Dr. Feldman Named to Department of Neurosurgery

A letter from Aditya S. Pandey, MD, FAANS, Julian T. Hoff Professor and Chair, Department of Neurosurgery:

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce the joint appointment of Dr. Eva L. Feldman, MD, PhD as professor in the Department of Neurosurgery. Dr. Feldman’s career has been extraordinarily prolific and her accomplishments unparalleled. Dr. Feldman is currently James W. Albers Distinguished University Professor and the Russell N. DeJong Professor of Neurology, with tenure in the Department of Neurology. She is the Director of the NeuroNetwork for Emerging Therapies, and Director of ALS Center of Excellence at Michigan Medicine. She is annually listed in Best Doctors in America, has served as a Past President of the American Neurological Association and the Peripheral Nerve Society. She currently serves as a member of the National Academy of Medicine and American Academy of Physicians, and a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Clinically, she has raised the Pranger ALS Clinic to a place of national prominence, and she has made seminal contributions in peripheral neuropathy such as the widely used Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument. Her scientific contributions also continue to advance our understanding of mechanisms underlying neuropathy and neurodegenerative diseases like ALS and Alzheimer’s disease. Supported continuously by NIH funding for more than 3 decades, she has shepherded many research initiatives into early clinical trials, including a Phase I/II trial of intraspinal stem cell therapy in ALS which was performed in close collaboration with the Department of Neurosurgery. 

Perhaps most admirable and compelling, though, are Dr. Feldman’s contributions to mentorship and career development for her trainees, particularly in Neurosurgery. She served as primary mentor for Dr. Nicholas Boulis during his residency at University of Michigan, launching his current career now as Professor of Neurosurgery at Emroy University, and as a pioneer in cellular/gene therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. For many years, Dr. Feldman served as principal investigator of the University of Michigan’s T32 Clinical and Basic Neuroscience Training Program (NINDS T32NS07222), which has supported 8 Neurosurgical trainees during each individual’s dedicated 2-year research rotation. Dr. Feldman is also primary mentor for Dr. Kevin Chen, Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, serving as his mentor in his successful application as the first awardee of the University of Michigan Clinical Neuroscientist Training Program (PI: Roger Albin, NINDS R25NS089450) and currently serving as his primary mentor for a NIH Mentored Clinician Scientist Training Grant application (NIA K08AG084902). Her track record of guiding and uplifting members of the Neurosurgery department is impressive and well appreciated.

Dr. Feldman’s joint appointment in the Department of Neurosurgery will support her collaboration with neurosurgery faculty members and trainees in neurological translational science, clinical care, and pioneering clinical trials. She will be fully able to participate in Neurosurgical departmental lectures, seminars, mentorship, and other activities. We also aim to continue our collaborative clinical care, as treatment for diseases such as peripheral nerve disorders, ALS, and Alzheimer’s disease begin to cross the boundary between Neurology and Neurosurgery. Dr. Feldman’s contributions to Neurosurgery will be critical in paving the way for novel therapeutics. We anticipate Dr. Feldman’s joint appointment to be a continuation of our well-established collaborative and fruitful relationship.

Aditya S. Pandey, MD, FAANS
Julian T. Hoff Professor and Chair, Department of Neurosurgery
Surgical Director of the Comprehensive Stroke Center