School of Medicine
Showing 1-50 of 160 Results
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John R. Adler, MD
The Dorothy and Thye King Chan Professor in Neurosurgery, Emeritus
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsThe development and implementation of computerized, image-guided surgical tools to be used during minimally invasive brain operations. The clinical outcome of new technologies, and in particular the application of radiosurgery, for the treatment of brain tumors. The creation of new radiosurgical techniques for a wide array of brain and spine disorders.
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Gregory W. Albers, MD
Coyote Foundation Professor and Professor, by courtesy, of Neurosurgery
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsOur group's research focus is the acute treatment and prevention of cerebrovascular disorders. Our primary interest is the use of advanced imaging techniques to expand the treatment window for ischemic stroke. We are also conducting clinical studies of both neuroprotective and thrombolytic strategies for the treatment of acute stroke and investigating new antithrombotic strategies for stroke prevention.
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Matei Banu, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor, Neurosurgery
BioDr. Matei Banu is a fellowship-trained neurosurgeon at Stanford Health Care. He is also a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at Stanford University School of Medicine.
Dr. Banu specializes in treating brain, skull base, and pituitary tumors. He also specializes in the management of the buildup of brain fluid (hydrocephalus) and related conditions. He is skilled in minimally invasive techniques, such as microscopic surgery (using microscopes and tiny instruments to repair small structures) and endoscopic techniques (using a thin, flexible tube to take pictures inside the body).
Dr. Banu often collaborates with rhinologists (doctors who diagnose and treat diseases of the nose and sinuses), head and neck surgeons, and otologists (doctors who diagnose and treat ear-related conditions). His goals are ensuring each patient receives comprehensive care and providing precise, compassionate treatment that enhances each patient’s quality of life.
His research interests include developing personalized treatment strategies for brain and skull base cancers. Dr. Banu is exploring how aggressive tumors grow, resist treatment, and evade the immune system. Using tumor samples from patients, Dr. Banu and his team are testing novel drugs to create more effective therapies.
Dr. Banu has published his research in several peer-reviewed journals, including Lancet Oncology, Cell, Nature Cell Biology, and Nature Communications. He has also contributed book chapters on topics like pediatric endoscopic skull base surgery and drug delivery for brain tumors. He has shared his findings at numerous national and international meetings in neurosurgery and oncology.
Dr. Banu is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, the North American Skull Base Society, and the Society for Neuro-Oncology. -
Mahendra T. Bhati
Clinical Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Clinical Professor, NeurosurgeryBioDr. Bhati is an interventional psychiatrist with expertise in psychiatric diagnosis, psychopharmacology, and neuromodulation. He completed postdoctoral research studying language abnormalities and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) evoked potentials in schizophrenia. He was a principal investigator for the DSM-5 academic field trials, and his research experiences included roles in the first controlled clinical trials of TMS and deep brain stimulation (DBS) for treatment of depression. He was the founding Chief of Interventional Psychiatry at Stanford where he performs consultations and provides pharmacological and neuromodulatory treatments. His current research interests include studying magnetic resonance imaging and augmented reality to target TMS, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) for treatment-resistant depression, DBS for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and depression, responsive neurostimulation (RNS) for treatment of impulse and fear-related disorders, and focused ultrasound (FUS) for treatment-resistant OCD and depression. Dr. Bhati seeks to train more providers in mental healthcare and founded a clinical fellowship in Interventional Psychiatry at Stanford.
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Nikolas Blevins, MD
Larry and Sharon Malcolmson Professor in the School of Medicine, Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS) and, by courtesy, of Neurosurgery
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsInner ear microendoscopy -- Developing techniques for minimally-invasive imaging of inner ear microanatomy and neural pysiology. Applications include improved cochlear implant development, inner ear regenerative techniques, inner ear surgery, and auditory physiology.
Microsurgical robotics -- Developing scalable microsurgical instrumentation and robotic techniques for use in head and neck surgery.
