Doctor of Medicine

Carle Illinois College of Medicine

Expected May 2025

Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

May 2021

GPA 4.00/4.00

Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Human Nutrition - Dietetics

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

May 2019

GPA 3.91/4.00

Magna Cum Laude

1. Shaffer A, Kemprecos H, Moran Z, Anderson, AT, et al. Injury Characteristics and Risk Factors of Sport-Related Concussion Among High School Athletes in School-Sponsored Sports. In press with Neurosurgery.

2. Shaffer A, Anderson AT, Goldberg Z, et al. SCAT5 Baseline Values, Test-Retest Reliability, and Reliable Change Metrics in High-School Athletes. Nueruosurgical Focus. July 1 2024; doi: 10.3171/2024.4.FOCUS24112

3. Shaffer A, Yu AK, Yu A, et al. Long-term Outcomes of Lumbar Facet Arthroplasty versus Spinal Fusion in Young (<65 years) and Old (³65 years) Patients for the Treatment of Degenerative Spondylolisthesis and Stenosis. NASSJ. May 16 2024; doi:10.1016/j.xnsj.2024.100329

4. Lee M, Shaffer A, Alfouzan N, et al. Successful dietary changes correlate with weight loss outcomes in a new dietary weight loss program. In press with Obesity Science & Practice. doi: 10.1002/osp4.764

5. Naik A, Bah M, Govande M, Palsgaard P, Dharnipragada R, Shaffer A, et al. Optimal Frequency in rTMS for the Management of Chronic Pain: A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. World Neurosurg. Jan 5 2024;doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2024.01.010

6. Johnson R, Shaffer A, Tang A, Tsai A, et al. Posterior-only two-level vertebrectomy and fusion in a medically complex patient with a lumbar metastasis. In production with JNS: Case Lessons.

7. Shaffer A, Pozin M, Nasr S, et al. Refractory Seizures Secondary to Radiation-Induced Cortical Dysplasia. JNS Case Lessons. doi: 10.3171/CASE23374

8. Covell MM, Naik A, Shaffer A, et al. Social Determinants of Health Impact Spinal Cord Injury Outcomes in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Meta-Epidemiological Study. Neurosurgery. 9900:10.1227/neu.0000000000002765. doi:10.1227/neu.0000000000002765

9. Smith A, Lauinger A, Arnush M, Shaffer A, et al. The Neurosurgeon Workforce: A Geographical Gender-Focused Analysis of the Trends in Representation of Neurosurgeons and Choices in Training Over 70 Years. Neurosurgical Focus. 2023;55(5):E9-. doi:10.3171/2023.8.FOCUS23473

10. Shaffer A, Nigh N, Weisbaum D, et al. Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery Implant Compatibility With Ultrahigh Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (4.7 Tesla and 7 Tesla). Am J Cardiol. Jun 29 2023;201:239-246. doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2023.05.062

11. Smith EJ, Naik A, Shaffer A, et al. Differentiating radiation necrosis from tumor recurrence: a systematic review and diagnostic meta-analysis comparing imaging modalities. J Neurooncol. Feb 28 2023;doi:10.1007/s11060-023-04262-1

12. Naik A, MacInnis BR, Shaffer A, et al. Trends in Technology for Pedicle Screw Placement: A Temporal Meta-Analysis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). Feb 16 2023;doi:10.1097/BRS.0000000000004604

13. Shaffer A, Naik A, Bederson M, Arnold PM, Hassaneen W. Efficacy of Deep Brain Stimulation for the Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa: a Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Patient-Level Data. Neurosurg Focus. doi:10.3171/2022.11.FOCUS22616

14. Shaffer A, Johnson R, Guglielmi G, et al. Disseminated blastomycosis with an intracranial fungoma in an immunocompetent patient: illustrative case. Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons. 16 Jan. 2023 2023;5(3):CASE22406. doi:10.3171/case22406

15. Shaffer A, Weisbaum D, Naik A, Anderson A, Wszalek T, Cohen M, Sutton B, Webb A, Damon A, Arnold PM. Neurosurgical Implant Safety in 7 T MRI: A Scoping Review. J Magn Reson Imaging. Sep 29 2022. doi:10.1002/jmri.28449.

