| Mentorship is a cornerstone of progress in neurosurgery and a driving force behind ASBN’s mission. This January, we’re spotlighting The Brain Trust — our mentorship program designed to support students, trainees, and early-career professionals through meaningful connection, shared experience, and guidance from those who’ve walked the path before them.
Strong mentorship builds confidence, expands opportunity, and ensures the next generation has the support they need to thrive. The Brain Trust creates space for honest conversations, career navigation, skill-building, and long-term professional growth. |
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Upcoming events:
Brain Trust Virtual Mentorship Hours with Dr. Owoicho Adogwa | February 9, 2026 | 6PM-8PM EST
Registration closes February 4th
Make mentorship your first move of the new year. Secure a 30-minute Brain Trust session with Dr.Owoicho Adogwa to ask questions, receive honest insight, and get support as you navigate your neurosurgery journey.
The Brain Trust is a monthly opportunity for students and residents to connect one-on-one with a neurosurgeon.
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Global Neurosurgery Highlight: Winny Costa Mapuor, MD Dr. Winny Costa Mapuor is one of the few certified neurosurgeons certified in South Sudan. Dr. Mapuor received her Bachelor's of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) from the University of Khartoum in Sudan and then completed her medical internship there. Following her graduation, she worked in general practice before joining a neurosurgery residency program at Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia. Dr. Mapuor finished this program in November 2024 to become the first South Sudanese Neurosurgeon. She then joined the University of Juba School of Medicine as an assistant professor of neurosurgery.
Dr. Mapuor was selected as a Clack Family Fellow in 2023 by Foundation for International Education in Neurological Surgery (FIENS), supporting her continued neurosurgical development. Currently, she is completing a spine research fellowship at Barrow Neurological Institute as a Mission:BRAIN fellow and is serving as a International Sonntag Spine Center Research Fellow for the 2025–2026 academic year, further advancing her expertise in complex cranial and spine surgery. |
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ASBN Partners with Stryker to Expand Early Exposure to Neurosurgery |
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| Hands-On Learning. Real Mentorship. Lasting Impact.
Through its ongoing partnership with Stryker, ASBN brought the Stryker Mobile Lab to Charles R. Drew University College of Medicine in Los Angeles—intentionally hosting the experience at an HBCU to expand early, equitable access to neurosurgery exposure. More than 30 medical and pre-med students participated in an immersive introduction to the field designed to strengthen pathways into neurosurgery.
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The Stryker Mobile Lab—an 18-wheel, state-of-the-art surgical training lab—has anchored the Stryker HBCU Initiative, a four-year partnership between ASBN and Stryker that has brought hands-on neurosurgery experiences to institutions across the country, including Howard University, Meharry Medical College, Morehouse School of Medicine, and now Charles R. Drew University.
The day included lectures, open Q&A with neurosurgeons and residents, and hands-on exposure to neurosurgical procedures inside the mobile lab—offering students a rare opportunity to see, touch, and experience the field firsthand. |
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Executive Board members and past presidents Dr. Sonia Eden and Dr. Nnenna Mbabuike, along with current ASBN President Dr. Ernest Barthélemy, delivered presentations during the program. They were joined by Dr. Langston Holly, attending neurosurgeon, and Dr. Andre Boyke, Cedars-Sinai neurosurgery resident, who also led presentations and engaged students throughout the experience. Past CNS 2025 Ambassadors Miyah Davis, De’Larrian Knight, and Akeive Burrows, along with AANS 2025 Student Ambassador Brittany Morris, supported student engagement and mentorship throughout the day. |
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Students repeatedly shared how impactful it was to see Black and Brown neurosurgeons, residents, and mentors leading in the space. Second-year medical student and CNS 2025 Ambassador Miyah Davis noted that hands-on exposure deepened her interest in neurosurgery. Many students cited mentorship, representation, and community as key takeaways—expressing gratitude for being surrounded by people who understood their journeys and were invested in their success. |
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Reflecting on the impact of the initiative, Dr. Nnenna Mbabuike shared:
“We’re excited to partner with Stryker to bring neurosurgery exposure to students who may not otherwise receive it through their home programs. Being at Charles Drew for this HBCU series matters. When students see what neurosurgery looks like—and see people who look like them in the field—it helps them imagine themselves there.”
At its core, the Stryker HBCU Initiative reinforces what ASBN stands for: mentorship, representation, and community. By creating spaces where students feel supported, seen, and inspired, ASBN continues to ensure the next generation of Black and Brown neurosurgeons knows they are not alone—and that this field has room for them.
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