Graduate Students

M.D., Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul.

Ph.D. Candidate, Experimental Surgery, McGill University.

recai.yilmaz@mail.com

My Ph.D. studies involve 1- the development of the first real-time intelligent system, the Intelligent Continuous Expertise Monitoring System and its predictive validity, and 2- comparing this intelligent system to in-person human instruction in simulation training.

As a medical trainee and an aspiring surgeon, I believe that the future intelligent computer systems will make ‘the most efficient teacher’ in medical training. Being at the heart of the development is exciting!

1. Yilmaz, R., Winkler-Schwartz, A., Mirchi, N. et al. Continuous monitoring of surgical bimanual expertise using deep neural networks in virtual reality simulation. npj Digit. Med. 5, 54 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41746-022-00596-8
2. Yilmaz R., Ledwos N., Sawaya R. et al. Nondominant Hand Skills Spatial and Psychomotor Analysis During a Complex Virtual Reality Neurosurgical Task-A Case Series Study. Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown). 2022 Jul 1;23(1):22-30. doi: 10.1227/ons.0000000000000232. Epub 2022 Apr 20. PMID: 35726926.

I’m PGY 5 neurosurgery resident at McMaster University and will be doing a MSc of experiment surgery this year.

Currently, I’m working in the best practices and Symergy spine trial. My thesis is about learning curve in pedicle screw placement using Symergy simulator.

M.Sc. Candidate, McGill University

THESIS | TBD

bianca.giglio@mail.mcgill.ca

M.Sc. Candidate, Experimental Surgery, McGill University

THESIS | TBD

puja.pachchigar@mail.mcgill.ca

M.Sc. Candidate, Experimental Surgery, McGill University

THESIS | TBD

trisha.tee@mail.mcgill.ca

Neurosurgery Fellow, Université de Montréal

MSc. Candidate, McGill University

THESIS | TBD

bilal.tarabay@umontreal.ca 

As surgical education is shifting towards competency-based approach, simulation and artificial intelligence technologies have emerged as valuable teaching tools to help learners master operative skills in a safe environment. As an orthopaedic surgery resident, I am interested in validating novel simulation technologies in orthopaedic trauma surgery. I believe that further exploration of these new innovative educational tools will contribute to improving patient safety and learning efficiency for the next generation of surgeons.

M.Sc. Experimental Surgery, McGill University

THESIS | Continuous Instrument Tracking in a Cerebral Corticectomy Ex Vivo Calf Brain Simulation Model: Face and Content Validation

abdulrahman.almansouri@mail.mcgill.ca

M.Sc. Experimental Surgery, McGill University

THESIS | TBD

nour.abouhamdan@mail.mcgill.ca

awinklerschwartz@gmail.com

Published Papers:
Virtual Reality Tumor Resection: The Force Pyramid Approach
Robin Sawaya, B.Sc. Abdulgadir Bugdadi, MD. Hamed Azarnoush, PhD. Alexander Winkler-Schwartz, MD., et al.
Journal of Operative Neurosurgery, 2017
[PDF]

Automaticity of Force Application during Simulated Brain Tumor Resection: Testing the Fitts and Posner Model
ugdadi A, Sawaya R, Olwi D, Al-Zhrani G, Azarnoush H, Sabbagh A, Alsideiri G, Bajunaid K, Alotaibi FE, Winkler-Schwartz A, et al.
Journal of Surgical Education, 2017
[PDF]

The Force Pyramid: A Spatial Analysis of Force Application During Virtual Reality Brain Tumour Resection
Hamed Azarnoush, Samaneh Siar, BSc, Robin Sawaya, BSc, Gmaan Al Zhrani, MD, MSc, Alexander Winkler-Schwartz, MD., et al.
Journal of Neurosurgery, 2016
[PDF]

Impact of Acute Stress on Psychomotor Bimanual Performance during Simulated Tumor Resection Task
Khalid Bajunaid, MD, MSc, Muhammad Abu Shadeque Mullah, MSc, Alexander Winkler-Schwartz, MD., et al.
Journal of Neurosurgery, 2017
[PDF]

Bimanual Psychomotor Performance in Neurosurgical Resident Applicants Assessed Using NeuroTouch, a Virtual Reality Simulator
Alexander Winkler-Schwartz., et al.
Journal of Surgical Education, 2016
[PDF]

