The International Neuromodulation Society Board of Directors
Executive OfficersINS President Konstantin Slavin, MD
Dr. Slavin graduated from medical school in Baku, Azerbaijan in the Soviet Union and completed his neurosurgery residency in Moscow. He then completed his second neurosurgery residency at UIC and a fellowship in functional and stereotactic neurosurgery at Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland, OR. Dr. Slavin is current President of the International Neuromodulation Society (INS) and past Secretary of the North American Neuromodulation Society (NANS). He is also the President of the World Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery (WSSFN) and the Past President of the American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery (ASSFN). For many years, he was an Executive Committee member of the Joint Section on Pain of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons. Dr. Slavin is published in many books and peer-reviewed journals and is an associate editor or editorial board member for a number of publications, including Neuromodulation, Neurosurgery, Brain Sciences, Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, Acta Neurochirurgica and others; he is the current editor-in-chief of Progress in Neurological Surgery. His first book on Peripheral Nerve Stimulation was published in 2011; another book, co-edited with Sam Eljamel on Neurostimulation: Practice and Principles, came out in 2013; the third one, Stimulation of Peripheral Nervous System: The Neuromodulation Frontier was released in 2015. The most recent book on Neuromodulation for Facial Pain came out in 2021.
INS Immediate Past-President Marc Russo, MBBS DA (UK) FANZCA FFPMANZCA
A/Prof Marc Russo was born in Sydney, Australia and commenced medical studies at Sydney University graduating in 1989. He undertook training in anaesthesia, intensive care and pain medicine with postgraduate qualifications as a Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists and Fellow of the Faculty of Pain Medicine. He enjoys music, skiing and wine but ideally not all at the same time.
INS President-Elect Jan Vesper, MD, PhD
Department of Functional Neurosurgery and Stereotaxy University Hospital Duesseldorf Germany
INS Secretary Lawrence Poree, MD, PhD
Dr. Poree holds the position of Clinical Professor in the Department of Anesthesia at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) where he serves as the director of the Neuromodulation service. He started his neuromodulation career as a basic science researcher at UC Berkeley where he investigated the analgesic properties of CNS hormones. He continued his research at Johns Hopkins University in the department of Biomedical Engineering where he investigated the neural pathways involved in spinal cord stimulation. He decided to apply his research to medical practice and enrolled at Stanford University where he earned his medical degree and completed his residency in anesthesia while continuing to conduct research on new non-opioid based pain medications. He then completed an interventional pain fellowship at UCSF. He founded and served as medical director of a private practice comprehensive pain management clinic for the next 15 years. During this time, he was able to consult with neuromodulation companies and completed a pivotal multi-center trial for DRG stimulation. He returned to academia 2 years ago to help advance the use of neuromodulation technologies at the University of California San Francisco Pain Management Center. He continues his academic research on the investigation of novel spinal cord stimulation systems. For the past 8 years he has served on the North American Neuromodulation Society board of directors where his focus is on education and credentialing. He has co-authored several publications in the neuromodulation field including spinal cord stimulation and intrathecal therapy training guidelines.
INS Treasurer Philippe Rigoard, MD, PhD
Prof. Philippe Rigoard is senior surgeon and coordinator of the Spine & Neuromodulation Unit within the Neurosurgical Department at the Poitiers University Hospital in France. He is also an Honorary Consultant in the pain clinic of Guy's and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust hospital in London, UK; an Anatomy Conference reader at the Human Morphology Institute, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Poitiers; a researcher at Inserm CIC (Clinical Investigation Center) 802; and the research program director of the N3Lab (Neuromodulation & Neural Networks Lab) in Poitiers. He has expended a lot of effort to rebuild the INS French chapter (Société Française de NeuroModulation, SFNM), which is now represented again in the global community.
