Name: Dumura Jeneral Alfin
Home Country: Nigeria
Fellowship Training Hospital: Barrow Neurological Institute, United States of America
Hosts: Dr. Michael Lawton, Dr. Kumar Kakarla, Dr. Juan Uribe, Dr. Laura Snyder, Dr. Jay Tuner, Dr. Nader Sanai
FIENS is proud to present Bassett Fellow Dr. Dumura Jeneral Alfin, who successfully completed his fellowship training at Barrow Neurological Institute in the United States from March 3 to June 3, 2025. Dr. Alfin is a Consultant Neurosurgeon dedicated to advancing cerebrovascular neurosurgical services in his home country of Nigeria.
Fellowship Overview
Dr. Alfin’s fellowship focused on subspecialty training in cerebrovascular microsurgery, including aneurysm clipping, bypass procedures, arteriovenous malformation (AVM) and cavernoma resections, as well as skull base and spine surgeries. Under the expert guidance of Dr. Michael Lawton and the Barrow neurosurgical faculty, Dr. Alfin gained exposure to advanced microsurgical techniques in a high-volume, world-leading center.
His training included:
- Daily participation in operating room sessions observing complex neurosurgical procedures
- Morning case reviews and ward rounds with Dr. Lawton
- Evening teaching sessions led by Dr. Lawton and Dr. Jay Tuner
- Weekly grand rounds
- Participation in weekly outpatient clinic consultations
Dr. Alfin completed his neurosurgery residency training in Nigeria, beginning at Jos University Teaching Hospital in 2011 and completing senior residency at the National Hospital Abuja in 2018. He further enhanced his experience with a six-month hands-on clinical program at Groote Schuur Hospital, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
Impact and Reflections
Reflecting on his experience, Dr. Alfin shared:
“This opportunity has greatly enhanced my understanding of cerebrovascular microsurgical neurosurgery. The technical skills and nuances I have learned will enable me to improve my practice and contribute to establishing a dedicated cerebrovascular service in my institution. This will support ongoing efforts to expand advanced neurosurgical care in Nigeria.”
Dr. Alfin noted that while the fellowship provided exceptional observational learning, limited hands-on experience and reduced patient interaction posed challenges to achieving a fully immersive clinical experience.
Future Plans
Dr. Alfin plans to strengthen and expand cerebrovascular neurosurgical services within his institution. His goals include advancing procedures such as aneurysm clipping, AVM and cavernoma resections, and bypass surgeries, while also enhancing resident training and contributing to the broader development of cerebrovascular neurosurgery in Nigeria.
Dr. Alfin expressed sincere gratitude to FIENS for this opportunity, with special appreciation to Prof. Robert Dempsey for his leadership, and to Dr. Michael Lawton and the entire Barrow Neurological Institute team for their mentorship and support.
Congratulations to Dr. Alfin!