Assessing Neurosurgical Psychomotor Performance: Role of Virtual Reality Simulators, Current and Future Potential
Fahad E. AlOtaibi, Gmaan Al Zhrani, Khalid Bajunaid, Alexander Winkler-Schwartz, et al.
SOJ Neurology, 2015
[PDF]

Assessing bimanual performance in brain tumor resection withNeuroTouch, a virtual reality simulator
Alotaibi, F. E., AlZhrani, G. A., Mullah, M. A., Sabbagh, A. J., Azarnoush, H., Winkler-Schwartz, A, et al.
Operative Neurosurgery, 2015
[PDF]

Neurosurgical Assessment of Metrics Including Judgement and Dexterity (NAJD) Using the Virtual Reality Simulator NeuroTouch
Alotaibi, F. E., AlZhrani, G. A., Sabbagh, A. J., Azarnoush, H., Winkler-Schwartz, A et al.
Surgical Innovation, 2015
[PDF]

Proficiency Performance Benchmarks for Removal of Simulated Brain Tumors using NeuroTouch a Virtual Reality Simulator
Gmaan AlZhrani, MD, Fahad Alotaibi, MD, Hamed Azarnoush, PhD, Alexander Winkler-Schwartz, MD, et al.
Journal of Surgical Education, 2015
[PDF]

Neurosurgical virtual reality simulation metrics to assess psychomotor skills in the resection of intracranial tumor
Hamed Azarnoush, Gmaan Alzhrani, Alexander Winkler-Schwartz, et al.
International Journal of Computer-Assisted Radiology and Surgery, 2015
[PDF]

Ahmad M. Alsayegh, MBBS, MSc

Neurological Surgery Resident, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital,

McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4.

Teaching Assistant, Neurological Surgery, Department of Surgery,

Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

MSc. (c) in Experimental Surgery (Surgical Education) – McGill University

BSc. Anatomy and Cell Biology (Social Studies of Medicine) – McGill University (Dec. 2018)

I graduated with a Bachelor of Medical Sciences from the University of Western Ontario, where I specialized in Physiology. Towards the end of this degree, I developed an interest in data science/AI and its applications in healthcare, which, in combination with my passion for entrepreneurship, led me to pursue the Masters of Science in Experimental Surgery program with a specialization in Surgical Innovation at McGill.

École de Technologie Supérieure, Mechanical Engineering with a biomedical specialization, 2019

Click HERE to read Aiden’s thesis.

B.Sc. Neuroscience, McGill University (April 2019).

Current innovations in technologies such as virtual reality offer new means to evaluate technical skills underlying surgical procedures. Under the direction of Dr. Alexander Winkler-Schwartz, my project consists of analyzing the difference in surgical performance level between various expertise groups using MRI data. This project is part of a wider validation study which aims at establishing the reliability and relevance of simulation technology in the field of neurosurgery.

To read Dan’s thesis, click HERE.

2018-2019

MD, Université de Sherbrooke

MSc. Experimental Surgery, McGill University

THESIS | Artificial Intelligence Distinguishes Surgical Training Levels In a Virtual Reality Spinal Task

Click Here to reach to Vincent Bissonnette’s thesis

2018-2019

B.A. Psychology, McGill University

M.Sc. Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University

THESIS | Virtual Reality Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Simulation on the Sim-Ortho Platform: Validation Studies
Click HERE to read Nicole Ledwos’s Thesis

2018-2019

B.Sc. Biochemistry (Neuroscience minor), McGill University (December 2017)

M.Sc. Experimental Surgery, McGill University

THESIS | Artificial Neural Networks to Assess Virtual Reality Anterior Cervical Discectomy Performance
Click HERE to read Nykan Mirchi’s Thesis

2016-2017

M.Sc. Experimental Surgery, McGill University

THESIS | Validating a spinal simulation model using NeuroVR
Click HERE to read Dr. Ghusn Alsideiri’s Thesis

Published Papers:
Virtual Reality Tumor Resection: The Force Pyramid Approach
Robin Sawaya, B.Sc. Abdulgadir Bugdadi, MD. Hamed Azarnoush, PhD. Alexander Winkler-Schwartz, MD. Fahad Eid Alotaibi, MD. MSc Khalid Bajunaid, MD, MSc. Gmaan AlZhrani, MD, MA. Ghusn Alsidieri, MD. et al.
Journal of Operative Neurosurgery, 2017
[PDF]

