Uzma Samadani, MD, PhD
Uzma Samadani, MD PhD is a neurosurgeon and brain injury researcher at the University of Minnesota. She moved to Minneapolis in 2015 and was named to Minneapolis St-Paul Magazine’s “Top Doctors in Neurosurgery” lists in 2016 through 2019. In 2018 she was on the cover of the “Top Doctors” edition with the byline “The Doctor Will Save You Now.” In 2018 she also was awarded the “Courageous Women in Healthcare” award by the Women’s Health Leadership Trust. Minnesota Monthly dubbed her a “Top Doctor in Minnesota” in 2018 and 2019.
Dr. Samadani is an Associate Professor in the Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology at the University of Minnesota with a graduate faculty appointment in Neuroscience. She is also an attending neurosurgeon in private practice and at the Minneapolis Veterans Administration Medical Center. She is the founder of the neurodiagnostic start-up Oculogica Inc, which has developed the first baseline free concussion diagnostic cleared for marketing approval by the FDA. She holds multiple patents related to brain injury, its treatment and its consequences.
She is on the Executive Committee of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons/Congress of Neurological Surgeons Joint Section on Neurotrauma and Critical Care and served as Scientific Program Chair for their meeting in conjunction with the National Neurotrauma Society from 2014-7. She also serves on the board and is President-Elect of ThinkFirst Foundation, the largest brain injury prevention foundation in the world. She is past Chair of the Minnesota State Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Research Program and a Past-President of Women in Neurosurgery.
Dr. Samadani has received more than three million dollars in research grants from national and international competitive funding agencies to study diagnostics, risks, outcomes and treatments for brain injury. She has been funded by the United States Veterans Administration, National Space and Biomedical Research Institute, Abbott Diagnostic Laboratories, American College of Surgeons, American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Thrasher Research Fund, Integra, the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation and several other organizations. She is certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgeons and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Her research on brain injury has been discussed in the New York Times, LeMonde, LeFigaro, Wired, Washington Post, Sports Illustrated, Forbes, and Minneapolis Star Tribune as well as numerous other media sources. She has been a speaker at TedMed, the North American Brain Injury Society, National Neurotrauma Society, American Association of Neurological Surgeons meeting and multiple other conferences. She has published more than 60 peer-reviewed scientific papers and an additional 30 reviews and chapters including in the Journal of Neurotrauma, JAMA Neurology, Journal of Neurosurgery and the New England Journal of Medicine.
Dr. Samadani also served as an unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant to the National Football League from 2015 to 2018.
Meet Our Lab
Scarlett Cheong, M.S.
Scarlett Cheong, M.S.
Scarlett Cheong, M.S.
Scarlett is a recent master’s graduate in the field of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, where she has acquired a strong foundation in analyzing biological data and applying computational methods to solve complex problems. She is excited to embark on a Ph.D. journey in the same program, focusing on identifying the optimal drill p
Scarlett is a recent master’s graduate in the field of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, where she has acquired a strong foundation in analyzing biological data and applying computational methods to solve complex problems. She is excited to embark on a Ph.D. journey in the same program, focusing on identifying the optimal drill point for twist-drill craniotomy in subdural hematoma patients. By leveraging her expertise in bioinformatics and computational approaches, she aims to
contribute to the development of precise and effective surgical techniques that can enhance patient outcomes and revolutionize neurosurgical practices.
She is passionate about pushing the boundaries of knowledge and making a meaningful impact in the field of biomedical research.
Sharada K Sridhar
Scarlett Cheong, M.S.
Scarlett Cheong, M.S.
Sharada is a student at the Bioinformatics and Computational Biology program and is coadvised by Dr. Rui Kuang. She is researching the chronic effects of neurotrauma and will be working on developing objective markers to distinguish between and predict the chronic effects of traumatic brain injury versus those of other neuropathologies l
Sharada is a student at the Bioinformatics and Computational Biology program and is coadvised by Dr. Rui Kuang. She is researching the chronic effects of neurotrauma and will be working on developing objective markers to distinguish between and predict the chronic effects of traumatic brain injury versus those of other neuropathologies like Alzheimer disease, frontal temporal dementia, vascular disease, etc. using image processing and machine learning. Her work will be used for better prognosis and effective management of care for neurotrauma patients.
