Connor Berlin, MD
Education
Doctor of Medicine
AOA, Distinction in Research, Distinction in Foundations of Medicine, Clinical Neurosciences Pathway
State University of New York, Downstate Health Sciences University, 2020
Bachelor of Science
Cum Laude
Neurobiology and Behavior
Minor in History
Cornell University, 2015
Professional Experience
NYS licensed firefighter, Cayuga Heights Fire Department & Armonk Fire Department, 2010-2015
Email:cdb5zm@virginia.edu
Current Training
University of Virginia – Neurosurgery Residency
PGY-7 Resident, June 2020–Present
University of Virginia – Adult Spinal Deformity and Minimally Invasive Spine Fellowship
Enfolded PGY-7 Fellow, July 2026–June 2027
University of California, San Francisco – Spinal Surgery Fellowship
Incoming Fellow, July 2027–June 2028
Research Experience
University of Virginia Health, Department of Neurosurgery
Co-investigator on national and institutional research examining cervical spine outcomes through the Quality Outcomes Database SpineCORe™, adult spinal deformity, minimally invasive spine surgery, perioperative outcomes using the Multicenter Perioperative Outcomes Group database, and wartime neurotrauma. Dr. Berlin is the author or coauthor of 27 peer reviewed journal articles, including 12 first-author or co-first-author publications.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Research Fellowship under Dr. Viviane Tabar, Chair, Department of Neurosurgery, 2016-2020
Focus: Neuro-oncology and advanced MR imaging techniques
Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center, Research
Research under Dr. Roger Härtl, Director of Spinal Surgery and Neurotrauma, 2015-2016
Focus: basic/translational spine research, minimally invasive spine surgery
Humanitarian Neurosurgery
Mechnikov Hospital, Dnipro, Ukraine
Dr. Berlin provided operative support to cranial and spinal trauma teams in Dnipro, Ukraine during missions in July 2023, and is actively involved in re-supply initiatives. He helped analyze a large wartime neurotrauma database and continues to support collaborative research, neurosurgical equipment procurement, and future humanitarian missions through the Razom Co-Pilot Project.
Research and Clinical Interests
- Adult spinal deformity
- Minimally invasive and robotic spine surgery
- Cervical spine surgery
- Multi-institutional research on patient outcomes after spine surgery
- Spinal trauma and neurotrauma
- Spinal cord tumors
- Global and humanitarian neurosurgery
- Resident and fellow education
Honors
Charlie Kuntz Scholar Award, AANS/CNS Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves, 2026
Crutchfield-Gage-Thomson Award, First Place Clinical Science Presentation, Neurosurgical Society of the Virginias, 2026
Journal of Neurosurgery Cover (March 2025): Sirko A, Berlin C, Tsang S, Naik B, Armonda R. Wartime penetrating traumatic brain injury of the anterior skull base involving the paranasal sinuses: a single-center, first-year experience from Dnipro, Ukraine. J Neurosurg. 2025;142(3):829-838. doi:10.3171/2024.6.JNS24852
Journal of Neurosurgery Spine Cover (November 2025): Berlin C, Ben-Israel D, Sardi JP, et al. Novel method of iliac accessory rods for rod fracture prevention in adult deformity surgery: a case series of 82 patients with outcomes and complications. J Neurosurg Spine. 2025;43(4):424-432. doi:10.3171/2024.5.SPINE24208
John Jane Senior Academic Award, Highest Scoring ABNS Written Board Score in the Residency, 98th Percentile, 2024
Crutchfield-Gage-Thomson Award, First Place Clinical Science Presentation, Neurosurgical Society of the Virginias, 2024
Crutchfield-Gage-Thomson Award, First Place Clinical Science Presentation, Neurosurgical Society of the Virginias, 2022
Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honors Society
Neurosurgery Awards
NREF Neurosurgical Medical Student Summer Research Fellowship Awardee for project entitled “A rodent model of chemotherapy induced neurocognitive impairment”, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Tabar Laboratory, Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation
Co-recipient: Best Oral Presentation for paper entitled “Annular Repair Using High-density Collagen Gel with Riboflavin Crosslinkage: Prelimnary Results in an in vivo Ovine Model”, World Forum for Spine Research
Co-recipient: Young Investigator Award for abstract entitled “Radiological correlation of facet degeneration and indirect decompression after Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion”, Society of Lateral Access Surgery
Co-recipient: Best Abstract for the abstract entitled “Total disc replacement using tissue-engineered intervertebral discs: In vivo outcome in a canine model”, AO Spine North America
Co-recipient: 3rd Place Basic Science Research Paper entitled “Total Disc Replacement Using Tissue-Engineered Intervertebral Discs: In Vivo Outcome in A Canine Model, Cervical Spine Research Society
Medical School Awards
Graduation honors with Distinction in Research
Robert F. Furchgott Medical Student Research Award: awarded to a single graduating medical student that demonstrates significant accomplishment in research throughout medical school
Abraham Max Rabiner Award for Excellence in Neurology: awarded to two graduating medical students for distinction in the neurosciences
Distinction in Foundations of Medicine for “exemplary performance across all Units in the Foundation Years”, awarded to 14 out of a class of 194
Media and Press Coverage
Medieval tools for ‘haunting’ injuries: How one American surgeon is bringing his skills to Ukraine. NBC News. July 30, 2023.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/russia-ukraine-war-us-surgeon-medieval-tools-injuries-operations-rcna96597
UVA neurosurgeon reflects on time in Ukraine. CBS19 News. August 1st, 2023.
