June 2025

NEUROSCIENCES

Northwestern Medicine Neurosurgery

INCOMING AND OUTGOING RESIDENTS AND FELLOWS

Meet our incoming residents

Sachin Govind, MD
Dr. Govind completed his bachelor’s degree at Johns Hopkins University, where he studied mathematics and molecular biology. He is now a medical student at McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University. During his time at Northwestern University, he has received multiple awards for his computational work in neurosurgery, including the AANS Donald O. Quest Award, Feinberg Family Scholarship, Medical Student Scholars Program Grant and Summer Research Scholars Program Grant.
 
Dr. Govind’s primary goal is to learn the breadth and complexity of neurosurgical cases and to eventually combine his clinical education with leading a computational neurosurgery research group. He believes, “There's so much potential to merge technology with neurosurgery,” and he’s excited to be at the forefront of that change. Dr. Govind is a member of AOA, served as his student government class president and founded the AANS Chapter at Northwestern University.
Karl Habashy, MD
Dr. Habashy completed his undergraduate and medical school studies at American University of Beirut. Since 2022, he has been at Northwestern University where he is an integral member in the lab of Adam Sonabend, MD, investigating preclinical models of ultrasound-based blood-brain barrier opening to better deliver chemotherapies and immunotherapies to the brain.
 
His work has led to multiple awards, including the 2024 5th Annual Mayo Clinic Neurosurgery and Neurology Advances Update Scholarship, Society for NeuroOncology Abstract Award for Excellence in Basic Science, H. Foundation Core Usage Pilot Project Award and the Katten Muchin Rosenman Travel Scholarship. He is also a member of AOA. Dr. Habashy is passionate about music; he plays the guitar and piano, and he enjoys exploring diverse genres, discovering new artists and attending concerts. He is fluent in Arabic, French and English.
Zhishuo “Chris” Wei, MD
Dr. Wei is a medical student at University of Pittsburgh, having completed his undergraduate studies in chemistry and neuroscience there as well as a master’s degree in biomedical science. Under the guidance of L. Dade Lunsford, MD, most of Dr. Wei’s research pursuits have been focused on stereotactic radiosurgery, for which he has contributed to over 60 peer-reviewed publications and received multiple awards, including the Copeland Research Grant and Dean's Summer Research Fellowship. For Dr. Wei, “Choosing neurosurgery means committing to a path of continuous self-challenge … where I can make the most meaningful impact on the lives of others.” Dr. Wei enjoys traveling, cooking, pingpong and basketball. He is also currently writing a book about pursuing medical education in America.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR GRADUATING RESIDENTS

Congratulations to all three graduating neurosurgery residents who have been fellowship-matched. We're excited for these exceptional physicians as they continue their training across a broad range of specialties.
Luis Fernandez, MD
Advanced Endoscopic and Open Skull Base Surgery fellowship at Cleveland Clinic under Pablo Recinos, MD
​William Gibson MD, PhD
Functional Neurosurgery fellowship at UT Southwestern Medical Center under Nader Pouratian, MD, PhD, and Bradley Lega, MD
Daniel Oyon, MD
Skull Base Neurosurgery fellowship at McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University under James Chandler, MD

welcome incoming FELLOWs

Mohamed Alhantoobi, MD
International Fellowship
Alberto Benato, MD
International Fellowship
James Boddu, MD
Complex and Reconstructive Spine Surgery Fellowship
Daniel Oyon, MD
Skull Base Neurosurgery Fellowship
​Gnel Pivazyan, MD
Complex and Reconstructive Spine Surgery Fellowship

Congratulations to our graduating fellow

Jillian Plonsker, MD
Pediatric Fellow

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