Automaticity of Force Application during Simulated Brain Tumor Resection: Testing the Fitts and Posner Model
Bugdadi A, Sawaya R, Olwi D, Al-Zahrani G, Azarnoush H, Sabbagh A, Alsideiri G, et al.
Journal of Surgical Education, 2017
[PDF]

2015-2017

B.Sc. Neuroscience (Computer Science), McGill University (July 2015)

M.Sc. Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University

THESIS | Role of Hand Ergonomics in Virtual Reality Brain Tumor Resections
Click HERE to read Robin Sawaya’s Thesis

Published Papers:

Virtual Reality Tumor Resection: The Force Pyramid Approach
Robin Sawaya et al.
Journal of Operative Neurosurgery, 2017
[PDF]

Automaticity of Force Application during Simulated Brain Tumor Resection: Testing the Fitts and Posner Model
Bugdadi, A., Sawaya R., et al.
Journal of Surgical Education, 2017
[PDF]

The Force Pyramid: A Spatial Analysis of Force Application During Virtual Reality Brain Tumour Resection
Azarnoush, H., Siar, S., Sawaya, R., et al.
Journal of Neurosurgery, 2016
[PDF]

2016-2017

M.Sc. Department of Experimental Surgery, McGill University (January 2017)

Teaching assistant, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura, Makkah Almukarramah, Saudi Arabia

THESIS | Automaticity of Force Application during Simulated Brain Tumor Resection: Testing the Fitts and Posner Model
Click HERE to read Dr. Abdulgadir Bugdadi’s Thesis

Published Papers:

Virtual Reality Tumor Resection: The Force Pyramid Approach
Sawaya, R., Bugdadi, A., et al.
Journal of Operative Neurosurgery, 2017
[PDF]

Automaticity of Force Application during Simulated Brain Tumor Resection: Testing the Fitts and Posner Model
Bugdadi, A., et al.
Journal of Surgical Education, 2017
[PDF]

The Force Pyramid: A Spatial Analysis of Force Application During Virtual Reality Brain Tumour Resection
Hamed Azarnoush, Samaneh Siar, BSc, Robin Sawaya, BSc, Gmaan Al Zhrani, MD, MSc, Alexander Winkler-Schwartz, MD, Fahad Eid Alotaibi, MD, MSc, Abdulgadir Bugdadi, MD., et al.
Journal of Neurosurgery, 2016
[PDF]

2013-2014 
Co-Supervised with Dr. Mark Tewfik
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

MSc. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, McGill University (August 2016)

THESIS | Development and initial validation of the McGill Simulator for Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (MSESS)

Click HERE to read Rickul Varshney’s Thesis

Published Papers:
The McGill Simulator for Endoscopic Surgery (MSESS): a Validation Study
Varshney, R. et al.
Journal of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, 2014
[PDF]

Development of the McGill Simulator for Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (MSESS): A New High Fidelity Virtual Reality Simulator for Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
Varshney, R. et al.
American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy
[PDF]

Presentations

2014-2015

M.Sc. Department of Experimental Surgery, McGill University (July 2015)

THESIS | Acute Stress Impacts Psychomotor Bimanual Performance During Simulated Tumor Resection Task [PDF]
Click HERE to read Dr. Khalid Bajunaid’s Thesis

Dr. Bajunaid’s studies have focused on the influence of stress on neurosurgical performance using the NeuroTouch Simulator Platform.

Published Papers:
Virtual Reality Tumor Resection: The Force Pyramid Approach
Robin Sawaya, B.Sc. Abdulgadir Bugdadi, MD. Hamed Azarnoush, PhD. Alexander Winkler-Schwartz, MD. Fahad Eid Alotaibi, MD. MSc Khalid Bajunaid, MD, et al.
Journal of Operative Neurosurgery, 2017
[PDF]

Automaticity of Force Application during Simulated Brain Tumor Resection: Testing the Fitts and Posner Model
Bugdadi A, Sawaya R, Olwi D, Al-Zahrani G, Azarnoush H, Sabbagh A, Alsideiri G, Bajunaid K, et al.
Journal of Surgical Education, 2017
[PDF]

The Force Pyramid: A Spatial Analysis of Force Application During Virtual Reality Brain Tumour Resection
Hamed Azarnoush, Samaneh Siar, BSc, Robin Sawaya, BSc, Gmaan Al Zhrani, MD, MSc, Alexander Winkler-Schwartz, MD, Fahad Eid Alotaibi, MD, MSc, Abdulgadir Bugdadi, MD, Khalid Bajunaid, MD, et al.
Journal of Neurosurgery, 2016
[PDF]