Editor-in-Chief, Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface Robert M. Levy, MD, PhD
Dr. Robert Levy earned his medical degree at Stanford University, where he also received his Ph.D. in neurosciences and completed a postdoctoral fellowship. He performed a second postdoctoral research fellowship and his residency in neurological surgery at the University of California, San Francisco, where his mentors included Dr. Howard Fields, Dr. Charles Wilson, and Dr. Yoshio Hosobuchi. He then moved to Northwestern University where he rose to the level of Tenured Professor of Neurological Surgery, Physiology, and Radiation Oncology at the Feinberg School of Medicine. During this period, he served as Acting Chairman of the Department of Neurological Surgery.
Staff Executive Director & Supervising Journal Manager Tia Sofatzis
Tia Sofatzis graduated from the University of California at Berkeley, with a B.A. in American and English Literature. Tia had served as Managing Editor of Neuromodulation since its inception in 1998, as Supervising Journal Manager since 2023, and as INS Executive Director since 2001. She is perpetually inspired by the people who are working wonders in the neuromodulation field to help those in need.
Managing Editor Mary Bockman Price
Mary Bockman Price graduated from The Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in business management, and a Master of Arts degree in counseling psychology from Argosy University. Mary has served as the Editorial Assistant of Neuromodulation since 2009 and Managing Editor since 2023. Mary currently resides in Huntsville, Alabama. She greatly enjoys working for the Society and the journal during this time of growth.
Regional Chapter PresidentsArgentina I Australia & New Zealand l Benelux Countries l Brazil l Canada l China l Colombia l France l Germany l India l Indonesia l Israel l Italy l Japan l Kazakhstan l Korea l Mexico l Nordic l North America l Poland l Portugal l Russia l Singapore l SE Europe l Spain l Switzerland l Türkiye l UK & Ireland Argentina: Enrique Brichetti, MD
Australia & New Zealand: Nathan Taylor, BSc(Med) MBBS FANZCA FFPMANZCA
Dr Nathan Taylor is a Pain Medicine Specialist at Northern Pain Centre and Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney. He developed his skills and interest in Neuromodulation through training under the guidance of Professor Michael Cousins and now invests time in teaching and research in this exciting area of Pain Medicine. Dr Taylor is committed to providing comprehensive, individually tailored treatments for a range of pain conditions. He is highly experienced in interventional procedures and is an integral part of the multidisciplinary team at Northern Pain Centre which offers a three week, intensive pain management program as part of their evidence-based approach to patient care.
Benelux Countries: Lisa Goudman, PhD
Brazil: Tatiana von Hertwig Fernandes de Oliveira Kumer, MD, MSc, PhD
Canada: Anuj Bhatia, MBBS MD PhD FRCA FFPMRCA FIPP FRCPC (Anesthesia & Pain Medicine) EDRA CIPS ASRA-PMUC
China: Jian-guo Zhang, MD
Present Director of Department of Stereotatic and Functional Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital & Beijing Neurosurgery Institute, Capital Medical University. Chairman of Functional Neurosurgery Committee, Neurosurgery Branch of CMA, director of Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuroelectrical Stimulation Research and Therapy, vice Director of National Key Engineering Laboratory of Neuromodulation, deputy director of Beijing Key Laboratory of epilepsy clinical medicine, honorary director of Functional Neurosurgery Expert Committee. He won the first and second prize of the Beijing Municipal Scientific and Technological Progress Award, the third prize of the Zhonghua Medical Progress Award (2011), and the first prize of MOE technological Award (2015). Dr. Zhang achieved the Title of Scientist for Outstanding Contribution, awarded by Beijing Municipal Government and Deng Feng Personnel Training Plan.
