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Derek Southwell

Associate Professor of Neurosurgery
Neurosurgery
DUMC 3807, Durham, NC 27710
DUMC 3807, 1542 Blue Zone Duke South, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


I am a surgeon-scientist specialized in the treatment of epilepsy and movement disorders.  My laboratory conducts basic and translational neuroscience research on cortical inhibitory circuits.  We are interested in 1) understanding the cellular design of inhibitory circuits in mice and humans, and, 2) advancing interneuron transplantation as a therapeutic strategy for inhibitory circuit repair.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Associate Professor of Neurosurgery · 2025 - Present Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery
Faculty Network Member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences · 2019 - Present Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, University Institutes and Centers
Assistant Research Professor in Neurobiology · 2018 - Present Neurobiology, Basic Science Departments
Assistant Professor of Cell Biology · 2022 - Present Cell Biology, Basic Science Departments
Associate Professor in Pathology · 2025 - Present Pathology, Clinical Science Departments
Associate Professor in Neurology · 2025 - Present Neurology, Neurocritical Care, Neurology
Affiliate of the Duke Regeneration Center · 2021 - Present Duke Regeneration Center, Basic Science Departments

In the News


Published November 6, 2023
Duke Scientists Create Brain Implant That May Enable Communication From Thoughts Alone
Published October 5, 2022
New RNA-Based Tool Can Illuminate Brain Circuits, Edit Specific Cells

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Recent Publications


Interneuron Transplantation for Drug-Resistant Epilepsy.

Journal Article Neurosurg Clin N Am · January 2024 Current epilepsy surgical techniques, such as brain resection, laser ablation, and neurostimulation, target seizure networks macroscopically, and they may yield an unfavorable balance between seizure reduction, procedural invasiveness, and neurologic morbi ... Full text Link to item Cite

The Temporal Lobe Club: Newer Approaches to Treat Temporal Lobe Epilepsy.

Journal Article Epilepsy Curr · 2024 This brief review summarizes presentations at the Temporal Lobe Club Special Interest Group session held in December 2022 at the American Epilepsy Society meeting. The session addressed newer methods to treat temporal epilepsy, including methods currently ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


A Study of Inhibitory Interneurons (NRTX1001) for the Treatment of Drug-resistant Bilateral Temporal Lobe Focal Seizures

Clinical TrialPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Neurona Therapeutics, Inc · 2024 - 2039

Neurobiology Training Program

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2029

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Education, Training & Certifications


University of California, San Francisco · 2011 M.D.
University of California, San Francisco · 2009 Ph.D.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology · 2001 B.S.