16. Shaffer A, Naik A, Macinnis B, Chen M, Ivankovic A, Paisan G, Garst JR, Hassaneen W, Arnold PM. Perioperative prophylaxis for surgical site infections in pediatric spinal surgery: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. J Neurosurg Pediatr. Oct 28 2022:1-9. doi:10.3171/2022.9.PEDS22316

17. Lee MH, Applegate CC, Shaffer AL, Emamaddin A, Erdman JW, Jr., Nakamura MT. A feasibility study to test a novel approach to dietary weight loss with a focus on assisting informed decision making in food selection. PLoS One. 2022;17(5):e0267876. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0267876.

18. Shaffer A, Kwok SS, Naik A, et al. Ultra-High-Field MRI in the Diagnosis and Management of Gliomas: A Systematic Review. Front Neurol. 2022;13:857825. doi:10.3389/fneur.2022.857825.

19. Naik A, Smith AD, Shaffer A, et al. Evaluating robotic pedicle screw placement against conventional modalities: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Neurosurg Focus. Jan 2022;52(1):E10. doi:10.3171/2021.10.FOCUS21509. 

20. Follmann R, Shaffer A, Mobille Z, Rutherford G, Rosa E. Synchronous tonic-to-bursting transitions in a neuronal hub motif. Chaos. Oct 2018;28(10):106315. doi:10.1063/1.5039880.

21. Shaffer A, Follmann R, Harris AL, Postnova S, Braun H, Rosa E. A critical firing rate associated with tonic-to-bursting transitions in synchronized gap-junction coupled neurons. The European Physical Journal Special Topics. 2017/06/01 2017;226(9):1939-1951. doi:10.1140/epjst/e2017-70024-6.

22. Shaffer A, Harris AL, Follmann R, Rosa E. Bifurcation transitions in gap-junction-coupled neurons. Phys Rev E. Oct 2016;94(4-1):042301. doi:10.1103/PhysRevE.94.042301.

1. Shaffer A, Alvarado A, Arnold PM. Medical Management of Adult and Pediatric Spinal Cord Injury. In: Benzel’s Spine Surgery. 6th edition. Elsevier. In progress.

2.  Shaffer A, Polites GM, Arnold PM. Pathophysiology and Early Management of Spinal Cord Injury. In: Skeletal Trauma Comprehensive Guide for Emergency Department Management. Elsevier. In progress. 

Published Abstracts

1.  Shaffer A, Arnold PM. 406 Long-term Outcomes of Lumbar Facet Arthroplasty versus Spinal Fusion in the Treatment of Degenerative Spondylolisthesis and Stenosis. Neurosurgery. 2024;70(Supplement_1):123. doi:10.1227/neu.0000000000002809_406

2. Shaffer A, Krist D, Smith E, Naik A, Mittal A, Smith A, Janbahan M, Najafali D, Hassaneen W. Female-Specific Cancer Metastases to the Brain: Outcomes In A Medically Underserved Area. In Neuro-Oncology 2022 Nov 1 (Vol. 24, Pp. 127-127). Journals Dept, 2001 Evans Rd, Cary, Nc 27513 Usa: Oxford Univ Press Inc.

3. Smith EJ, Naik A, Krist D, Shaffer A, Liang E, Goel M, Smith RS. A Comparison of Modalities to Differentiate Radiation Necrosis from Tumor Progression: A Diagnostic Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics. 2022 Nov 1;114(3):e85.

4. Shaffer AL, Chen M, Naik A, MacInnis B, Arnold PM. P35. Intraoperative topical applications for infection prophylaxis in pediatric spinal surgery: a network meta-analysis. The Spine Journal. 2022;22(9):S143.

5. Lee M, Shaffer A, Alfouzan N, et al. Effect of an Informed Decision-Making Dietary Weight Loss Program on Sustainable Weight Maintenance. WILEY 111 RIVER ST, HOBOKEN 07030-5774, NJ USA; 2021:87-87.

6. Hsu-Lumetta J, Chien C, Siddiqui N, et al. Sustainable Weight Loss through Nutrition Education and Counseling on Protein-Fiber Density. WILEY 111 RIVER ST, HOBOKEN 07030-5774, NJ USA; 2020:162-162.

7. Shaffer A, Lee M, Applegate C, et al. Increased Protein Density During Weight Loss Is Correlated with Reduced Abdominal Obesity and Body Mass Index and Improved Body Composition. Current Developments in Nutrition. 2020;4(Supplement_2):1687-1687.