Colombia: Hans Carmona Villada, MD
Germany: Priv.-Doz. Dr. med. Dirk Rasche
For more than 20 years, clinical research focuses on the multiple aspects of invasive treatment options for various chronic diseases, e.g. chronic neuropathic pain syndromes or movement disorders etc. Since 1994, one research focus is neuroimaging and invasive treatment options of patients with trigeminal neuralgia and chronic facial pain syndromes, ranging from distinct clinical examinations, high-resolution MRI-scanning to microvascular decompression and central neuromodulation techniques. In 2005 Dr. Rasche introduced DBS in Lübeck. The indication spectrum for DBS ranges from movement disorders to chronic pain syndromes and psychiatric diseases. In 2014 he was Co-Editor of the "Textbook of Neuromodulation". Since 2018, he is elected president of the German chapter of the International Neuromodulation Society. In the last 25 years Prof. Rasche has been involved in numerous clinical studies and trials. Plenty of presentations as invited speaker with the whole spectrum of neuromodulation techniques and also intrathecal drug delivery for chronic pain or spasticity at national or international congresses and meetings or as teacher in interdisciplinary workshops, cadaver-courses etc. were performed. In 2023 he was Congress-president of the 31st Joint Meeting of the European chapters of the International Neuromodulation Society at the Congress center in Hamburg, Germany.
India: Preeti Doshi, M.D. (Anaesthesia) FRCA, FIPP, Consultant and In-Charge of Pain Clinic at Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre, Mumbai
Director Pain Medicine - Jaslok Hospital &Research Centre (JHRC), Mumbai
Indonesia: Alif Noeriyanto Rahman, MD, SpOT, FIPP, CIPS
He is an orthopedic surgeon who graduated from University of Brawijaya. The first orthopedic surgeon certified with FIPP (2018) and CIPS (2019). He is currently an active WIP examiner (World Institute of Pain) as well. His excellent leadership skills brought him to be the chairman of Depok Orthopedic and Pain Intervention Center (DOPIC); educational program director of PRECURSOR (The First ComprehensiveCourse in Musculoskeletal in Pain Intervention and Regeneration that covers multiple specialties) alongside Padjadjaran University; founder and owner of Jakarta Pain School (JPS); and general secretary of PERDINI (Indonesia Pain Intervention Society). His interest to develop neuromodulation in Indonesia made him be the first president of INA-NS (International Neuromodulation Society Indonesian Chapter).
Dr. Gur Is an interventional pain management specialist who received her medical degree from Tel Aviv University. She completed her residency in neurosurgery in Rabin medical center and later was also board certified in pain medicine as the first generation of pain management specialists in Israel. Currently Dr. Gur is the head of the Israeli center of neurosurgical management of pain. She is a well known clinician and also engaged in a research of innovations in neuromodulation, and she has a strong background in social activism including being the head of examination and education of the Israel Association for pain. Dr. Gur is the founder and the present chair of Israel neuromodulation society, board member and secretary Israel association of pain, Board Member and former treasurer of state physicians association of Isarel – state committee, and board member of Israel medical association, and within that, a member of a committee for acknowledgment of departments for residency in Israel. Dr. Gur is also a senior ATLS instructor, holds a degree of LLB from Uno Academic college and is the head of discipline court committees in health ministry of Israel, and is also Board Member and the present secretary and former treasurer of Israeli Women Medical Doctors Associations.
Italy: Massimo Innamorato, MD Associate Professor of Anesthesia, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine Dr. Massimo Innamorato is Director of the Pain Therapy Unit at AUSL Romagna (Ravenna, Italy) and Associate Professor of Anesthesia, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine. He leads a multidisciplinary program dedicated to the management of acute and chronic pain, integrating advanced clinical care with academic and research activities. His clinical expertise focuses on interventional pain medicine, with particular emphasis on spine procedures and neuromodulation. He has extensive experience in the treatment of neuropathic pain conditions, including trigeminal neuralgia, post-herpetic neuralgia, and cervico-brachial syndromes, as well as cancer-related pain. He has performed a high volume of minimally invasive procedures, including peripheral nerve stimulation, contributing to the development of innovative and evidence-based approaches in pain management. Dr. Innamorato is actively involved in clinical research, particularly in the field of neuromodulation and interventional techniques, with structured outcome evaluation at short- and mid-term follow-up. He is author and co-author of scientific publications and book chapters in pain medicine. He is strongly committed to education and professional development. He serves as President of the PAIN RER Congress, an educational and scientific meeting dedicated to healthcare professionals, and is actively involved in national and international teaching programs in pain medicine. Dr. Innamorato is a member of leading scientific societies and contributes to the advancement of pain medicine through clinical practice, research, and education.
