International Network for Trainee & Student Neurosurgery
INTENS is a global, student-led collaborative advancing neurosurgical research through high-quality systematic reviews, meta-analyses, global surveys and innovative projects — connecting trainees with experienced mentors to deliver meaningful, high-impact science. We were founded by University of Cambridge medical students aiming to improve research access for motivated students interested in neuroscience and neurosurgery.
Evidence Synthesis
Systematic reviews & meta-analyses with rigorous methods.
Global Community
Students & trainees connected with faculty mentors worldwide.
Training & QA
Rayyan, PRISMA, data handling and inter-rater reliability.
Authorship & Credit
Transparent contribution tracking and certificates.
Mission
We promote equitable access to neurosurgical research opportunities by empowering students and trainees with skills, mentorship and a like-minded community. Our outputs include systematic reviews, meta-analyses, surveys and innovative projects that inform evidence-based practice globally.
Flagship Projects
Early proof-of-concept initiatives demonstrating INTENS’s collaborative model.
Global survey gauging research access for students
Aiming to identify problems and improve access to research for aspiring neurosurgeons
- Survey drafted.
- Release imminent.
LITT vs repeat SRS in brain metastases treatment
Systematic review and potential meta-analysis being conducted under senior mentorship
- Screening & extraction teams via Rayyan.
- Conference abstracts targeted: AANS, WFNS, EANS.
Team Structure
A tiered leadership framework ensures clarity, accountability and sustainability.
Core Leadership Team
Student-led roles (President, Vice-President, Secretary, Finance & Partnerships Lead) responsible for strategy, coordination and external relationships (sponsorships, grants, affiliations).
Project Leads & Regional Coordinators
Students/trainees managing projects and regional recruitment, training and data collection.
Faculty Advisory Board
Neurosurgeons and allied specialists providing mentorship, oversight and scientific quality.
Meet the Core Team
Zak Farazi
Interests: AI in neurosurgical care, neuro-oncology, neurorestoration, traumatic brain injury.
Bianca Mirpuri
Interests: Neuro-oncology, neurovascular disease, neuromuscular disorders, neurorestoration.
Sina Mousavi
Interests: Bioinformatic approaches to neuro-oncology, brain-EM interaction and neuroplasticity.
Mohammed Mohammed
Interests: Neurorestoration, neuro-oncology neurovascular and neurotechnologies .
Harshika Mohan Raj
Interests: Neuro-oncology, paediatric tumours, bioinformatics.
Meet the Faculty Advisory Board
Prof John F. de Groot, MD
Division Chief of Neuro-Oncology; Professor of Neurology & Neurosurgery, UCSF.
Expertise: glioblastoma and adult brain tumours; anti-angiogenic and targeted therapies; immunotherapy; blood–brain barrier modulation with focused ultrasound; translational and early-phase clinical trials.
Prof Charles Y. Liu, MD, PhD
Professor of Neurological Surgery, Neurology & Biomedical Engineering, USC; Director of the USC Neurorestoration Center; Surgical Director, USC Comprehensive Epilepsy Program.
Expertise: restorative neurosurgery (neuroprosthetics, neuromodulation), engineering-enabled therapies, and technologies to restore neurological function after injury or disease.
We welcome neurosurgeons and neuroscientists worldwide to join our Faculty Advisory Board, guiding and mentoring students in collaborative neurosurgical research projects. If you are interested in supporting INTENS, please contact us at contact@intensresearch.org.
Apply to INTENS
We welcome applications from medical students and trainees globally. If successful, you’ll receive onboarding, training, and the chance to contribute to publishable projects.
- Onboarding email with authorship policy and community invite
- Training sessions: Rayyan, PRISMA, data management
- Monthly progress updates and contributor recognition