🧠 86 billion neurons in the human brain· ⚡ Neural signals travel at up to 120 m/s· 🔬 The brain uses 20% of the body's energy despite being 2% of its weight· 💡 GBM affects 3 in 100,000 people annually· 🏥 Windsor Regional Hospital — serving 400,000+ residents across Windsor-Essex· 🧬 The cerebral cortex has 6 distinct layers of neurons· ⚕️ Trigeminal neuralgia affects 1 in 15,000 — often called the "suicide disease" for its intensity· 🩺 NERA fellowship training — shaping neurosurgeons from around the world· 📡 The brain generates 23 watts of power — enough to power a dim light bulb· 🧠 86 billion neurons in the human brain· ⚡ Neural signals travel at up to 120 m/s· 🔬 The brain uses 20% of the body's energy despite being 2% of its weight· 💡 GBM affects 3 in 100,000 people annually· 🏥 Windsor Regional Hospital — serving 400,000+ residents across Windsor-Essex· 🧬 The cerebral cortex has 6 distinct layers of neurons· ⚕️ Trigeminal neuralgia affects 1 in 15,000· 🩺 NERA fellowship training — shaping neurosurgeons from around the world· 📡 The brain generates 23 watts of power·
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Neuroscience Education & Research Academy — Windsor Regional Hospital, Ontario, Canada

Advancing the mind
that heals the world

A charitable organization supporting neurosurgery research, clinical fellowship training, surgical education, and patient resources at Windsor Regional Hospital.

Watch Surgical Videos Fellowship Program Donate Today
4
Surgical Procedure Videos
5+
Neurosurgeons & Neurologists
3
Academic Affiliates
Lives Impacted

Where science meets service

The Neuroscience Education and Research Academy (NERA) is a charitable organization created to address the needs of our community. Our aim is to support neurosurgery and neurology research projects and the neurosurgery fellowship training program.

Our research collaboration initiative provides opportunities for students from high school to undergraduate and graduate levels. This platform also allows our community to be involved in research trials. Our community can support our effort through financial donations.

We also provide educational resources — including original surgical procedure videos — produced locally for pure educational purposes, benefiting nursing teams, medical professionals, patients, and the public.

01
Research
High-impact clinical neuroscience research driving Windsor's academic health sciences future.
02
Education
Original surgical videos and annual workshops for staff, patients, and the public.
03
Fellowship
Elite training in general neurosurgery and complex spinal surgery.
04
Community
Engaging Windsor through research participation, education, and charitable giving.
Academic Affiliates
Schulich School of Medicine
Western University
University of Windsor

Real procedures. Real learning.

We provide teaching materials for our Nursing and Medical teams — and for patient and public education. Each video explains procedures with photo, graph, and video footage. All original material is locally produced for pure educational purposes.

As a Department of Neurosciences, we thank our supporting Nursing teams at Windsor Regional Hospital for their help and outstanding commitment — with a special thanks to our Nurse Practitioner and Nursing Team in Neurosurgery 8 East, Windsor Regional Hospital.



Hands-on training, every year

Every year the Neurosurgery Division organizes one to two advanced hands-on workshops for Residents, Fellows, and Nurse Practitioners — running continuously since 2020.

The neurosurgeons of Windsor

Dr. Abdurrahim Elashaal
Neurosurgeon
Dr. Abdurrahim Elashaal

MD, FRCS Ireland, FRCS Canada. Double Fellowship from Toronto in skull base & vascular neurosurgery and complex spinal neurosurgery. Special interest in endoscopic pituitary surgery, trigeminal neuralgia, brain & spinal tumors, vascular lesions, hydrocephalus, and minimally invasive spinal surgery.

Dr. Abdalla Shamisa
Neurosurgeon
Dr. Abdalla Shamisa

Neurosurgeon at Windsor Regional Hospital, contributing to NERA's mission of advancing neuroscience research and education in Windsor.

Dr. B. Jhawar
Neurosurgeon
Dr. B. Jhawar

Neurosurgeon at Windsor Regional Hospital, part of the NERA team committed to excellence in clinical care and surgical education.

Dr. Erin Dyer
Neurosurgeon
Dr. Erin Dyer

Neurosurgeon at Windsor Regional Hospital contributing to NERA's clinical and educational programs.