8. Alfouzan N, Shaffer A, Lee M, Habib S, Nakamura M. Identifying the Factors That Hinder Sustainable Dietary Modification and Successful Weight Loss in Obese Adult. Current Developments in Nutrition. 2020;4(Supplement_2):1604-1604. 

9. Lee M, Shaffer A, Alfouzan N, et al. Advising Based on Self-Experimentation Assignments Increases the Magnitude of Weight Loss. Current Developments in Nutrition. 2020;4(Supplement_2):1651-1651.

10. McKenna C, Salvador A, Alamilla R, Scaroni S, Shaffer A, et al. Effect of Ingested Beef Quantity on Daily Muscle Protein Synthesis During Resistance Training in Middle-aged Adults (P08-068-19). Current Developments in Nutrition. 2019;3(Supplement_1):nzz044. P08-068-19.

Oral Presentations

1. Shaffer A, Yu A, Huesmann G, Arnold PM. Long-term Outcomes of Lumbar Facet Arthroplasty versus Spinal Fusion in the Treatment of Degenerative Spondylolisthesis and Stenosis. Lumbar Spine Research Society. May 2024.

2. Shaffer A, Arnold PM. Long-term Outcomes of Lumbar Facet Arthroplasty versus Spinal Fusion in the Treatment of Degenerative Spondylolisthesis and Stenosis. Congress of Neurological Surgeons. September 2023.

3. Shaffer A, Naik A, MacInnis B, Chen M, Smith A, Hassaneen W, Arnold PM. Intraoperative prophylaxis for surgical site infections in pediatric spinal surgery: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Illinois State Neurosurgical Society. September 2022. Abstract award.

4. Smith A, Shaffer A, Naik A, Hassaneen W, Arnold PM. Spine Surgery Robot for Applications in Low-Resource Settings. Illinois State Neurosurgical Society. September 2022.

5. Shaffer A, Smith A, Arnold PM, Hassaneen W. Current Neurosurgical Research Initiatives at Carle Illinois College of Medicine. Carle Illinois Microsurgery and Endoscopic Hands-On Course. August 2022.

6. Shaffer A, Follmann R, Rosa E. Synchronous Transitions in Electrically Coupled Hub Neuronal Networks. Illinois Section of American Association of Physics Teachers. October 2018. 

7. Shaffer A, Follmann R, Rosa E. A Critical Transition in Electrically Coupled Synchronous Neurons. Illinois Section of American Association of Physics Teachers. April 2018. Second place, Student Research Symposium.

8. Shaffer A, Rosa E, Follmann R. A Critical Transition in Electrically Coupled Synchronous Neurons. International Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research. October 2017. 

9. Shaffer A, Rosa E, Follmann R. A Critical Firing Rate Associated with Synchronous Transitions in Coupled Model Neurons. Illinois Section of American Association of Physics Teachers. April 2017. Third place, Student Research Symposium.

10. Shaffer A, Rosa E, Harris A, Mobille Z. A Critical Firing Rate Associated with Synchronous Transitions in Coupled Model Neurons. Illinois State University Undergraduate Research Symposium. March 2017. 

11. Shaffer A, Rosa E, Harris A. Synchronous Transitions in Electrically Coupled Neurons. Illinois Section of American Association of Physics Teachers. October 2016.

12. Shaffer A, Rosa E, Harris A. Electrical Coupling and Neuron Synchronization. Illinois Section of American Association of Physics Teachers. April 2016. Second place, Student Research Symposium.

13. Shaffer A, Rosa E, Harris A. Electrical Coupling and Neuron Synchronization. Illinois State University Undergraduate Research Symposium. April 2016. 

Poster Presentations

1. Shaffer A, Kemprecos H, Moran Z, et al. Premorbid Risk Factors for Sport-Related Concussion in High School Athletes. Congress of Neurological Surgeons. September 2024.

2.  Shaffer A, Kemprecos H, Moran Z, et al. Acute Injury Characteristics of Sport-Related Concussion in High School Athletes. Congress of Neurological Surgeons. September 2024.

3. Shaffer A, Anderson AT, Goldberg Z, Tarr A, Flannell J, Huesmann G, Wszalek T, Zimmerman J, Arnold PM. Normative Values and Sex Differences in SCAT 5 Baseline Values in 2847 Adolescent Athletes. American Association of Neurological Surgeons. May 2024.

4. Shaffer A, Patel T, Weisbaum D, Arnold PM. Clinical Outcomes of Conservative Management for Type II Odontoid Fractures in Elderly Patients. Congress of Neurological Surgeons. September 2023. 

