Explore UAB

University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Neurosurgery Professor Kristen Riley, M.D., and Assistant Professor Nicole Bentley, M.D., conduct the first radiofrequency ablation (RFA) procedure to treat epilepsy on Alabama native Ashley Williard.

Anna Traywick, PA - inpatient advanced practice provider (APP)

Anna is a native of Alexander City, AL. She graduated from UAB in 2017 with her bachelor's in biomedical sciences and most recently graduated from the UAB Physician Assistant Studies program in 2021. Prior to attending graduate school, she worked in pain management and vascular services as a medical and OR assistant in the Birmingham area. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends. She also enjoys traveling, spending time outdoors, attending concerts, and playing guitar and piano. She is excited about the opportunity to stay in Birmingham and join the neurosurgery team at UAB!

Anna Dodd, PA - spine advanced practice provider (APP)

A former professional musician, Anna changed careers in her thirties and attended the UAB Physician Assistant Studies program. In her spare time, she enjoys baking, singing, and refereeing her two dogs and two cats. 

Starris Kidd - BSHA intern

Originally from Sylacauga, Alabama, Starris is a senior majoring in healthcare management and plans to graduate this August. In her free time, she likes to read, crochet, and play with her guinea pig! She will work alongside Kirsten Yelvington.

Chloé Bunn - education administrator

Chloé was previously a program coordinator in the UAB Graduate Medical Education Department for four years. She received her bachelor's degree in healthcare administration from the University of South Alabama and plans on graduating with her master’s in health administration from Louisiana State University- Shreveport, this spring. Outside of work, Chloé enjoys being with her family, spending time on the lake, hiking when the weather is nice, and spending time with her dog, Emmie Grace.

Department of Neurosurgery Assistant Professor Matthew J. Nelson, Ph.D.,  has received a K01 grant funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for his study titled "Neurophysiological mechanisms of language comprehension".

Department of Neurosurgery Professor M. R. Chambers, DVM, MD, together with Associate Professor of Microbiology, Jeremy Foote, DVM, PhD, has published, “Evaluation of immunologic parameters in canine glioma patients treated with an oncolytic herpes virus” in the Journal of Translational Genetics and Genomics.

Department of Neurosurgery Communications Director Marissa Keppley, MBA, recently presented her capstone project for the UAB Blaze Academy.

UAB Department of Neurosurgery Residents Dagoberto Estevez-Ordonez, M.D. (PGY-4) and Andrew T. Hale, M.D., Ph.D.  (PGY-1) have been named abstract award winners by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.

Former resident, Christopher Shank, M.D., has been recognized for leading the Joint Commission certification initiative in NeuroTrauma, as the medical director at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth. 

Timaya Jones - work-study lab assistant, Gillespie's lab

Timaya Jones joins the department as a work-study lab assistant in Dr. Gillespie's Lab. Her hometown is Birmingham, AL and she is currently in her freshman year at UAB. Her major is criminal justice and she plans to pursue a career in forensic science. In her free time, she enjoys playing dress-up and experimenting with different styles!

Cameron Roby - office service specialist II

Cameron Roby joins the department as office service specialist II. Originally from Warner Robins, Georgia, Roby recently graduated from UAB with a bachelor’s in Health Care Management. Prior to accepting this role, Roby served as a healthcare management intern for the department. In her free time, she enjoys working out, playing volleyball, video games, and baking.

Nekyia Byner - program coordinator I

Nekyia Byner is a graduate of Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University with a degree in biology. Her daughter currently attends Tennessee State University studying physical therapy. In her free time, she enjoys reading books, hiking, and traveling. 

Kiyotaka Saito - postdoc, Van Meir Lab

Kiyotaka Saitoh is originally from Miyazaki, Japan. Miyazaki is located on Kyusyu island, the southwest main island in Japan. Saitoh has been a neurosurgeon for 15 years, with extensive clinical experience in brain tumors, vascular disorders, and pediatric neurosurgery. He has a wife and three daughters, they all plan to come to Birmingham this summer! He looks forward to meeting everyone in the department. Say hello if you see him! 

UAB Department of Neurosurgery faculty and trainees will head to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons 2022 Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, PA, from April 29 - May 2, 2022. 

UAB Department of Neurosurgery Professor Erwin G. Van Meir, Ph.D. and Postdoctoral student, Takahiro Yamamoto, recently published a manuscript titled "Mice lacking full-length Adgrb1 (Bai1) exhibit social deficits, increased seizure susceptibility, and altered brain development" in Experimental Neurology. This collaborative study with Emory University demonstrated an important role for adhesion GPCR BAI1 (ADGRB1) in the brain.

UAB Department of Neurosurgery partnered with McWane Science Center for Brain Awareness Week, March 14-20. Brain Awareness Week is a national recognition week to celebrate the brain and its complexities.

After a successful Match Day 2022, the Neurosurgery Residency program will welcome three new trainees this summer from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Baylor College of Medicine, and Peking Union Medical University.

UAB Department of Neurosurgery professor Thomas Staner, M.D., recently authored a book titled "A Neurosurgeon's Journey with Patient Vignettes."

The UAB Department of Neurosurgery welcomes Dr. Burt Nabors as the department’s new vice-chair of research.

According to UAB News, UAB Hospital received nine 2022 Women’s Choice Awards, including being named one of the 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experiences. It received numerous America’s Best Hospitals designations for women’s health practice areas.

UAB Department of Neurosurgery PGY1 Resident Andrew Hale, M.D., Ph.D., was awarded the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) Schulman Award for his abstract “Multi-omic analysis elucidates the genetic basis of hydrocephalus.”

To recognize the UAB Department of Neurosurgery faculty, staff, and trainees for their hard work in 2021, the Chair’s Office has distributed jackets as a thanks for their contributions.

The UAB Department of Neurosurgery welcomes Devin Houghtlin, Donna Duke-Pope, and Amy Finch. 

UAB Department of Neurosurgery PGY-4 resident, Dr. Dagoberto Estevez-Ordonez, joins Nicole Bentley, M.D., Jainmei Leavenworth, M.D., Ph.D., and Jennifer Lancaster on the department Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee.

The UAB Department of Neurosurgery welcomes Stephen Yance and Tammy Prewitt.