Surgical Simulation -- Immersive environment for temporal bone surgical simulation. -
Helen Bronte-Stewart, MD, MS
John E. Cahill Family Professor, Professor of Neurology and Neurological Sciences (Adult Neurology) and, by courtesy, of Neurosurgery
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsMy research focus is human motor control and brain pathophysiology in movement disorders. Our overall goal is to understand the role of the basal ganglia electrical activity in the pathogenesis of movement disorders. We have developed novel computerized technology to measure fine, limb and postural movement. With these we are measuring local field potentials in basal ganglia nuclei in patients with Parkinson's disease and dystonian and correlating brain signalling with motor behavior.
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Vivek P. Buch, MD
Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery and, by courtesy, of Bioengineering
BioDr. Buch is a neurosurgeon with fellowship training in epilepsy, functional, and minimally invasive neurosurgery. He is an Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, and Christina and Hamid Moghadam Faculty Scholar at Stanford University.
Dr. Buch focuses his expertise on the open and minimally invasive treatment of epilepsy, low grade brain tumors, movement and neuropsychiatric disorders, facial and body pain syndromes, and other complex neurological conditions. He uses advanced and innovative techniques to treat both adult and pediatric patients. For each patient, he develops a personalized care plan that is designed to be both comprehensive and compassionate.
Dr. Buch has conducted extensive research. His career goal is to develop restorative bioengineering approaches for complex neurocognitive, neurodevelopmental, and neuropsychiatric disorders. He is creating network-neuroprosthetics and precision molecular therapies to restore abnormal brain circuit function in these vulnerable patient populations. He is further pioneering novel intraoperative technologies including personalized network-based targeting, holographic mixed reality, and artificial intelligence platforms for minimally invasive cranial surgery.
He has co-authored articles on his research discoveries in Science, Nature, Nature Medicine, Neuron, Brain, Annals of Surgery, Frontiers in Neuroscience, Epilepsia, Brain Stimulation, Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, Surgical Innovation, Frontiers in Surgery, Journal of Neurosurgery, and many other journals. Articles focus on developing novel network control theory applications to human brain functions and new techniques and technologies to enhance neurosurgical effectiveness and patient outcomes.
He is the Section Editor for NEUROSURGERY, and a guest editor for Surgical Innovation and Brain Sciences. He also has co-authored chapters in the books Neurosurgical Atlas, Operative Techniques in Epilepsy Surgery, Deep Brain Stimulation, and The Encyclopedia of Medical Robotics.
Dr. Buch has presented the findings of his research at the national conferences of numerous professional associations. Among them are the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Society for Neuroscience, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, and Society for Imaging Informatics in Medicine. Topics include understanding network mechanisms of cognitive control and advances in the use of augmented reality technology to enhance neurosurgical approaches.
For his clinical, research, and academic achievements. Dr. Buch has earned many honors. He has won awards from the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, American Roentgen Ray Society, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, and National Institutes of Health.
Dr. Buch is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, World Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, American Association of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, and Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society.
He holds patents on such topics as artificial intelligence systems designed to help guide surgery and neural control signals for behavioral modification and closed-loop stimulation therapy.
Essential tremor patient story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV6BzyU9b3c
Parkinson's disease patient story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAKP7SRKs08
Epilepsy patient story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXy-gXg0t94&t=3s
Deep brain stimulation treatment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLgEcb447gA&t=1s
Laser interstitial thermal therapy treatment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-nRUMbs2kY&t=2s
MR-guided focused ultrasound treatment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Bwq2YxD9eU -
Marion S. Buckwalter, MD, PhD
Professor of Neurology and Neurological Sciences (Adult Neurology) and of Neurosurgery
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsThe goal of the Buckwalter Lab is to improve how people recover after a stroke. We use basic and clinical research to understand the cells, proteins, and genes that lead to successful recovery of function, and also how complications develop that impact quality of life after stroke. Ongoing projects are focused on understanding how inflammatory responses are regulated after a stroke and how they affect short-term brain injury and long term outcomes like dementia and depression.
