Pan-American group of studies in epilepsy: A multinational mentorship series to promote neuroscience education and research collaboration
Poster #: 016
Session/Time: A
Author:
Kenjy Li Cruz-Ham, BS
Mentor:
Alberto E. Musto, MD, PhD
Research Type: Educational
Abstract
INTRODUCTION:
Neurological research requires international collaboration, but access to infrastructure, resources, and mentorship remains uneven. In the Pan-American region, barriers include economic inequality, language differences, bureaucratic delays, and limited mentorship. Professional meetings are costly, excluding students and early-career investigators, while a lack of resources hinders access to equipment, journals, and feedback. Language barriers further restrict publishing and networking. These challenges reduce opportunities for collaboration and professional growth. Prior mentorship initiatives show that structured support improves productivity, confidence, and outcomes such as abstracts and publications. To address these disparities, neuroscientists from the USA, Argentina, and Peru launched the Pan-American Group of Studies in Epilepsy (2025), aiming to foster neuroscience education, collaboration, and mentorship through culturally responsive approaches.
METHODS:
• Monthly 60-90-minute virtual seminars provided a safe, bilingual space for dialogue across experience levels and countries. • Rotating presentations from labs in Argentina, Peru, and the USA showcased diverse perspectives. • Presentations were delivered by mentees (PhD, medical students, postdocs) and video-recorded for reflection and asynchronous access. • Senior faculty offered feedback, guiding discussion on significance and methodology while encouraging student input. • Seminars created opportunities for collaboration through shared research interests, protocol exchange, and potential student visits. • Students shared experiences, challenges, and lessons learned, while receiving guidance to transform presentations into abstracts, posters, or manuscripts. • International exposure was provided without requiring travel or funding. • The model was built without centralized sponsorship, demonstrating scalability for low-resource settings.
RESULTS:
Eight seminars have been held, covering topics such as drug-resistant epilepsy, GABA excitatory/inhibitory shifts, high-frequency oscillations, dendritic spine pathology, and much more. Each session engaged 20-30 participants, including physicians, neuroscientists, pharmacists, and students from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and the USA. Student participation has been enthusiastic, with many presenting early-stage research and gaining confidence in scientific communication. The supportive, low-pressure setting allowed refinement before formal conferences. Feedback consistently described the series as intellectually stimulating, accessible, and motivating, particularly for those new to neuroscience. Several participants reported increased interest in research careers and presenting at professional meetings.
CONCLUSION:
The Pan-American Group of Studies in Epilepsy seminar series fosters mentorship, collaboration, and visibility for early-career researchers. By prioritizing student-led research and cross-cultural exchange, it addresses disparities in training and builds capacity in underserved regions. This scalable, low-cost model can be adapted to other disciplines, with future directions including expansion to additional countries, stronger institutional partnerships, and regional epilepsy-focused public engagement.
Neurological research requires international collaboration, but access to infrastructure, resources, and mentorship remains uneven. In the Pan-American region, barriers include economic inequality, language differences, bureaucratic delays, and limited mentorship. Professional meetings are costly, excluding students and early-career investigators, while a lack of resources hinders access to equipment, journals, and feedback. Language barriers further restrict publishing and networking. These challenges reduce opportunities for collaboration and professional growth. Prior mentorship initiatives show that structured support improves productivity, confidence, and outcomes such as abstracts and publications. To address these disparities, neuroscientists from the USA, Argentina, and Peru launched the Pan-American Group of Studies in Epilepsy (2025), aiming to foster neuroscience education, collaboration, and mentorship through culturally responsive approaches.
METHODS:
• Monthly 60-90-minute virtual seminars provided a safe, bilingual space for dialogue across experience levels and countries. • Rotating presentations from labs in Argentina, Peru, and the USA showcased diverse perspectives. • Presentations were delivered by mentees (PhD, medical students, postdocs) and video-recorded for reflection and asynchronous access. • Senior faculty offered feedback, guiding discussion on significance and methodology while encouraging student input. • Seminars created opportunities for collaboration through shared research interests, protocol exchange, and potential student visits. • Students shared experiences, challenges, and lessons learned, while receiving guidance to transform presentations into abstracts, posters, or manuscripts. • International exposure was provided without requiring travel or funding. • The model was built without centralized sponsorship, demonstrating scalability for low-resource settings.
RESULTS:
Eight seminars have been held, covering topics such as drug-resistant epilepsy, GABA excitatory/inhibitory shifts, high-frequency oscillations, dendritic spine pathology, and much more. Each session engaged 20-30 participants, including physicians, neuroscientists, pharmacists, and students from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and the USA. Student participation has been enthusiastic, with many presenting early-stage research and gaining confidence in scientific communication. The supportive, low-pressure setting allowed refinement before formal conferences. Feedback consistently described the series as intellectually stimulating, accessible, and motivating, particularly for those new to neuroscience. Several participants reported increased interest in research careers and presenting at professional meetings.
CONCLUSION:
The Pan-American Group of Studies in Epilepsy seminar series fosters mentorship, collaboration, and visibility for early-career researchers. By prioritizing student-led research and cross-cultural exchange, it addresses disparities in training and builds capacity in underserved regions. This scalable, low-cost model can be adapted to other disciplines, with future directions including expansion to additional countries, stronger institutional partnerships, and regional epilepsy-focused public engagement.