Neurosurgical Oncology & Skull Base Fellowship | Department of Surgery | School of Medicine

Complex cases. Progressive autonomy. Mentorship for academic practice.

Neurosurgical Oncology & Skull Base Fellowship

This one-year fellowship provides advanced training for neurosurgeons pursuing focused expertise in neurosurgical oncology and skull base surgery. Fellows gain exposure to complex surgical care, multidisciplinary oncology management, and academic scholarship while developing the judgment, technical skills, and independence needed for academic practice.

Complex Case Exposure: Train in advanced surgical management of primary and metastatic brain and spine tumours, skull base disease, awake craniotomies, and endoscopic approaches.

Progressive Clinical Independence: Develop increasing autonomy in operative, inpatient, and outpatient settings through close faculty mentorship.

Academic and Research Focus: Integrate fellowship training with meaningful research, publication, and conference opportunities.

Multidisciplinary Learning Environment: Train alongside a collaborative team and contribute to multidisciplinary tumour boards and teaching.

Fellows gain exposure to a wide range of complex neurosurgical oncology cases within a collaborative academic environment, with close mentorship and progressive independence designed to prepare them for academic practice.

Clinical Experience and Training Environment

Fellows gain progressively greater autonomy across operative, inpatient, and outpatient care while contributing to complex decision-making, learner mentorship, and a collaborative academic training environment.

Training includes exposure to:

Surgery for primary and metastatic brain tumours
Surgery for spinal tumours and reconstruction
Awake craniotomies and advanced brain mapping
Endoscopic neurosurgery, including skull base approaches
Surgical treatment of pain-related conditions
Multidisciplinary tumour board participation
Pre-operative assessment and treatment planning clinics

Advanced Surgical Exposure

Additional fellowship exposure includes:

Trans-sulcal and transcortical tumour approaches
Lobectomies and advanced tumour resection techniques
Endoscopic endonasal and transventricular procedures
Skull base surgery using open, minimally invasive, and endoscopic approaches

Research and Academic Opportunities

Clinical training is paired with active scholarly development.

Fellows may:

Contribute to or lead original research projects
Participate in clinical, translational, and outcomes research
Develop independent academic projects with faculty mentorship
Present work at national and international conferences

Completion of at least one manuscript suitable for peer-reviewed publication is expected during the fellowship.

Research opportunities may include:

Population-based epidemiological studies
Translational study design
Clinical observational research
Clinical trial methodology

More to explore

Why Fellows Train Here

Complex Case Experience

Gain exposure to advanced neurosurgical oncology and skull base procedures in a high-acuity academic environment.

Mentorship for Academic Practice

Train alongside experienced clinical and research faculty in a collaborative program designed to support long-term academic growth.

Progressive Independence

Develop the confidence and autonomy needed for independent practice through increasing responsibility across the fellowship year.

Life in Kingston

Train in a mid-sized academic centre with short commutes, access to outdoor recreation, and a strong clinical and university community.

Kingston offers:

A connected and welcoming academic community
Easy access to waterfronts, trails, and green space
Affordable living relative to larger urban centres
Convenient access to Toronto, Ottawa, and Montréal

Explore Life in Kingston »

Application & Contact Information

Applications are reviewed annually for fellowship positions beginning July 1.

Applicants are selected through a review of their application materials, curriculum vitae, letters of recommendation, and interview.

For questions about fellowship opportunities, application timelines, or training expectations, please contact:

Program Lead: Dr. Shervin Taslimi
Clinical Fellowship Assistant: Mary Lee
Department of Surgery, Division of Neurosurgery
Queen’s University
Kingston Health Sciences Centre
76 Stuart Street
Kingston, Ontario K7L 2V7