Japan: Nobuhiro Mikuni MD, PhD
Kazakhstan: Chingiz Shashkin, MD
Korea: Ho-Sik Moon, MD, PhD
Nordic: Pedram Tabatabaei, MD, PhD Pedram Tabatabaei, MD, PhD, is a Senior Consultant in Neurosurgery (since 2010). He obtained his medical degree at Umeå University (2003) and completed his PhD (2020). He has served as Head of the Neuromodulation Unit at the University Hospital of Northern Sweden (since 2015).Before focusing on neuromodulation (since 2012), Dr. Tabatabaei worked in general neurosurgery with a particular emphasis on tumor and spinal surgery. Within neuromodulation, he practices a broad range of modalities, with a special clinical and research interest in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation. He has also been a Board Member of the Swedish Neurosurgical Society (since 2014).
North America: Ahmed Raslan, MD, FAANS
Poland: Witold Libionka, MD, PhD
Portugal: Clara C. Chamadoira Villaverde, MD
Dr. Clara Chamadoira is a neurosurgeon specialising in Functional and Stereotactic Neurosurgery, with a particular focus on movement disorders, epilepsy, pain and neuromodulation. She is Head of the Functional Neurosurgery Unit at Hospital Universitário de São João in Porto, Portugal, and is also part of the MRgFUS/HIFU Unit in Porto. Her clinical and academic work focuses on deep brain stimulation, epilepsy surgery, chronic pain, and magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound for movement disorders. She holds a Master’s degree in Functional Neurosurgery, has completed postgraduate training in Neuromodulation, and is an Invited Lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto.
Dr Chamadoira has authored book chapters and scientific articles mainly focused on Functional Neurosurgery and Neuromodulation, and has organised and served as faculty in numerous neuromodulation training courses. She currently serves as President of the Portuguese Chapter of the International Neuromodulation Society.
Southeast Europe: Damianos Sakas, MD, PhD
Spain: José Manuel Trinidad Martín-Arroyo
Switzerland: PD Dr med Eva Koetsier, PhD, LLM
Eva Koetsier, MD PhD LL.M, was born in the Netherlands and completed her medical studies at the University of Amsterdam, graduating in 2005. She specialized in anesthesiology and interventional pain medicine, earning her PhD from Maastricht University with a focus on neuromodulation. Her legal background, strengthened by a Master of Laws degree, gives her a distinctive perspective on the ethical and legal dimensions of pain management. In 2025, she established the TI-DOLORE Clinic in Southern Switzerland, a multidisciplinary center renowned for its innovative and patient-centered approach to interventional pain management. Dr. Koetsier also collaborates with Clinica Ars Medica within the Swiss Medical Network, where she performs neurostimulation implant procedures and leads clinical research initiatives. As an Associate Professor (PD) at the Faculty of Medicine of the Università della Svizzera italiana in Lugano, she actively mentors students and clinicians while bridging clinical practice with academic research. Her research interests include neuromodulation, spinal interventions, and the psychological aspects of chronic pain, with numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Koetsier is a principal investigator in multiple clinical trials and systematic reviews and meta-analyses. She is a strong advocate for "slow medicine," prioritizing empathy, attentiveness, and patient equity. Beyond her professional work, she is committed to promoting the role of women in medicine and academia.
Türkiye: Prof. Attila YILMAZ, MD
Professor Attila YILMAZ, MD, received his medical degree from Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine in 2000. After completing his residency at the University of Mustafa Kemal, he fulfilled his compulsory service and joined the Department of Neurosurgery at the same university as an instructor. While serving as an instructor, he undertook an observership at the University of Florida Center for Movement Disorders and Neuro-restoration, as well as at the University of Florida Health Shands Hospital, where he collaborated with Prof. Kelly D. Foote and Prof. Michael S. Okun in 2016 and 2017.
