• Facility

    Innovation and Advancement in Spine

UCSF Spine Pathology Advanced Research Center (SPARC)


 

SPARC logo

SPARC aims to advance spine care through cutting-edge research and fostering the development and integration of new technologies to improve patient outcomes. We are committed to expanding access to care and promoting outreach initiatives that ensure all individuals, regardless of background or location, benefit from the latest advancements as well as improve communication between the patient and their provider. By emphasizing education, we aim to equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver the highest quality care.

Our purpose is to accelerate spine research and education by:
    Leading outcome-driven, translational, and clinical studies
    Developing and evaluating emerging treatments and implant technologies
    Promoting global access to spine care through training and outreach
    Creating industry-academic partnerships to advance innovation. 
 
We invite you to learn more about our work and explore how you can be part of the future of spine care and research. Send us an email to erin.simon@ucsf.edu. Thank you!

 

Research and Education Focus

  • Outcome Driven Research

  • Emerging Spine Technology

  • Minimally Invasive Techniques

  • Traumatic Spine Injuries

  • Spinopelvic Pathology

  • Global Access to Spine Care and Education

Testing Facilities at UCSF

  • stf

    Surgical Training Facility (STF)

    The STF Lab offers top-of-the-line technology with the most comprehensive advanced imaging of any academic surgical training facility in the United States. Click here to book online.

  • BTF

    Biomechanical Testing Facility

    The BTF is part of the Orthopaedic Trauma Institute at the University of California, San Francisco, Orthopedic Department, housed in Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital (ZSFG). Click here to book online.

Current Projects

  • AO TL-OF Study

    Developing a classification-based scoring system to guide treatment decisions for thoracolumbar osteoporotic fractures. A global, multicenter prospective study.

  • TRACK-SCI: Advancing Spinal Cord Injury Care

    A research-driven initiative focused on improving outcomes for spinal cord injury patients through the integration of clinical data and evidence-based practices.

  • Pelvic Inlet View Study

    Evaluating the reliability of intraoperative pelvic inlet imaging to confirm accurate bicortical S1 pedicle screw placement.

  • The Hidden Cost of Spine Care

    Investigating the true economic burden of spine care for underserved patients in public health systems, with a focus on safety-net hospitals.

  • Editorial Bias in Spine Literature

    A systematic review exploring the presence and impact of editorial bias in current spine-related scientific publications.

  • Social Determinants in Spine Care

    A prospective study examining how socioeconomic and environmental factors influence spine health and care access.

  • Spinal Surgical Outcomes Registry

    A prospective data registry capturing long-term surgical outcomes to inform evidence-based practices in spine surgery.

  • Trauma Center Growth & Spine Research

    A retrospective study analyzing how the expansion of trauma centers affects spine surgery education and research opportunities.

Our Team

Research Fellows and Interns

Current List of Fellows and Interns

Zodina Beiene, MD
Avionna Baldwin, MD
Zachary Booze, MD
Michaela Booker, MD
Nesa Milan, MD
Tim Wu
Calvin Wang
Obiajulu Agha
Shravya Kakulamarri
Charlotte Wahle
Amy Kuang

Upcoming Global Speaking Engagements and Presentations

Publications

Video Library

Global Speaking Engagements and Presentations Library

Depression Among Lumbar Spine Surgery Patients: Uncovering the Untold Story

Authors: Wague A, O'Donnell J, Filley AC, Milan N, Singh G, Baldwin A, El Naga AN, Gendelberg D, Berven SH
Conference: 2025 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting – Abstract Paper Presentation
San Diego, CA
March 12, 2025

10th Annual Spine Trauma Symposium

Seattle Science Foundation 
Seattle, Washington, USA
November 2024 

What Every Spine Surgeon Should Know About Cervical Spine Trauma: An Update

North American Spine Society Annual Meeting 
Chicago, IL 
October 2024

Symposium: Thoracolumbar Trauma: Current Concepts and Practices Symposium

North American Spine Society Annual Meeting 
Los Angeles, CA 
October 2023

Symposium: What Every Spine Surgeon Should Know About Thoracolumbar Trauma Symposium

North American Spine Society Annual Meeting 
Chicago, IL 
October 2022

Symposium: What Every Spine Surgeon Should Know About Cervical Spine Trauma Symposium

North American Spine Society Annual Meeting 
Chicago, IL 
October 2022

Obturator Inlet and Iliac Oblique Technique for Safe, Convenient and Reliable Iliac Screw Placement

Authors: Gendelberg D, El Naga AN
Conference: International Spinal Deformity Symposium
Location: New York City, NY
Date: December 2, 2023

Preoperative Opioid Use and Patient Reported Outcomes Following Lumbar Spine Surgery

Authors: O’Donnell J, Wague A, Rangwalla K, Gendelberg D, El Naga A, Berven S
Conference: The 42nd Annual Meeting of the Israel Orthopaedic Association – Abstract Paper Presentation
Location: Tel-Aviv, IL
Date: January 26, 2023

Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Preoperative Opiate Utilization in Patients with Lumbar Degeneration

Authors: O’Donnell J, Wague A, Gendelberg D, El Naga A, Berven S
Conference: The 42nd Annual Meeting of the Israel Orthopaedic Association – Abstract Paper Presentation
Location: Tel-Aviv, IL
Date: January 26, 2023

Predictive Factors for Postoperative Loss to Follow-up After Surgery for Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis

Authors: Filley A, Baldwin A, Rangwalla K, Bawahab F, El Naga A, Gendelberg D, Berven S
Conference: The 42nd Annual Meeting of the Israel Orthopaedic Association – Abstract Paper Presentation
Location: Tel-Aviv, IL
Date: January 26, 2023

Our Partners