5. Shaffer A, Krist D, Naik A, Smith EJ, Smith AD, Janbahan M, Stanic S, Hassaneen W. Protective Effect of Fluorescein-Guided Resection on Overall Survival in Brain Metastases: A Single-Center Retrospective Comparative Study Congress of Neurological Surgeons. September 2023.

6. Shaffer A, Krist D, Naik A, Smith EJ, Smith AD, Janbahan M, Stanic S, Hassaneen W. Fluorescein-guided resection of brain metastases is a protective factor in overall survival: a single center, retrospective comparative study. American Association of Neurological Surgeons. April 2023.

7. Shaffer A, Naik A, Bederson M, Arnold PM, Hassaneen W. Efficacy of Deep Brain Stimulation for the Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa: A Systematic Review and Network Meta- Analysis of Patient-Level Data. American Association of Neurological Surgeons. April 2023.

8. Shaffer A, Weisbaum D, Naik A, Anderson A, Wszalek T, Cohen M, Webb A, Damon B, Arnold PM. Neurosurgical Implant Safety in 7 Tesla MRI: a Systematic Review. American Association of Neurological Surgeons. April 2023.

9. Shaffer A, Weisbaum D, Naik A, Anderson A, Wszalek T, Webb A, Damon B, Arnold PM. Spinal and Orthopedic Biomedical Implant Compatibility with 7 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging: a Systematic Review. American Association of Neurological Surgeons. April 2023.

10. Shaffer A, Naik A, Macinnis B, Chen M, Hassaneen W, Arnold PM. Perioperative Prophylaxis for Surgical Site Infections in Pediatric Spinal Surgery: a Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. American Association of Neurological Surgeons. April 2023.

11. Krist DT, Naik A, Smith EJ, Shaffer A, Stanic S, Hassaneen W. Comparing 3D volumetric measurement of Glioblastoma to volumes calculated from maximum axial, coronal, or sagittal diameters. American Association of Neurological Surgeons. April 2023.

12. Krist DT, Shaffer A, Naik A, Smith EJ, Smith AD, Mittal A, Janbahan M, Najafali D, Stanic S, Hassaneen W. Fluorescein sodium-guided resection of glioblastoma associated with prolonged survival: retrospective analysis from a single-center study. American Association of Neurological Surgeons. April 2023.

13. Krist DT, Naik A, Wszalek TM, Shaffer A, Kao TJ, Yang DBY, Blaiotta-Vazquez V, Tessem RB, Hassaneen W, Anderson AT, Arnold PM. Ultra high-field MRI vs 1.5 and 3T MRI in the management of cerebrovascular disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. American Association of Neurological Surgeons. April 2023.

14. Shaffer A, Krist D, Naik A, Smith EJ, Smith AD, Janbahan M, Stanic S, Hassaneen W. Fluorescein-guided resection of brain metastases is a protective factor in overall survival: a single center, retrospective comparative study. Carle Illinois College of Medicine Health Innovation Research Day. April 2023. Second place award for podium presentation.

15. Shaffer A, Krist D, Smith EJ, Naik A, Mittal A, Smith AD, Janbahan M, Najafali D, HassaneenW. Female-specific Cancer Metastases to the Brain: Outcomes in a Medically Underserved Area. Neuro-oncology. November 2022.

16. Shaffer A, Chen M, Macinnis B, Arnold PM. Intra-operative topical applications for infection prophylaxis in pediatric spinal surgery: a network meta-analysis. North American Spine Society. October 2022.

17. Shaffer A, Chen M, Macinnis B, Arnold PM. Intra-operative topical applications for infection prophylaxis in pediatric spinal surgery: a network meta-analysis. Congress of Neurological Surgeons. October 2022.

18. Siddiqui A, Shaffer A, Watchmaker J, Scaggiante J, Goldman D, De Leacy R. Safety and Efficacy of SpineJack Device on Vertebral Fracture Outcomes. 2022 Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery. July 2022.

19. Shaffer A, Kwok S, Naik A, Hassaneen W. Ultra-High-Field MRI in the diagnosis and management of gliomas: A systematic review. Carle Illinois College of Medicine Health Research Day. April 2022. Second place poster presentation in clinical research.

20. MacInnis BR, Naik A, Shaffer A, Smith AD, Krist DT, Arnold PM. Changes in Spinal Pedicle Screw Accuracy by Modality: A Meta-Regression Analysis of 77,360 Pedicle Screws. Carle Illinois College of Medicine Health Research Day. April 2022.