Dr. Abdul Naeem
Locum Neurosurgeon
Dr. Abdul Naeem

Trained in London, Ontario. Completed his spinal surgery fellowship at Windsor — and went on to describe it as "an absolute pleasure." A living testament to NERA's fellowship excellence.

Dr. Abdulhakim Mustafa
Neurologist
Dr. Abdulhakim Mustafa

Part of Windsor Regional Hospital's neurology team, which includes 5 Neurologists and 2 Stroke Neurologists delivering specialized neurological care.

Windsor Regional Hospital is home to 5 Neurologists and 2 Stroke Neurologists — delivering full-spectrum neurological and cerebrovascular care to Windsor and the surrounding region.

Ask our Neuro AI

Get instant answers about our surgical procedures, fellowship program, physicians, research, and how to support NERA. Trained on neuroscience knowledge and all of NERA's programs.

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General educational information only. Not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a qualified physician. 🔒 How your data is handled →

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NERA Neuro AINeuroscience Knowledge Assistant
NERA AI
Welcome to NERA Windsor. Ask me about our surgical procedures, fellowship program, physicians, research opportunities, or how to support us. How can I help?

Your privacy, respected

The NERA Neuro AI assistant is here to help you understand neuroscience topics. Here's plainly how it works and how your information is handled — no fine print.

What happens when you send a message
🧑 YOU 🔒 HTTPS 🛡️ SECURE RELAY 🧠 AI (ANTHROPIC) answer returns to you no NERA database
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It's an AI, not a doctor

NERA Neuro AI is an artificial-intelligence assistant, not a medical professional. It shares general, educational information only — never a diagnosis, treatment plan, or personal medical advice. Always consult a qualified physician about your health.

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Please don't share health details

Keep your questions general. Please don't type your name, health-card number, a specific diagnosis, or any other personal or identifying information into the chat. No personal health information (PHI) is requested or needed.

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Your chat isn't stored

Your conversation isn't saved to any NERA database and isn't kept after you leave. It lives only in your browser during your visit and disappears when you close or refresh the page.

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Sent over a secure connection

Your messages travel over an encrypted (HTTPS) connection to our AI provider, Anthropic, which generates the reply. There's no login or account, and the assistant uses no advertising or tracking cookies. Messages are handled under the AI provider's own privacy terms.

⚠️
In an emergency, don't use the chat

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department immediately. For non-urgent NERA enquiries, call 1-519-973-8771 ext. 225.

Train at the frontier of neurosurgery

General Neurosurgery & Spinal Surgery

We offer fellowship training in general neurosurgery and spinal surgery in Windsor, Ontario. This fellowship provides an excellent opportunity to enhance clinical experience across all aspects of neurosurgery — including complex spine surgery, minimally invasive techniques, neuro-trauma, neuro-oncology, and peripheral nervous system pathologies. Affiliated with Schulich School of Medicine at Western University.

Apply for Fellowship →

What Fellows Experience

Complex spine surgery · Minimally invasive techniques · Neuro-trauma management · Neuro-oncology · Peripheral nervous system pathologies · Surgical education from pre-med through residency

"It has been an absolute pleasure being a fellow at Windsor Neurosurgery. I am thankful for the vast learning opportunities and mentorship in providing exceptional sub-specialty care in minimally invasive spine surgery, neuro-trauma, neuro-oncology, and pathologies of the peripheral nervous system. I am also grateful for the opportunity to play a significant role in surgical education at all levels from pre-medical students to residents."

— Dr. Abdul Naeem, Fellow

"I am in love with Neurosurgery. I am fortunate to have been surrounded by wonderful and positive mentors and colleagues. I will continue my career with all my heart, and try to give everything I can for those in need. Neurosurgery has become a part of me and I desire to make a difference."

— Dr. Abdallah Alkhamees, Fellow

Purposeful science for real impact

Windsor is transitioning from a regional centre of excellence to an established health sciences academic centre. NERA's research unit is dedicated to conducting purposeful clinical research at the heart of that transformation.

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Clinical Research

High-impact neuroscience research with real-world outcomes for patients in Windsor and beyond.

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Student Collaboration

Opportunities from high school through graduate study — building the next generation of neuroscientists in Windsor.

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Community Trials

Windsor residents can participate directly in research trials and help shape the future of neurological care.

