King's NeuroLab
King’s NeuroLab (KNL) aims to inspire neurosurgical trainees to fulfil their clinical and academic potential by delivering regular hands-on cadaveric education and skills training and by providing opportunities to engage in high-quality research.
Advanced training will be conducted using cadaveric and high-fidelity models within the Department of Surgical and Interventional Engineering (SIE)’s newly-created state-of-the-art mock Operating Room located at the St Thomas’ campus.
Academic activities will be supported by 6 – 12 month out-of-programme-research (OOPR) placements, approved by Health Education England (HEE).These placements align well with the NIHR’s existing one-year pump-prime Clinical Training Fellowships.
During research placements:
- KNL trainees will support current research activities at King’s.
- There is an opportunity to gather pilot data and apply for competitive funding to pursue further doctoral studies.
KNL Research Steering Group (RSG)
The RSG oversees the lab's activities.Committee members include:
- Mr Jonathan Shapey (Senior Clinical Lecturer, Consultant Neurosurgeon & KNL lead),
- Mr Ahilan Kailaya-Vasan (Honorary Senior Lecturer, Consultant Neurosurgeon, Training Program director for neurosurgery training in South Thames & KNL lead)
- Professor Keyoumars Ashkan (Professor of Neurosurgery),
- Professor Sebastien Ourselin (Head of School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences)
- KHP Surgical Academy representative
- Consultant Neurosurgeon from King’s College Hospital (6 month rotational tenure)
KNL exemplar projects
KNL’s activities draw on the experience and expertise of its two Consultant Leads and RSG members with a focus on surgical anatomy, education and medical and imaging technology.
1. Surgical skills training
- Trainee drilling course
- Spinal instrumentation training
2. Research projects
- Microscopic and exoscopic neurosurgery: a performance assessment of techniques using cadaveric speciments
- The development of personalised AI-based clinical decision support tools for neurosurgery
- Ultrasound guided brain biopsy: a structured assessment of the surgical learning curve
Contact Us
For any queries please contact Jonathan Shapey or Ahilan Kailaya-Vasan.