United Kingdom and Ireland: Vivek Mehta, FRCA, MD, FFPMRCA
Directors-at-Large
Dr. Tiago Freitas graduated in Medicine from the Federal University of Goiás School of Medicine in 2001, having entered medical school in 1996 at age 16. Drawn to neurology and neurosurgery since his student years, he completed his Neurosurgery residency at Hospital de Base do Distrito Federal (2002–2005), accredited by the Brazilian Ministry of Education and certified by the Brazilian Society of Neurosurgery (SBN). During residency, he developed a strong interest in functional neurosurgery, later training at Hospital das Clínicas, University of São Paulo, and at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio, USA (2006). Returning to Brasília in 2007, he began practicing in both the public system, at the University of Brasília (UnB), and the private sector. He earned a Master’s degree (2012) and a PhD (2018) in Health Sciences from UnB. In 2017, he founded INDOR, Brazil’s first invasive neuromodulation course and the first in Latin America endorsed by the International Neuromodulation Society (INS), now a postgraduate program with over 250 graduates. Since 2019, he has coordinated the Pain Care postgraduate program at Hospital Sírio-Libanês, Brasília. In 2018, he obtained the FIPP certification from the World Institute of Pain (WIP), Miami. He currently practices at Hospital de Base do Distrito Federal, coordinates the pain group at Hospital Sírio-Libanês, and is a member of SBENF, SBED, ASSFN, SBN, and SOBRAMID, and former President of the Brazilian Neuromodulation Society (2012). He serves on the Editorial Board of Neuromodulation and is editor-in-chief of Neuromodulation Techniques for Chronic Pain.
 Dr. Clement Hamani is an internationally recognized neurosurgeon-scientist and academic leader specializing in functional neurosurgery, neuromodulation, deep brain stimulation (DBS), focused ultrasound, and neurotechnology. He serves as Research Director of the Division of Neurosurgery at the University of Toronto, Program Research Director of the Hurvitz Brain Sciences Centre at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, and holds a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Translational Neuroscience. Dr. Hamani is a Senior Scientist at the Sunnybrook Research Institute and Full Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Toronto. His work bridges basic neuroscience, translational research, and clinical innovation to develop novel therapies for neurological and psychiatric disorders, including Parkinson's disease, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, Alzheimer's disease, and chronic pain.Dr. Hamani has established an internationally recognized research program supported by more than USD $10 million in competitive funding from national and international agencies. His scholarly contributions include nearly 350 peer-reviewed publications, over and an H-index of 60 (H-index) and 81 (Google Scholar), reflecting sustained scientific impact. Beyond research, Dr. Hamani is an influential leader in academic neurosurgery. He serves as Vice President of the American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, contributes to numerous international scientific committees, and is Associate Editor for leading neurosurgical journals. A dedicated educator and mentor, he has supervised numerous trainees at all career stages, delivered more than 250 invited lectures worldwide, and continues to shape the future of functional neurosurgery through leadership, education, and translational discovery.
Sam Eldabe, MB ChB, FRCA, FFPMRCA
Sam Eldabe MB ChB, FRCA, FFPMRCA is pain medicine consultant at The James Cook University Hospital Middlesbrough UK. He is an Honorary Professor of Pain Medicine at Wolfson Research Institute at Durham University and the University of Warwick. He heads the pain department at the Hôpital de Morges, Vaud Switzerland, and divides his time between the UK and Switzerland. Sam has practiced neuromodulation for more than 25 years having founded the neuromodulation department at The James Cook Hospital. His neuromodulation work includes ITDD for cancer pain and spasticity, as well as neurostimulation for Chronic Pain, which led him to an interest in medication management, particularly opioid reduction. He has an interest in both the conduct of neuromodulation research and the critical analysis of neuromodulation manuscripts. He is the author of more than 150 manuscripts in pain management and neuromodulation. His current research interests include deprescribing opioids, he is Co-Chief Investigator of the I-WOTCH study published in JAMA 2023. Sam has conducted numerous RCTs on the use of spinal stimulation for refractory angina, sham control in neurostimulation as well as the utility of screening trials in spinal cord stimulation.