Impact of Acute Stress on Psychomotor Bimanual Performance during Simulated Tumor Resection Task
Bajunaid, K. et al.
Journal of Neurosurgery, 2017
[PDF]

Bimanual Psychomotor Performance in Neurosurgical Resident Applicants Assessed Using NeuroTouch, a Virtual Reality Simulator
Alexander Winkler-Schwartz, Khalid Bajunaid, et al.
Journal of Surgical Education, 2016
[PDF]

Assessing Neurosurgical Psychomotor Performance: Role of Virtual Reality Simulators, Current and Future Potential
Fahad E. AlOtaibi, Gmaan Al Zhrani, Khalid Bajunaid, et al.
SOJ Neurology
[PDF]

Proficiency Performance Benchmarks for Removal of Simulated Brain Tumors using NeuroTouch a Virtual Reality Simulator
Gmaan AlZhrani, MD, Fahad Alotaibi, MD, Hamed Azarnoush, PhD, Alexander Winkler-Schwartz, MD, Abdulrahman Sabbagh, MD, Khalid Bajunaid, MD, et al.
Journal of Surgical Education, 2015
[PDF]

Presentations

2013-2014

MSc. Department of Experimental Surgery, McGill University (July 2014)

THESIS | Assessing Bimanual Performance in Brain Tumour Resection using Novel Virtual Reality Simulator NeuroTouch
Click HERE to read Dr. Fahad Alotaibi’s Thesis

Primary developer of “Neurosurgical Assessment of Judgment and Dexterity (NAJD)” metrics and software to extract the metrics directly from NeuroTouch data output.

Published Papers:
Virtual Reality Tumor Resection: The Force Pyramid Approach
Robin Sawaya, B.Sc. Abdulgadir Bugdadi, MD. Hamed Azarnoush, PhD. Alexander Winkler-Schwartz, MD. Fahad Eid Alotaibi, MD, et al.
Journal of Operative Neurosurgery, 2017
[PDF]

Automaticity of Force Application during Simulated Brain Tumor Resection: Testing the Fitts and Posner Model
Bugdadi A, Sawaya R, Olwi D, Al-Zahrani G, Azarnoush H, Sabbagh A, Alsideiri G, Bajunaid K, Alotaibi FE, et al.
Journal of Surgical Education, 2017
[PDF]

The Force Pyramid: A Spatial Analysis of Force Application During Virtual Reality Brain Tumour Resection
Hamed Azarnoush, Samaneh Siar, BSc, Robin Sawaya, BSc, Gmaan Al Zhrani, MD, MSc, Alexander Winkler-Schwartz, MD, Fahad Eid Alotaibi, MD, et al.
Journal of Neurosurgery, 2016
[PDF]

Impact of Acute Stress on Psychomotor Bimanual Performance during Simulated Tumor Resection Task
Khalid Bajunaid, MD, MSc, Muhammad Abu Shadeque Mullah, MSc, Alexander Winkler-Schwartz, MD, Fahad E. Alotaibi, MD et al.
Journal of Neurosurgery, 2017
[PDF]

Bimanual Psychomotor Performance in Neurosurgical Resident Applicants Assessed Using NeuroTouch, a Virtual Reality Simulator
Alexander Winkler-Schwartz, Khalid Bajunaid, Muhammad A.S Mullah, Ibrahim Marwa, Fahad Alotaibi, MSc., et al.
Journal of Surgical Education, 2016
[PDF]

Assessing Neurosurgical Psychomotor Performance: Role of Virtual Reality Simulators, Current and Future Potential
Fahad E. Alotaibi et al.
SOJ Neurology, 2015
[PDF]

Assessing bimanual performance in brain tumor resection withNeuroTouch, a virtual reality simulator
Fahad E. Alotaibi et al.
Operative Neurosurgery, 2015
[PDF]

Neurosurgical Assessment of Metrics Including Judgement and Dexterity (NAJD) Using the Virtual Reality Simulator NeuroTouch
Alotaibi, F.E., et al.
Surgical Innovation, 2015
[PDF]

Proficiency Performance Benchmarks for Removal of Simulated Brain Tumors using NeuroTouch a Virtual Reality Simulator
Gmaan AlZhrani, MD, Fahad Alotaibi, MD, et al.
Journal of Surgical Education, 2015
[PDF]

