Kamil W. Nowicki, MD, PhD is an endovascular neurosurgeon and physician-scientist. He recently joined the Department of Neurosurgery at Columbia University Irving Medical Center as Assistant Professor. He graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Florida in 2008. He completed combined MD-PhD program at UF under mentorship of Dr. Brian Hoh. He completed neurosurgery residency at UPMC in 2023 with 1yr of enfolded endovascular fellowship where he was mentored by Dr. Friedlander, Dr. Sekula and Dr. Lang. He then completed an endovascular fellowship at Yale University under Dr. Matouk. He has been actively involved in the lab exploring inflammation in cerebral aneurysm formation. While in Pittsburgh, he formed Astria Biosciences, a startup company, with a mission to develop the first mini-proteomic blood test for aneurysm detection. His work has resulted in 50 manuscripts, chapters, and abstracts, 5 invention disclosures, and 4 patent applications. 

The first time I became interested in brain aneurysm research was in medical school after observing a a cerebral aneurysm surgery. I will never forget the initial impression complete with the sharp operating theater lighting, the resonation of each heartbeat, the illumination from nearby images, and the palpable but controlled intensity in the eyes of the attending surgeon. That scene perfectly embodied what modern neurological surgery has become as a discipline. More personally, it also represents what neurosurgery means to me: a specialty build on years of medical progress, forged by characters of pioneering individuals, with technological advancements as a testament to the possibilities of future treatments. In that moment, I knew that I wanted to become a neurosurgeon and wanted to focus my efforts on cerebral aneurysm research because this specialty captured my enthusiasm for surgery, interest in both the vascular and central nervous systems, and opportunity for research that would provide meaningful change in patients’ lives. 

In the simplest terms, what is the purpose of your project?

Adi Mittal is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Adi was accepted to the University of Pittsburgh Medical School from high school as part of the Guaranteed Admissions Program in Medicine. Adi has actively been involved in basic science research with his first publication at the age of 18. Adi has published over 30 peer reviewed papers with over 10 of them as first author. Adi was selected as the only MISSION fellow nationally by the American Associations of Neurological Surgeons and has been awarded a summer research fellowship by the Neurosurgery Research and Education Fund. Adi has also won numerous healthcare related business and innovation competitions. Adi aspires to continue his career as a neurosurgeon-innovator focused on commercializing finding from the lab into the hands of patients.

I am originally from Edina, MN. I went to the University of Pittsburgh for both my undergraduate and medical school education. I am currently applying for neurosurgical residencies, and I have a strong interest in vascular neurosurgery especially taking care of patients with cerebral aneurysms.

I got involved with brain aneurysm research after seeing patients suffer complications of aneurysmal rupture and talking to patients about their own difficulties obtaining diagnostic care.

The purpose of our project is to develop a blood test for cerebral aneurysm detection.

In the simplest terms, what do you hope will change through your research findings?

We hope our blood test will lead to cost effective diagnosis of patients with cerebral aneurysms and open the door for screening of aneurysms in high risk populations.

Why is the funding you are receiving through the Brain Aneurysm Foundation so important?

Funding from the Brain Aneurysm Foundation not only serves as a stamp of approval that our project will be impactful for patients with cerebral aneurysms but also allows us to collect additional samples that will be critical for validating our blood test and bringing this technology into the hands of our patients.