Abstract: Authors of the article "Pre-residency Publication Number Does Not Predict Academic Career Placement in Neurosurgery" attempted to determine the impact that published research has before and during residency in eventually attaining neurosurgery faculty positions in academic hospitals. The researchers found that publications before residency are not associated with academic careers, but that publications during residency, as well as their quality, in addition to devoted research time prior to residency, do predict an academic career. These important findings add significantly to our understanding certain factors that lead neurosurgery residents into academic careers, but it would be useful if several other variables should are taken into account. These include the role of enfolded fellowships and applicant demographics such as socio-economic status, board scores and class rank. To ensure that the pipeline of neurosurgeons into academic careers is maintained and that innovation in the field can advance, a more thorough understanding of the variables that influence applicants, as well as the leaders who select them, should be explored.