Member Spotlight

November 2024

Danika Paulo, MD

Functional Neurosurgery Fellow
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Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, TX
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​NANS member since 2021
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NANS members can find me @danikapaulomd (X)
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Areas of Expertise:
Surgical interventions for medically refractory epilepsy, psychiatric disorders, movement disorders and pain.
 
Why I enjoy what I do:
It is a true privilege to build a connection with patients, help them understand their disease, and offer treatment options that can meaningfully improve their quality of life and functionality. There is still much to be discovered about both the healthy and the diseased nervous system, and I am eager to be a part of that discovery, as the nervous system is so essential to human functioning and can be completely debilitating when disordered. I am excited to be a part of a dynamic field that is rapidly growing as advanced neuroimaging and device technology co-evolve to support diagnosis and personalized treatment of network-based disorders.

How I became interested in neuromodulation:
I was fortunate to see the power of neuromodulation as early as medical school when shadowing a functional neurosurgeon in the OR. Witnessing the instantaneous improvement in patients’ tremors and rigidity with stimulation along with their pure elation as their troublesome symptoms seemingly vanished was nothing short of miraculous - and still is! My interest continued to grow as I saw the applications of neuromodulation to significantly reduce seizure burden, improve mood and relieve pain in the many patients I encountered throughout medical school and residency.
 
The best thing about NANS:
The best thing about NANS is that it is an organization dedicated to building multidisciplinary connections and collaborations with many stakeholders that are essential to the field of neuromodulation (Neurosurgery, Neurology, PM&R, Anesthesia, Industry). This organization is filled with like-minded individuals who are passionate about their work, sharing their ideas, and advancing our field to provide the best possible care of patients. Many of them have become friends!
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​My favorite music:
It’s so hard to pick just one favorite musician! My OR playlist mostly consists of Rufus Du Sol, Odesza or Kygo (and they’re all incredible to see live!).
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Advice to those new to the field:
Get involved as much as you can! Come to the Annual Meeting, network, apply to be on committees/board, seek mentorship, advocate and learn. The benefit is multifold—to you, the society, the field, and patients.

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