Optimal neuro|spine

Episode 27: Becoming a Clinician Scientist in Neurosurgery. A Conversation with Dr. Robert Starke

• Episode 27

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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.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

  • Getting to know Dr. Starke, his clinical practice, and his research [0:36]
  • Dr. Starke’s evolution into a productive clinician scientist and the challenges of pursuing both basic and clinical science [4:34]
  • Dr. Starke’s current research setup and how he chose his area of focus [9:38]
  • How Dr. Starke innovates, where his funding comes from, and the story of his first major grant [16:59]
  • Choosing a faculty position that allows you to thrive and how to build a balanced life [24:58]
  • Dr. Starke’s paper writing process and the publications he’s most proud of [29:18]
  • The role mentors have played in Dr. Starke’s career and what he would do differently [32:15]
  • The importance of training clinician scientists and future pathways for development [37:05]
  • Dr. Starke’s three secrets to an extraordinary neurosurgery career and his advice to struggling clinician scientists [40:12]
  • The magic wand question [44:33]

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