Member Spotlight
December 2025
Alyson Engle, MD
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Tariq M. Malik, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesia and Critical Care
University of Chicago Chicago, IL NANS member since 2018 Editor of PULSE |
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Dr. Alyson Engle serves as Director of Pain Medicine and Neuromodulation at Illinois Orthopedic Network, where she specializes in CRPS, pain medicine, and neuromodulation therapies. Her clinical focus centers on helping patients reclaim mobility and return to meaningful activities—walking, working, and enjoying family life. Beyond her practice,
Dr. Engle plays a pivotal role in shaping the NANS community as editor of the PULSE newsletter, curating content that informs, connects, and inspires members. Through this work, she strives to amplify voices across the field and foster collaboration that drives innovation in neuromodulation. Areas of expertise: CRPS, Acute to Chronic Pain Transition, Pain Medicine, Neuromodulation. What do you find most rewarding about your role in advancing neuromodulation? Helping patients get back to life, walking, working, and enjoying family. What do you hope readers take away from each issue of PULSE (NANS members-only research and education newsletter)? With each issue of PULSE, I hope readers feel both seen and supported. My goal is to curate content that not only informs, but connects members through shared experience, practical solutions, and thought-provoking ideas. Whether it's a clinical insight, a policy update, or a personal story, I want every edition to spark reflection and inspire forward-thinking action across the NANS community. What area of neuromodulation do you find most exciting or promising right now, and why? Peripheral Nerve Stimulation really has me excited right now, especially the minimally invasive 60-day systems that give my younger patients a lot of pain relief. PNS has also seen some novel developments in technology and real durability across multiple pain conditions without committing patients to a permanent implant. I am really excited to see what PNS can do in the next few years. The best thing about NANS: The people at NANS are really genuine and supportive of lifting others up. The people involved in NANS really seem to care about each other. On the whole, NANS has a very warm and welcoming culture. My favorite book: Integrity: The Courage to Meet the Demands of Reality by Dr. Henry Cloud Words to live by: "Do the right thing, even when it's the hardest thing." |
Dr. Tariq M. Malik, Associate Professor of Anesthesia and Critical Care at the University of Chicago, is a recognized expert in anesthesia and chronic pain management. His clinical and research interests span advanced pain therapies, including intrathecal pumps, spinal cord stimulation, and neurolytic blocks, with a focus on improving outcomes for patients with cancer-related and neuropathic pain. Dr. Malik finds the greatest reward in educating patients and guiding them through treatment as a shared journey. As editor of the PULSE newsletter, he aims to create a collaborative space for the neuromodulation community - sharing insights, learning from challenges, and advancing best practices together.
Areas of expertise: Intrathecal pump and spinal cord stimulation (i.e., cancer and neuropathic pain). What do you find most rewarding about your role in advancing neuromodulation? The opportunity to provide patient education and spend meaningful time helping patients understand what’s happening and how we can help—turning the experience into a shared journey. What do you hope readers take away from each issue of PULSE (NANS members-only research and education newsletter)? In the tight-knit neuromodulation community, I hope to foster a space where we can openly discuss successes, learn how to avoid failures or harm, and share experiences that help all of us do a better job. What area of neuromodulation do you find most exciting or promising right now, and why? I’m particularly excited about advancements in brain-targeted neuromodulation and the integration of AI with neural interfaces. These innovations hold tremendous potential for treating conditions such as stroke, spinal cord injuries, and other complex neurological disorders. The best thing about NANS: NANS is a lively and interactive community that is ready to help and educate one another. Words to live by: "To criticize someone is the worst form of self-flattery." |