Medical Student Scholarships
The Akakpo-Ulloa Neuroscience Scholarship
Established by Carol Ulloa, M.D., professor of neurology, the Akakpo-Ulloa Neuroscience Scholarship funds a month-long neuroscience elective rotation at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Participating medical students will receive hands-on experience in neurology, neurosurgery, psychiatry, psychology, neuropsychology and physical medicine and rehabilitation.
Eligibility Information
Students will be considered based on various parameters including their interest and experience in the field of neurology and the neurosciences, as well as adversities impacting their education. One student per year will be chosen.
For current KU Medical Center students, this experience is best completed during the summer between MS1 and MS2.
External student applicants should apply for this experience before MS4.
Application Details
To be considered for the 2026 scholarship, please apply by Sunday, February 15, 2026. For further questions about the scholarship and application process, please contact Dr. Carol Ulloa at culloa@kumc.edu.
- Comfortability in performing neurologic examinations
- Learn the various subdisciplines that the field of neuroscience offers
- Obtain a complete neuropsychiatric history that will aid in reaching the correct diagnosis
- Have a better understanding of how tests such as brain MRI, PET scans, functional MRI, electroencephalography, neuropsychological testing and electromyograms aid in diagnosing patients with neurologic illnesses
- Gain understanding of various complex neurosurgical procedures
- Appreciate how multiple subspecialties within the neuroscience field collaborate to care for complex patients
- Learn how faculty in academic medical centers balance their focus on clinical care, teaching, research and initiatives to help access for underserved and rural communities
During this experience, the student will:
- Observe and practice the neurologic examination in outpatient and inpatient settings
- Receive mentorship from faculty from neurology, neurosurgery, neuropsychology and psychiatry
- Observe faculty and also perform a thorough neuropsychiatric history
- Shadow a neuroradiologist, attend EEG rounds and observe/participate in EMG studies
- Shadow neurosurgery faculty in clinic and the operating room
- Attend weekly multidisciplinary epilepsy surgery conference
- Attend additional meetings with their mentors that highlight each mentor’s additional duties to the health system and medical center. They may participate in an ongoing research project based on availability and interest.
Students will participate in the following activities:
- Intake of patient histories and learning/performing the neurologic physical examination
- Rounds in epilepsy-monitoring unit
- Rounds with inpatient neurology consult team
- Observe programming of medical devices
- Observe neurosurgical procedures
- Review neuroimaging results
- Review EEG studies
- Observe health psychology visits
- Observe neuropsychological testing and counseling
- Attend weekly epilepsy surgery conference
- Attend weekly neurology/neurosurgery grand rounds
Apply
To apply for this scholarship, complete and submit the below form by Sunday, February 15, 2026: