As part of his training he completed a Masters of Surgery thesis entitled “Substance P in Traumatic Brain Injury” under the supervision of Professor Bob Vink and was one of the first neurosurgical trainees in Australia to be awarded a Pain Fellowship by examination though the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists. His post fellowship training was with Professor Kim Burchiel in Portland, Oregon, USA specialising in Functional Neurosurgery and Neuromodulation.

Associate Professor Zacest is a recipient of numerous research awards and scholarships including the John Lowenthal Surgical Research Prize, a CONROD RACS and the Stuart Morson Neurosurgical Scholarship and has published numerous clinical articles in Journal of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery, Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, Neuromodulation and Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery as well as being section editor of Youmans Neurosurgery Textbook and author of several book chapters including Functional Neurosurgery and Neuromodulation. He enjoys teaching medical students and neurosurgical trainees.

Dr Zacest’s clinical neurosurgical interests include all applications of functional neurosurgery including Pain Surgery, Deep Brain Stimulation, Radiosurgery, Epilepsy surgery, Brain tumours, General neurosurgery and Spinal surgery.

Associate Professor Zacest is a member of numerous specialist societies including the Neurosurgical Society of Australia, World Society of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery and its chapters and is a Board Member and Examiner of the Faculty of Pain Medicine and chair of the Pain Section of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.