21. Naik A, Smith A*, Shaffer A*, Krist D, et al. Evaluating Robotic Pedicle Screw Placement Against Alternative Modalities: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. Global Neurosurgical Update & Educational Summit. November 2021. *Equal contributions. First place, poster session.

22. Shaffer A, Lee M, Applegate CC, Alfouzan N, Erdman JW, Jr., Hsu-Lumetta J, Nakamura MT. Increased protein density during weight loss is correlated with reduced abdominal obesity and body mass index and improved body composition. American Society for Nutrition. May 2020.

23. Lee M, Shaffer A, Applegate CC, Alfouzan N, Erdman JW, Jr., Hsu-Lumetta J, Nakamura MT. Advising based on self-experimentation assignments increases the magnitude of weight loss. American Society for Nutrition. May 2020.

24. Shaffer A, Lee M, Applegate CC, Alfouzan N, Erdman JW, Jr., Hsu-Lumetta J, Nakamura MT. Increased protein density during weight loss is correlated with reduced abdominal obesity and body mass index and improved body composition. Nutritional Sciences Graduate Student Association Symposium. April 2020.

25. Hsu-Lumetta J, Chien C, Siddiqui N, Azimi R, Shaffer A, Lee M, Applegate CC, Alfouzan N, Erdman JW, Jr., Nakamura MT. Sustainable Weight Loss through Nutrition Education and Counseling on Protein-Fiber Density. OBESITY, vol. 28, pp. 162-162. 2020.

26. McKenna C, Salvador A, Alamilla R, Scaroni S, Shaffer A, Ulanov A, Li Z, Paluska P, Dilger A, Khan N, Burd N. High protein diet effect on resistance training-induced muscle protein synthesis. American Society for Nutrition. May 2019.

1. University of Illinois Urbana Champaign Engaged Unit Program, Growing Up Together: Journey from Prenatal to the First 1000 Days of Life with Medical Trainees, $15,000. Cohen M, Teran-Garcia M, Opoku I, Ahmad I, Shaffer A, Mao M, Saadah B. 2022.
2. American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation, Shelter Medicine at Avicenna Community Health Center, $6378.00. Shaffer A, McCoy D. 2022.
3. McKinley Foundation, Educational Materials for Sexually Transmitted Infections and Contraception, $500. Shaffer A, Chien, C. 2022.
4. Jump ARCHES, Prospective observational study: Identification of brain micrometastatic disease using ultra-high field magnetic resonance imaging, $52,666.00. Mostafa W, Anderson A, Arnold PM, Naik A, Shaffer A, Stanic S, Sutton B, Thompson C, Tsung A, Vasireddy V, Weis B, Wszalek TM. 2021.

Avicenna Community Health Center

• Director of Research & Grants, May 2022 - May 2023

• Assistant Director of Research & Grants, January 2022 - May 2022

1. KMOX Radio. New research sheds light on concussions in young athletes, 2023. Link

2. WGN-Chicago Evening News. Local universities behind new research that may help with detecting concussions, 2023. Link

3. Hart, B. New CI MED Research Sheds Light on Concussions in Young Athletes. Carle Illinois College of Medicine, 2023. Link

4. JNS. February 2023 Issue of Neurosurgical Focus: “Neurosurgical Management of Psychiatric Disease”. Newswise, 2023. Link

5. Murphy, H. How safe is 7T MRI for patients with neurosurgical implants? Health Imaging, 2022. Link

6. Hart, B. New Carle Illinois research sheds light on 7T MRI compatibility with neuro implant devices. Carle Illinois College of Medicine, 2022. Link

7. Wood, C. Bloomington-Normal woman returns to pediatrician's office as a med student. Pantagraph, 2022. Link

8. Forrest, S. Carle Illinois Student Co-author of a study on Individualized Eating Program for Weight Loss. News Bureau, 2022. Link

American Association of Neurological Surgeons

Carle Illinois College of Medicine Chapter

• President, January 2023 - January 2024

• Vice President, January 2021 - December 2022

• Member, August 2021 - Present

AANS/CNS Joint Section on Neurotrauma and Critical Care

• Communications committee, May 2024 - Present

Memberships

• American Association of Neurological Surgeons, student member

• Congress of Neurological Surgeons, student member

• American Medical Association, student member