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Tene Aneka Cage
Clinical Associate Professor, Neurosurgery
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsDr. Cage's research interest is in working towards eliminating health disparities in neurosurgical outcomes. She specifically focuses on understanding the association between socioeconomic and demographic characteristics and patient outcomes following traumatic brain injury.
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David Camarillo
Associate Professor of Bioengineering and, by courtesy, of Neurosurgery and of Mechanical Engineering
BioDavid B. Camarillo is Associate Professor of Bioengineering, (by courtesy) Mechanical Engineering and Neurosurgery at Stanford University. Dr. Camarillo holds a B.S.E in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Princeton University, a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University and completed postdoctoral fellowships in Biophysics at the UCSF and Biodesign Innovation at Stanford. Dr. Camarillo worked in the surgical robotics industry at Intuitive Surgical and Hansen Medical, before launching his laboratory at Stanford in 2012. His current research focuses on precision human measurement for multiple clinical and physiological areas including the brain, heart, lungs, and reproductive system. Dr. Camarillo has been awarded the Hellman Fellowship, the Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Program award, among other honors including multiple best paper awards in brain injury and robotic surgery. His research has been funded by the NIH, NSF, DoD, as well as corporations and private philanthropy. His lab’s research has been featured on NPR, the New York Times, The Washington Post, Science News, ESPN, and TED.com as well as other media outlets aimed at education of the public.
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Pak H. Chan
The James R. Doty Professor in Neurosurgery and Neurosciences, Emeritus
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsNeuronal death and regeneration after strokeand neural injury
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Venita Chandra
Clinical Professor, Surgery - Vascular Surgery
Clinical Professor (By courtesy), NeurosurgeryBioDr. Chandra is a board certified vascular surgeon who specializes in cutting edge approaches to aortic aneurysmal disease, peripheral vascular disease and limb salvage.
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Steven D. Chang, MD
Robert C. and Jeannette Powell Neurosciences Professor and, by courtesy, of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS) and of Neurology and Neurological Sciences
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsClinical research includes studies in the treatment of cerebrovascular disorders, such as aneurysms and AVMs, as well as the use of radiosurgery to treat tumors and vascular malformations of the brain and spine.
Dr. Chang is C0-Director of the Cyberknife Radiosurgery Program.
Dr. Chang is also the head of the The Stanford Neuromolecular Innovation Program with the goal of developing new technologies to improve the diagnosis and treatment of patients affected by neurological conditions. -
Hansen Chen
Instructor, Neurosurgery
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsImmune and Nervous Systems Interaction; Ischemic Postconditioning; Optogenetics
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Lu Chen
Professor of Neurosurgery and of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsWhat distinguishes us humans from other animals is our ability to undergo complex behavior. The synapses are the structural connection between neurons that mediates the communication between neurons, which underlies our various cognitive function. My research program aims to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie synapse function during behavior in the developing and mature brain, and how synapse function is altered during mental retardation.
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Yi-Ren Chen, MD, MPH, FAANS
Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor, Neurosurgery
BioDr. Chen is a neurosurgeon and spine surgeon and Chief of Neurosurgery with Mercy Medical Group, Sacramento County, CA, as well as an Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at Stanford University. After double majoring in biology and history at Stanford, he obtained his MD from Stanford and MPH from Johns Hopkins. He subsequently completed neurosurgery residency and complex spine fellowship at Stanford. Dr. Chen has over 150 peer-reviewed papers, book chapters, talks, and abstracts. He serves the greater Sacramento area and beyond.