Charlie Broadbent
Scarlett Cheong, M.S.
Charlie Broadbent
Charlie is a PhD student in Computer Science currently working on research in applying machine learning techniques for prognosticating traumatic brain injuries, mainly through the image analysis of CT scans.
Outside of neurotrauma Charlie also does research in spatial transcriptomics, specifically on the application of tensor decompositi
Charlie is a PhD student in Computer Science currently working on research in applying machine learning techniques for prognosticating traumatic brain injuries, mainly through the image analysis of CT scans.
Outside of neurotrauma Charlie also does research in spatial transcriptomics, specifically on the application of tensor decomposition for gene expression recovery. In his free time, Charlie enjoys rock climbing, biking, playing piano, and playing with his cats Raven and Sage.
Hans Jeong
Jen Dysterheft Robb, PhD
Rishabh Gupta
Hans is a medical student at the University of Minnesota Medical School. His primary area of interest is neurotrauma research with the aim of pursuing a career in neurosurgery. Outside of his studies, Hans enjoys playing tennis, brewing coffee, cooking, and doing home renovations. As a medical student, Hans feels fortunate to work with la
Hans is a medical student at the University of Minnesota Medical School. His primary area of interest is neurotrauma research with the aim of pursuing a career in neurosurgery. Outside of his studies, Hans enjoys playing tennis, brewing coffee, cooking, and doing home renovations. As a medical student, Hans feels fortunate to work with lab members and have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the field of neurosurgery and make a positive impact on patient care.
Rishabh Gupta
Jen Dysterheft Robb, PhD
Rishabh Gupta
Rishabh Gupta is a current medical student at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. He currently is assisting in building a database of spinal cord stimulation patients to help patients find optimal spinal cord stimulation parameters to assist in their deficits. Additionally, he is working on a project examining the benefits of phar
Rishabh Gupta is a current medical student at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. He currently is assisting in building a database of spinal cord stimulation patients to help patients find optimal spinal cord stimulation parameters to assist in their deficits. Additionally, he is working on a project examining the benefits of pharmaceutical lithium in assisting patients with traumatic brain injury.
Jen Dysterheft Robb, PhD
Jen Dysterheft Robb, PhD
Jen Dysterheft Robb, PhD
Jen is a former professor and researcher who now focuses on assisting Dr. Samadani with management of the Neurotrauma Lab. Jen works to maintain regulatory guidelines, funding, assist in publication and presentations, oversight of graduate and medical students, and more. Jen's previous work specialized in Kinesiology, Rehabilitation, and
Jen is a former professor and researcher who now focuses on assisting Dr. Samadani with management of the Neurotrauma Lab. Jen works to maintain regulatory guidelines, funding, assist in publication and presentations, oversight of graduate and medical students, and more. Jen's previous work specialized in Kinesiology, Rehabilitation, and Human Performance, ranging from populations of law enforcement officers to individuals with physical disabilities. She is thrilled to bring her research development and management expertise to the lab and future work.
Afsar Sandozi
Afsar is a Medical Doctorate Candidate at the University of Minnesota Medical School . She joined the Neurotrauma lab in 2022. Her primary research and role in the lab is the creation of PulseShare.org. The website was created with the intention of free, direct, rapid, and open data dissemination to spinal cord injury patients, physician
Afsar is a Medical Doctorate Candidate at the University of Minnesota Medical School . She joined the Neurotrauma lab in 2022. Her primary research and role in the lab is the creation of PulseShare.org. The website was created with the intention of free, direct, rapid, and open data dissemination to spinal cord injury patients, physicians, physical therapists, programmers and others involved in the care of patients with these injuries. Afsar is very passionate about equitable and accessible care for patients of all backgrounds. She is currently gearing up for residency applications and hopes to pursue a career in orthopedic surgery. In her free time, she enjoys playing volleyball and tennis, exploring local coffee shops to try their chocolate croissants, and watching heist movies.
