Research
Clinical and Basic Science Research at Loyola Neurosurgery
Our faculty is comprised of nationally and internationally distinguished neurosurgeons who are committed to the research mission of an academic practice. Faculty along with research collaborators study the pathological processes and develop treatments for neurological disease.
The Center for Translational Research and Education(CTRE) at the Medical School Campus and at the adjacent Edward Hines Jr. Veterans Administration Hospital Campus are the primary sites for basic science research in the Department of Neurosurgery. Additionally, the Center for Health Outcomes Research(CHOIR) which is part of Loyola University provides resources for clinical outcomes investigations, including a large data repository and statistical support. Loyola’s main campus provides additional collaborators from basic science. Additional collaboration has come from Chicago’s Lurie Children’s Hospital and Illinois Institute of Technology
Neurosurgery residents spend one year dedicated to research in their PGY5 year, as well as having longitudinal projects defined from the time of program entry. Graduate students and medical students are also active in these projects
Paul Arnold, MD
Dr. Arnold's research interests involve the basic science and surgical management of spinal cord injury, as well as degenerative cervical and lumbar spine disease. He has NIH-funded projects for the development of a novel interbody cage designed to enhance lumbar fusion. He also participates in several funded, multicenter, clinical trials that elucidate new treatments for cervical myelopathy, as well as metastatic spinal disease.
Dr. Daryn Cass
Dr. Cass' past preclinical research focused on the neurophysiology of adolescent brain development, psychiatric disorders and Parkinson's disease. Current clinical research focuses are on traumatic brain injury, pathophysiology of spinal disorders and outcomes after spine surgery.
Anand Germanwala MD
Dr. Germanwala’s investigative interests involve clinical and basic science research in the field of skull base surgery. Skull base reconstruction following endoscopic endonasal approaches, entry into the brain, sinuses, orbit, upper cervical spine, and infratemporal fossa via these corridors, complications and limitations through this approach, and outcomes are areas of clinical interest. Basic science interests include genetics of skull base tumors and vascular malformations, including meningiomas, hemangioblastomas, cavernous hemangiomas, and schwannomas, and identifying DNA and protein mutations to help assess pathophysiology and identify potential therapeutic targets. Additionally, biomechanics of skull base surgery, including risks of thermal injury to neurovascular structures and changes in muscular tension following surgery, is an area of interest.
Min Park, MD
Dr. Park's investigative interests involve the subspecialty of cerebrovascular and endovascular neurosurgery. He has published extensively on both hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke including innovative treatments for cerebral aneurysms and mechanical thrombectomy for large vessel occlusions. He has participated in numerous large, multi-center clinical investigations and device trials.
Vikram Prabhu, MD
Dr. Prabhu’s research is focused on the genetics of meningiomas. He collaborates with the basic science faculty and neuropathology departments in their studies on the molecular biology and growth kinetics of meningiomas. He is also working on fluorescent technologies to aid in the resection of brain tumors and is interested in cortical mapping integrated in the operating room to minimize the risk of neurological deficits. In addition, he is interested in the use of optical coherence tomography as a means to assess intracranial pressure effects on the retina and optic nerve.
Joseph Serrone, MD
Dr. Serrone’s basic science interest is in the field of vascular pathology, developing predictors for aneurysm growth during surveillance for those aneurysms deemed to have a natural history more benign than any treatment option at initial assessment. In the area of outcomes analysis he is examining rates of complications and cost analysis between different cranioplasty implants.
Brandon Zsigray, MD
Dr. Zsigray’s investigative interests center on clinical and outcomes-based research in the treatment of brain tumors and complex skull base pathology. His work focuses on the surgical management of lateral skull base disorders, including acoustic neuromas and trigeminal neuralgia. He has published on a broad range of neurosurgical topics—from skull base tumor genetics and postoperative outcomes to vascular disorders and arteriovenous malformations—and he aims to advance evidence-based strategies that optimize surgical techniques, improve patient outcomes, and refine multidisciplinary care for patients with challenging intracranial and skull base diseases.
