Optimal neuro | spine: Becoming a Clinician Scientist in Neurosurgery: A Conversation with Dr. Robert Starke

Episode 27

There is often a gap between what happens in the laboratory and what happens with patients in clinical practice. Yet both experiences are required to advance patient outcomes. This is why we need more doctors like Robert Starke. Dr. Starke is a clinician scientist at the University of Miami with over 700 operations and just as many academic publications in his young career. Join me as I sit down with Dr. Starke to discuss the secrets to his extraordinary success, the grant writing process, and future pathways for the development of clinician scientists in the field of neurosurgery.

This episode’s points of interest cover:

• Getting to know Dr. Starke, his clinical practice, and his research
• Dr. Starke’s evolution into a productive clinician scientist and the challenges of pursuing both basic and clinical science
• Dr. Starke’s current research setup and how he chose his area of focus
• How Dr. Starke innovates, where his funding comes from, and the story of his first major grant
• Choosing a faculty position that allows you to thrive and how to build a balanced life
• Dr. Starke’s paper writing process and the publications he’s most proud of
• The role mentors have played in Dr. Starke’s career and what he would do differently
• The importance of training clinician scientists and future pathways for development
• Dr. Starke’s three secrets to an extraordinary neurosurgery career and his advice to struggling clinician scientists
• The magic wand question

Listen to this and other in-depth conversations on your favorite Podcast:

Dr. Max Boakye, Neurosurgeon, and Neuroscientist, currently Professor of Neurosurgery, Chief of Spinal Neurosurgery, Director of Quality Improvement, and Clinical Director of the Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, interviews leading neuroscientists, health administrators, neurosurgeons, educators, neuro and spine health care experts, and patients in his Podcast show: Optimal neuro|spine. His in-depth conversations brings to light topics on: How do we optimize our brain and spine health, prevent aging brain and memory deterioration What to do when something goes wrong, how best to heal and recover injured brain and back How do we optimize our inpatient neuro|spine care in hospitals and provide more value-based care- prevent errors, improve quality, and improve patient satisfaction How do we teach better and better train doctors Which hospitals offer the best neuro and spine care: why and how Dr. Boakye present the most innovative emerging research that will impact neuro|spine care. Join us as we delve one-on-one and have insightful conversations with exciting researchers and experts – voices who have something to teach, enlighten, and inspire us about Optimal neuro|spine.

Maxwell Boakye, MD, MPH Acting Director, KSCIRC