Rachel C. Jacobs, MD, joined the University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurological Surgery residency program in July of 2020 after receiving her medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. She obtained her undergraduate degree in neuroscience and behavioral biology from Emory University as a liberal arts scholarship recipient.
During her undergraduate education, she spent four years at Yerkes National Primate Research Center studying selective MRI-guided neurotoxic lesions and neuroanatomical procedures in rhesus macaques to assess brain reorganization following neonatal brain lesions. During medical school, she became heavily involved in the UPMC Center for Image-Guided Neurosurgery under the mentorship of L. Dade Lunsford, MD. Specifically, she worked on clinical studies regarding stereotactic radiosurgery outcomes for benign and malignant brain tumors, arteriovenous malformations and cavernous malformations. Her peer-reviewed work has been presented at regional and national neurosurgical conferences in oral and abstract form.
Dr. Jacobs enjoys boxing, spinning, and international travel in her free time. She is a native of Atlanta, Ga.
Specialized Areas of Interest
Professional Organization Membership
Education & Training
- BS, Neuroscience/Behavioral Biology, Emory University, 2016
- MD, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 2020
Honors & Awards
- Excellence in Neurosurgery Award, University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurological Surgery, 2022
- Morris H. and Gertrude M. Harris Foundation Scholar for Jewish Medical Students, 2016-20
Research Activities
Dr. Jacobs is investigating outcomes for endovascular therapy versus microsurgical clipping of ruptured wide neck aneurysms at UPMC. She is also evaluating hemorrhage risk in AVM-associated aneurysms in the pediatric population.