https://www.cbs19news.com/news/uva/uva-neurosurgeon-reflects-on-time-in-ukraine/article_0905c9eb-7932-506c-9615-06618c9968bc.html
Neurosurgery Resident Connor Berlin, MD, Treats Patients in War-Torn Ukraine. UVA Medicine in Motion News. August 1, 2023.
https://news.med.virginia.edu/community/neurosurgery-resident-connor-berlin-md-treats-patients-in-war-torn-ukraine/
Virginia doctor shares his story after working in war-torn Ukraine. WTVR CBS. August 3, 2023.
https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/virginia-doctor-ukraine-august-3-2023
UVA Brain Surgeon Brings Healing – and Finds It – as a Volunteer in Ukraine. UVA Today. August 8, 2023.
https://news.virginia.edu/content/uva-brain-surgeon-brings-healing-and-finds-it-volunteer-ukraine
Why a UVA doctor volunteered in Ukraine. NPR Radio IQ. August 17, 2023.
https://www.wvtf.org/news/2023-08-17/why-a-uva-doctor-volunteered-in-ukraine
Becker’s Healthcare Podcast – Dr. Connor Berlin, Neurosurgery Resident at UVA Health. Becker’s Hospital Review. August 19th, 2023.
https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/podcasts/podcasts-beckers-hospital-review/dr-connor-berlin-neurosurgery-resident-at-uva-health-116493979/
Patients Come First Podcast – Dr. Connor Berlin. Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association. September 25, 2023.
https://www.vhha.com/podcasts/patients-come-first-podcast-dr-connor-berlin/
A Neurosurgery Resident Tested on the Frontlines. UVA Health. October 2nd, 2023
https://www.uvahealth.com/healthy-practice/resident-treats-ukrainian-soldiers
Advancing Neurosurgical Expertise: Razom’s Co-Pilot Project and Pioneering Ukrainian American Collaboration. Razom for Ukraine. October 31, 2024.
https://www.razomforukraine.org/advancing-neurosurgical-expertise-razoms-co-pilot-project-and-pioneering-ukrainian-american-collaboration/
NREF Success Story: Connor Berlin. Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation.
https://nref.org/nref-in-action/success-story-connor-berlin/
Publications
Use of Supplemental Rod Constructs in Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery: A Review
Oper Neurosurg. 2025 Jan 6;29(3):323-334. doi: 10.1227/ons.0000000000001484.ABSTRACTAdult spinal deformity comprises a heterogeneous group of disorders that primarily affects older patients and can have a significant negative affect on health-related quality…Long-term clinically relevant rodent model of methotrexate-induced cognitive impairment
Neuro Oncol. 2020 Aug 17;22(8):1126-1137. doi: 10.1093/neuonc/noaa086.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: With the enhanced use of chemotherapy and the advent of increased patient survival rates, there are an increasing number of cancer survivors living…In vivo annular repair using high-density collagen gel seeded with annulus fibrosus cells
Acta Biomater. 2018 Oct 1;79:230-238. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2018.07.008. Epub 2018 Jul 5.ABSTRACTOBJECTIVE: The aim is assessing the in vivo efficacy of annulus fibrosus (AF) cells seeded into collagen by enhancing the…Total disc replacement using tissue-engineered intervertebral discs in the canine cervical spine
PLoS One. 2017 Oct 20;12(10):e0185716. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185716. eCollection 2017.ABSTRACTThe most common reason that adults in the United States see their physician is lower back or neck pain secondary to degenerative…Ten-Step Minimally Invasive Spine Lumbar Decompression and Dural Repair Through Tubular Retractors
Oper Neurosurg. 2017 Apr 1;13(2):232-245. doi: 10.1227/NEU.0000000000001407.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Minimally invasive spine (MIS) surgery utilizing tubular retractors has become an increasingly popular approach for decompression in the lumbar spine. However, a better…Annulus Fibrosus Repair Using High-Density Collagen Gel: An In Vivo Ovine Model
Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2018 Feb 15;43(4):E208-E215. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000002334.ABSTRACTSTUDY DESIGN: Ovine in vivo study.OBJECTIVE: To perform lateral approach lumbar surgery in an ovine model to administer an injectable riboflavin cross-linked…