Director-at-Large - Congress OrganizerStana Bojanic, BSc, MB, BS, FRCS, (SN)
Stana Bojanic, BSc, MB, BS, FRCS, (SN) Consultant Neurosurgeon, Oxford UK since 2004 Regional Directors-at-LargeKiran Patel, MD - United States of America
Kiran V. Patel, MD, is an Interventional Pain Management physician board certified in Pain Medicine and Anesthesiology. Dr. Patel is the Director of Pain Medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City and Founder/CEO of the NYC Neuromodulation Center of Excellence. She is the ACGME Pain Medicine Fellowship program at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra Northwell. Dr. Patel is currently the Treasurer of NANS and has been on the NANS Board of Directors for the past 6 years. Dr. Patel has co-chaired the NANS Cadaver workshop for the past several years and is currently chair of the NANS Certificate in SCS sub-committee. Dr. Patel trains physicians in pain procedures and neuromodulation nationally and internationally.
Arthur Cukiert, MD - Latin America
Top Seven Papers:
Dr Ashish Gulve, FFPMRCA, FFPMCAI, FRCA, FCARCSI, MD - Europe, Canada, and Africa
Dr. Gulve is a Consultant in Pain Management at the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough since 2006. He earned his medical degree from Amravati University, India. Thereafter, in the UK, he completed anaesthesia and pain fellowship training in the Northern Deanery. Dr Gulve worked as an Instructor in Pain Medicine and Anaesthesia at Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis in 2004-2005.
Guoming Luan, MD, PhD - Asia, Australia and New Zealand
Prof. Guoming Luan is the Vice-President of Beijing Sanbo Brain Hospital of the Capital Medical University, established in Beijing in 2004. He achieved the Medical Degree in 1982 and studied under the guidance of Zhongcheng Wang, considered to be the founder of modern neurosurgery in China, at the Capital University of Medical Science, Beijing culminating in a PH.D in 1989. He gained professional research experience for two years in the University of California, Los Angeles, USA (UCLA). Afterward he devotes himself to clinical and research work about Functional Neurosurgery and focuses on the therapy of Epilepsy. In 2002, he created a technique, which is to use bipolar electrocoagulation to burn superficial cortex when treating refractory epilepsy. The latter was approved by the President of International Functional Neurosurgery later that year. This unique technique has now been adopted worldwide.
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| Last Updated on Wednesday, September 23, 2026 10:20 AM |
Konstantin Slavin, MD, FAANS is Professor, Chief of Section and Fellowship Director for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery in the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC).
Dr. Brichetti is a neurosurgeon who graduated from National University of La Plata. He is the Chief of Neurosurgery Service and Chief of the Pain unit at San Roque Hospital and Director of the post-graduate course of Neuromodulation at the National University Of La Plata (UNLP).
Lisa Goudman obtained a master of science in statistical data analysis in 2018 and additional specializations in epidemiology and public health methodology in 2020 and biostatistics in 2022. In 2019, she obtained her PhD entitled “Objective measurements in patients with chronic low back & leg pain”, in which she explored EEG responses, heart rate variability and quantitative sensory testing in relation to Spinal Cord Stimulation.
Tatiana von Hertwig Fernandes de Oliveira Kumer, MD, MSc, PhD is a functional neurosurgeon that graduated from the Federal University of Paraná, Brazil, and completed her neurosurgery residency at the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná. She subsequently undertook a clinical fellowship training in Functional Neurosurgery and Epilepsy Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic, USA.
