UC San Diego Department of Neurological Surgery Spotlight: Kiefer Forseth, MD, PhD, PGY-4

At UC San Diego Health, we celebrate individuals who embody the core values of our mission: Unifying, Connecting, Seeing, and Discovering. These pillars define not only the work we do but also the culture that shapes our community. This month, we are proud to spotlight UC San Diego Department of Neurological Surgery Resident Kiefer Forseth, MD, PhD, PGY-4, whose contributions exemplify the "Discovering" pillar.

The "Discovering" pillar represents the spirit of curiosity, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge. It's about asking questions and uncovering answers that have the potential to transform patient care and advance medical innovation. Forseth has earned the respect of his peers, including Chief Resident Arvin Wali, who describes him as a standout talent.

"[Forseth] works at the intersection of artificial intelligence, brain-machine interfaces, and animal models to better understand how single neurons and neural networks function,” said Wali. “His depth of knowledge and mastery of both individual neurons and larger neural networks is exceptional and inspires all of us."

Forseth’s contributions extend beyond his research. He collaborates closely on groundbreaking studies with established faculty, including Neurological Surgery’s Joseph Ciacci, MD

“Kiefer consistently brings valuable insights to every experiment,” said Ciacci. “He’s able to identify aspects that might otherwise be overlooked, always pushing us to innovate.”

Dr. Forseth Q&A

What motivates you as a neurosurgeon?

"Going back to studying piano and electrical engineering in college, I’ve always enjoyed exploring the intersection of different modes of thinking. Neurosurgery combines the immediacy of technical challenges, where you help the patient in front of you, with the long-term journey of understanding the mind itself. There’s a deep reward in seeing new technologies evolve over generations to help patients in meaningful ways."

 Who are your role models?

“There are many great figures in neurosurgery, especially those who helped shape the field. My personal role model is Wilder Penfield. He developed the core instruments we still use in the operating room today and laid the foundation for intracranial electrophysiology to explore the brain and understand epilepsy.”

Has UC San Diego fueled your passion for neurosurgery?

"UCSD has provided me with incredible faculty mentors who guide my growth as both a clinician and a surgeon. The scientific environment here is rich, fostering cutting-edge research. I’m working with Dr. Shadi Dayeh and Dr. Ben-Haim to record and stimulate the basal ganglia with next-generation microscale electrodes, aiming to better understand how these deep brain structures contribute to complex motor skills. Additionally, I’m fortunate to witness science translate into life-changing therapies through clinical trials with Dr. Ciacci, focusing on stem cell treatments for Parkinson’s disease and spinal cord injury."

"I am incredibly grateful for the abundant opportunities available to surgeon-scientists here at UCSD and feel driven to make the most of this unique environment!"