Emphasizing Neurology Research: Ralph L. Sacco Resident Research Day 2025
Named after the former professor and chair of the Miller School’s Department of Neurology, the day invites residents and fellows to connect with esteemed department faculty members.
As a third-year resident, Gillian Gordon Perue, M.D., took a five-minute walk with the late Ralph L. Sacco, M.D., then professor and chair of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine’s Department of Neurology. She wanted to increase the emphasis on research and mentorship for neurology residents and fellows, so she pitched a day dedicated to collaboration, discussion and knowledge sharing.
Dr. Gordon Perue’s proposal came at an opportune moment. Dr. Sacco, a prominent stroke neurologist, noted that 80 percent of trainees were entering clinical practice rather than pursuing careers in research. In conjunction with Tatjana Rundek, M.D., Ph.D., a Miller School professor of neurology, the Evelyn F. McKnight Chair for Learning and Memory in Aging and scientific director of the Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, Dr. Sacco established a neurology clinician research track. They both agreed a day devoted to research would effectively complement the research track.
“I remember that time before Research Day existed, when residents and fellows didn’t yet have an internal way to present their research and get feedback from their peers,” said Dr. Gordon Perue, associate professor of clinical neurology at the Miller School and director of Jackson Health System’s stroke program at Jackson South Medical Center and Jackson North Medical Center. “This event encourages a trainee-led research culture by providing a platform to share their findings. It’s a sort of cross-department mental pollination that advances the field in so many ways. It gets them thinking critically, builds self-esteem, breaks down silos and moves research forward.”
Emphasizing Neurology Research
Ralph L. Sacco Resident Research Day invites residents and fellows to connect with those from whom they are learning. By inviting nationally recognized neurology experts as guest speakers, trainees gain exposure to new research trials while Miller School faculty members establish potential collaborations. Dr. Sacco established an endowment, a gesture that fortified the department’s reputation for research excellence and ensured his legacy and vision endure.
The Department of Neurology boasts more than 100 faculty, many recognized as experts in their fields. The department’s resident program is one of the largest in the nation and offers residents the opportunity to participate in ongoing clinical translational trials.
“Supporting the research of our neurology residents and fellows is so important because, after being a point of focus during medical school, research tends to fall by the wayside once residency starts,” said Jose Romano, M.D., professor and chair of neurology at the Miller School and chief of service for Jackson Health System’s neurology program. “Continuing to foster research skills and providing residents and fellows with resources and mentorship can help them determine their next steps and encourages research-based careers to start much earlier.”
Mentorship relationships spring from an active alumni base. Physician-scientists who have come through the residency program share their knowledge and help trainees home in on career paths.
“Our alumni really are a source of pride,” said Dr. Gordon Perue. “We have so many experts all across the country and keeping them engaged allows us to foster networking opportunities and job prospects for our residents and fellows. We are dedicated to supporting alumni as they take on leadership roles in the field.”
Ralph L. Sacco Resident Research Day 2025
At this year’s Ralph L. Sacco Resident Research Day, a record 22 posters were submitted. Topics ranged from assessing copy number alterations (CNAs) in gliomas to the impact of coffee and tea on resident perspective and lecture attendance.
In one poster presentation, Taylor Peabody, M.D., a movement disorders fellow, showed how Cuban Americans are less likely than other demographic groups to discuss their diagnosis and form a plan for treatment and care. Dr. Peabody’s findings could potentially raise awareness among this population about the importance of developing care plans earlier.
Guest speaker José Posas, M.D., associate professor of sports neurology at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, completed his neurology residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital and shared insights on the long, often indirect road to research careers.
Ralph L. Sacco, M.D. Resident Research Day 2025 Awards
• Shokufeh Sadaghiani, M.D., Promise Award for poster or early research study with the most future potential
• Lilian Godeiro Coelho, M.D., Ramin Designs + Development Award in Brain Research for best resident research poster presentation
• Aaron Rodriguez Calienes, M.D., DeSousa Family Award for best stroke or interventional project
• Fernanda Jacinto Pereira Teixeira, M.D., Gordon Perue Family Award for best oral presentation
• Juan Blaquier, M.D., Chair’s Award for best fellow presentation
• Danielle Shpiner, M.D., Ralph Sacco Research Faculty Mentor Award for outstanding mentorship and research support for neurology residents
• Dr. Tatjana Rundek, Ralph Sacco Award for Research Junior Faculty Mentor for outstanding mentorship and research support of junior faculty members
Tags: Department of Neurology, Dr. Ralph Sacco, neurology, residents