A diverse range of multimedia resources to enhance learning and professional development in functional neurosurgery.
Webinar Topics
ASSFN Podcast
Patient Experience with DBS for Depression
October 28, 2025
ASSFN Podcast co-host, Andreas Seas, interviews patient Jon Nelson who shares his experience with deep brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression. Listen in as he shares about the hope this treatment approach gave him and how DBS has transformed his life. This treatment remains investigational, but with the studies underway that can help patients like Jon, we can start to understand the profound impact it can have.
Contract Negotiation and Rising the Ranks to Leadership with Dr. Dario Englot and Dr. Shabbar Danish
August 1, 2025
Co-hosts Dr. Danika Paulo and Andreas Seas discuss important strategies and concepts to contract negotiation and promotions with featured guest speakers, Drs. Dario Englot and. Shabbar Danish. They highlight nuances of job contract negotiation and share key advice for rising the ranks to academic and organizational leadership. The conversation focuses on differences in academic vs. private practice job contracts, what to look out for, what to ask for, and the timeline and approach to advancing to leadership positions within institutions and organizations. There is a wealth of fruitful information in this podcast for neurosurgeons of any subspecialty as well as for those considering first or subsequent job applications.
Transition to Practice with Dr. Sharona Ben-Haim and Dr. Christopher Conner
March 19, 2025
Co-hosts Dr. Danika Paulo, Dr. Harsh Shah and Andreas Seas talk with featured guests, Drs. Sharona Ben-Haim and Christopher Conner, about transitioning from being a neurosurgical trainee to starting practice. While this discussion is primarily relevant to senior neurosurgical residents, fellows and early attendings, there is something to be learned by every neurosurgeon.
Building a Functional Neurosurgery Program with Dr. Peter Konrad
June 23, 2023
In this episode, co-hosts Danika Paulo, Tessa Harland, and Robert Ziechmann talk about building a functional neurosurgery program with guest speaker, Dr. Peter Konrad.
SCS for Painful Diabetic Neuropathy with Dr. Erika Petersen
April 24, 2023
Co-hosts Danika Paulo, Tessa Harland and Robert Ziechmann meet with guest speaker, Dr. Erika Petersen to discuss her work on spinal cord stimulation for painful diabetic neuropathy.
Percutaneous Cordotomy with Dr. Konstantin Slavin
February 26, 2023
Co-hosts Danika Paulo and Tessa Harland discuss percutaneous cordotomy with Dr. Konstantin Slavin, Professor and Head of the Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery Section at University of Illinois Chicago.
Organized Neurosurgery and Career Building with Dr. Julie Pilitsis
January 18, 2023
In this episode, co-hosts Danika Paulo, Tessa Harland and Robert Ziechmann talk with guest speaker Dr. Julie Pilitsis about the role of organized Neurosurgery, how to get involved and how organizational involvement helps with career building.
Choosing the Right Fellowship with Dr. Ellen Air
December 1, 2022
In this episode, cohosts Danika Paulo and Tessa Harland discuss important things to consider when deciding to pursue a Functional Neurosurgery Fellowship with guest speaker Dr. Ellen Air.
STN vs GPI DBS for Parkinson’s with Dr. Kelly Foote
October 11, 2022
In this podcast episode, host Danika Paulo and featured guest speaker, Dr. Kelly Foote, Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Florida, discuss the two most common deep brain stimulation targets for Parkinson’s Disease – subthalamic nucleus (STN) and globus pallidus internus (GPI).
Ethics of Neuroscience Research with Dr. Nader Pouratian
August 11, 2022
Co-hosts Danika Paulo and Robert Ziechmann discuss the ethical considerations surrounding neuroscience research with our featured guest speaker, Dr. Nader Pouratian, Professor and Chair of Neurosurgery at UT Southwestern.
MRgLITT for Epilepsy with Dr. Jason Schwalb
June 10, 2022
In this episode, co-hosts Danika Paulo and Robert Ziechmann discuss the topic of MRI-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy for medically refractory epilepsy with our featured guest speaker, Dr. Jason Schwalb, Professor of Neurosurgery at Henry Ford Medical Group in Michigan.
DBS for OCD with Dr. Sameer Sheth
March 31, 2022
In our first full episode, we discuss the topic of Deep Brain Stimulation for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder with our guest speaker, Dr. Sameer Sheth, Associate Professor at Baylor College of Medicine.
Welcome to our Podcast Series!
March 7, 2022
Welcome to our Pilot Episode of the American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery (ASSFN) Podcast! Co-hosts Dr. Danika Paulo (Vanderbilt Neurosurgery Resident) and Dr. Robert Ziechmann (Temple Neurosurgery Resident) discuss our plan for the podcast.