2025 PARC Neuromodulation Symposium

Date: 
April 26, 2025
Time: 
8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Place: 
Sandler Neurosciences Center (Mission Bay) AND Hybrid via Zoom

Featuring presentations from nationally recognized clinicians and scientists, this event will showcase the excellence and dedication of our PARC community at UCSF. The symposium will also provide an invaluable forum for sharing insights and fostering collaboration among researchers, scientists, and clinicians. PARC aims to highlight the importance of cross-disciplinary interaction in advancing our understanding and treatment of pain and addiction.

Register to attend

Featured speakers include:

Man with glasses wearing a burgundy sweater with a background of framed plaques.Tony Yaksh, PhD
Professor Emeritus,
Department of Anesthesiology and Pharmacology, UCSD

Man with short silver hair and beard smiling and wearing a blue blazer over a white collared shirtPeter Staats, MD MBA
Chairman, Vagus Nerve Society,
Founder, Division of Pain Medicine, Johns Hopkins University


Full Agenda

7:30 a.m.

Registration and Coffee/Pastries


8:00 a.m.

Welcome and intro of Plenary #1


8:10 a.m.

Plenary #1: Disruptive Advance in Neuraxial drug Delivery for Pain

Man with glasses wearing a burgundy sweater with a background of framed plaques.Tony Yaksh, PhD
Professor Emeritus,
Department of Anesthesiology and Pharmacology, UCSD


8:40 a.m.

Questions/Group Discussion


8:50 a.m.

Introduction of Plenary #2


8:55 a.m.

Plenary #2: Harnessing the power of the Vagus Nerve: A stimulating approach to the treatment of Addiction

Man with short silver hair and beard smiling and wearing a blue blazer over a white collared shirtPeter Staats, MD MBA
Chairman, Vagus Nerve Society,
Founder, Division of Pain Medicine, Johns Hopkins University


9:25 a.m.

Questions/Group Discussion


9:35 a.m.

Break and Networking


10:00 a.m.

Introduction of Clinical and Preclinical Talks
(15 min talks with 10 min of discussion)


10:05 a.m.
10:20 - discussion

A forebrain circuit for opioid pain relief but not reward

Woman smiling with curly hair and glasses

Elyssa Margolis, PhD
Professor, Department of Neurology
UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences
School of Medicine, UCSF
Painless Foundation Fellow


10:30 a.m.
10:45 - discussion

The history and future of brain stimulation for chronic pain

Man smiling with short dark hair wearing a white shirt and blazer

Prasad Shirvalkar, MD, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care
School of Medicine, UCSF


10:55 a.m.
11:10 - discussion

Two-way translational opportunities for ultrasound neuroimaging and neurointervention

Man with dark hair pulled wearing black glasses a white collared shirt and dark blazer

Tommaso Di Ianni, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry
Director, UCSF Basic Ultrasound Research Program
School of Medicine, UCSF
PARC Fellow


11:20 a.m.
11:35 - discussion

Emerging TMS indications for diagnostic/therapeutic indications in chronic pain

Man with dark framed glasses and short dark hair wearing a grey blazer over a shite collared shirt

Julian Motzkin, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology
School of Medicine, UCSF


11:45 a.m.
12:00 - discussion

Closing the loop on neuromodulation failures

Man with short black and white hair and beard, wearing a suit and tie

Lawrence Poree, MD, PhD, MPH
Professor, Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care
School of Medicine, UCSF


12:10 p.m.

Concluding Remarks / Panel (all speakers) and Next Steps


12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

Lunch and Networking