Neurosurgical virtual reality simulation metrics to assess psychomotor skills in the resection of intracranial tumor
Hamed Azarnoush, Gmaan Alzhrani, Alexander Winkler-Schwartz, Fahad Alotaibi et al.
International Journal of Computer-Assisted Radiology and Surgery, 2015
[PDF]

Presentations

2012-2014
Co-Supervised with Dr. Susanne Lajoie
Department of Educational Psychology, McGill

Neurosurgery Resident, McGill University
MA. Department of Educational Psychology, McGill University (June 2014)

THESIS | A Validation Study of a Virtual-Reality Neurosimulator (NeuroTouch) in Neurosurgical Training
Click HERE for Dr. Gmaan Al-Zhrani’s Thesis

Special interest in studying Neurosurgical expertise and measuring surgical skills objectively. Developed benchmarks for a set of novel metrics based on a group of board certified neurosurgeons performance during simulated brain tumor resections using the NeuroTouch. This research can be used to shift the neurosurgery training program from a competency-based model into a a proficiency-based model for the purpose of faster neurosurgical skills aquisition and maintenance.

Papers Published:
Virtual Reality Tumor Resection: The Force Pyramid Approach
Robin Sawaya, B.Sc. Abdulgadir Bugdadi, MD. Hamed Azarnoush, PhD. Alexander Winkler-Schwartz, MD. Fahad Eid Alotaibi, MD. MSc Khalid Bajunaid, MD, MSc. Gmaan AlZhrani, MD, et al.
Journal of Operative Neurosurgery, 2017
[PDF]

Automaticity of Force Application during Simulated Brain Tumor Resection: Testing the Fitts and Posner Model
Bugdadi A, Sawaya R, Olwi D, Al-Zhrani G, et al.
Journal of Surgical Education, 2017
[PDF]

The Force Pyramid: A Spatial Analysis of Force Application During Virtual Reality Brain Tumour Resection
Hamed Azarnoush, Samaneh Siar, BSc, Robin Sawaya, BSc, Gmaan Al Zhrani, MD., et al.
Journal of Neurosurgery, 2016
[PDF]

Impact of Acute Stress on Psychomotor Bimanual Performance during Simulated Tumor Resection Task
Khalid Bajunaid, MD, MSc, Muhammad Abu Shadeque Mullah, MSc, Alexander Winkler-Schwartz, MD, Fahad E. Alotaibi, MD, MSc, Jawad Fares, BSc, Marta Baggiani, Hamed Azarnoush, PhD, Sommer Christie, BSc, MHK, Gmaan Al-Zhrani, MD., et al.
Journal of Neurosurgery, 2017
[PDF]

Bimanual Psychomotor Performance in Neurosurgical Resident Applicants Assessed Using NeuroTouch, a Virtual Reality Simulator
Alexander Winkler-Schwartz, Khalid Bajunaid, Muhammad A.S Mullah, Ibrahim Marwa, Fahad Alotaibi, MSc, Jawad Fares, Marta Baggiani, Hamed Azarnoush, Gmaan Al Zharni, et al.
Journal of Surgical Education, 2016
[PDF]

Assessing Neurosurgical Psychomotor Performance: Role of Virtual Reality Simulators, Current and Future Potential
Fahad E. AlOtaibi, Gmaan Al Zhrani et al.
SOJ Neurology, 2015
[PDF]

Neurosurgical Assessment of Metrics Including Judgement and Dexterity (NAJD) Using the Virtual Reality Simulator NeuroTouch
Alotaibi, F.E., AlZhrani, G., et al.
Surgical Innovation, 2015
[PDF]

Assessing bimanual performance in brain tumor resection withNeuroTouch, a virtual reality simulator
Alotaibi, F. E., AlZhrani, G. A, et al.
Operative Neurosurgery, 2015
[PDF]

Proficiency Performance Benchmarks for Removal of Simulated Brain Tumors using NeuroTouch a Virtual Reality Simulator
Gmaan AlZhrani, MD., et al.
Journal of Surgical Education, 2015
[PDF]

Neurosurgical virtual reality simulation metrics to assess psychomotor skills in the resection of intracranial tumor
Hamed Azarnoush, Gmaan Alzhrani, et al.
International Journal of Computer-Assisted Radiology and Surgery, 2015
[PDF]