Clinical and Basic Science Research at Loyola Neurosurgery
Our faculty is comprised of nationally and internationally distinguished neurosurgeons who are committed to the research mission of an academic practice. Faculty along with research collaborators study the pathological processes and develop treatments for neurological disease.
The Center for Translational Research and Education(CTRE) at the Medical School Campus and at the adjacent Edward Hines Jr. Veterans Administration Hospital Campus are the primary sites for basic science research in the Department of Neurosurgery. Additionally, the Center for Health Outcomes Research(CHOIR) which is part of Loyola University provides resources for clinical outcomes investigations, including a large data repository and statistical support. Loyola’s main campus provides additional collaborators from basic science. Additional collaboration has come from Chicago’s Lurie Children’s Hospital and Illinois Institute of Technology
Neurosurgery residents spend one year dedicated to research in their PGY5 year, as well as having longitudinal projects defined from the time of program entry. Graduate students and medical students are also active in these projects
Paul Arnold, MD
Dr. Arnold's research interests involve the basic science and surgical management of spinal cord injury, as well as degenerative cervical and lumbar spine disease. He has NIH-funded projects for the development of a novel interbody cage designed to enhance lumbar fusion. He also participates in several funded, multicenter, clinical trials that elucidate new treatments for cervical myelopathy, as well as metastatic spinal disease.
Dr. Daryn Cass
Dr. Cass' past preclinical research focused on the neurophysiology of adolescent brain development, psychiatric disorders and Parkinson's disease. Current clinical research focuses are on traumatic brain injury, pathophysiology of spinal disorders and outcomes after spine surgery.
Anand Germanwala MD
Dr. Germanwala’s investigative interests involve clinical and basic science research in the field of skull base surgery. Skull base reconstruction following endoscopic endonasal approaches, entry into the brain, sinuses, orbit, upper cervical spine, and infratemporal fossa via these corridors, complications and limitations through this approach, and outcomes are areas of clinical interest. Basic science interests include genetics of skull base tumors and vascular malformations, including meningiomas, hemangioblastomas, cavernous hemangiomas, and schwannomas, and identifying DNA and protein mutations to help assess pathophysiology and identify potential therapeutic targets. Additionally, biomechanics of skull base surgery, including risks of thermal injury to neurovascular structures and changes in muscular tension following surgery, is an area of interest.
Min Park, MD
Dr. Park's investigative interests involve the subspecialty of cerebrovascular and endovascular neurosurgery. He has published extensively on both hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke including innovative treatments for cerebral aneurysms and mechanical thrombectomy for large vessel occlusions. He has participated in numerous large, multi-center clinical investigations and device trials.
Vikram Prabhu, MD
Dr. Prabhu’s research is focused on the genetics of meningiomas. He collaborates with the basic science faculty and neuropathology departments in their studies on the molecular biology and growth kinetics of meningiomas. He is also working on fluorescent technologies to aid in the resection of brain tumors and is interested in cortical mapping integrated in the operating room to minimize the risk of neurological deficits. In addition, he is interested in the use of optical coherence tomography as a means to assess intracranial pressure effects on the retina and optic nerve.
Joseph Serrone, MD
Dr. Serrone’s basic science interest is in the field of vascular pathology, developing predictors for aneurysm growth during surveillance for those aneurysms deemed to have a natural history more benign than any treatment option at initial assessment. In the area of outcomes analysis he is examining rates of complications and cost analysis between different cranioplasty implants.
Brandon Zsigray, MD
Dr. Zsigray’s investigative interests center on clinical and outcomes-based research in the treatment of brain tumors and complex skull base pathology. His work focuses on the surgical management of lateral skull base disorders, including acoustic neuromas and trigeminal neuralgia. He has published on a broad range of neurosurgical topics—from skull base tumor genetics and postoperative outcomes to vascular disorders and arteriovenous malformations—and he aims to advance evidence-based strategies that optimize surgical techniques, improve patient outcomes, and refine multidisciplinary care for patients with challenging intracranial and skull base diseases.