Submit a Research Inquiry Join a Research Trial

Wear your brain on your sleeve

Educational. Funny. Unapologetically nerdy. Every purchase supports NERA's fellowship and research programs. Ships worldwide via print-on-demand — zero inventory, always fresh.

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Let Claude generate a custom neuroscience slogan for you — specialty, tone, your call.

Let's connect

Head Office

1100 Ouellette Ave., Unit 300
Windsor, ON  N9A 1C9

Phone / Fax

1-519-973-8771 ext. 225
Fax: 1-519-973-4690

Research Applications

nera.windsor@gmail.com

Fellowship Applications

Windsor.spinal.fellowship@gmail.com

Earn credits. Advance your practice.

Continuing Medical Education is a requirement for every practicing physician. NERA delivers neuroscience education courses built from real Windsor surgical cases — available on demand, 24/7.

NERA Education Portal — Neuroscience learning resources for physicians, residents, and nurse practitioners
12
Course Hours
Available
4
Courses
Live Now
Access
On Demand
GBM
Neuro-Oncology
GBM Resection: Microscope, Navigation & Fluorescence
⏱ 3.5 hrs 📋 4 modules 🎯 Intermediate
📚 3.5 hrs · 4 Modules
Master the complete surgical workflow for GBM resection using intraoperative navigation, microscopy, and 5-ALA fluorescence-guided surgery. Real cases from Windsor Regional Hospital.
ETV
Endoscopic Neurosurgery
Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy for Hydrocephalus
⏱ 2.5 hrs 📋 3 modules 🎯 Advanced
📚 2.5 hrs · 3 Modules
A comprehensive walkthrough of ETV technique, patient selection criteria, endoscope navigation, and management of intraoperative complications.
TN
Pain Neurosurgery
Trigeminal Neuralgia: Percutaneous Balloon Microcompression
⏱ 3 hrs 📋 4 modules 🎯 Intermediate
📚 3 hrs · 4 Modules
Diagnosis, surgical technique, and patient outcomes for percutaneous balloon microcompression. Includes fluoroscopic guidance, Meckel's cave anatomy, and complication avoidance.
Spine
Spine Surgery
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery: Core Principles
⏱ 4 hrs 📋 5 modules 🎯 All Levels
📚 4 hrs · 5 Modules
From lumbar microdiscectomy to complex spinal reconstruction — this course covers the full MISS spectrum with live case videos from Windsor Regional Hospital's annual workshop.
Coming Soon
Neuro-Oncology · Stroke Neurology · Pituitary Surgery + More
New courses added quarterly by NERA's physician faculty. Register to be notified.
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Apply to train with Windsor's best

Our fellowship program trains neurosurgeons from around the world. Submit your application directly here — no emails, no PDFs sent into the void. Track your status in real time.

Application Timeline
1
Submit Application
Complete the form, attach your CV, references, and medical licence. Takes about 10 minutes.
You are here
2
Document Review
Our faculty reviews your credentials and training background. Rolling basis — no fixed deadline.
1–3 weeks
3
Interview
A video interview with Dr. Elashaal and the neurosurgery team to discuss goals and fit.
Scheduled after review
4
Decision & Offer
Successful candidates receive a formal fellowship offer and onboarding details.
Final step
Questions before applying?

Reach out to our fellowship coordinator directly and we'll get back to you.

Email fellowship coordinator

Fellowship Application

General Neurosurgery & Spinal Surgery — Windsor, ON

1 · Personal
2 · Training
3 · Documents
4 · Review
📄

Click to upload your CV

📎

Click to upload reference letters

🪪

Click to upload your licence

Application received

Thank you for applying to the Windsor Neurosurgery Fellowship. Our faculty reviews applications on a rolling basis and we'll be in touch by email.

REF —
📬 Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
📞 Questions: 1-519-973-8771 ext. 225
✉️ Windsor.spinal.fellowship@gmail.com

Curiosity, rewarded

Did You Know?
Tap "New Fact" for an AI-generated neuroscience insight — surgical, clinical, or just wonderfully strange.
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Interactive Brain — tap a region
FRONTAL PARIETAL OCCIPITAL TEMPORAL CEREBELLUM BRAINSTEM
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Tap any coloured area of the brain to learn what it does and which conditions NERA's neurosurgeons treat there.
Procedure Video
If the video doesn't load here, open it directly on NERA's site. Open on nerawindsor.ca ↗