The National Geographic Society BioBlitz Program

A California-based neurosurgeon, Ali Mesiwala, MD, serves as the medical director of Chaparral Medical Group and as a division chief at St. Bernardine Medical Center. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Ali Mesiwala, MD is, an avid supporter of the National Geographic Society.

Formed in 1888 to protect nature and provide educational content, the National Geographic Society operates a number of programs to support its goal of preservation and education, including BioBlitz events. A BioBlitz is a cooperative group event in which scientists, families, students, and others work together to identify as many species living in a specific area as possible in a short amount of time. To identify species, participants take photos of plants and animals that are found and upload them to iNaturalist, a smartphone application that enables anyone to record observations and share them with scientific data repositories, to be scientifically verified. 

BioBlitz events, which typically take place in parks and outdoor recreation areas, provide an opportunity for participants to explore nature, share photos with scientists, network, and celebrate nature. BioBlitz events are held all over the United States, and more than 250 were held in 2016.

Understanding SI Joint Pain

Ali Mesiwala, MD, is a California-based neurosurgeon who heads the neurological surgery department at St. Bernardine Medical Center. In addition, he is the medical director of Chaparral Medical Group. A board-certified physician, Ali Mesiwala, MD, is also engaged in several professional associations, including the SI Joint Society, of which he is a founding member.

The SI Joint Society is a professional association of surgeons who diagnose and perform surgery related to the SI joint. “SI joint” is the shorthand term for the sacroiliac joint, which is located below the lumbar spine and above the tailbone, connecting the sacrum with the pelvis. The primary role of the joint is to carry the weight of the upper body when a person is upright.

Although there are many factors that can lead to SI joint pain, it typically results from either too much or too little movement. Too much movement, known as hypermobility, causes pain to be felt in the lower back, hips, and groin. Too little movement in the joint, or hypomobility, causes pain to be felt in the lower back, in the buttocks, and down the leg.