connects medical students to faculty members and allows for early exposure to the field. Currently, there are numerous research projects going on with medical students being the lead author, including systematic review, metaanalyses, retrospective chart reviews, case studies, educational projects, and more.
In the future, we aim to create events that explore the world of neurosurgery and deepen the collaborative culture of teaching and mentorship with the Department of Neurosurgery. We additionally hope to intentionally foster interest in medical students and undergraduates to envision their role in the dynamic and rapidly expanding field of neurosurgery. We also hope to create programs that outreach to high school students from the local Tucson community to demonstrate the beauty of the brain and how people’s lives are improved with neurosurgery daily.
How to Get Involved:
Our events are shared to all years of medical students listserv. Future students, please follow our social media page for announcements about upcoming events and panels. Please also email us at nsigcomt@gmail.com for any questions or reach out to any NSIG leaders for more information.
Upcoming Events:
- 8/12/2025 NSIG Kickoff Event from 5 PM to 6 PM
- Location: COM-T 3117 | Zoom Link Available
- 9/2/2025: Mt. Everest Base Camp with Dr. Richard V. Chua
9/9/2025: Learn about Neuromodulation with Dr. Ugur Kilic
Follow NSIG’s journey and latest developments on Instagram at nsig.uacomt
Leadership 2025-2026
Manlin Shao, NSIG President | MD-PhD Candidate
Email: manlins@arizona.edu
Born and raised in China, I came to the U.S. for college at UC Irvine, where I developed a passion for neuroscience through research in developmental neuroscience, epilepsy, and later neurofibromatosis type II at MGH. Now in the MD/PhD program with an interest in surgical specialties, I discovered my love for neurosurgery through its unique integration of research and clinical care. Leading NSIG has deepened my appreciation for the field, and my current PhD work in head and neck cancer aligns with my future interests in neuro-oncology and functional neurosurgery. I enjoy cooking/baking, badminton, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in my free time.
Sameena Rahman, Social Media Chair | Class of 2028
Email: srahman94@arizona.edu
Hearing stories of the OR and surgeries from my dad while growing up in Saudi Arabia sparked an early interest in surgery. After moving to the U.S. for higher education – first, community college, then UCLA – this early interest was solidified through shadowing experiences, drawing me to its precision and its ability to tackle the most challenging problems. During my first year of medical school, I was inspired by the complexity of the nervous system and the dynamic nature of neurosurger, a field that pushes the boundaries of innovation and imagination while profoundly changing patients’ lives. Before medical school, I completed both an MS and an MPH, focusing on healthcare disparities. This background shapes my vision of neurosurgery not only as a technical and clinical pursuit, but also as a platform for advocacy and research to improve equitable access to life-changing care. My interests outside of medicine include reading, journalism and spending time with my family and friends.