Anuj Bhatia is a Professor in the Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine at the University of Toronto and the Director of the Comprehensive Integrated Pain Program at University Health Network, Toronto. He is the Chair of the Neuropathic Pain Special Interest Group of the Canadian Pain Society, President of the Canadian Neuromodulation Society, Chair of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada’s Pain Medicine Specialty committee, Co-Chair of the North American Neuromodulation Society’s Research Committee and a member of the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine’s Research Committee. He has an Adjunct Faculty appointment at the Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation. His clinical and research interests include the use of epidemiological tools and wearable technology for assessing outcomes of neuromodulation and other interventional treatments for chronic neuropathic and musculoskeletal pain. He has published over 100 papers, 6 book chapters, and co-authored two books on interventional pain procedures. He is a member of the Editorial Boards of Anesthesia & Analgesia, Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, the European Journal of Pain, the Canadian Journal of Pain, and Pain Medicine. He was a member of the international guideline development panel for the use of intravenous ketamine infusions, the role of contrast during pain procedures, and cervical and lumbar facet, and sacroiliac joint interventions for relieving pain.
I am a functional neurosurgeon, practicing the subspecialty for 22 years, and cerebral, spinal and peripheral neuromodulation for 17 years. I am a researcher in the field, with several publications. I am the founder of a neurological center, Neurocentro, in Pereira, Colombia.
Professor Rasche is consultant neurosurgeon at the Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Germany. He is head of the Functional and Stereotactic Neurosurgery, Neuromodulation and invasive pain therapies of the Dept. of Neurosurgery.
Director, Pain Therapy Unit – AUSL Romagna, Ravenna, Italy
Candidate of medical sciences (PhD), Neurosurgeon-algologist (specializes in interventional and surgery treatment of chronic pain) of the Group of Functional Neurosurgery, the N.N. Burdenko Neurosurgery Institute, Chief expert in neuromodulation pain syndrome in the Russian Federation. Currently holding the post of President of National Neuromodulation Society in Russia (NNSR), Vice-President of the Society of Interventional Pain Treatment and Russian Society for Functional and Stereotactic Neurosurgery (RSFSN). He studied at Yerevan State Medical University, residency at Armenia Republican Medical Center. Graduated study at Group of Functional Neurosurgery, the N.N. Burdenko Neurosurgery Institute, where his mentor was Prof. Shabalov V.A. He participated in International onsite training: 1) Faculte De Medecine, University Center for Neurological and Neurosurgical Disorders, Toulouse, France; 2) Hodgkin Building, King’s College London, Guy’s Campus, London. Member of nine scientific societies: International Neuromodulation Society (INS), International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP), National Neuromodulation Society in Russia (NNSR), European Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery (ESSFN), World Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery (WSSFN), Russian Society for Functional and Stereotactic Neurosurgery (RSFSN), Society of Neurosurgeons of Russia, Society of Interventional Pain Treatment, Russian Association for the Study of Pain. Member of numerous international program committees. Actively has been taking part in international and Russian conferences. Author of books and articles about treatment of chronic pain. Spheres of interest is interventional and surgery treatment of chronic pain syndromes. Author of study courses in neurosurgery and algology. Often speaks on media in Russia, promoting treatment chronic pain syndromes and methods of neuromodulation.
Arthur Cukiert was born in Santo Andre, Brazil in 1963. He graduated at Sao Paulo University in 1986 and finished his neurosurgical training at the Hospital das Clinicas of Sao Paulo University in 1991. He spent a year at the Montreal Neurologic Institute as a Clinical & Research Fellow. Back in Brazil, he worked at Sao Paulo Hospital das Clinicas, developed the Hospital Brigadeiro neurosurgical service and was a medical assistant at the ABC Faculty of Medicine in Sao Paulo. He received a PhD degree in Neurophysiology in 1996 from the Biological Sciences Institute of the Sao Paulo University. He is presently the Director of the Sao Paulo Epilepsy Clinic, and Head of its Epilepsy Surgery Program. He is part of the ILAE Pediatric Surgery Task Force and had organized several Epilepsy Surgery Techniques Meetings over the years. He was President of the Brazilian Functional Neurosurgery Society and of the Brazilian Congress of Update in Neurosurgery. He presented more than 400 lectures worldwide, attended to 350 meetings, presented 800 abstracts and published 150 peer reviewed papers and 9 books. His activities center on the surgical treatment of refractory epilepsy and pituitary tumors.