Clinical interests:
Minimally invasive spine, scoliosis and deformity, redo/ revision spinal surgery, complex spine, general neurosurgery
Administrative Appointments:
Chief of Neurosurgery, Mercy Medical Group/ Dignity Health Sacramento, Sacramento County, CA
Professional Education:
Undergraduate: Stanford University (BA/ BS)
Medical School: Stanford University (MD)
Masters: Johns Hopkins (MPH)
Residency: Stanford University (Neurosurgery)
Fellowship: Stanford University (Minimally Invasive and Complex Deformity Spine)
Fellowship: San Diego Spine Foundation (Visiting Fellow in Minimally Invasive Spine)
Board Certification: American Board of Neurological Surgery, Neurosurgery
Research interests:
Clinical outcomes research on spine patients utilizing both large-scale nationwide databases and single-center patient information, focusing on improving quality of care, patient satisfaction, and hospital-wide outcomes. -
E.J. Chichilnisky
John R. Adler Professor, Professor of Neurosurgery and of Ophthalmology and, by courtesy, of Electrical Engineering
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsFunctional circuitry of the retina and design of retinal prostheses
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S. Charles Cho, MD
Clinical Professor, Adult Neurology
Clinical Professor (By courtesy), NeurosurgeryCurrent Research and Scholarly InterestsClinical research focused on peripheral nerve and muscle disorders. Also involved with prevention of cerebrovascular disesase in the intraoperative setting. Ongoing clincial studies include treatments for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Inflammatory Demyelinating Neuropathy and HIV neuropathic pain.
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Eun Young Choi, PhD
Instructor, Neurosurgery
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsDr. Choi is broadly interested in mapping the brain’s connectivity and characterizing its functional dynamics using advanced neuroimaging and clinical neurophysiological methods, as well as translating this information to identify individual-specific neurosurgical targets and treatment strategies using neuromodulation (e.g., deep brain stimulation). Her prior work has mapped the functional and connectional organization of the cortex, striatum, and thalamus using neuroimaging and NHP neuroanatomical tract-tracing. She is currently focused on the use of thalamic deep brain stimulation to improve memory and attention in traumatic brain injury and Alzheimer’s disease, and the development of precise, individual-specific adult and pediatric brain atlases and network maps.
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Graham Creasey
Paralyzed Veterans of America Professor of Spinal Cord Injury Medicine, Emeritus
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsNeural prostheses to stimulate and record from the peripheral and central nervous system, thereby directly connecting nervous systems with electronic systems
Neural prostheses for control of bladder, bowel and sexual function after spinal cord injury -
Kyle Gabriel Daniels
Assistant Professor of Genetics and, by courtesy, of Neurosurgery (Adult Neurosurgery)
BioKyle obtained his BS in Biochemistry from the University of Maryland College Park in 2010, conducting undergraduate research with Dr. Dorothy Beckett, PhD. He obtained his PhD in Biochemistry with a certificate in Structural Biology and Biophysics. His dissertation is titled "Kinetics of Coupled Binding and Conformational Change in Proteins and RNA" and was completed in the laboratory of Dr. Terrence G. Oas, PhD. Kyle performed postdoctoral training with Dr. Wendell A. Lim, PhD at UCSF studying how CAR T cell phenotype is encoded by modular signaling motifs within chimeric antigen receptors.
Kyle's lab is interested in harnessing the principles of modularity to engineer receptors and gene circuits to control cell functions.
The lab will use synthetic biology, medium- and high-throughput screens, and machine learning to: (1) Engineer immune cells to achieve robust and durable responses against various cancer targets, (2) Coordinate behavior of multiple engineered cell types in cancer, autoimmune disease, and payload delivery, (3) Control survival, proliferation, and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and immune cells, and (4) Explore principles of modularity related to engineering receptors and gene circuits in mammalian cells. -
Atman Desai, MD
Clinical Professor, Neurosurgery
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsThe Stanford Spine Artificial Intelligence Laboratory develops data-driven technologies to improve diagnosis, surgical planning, and outcomes in spine care. Our research spans predictive modeling, computational imaging, spinal oncology, digital surgery, and real-world functional assessment using wearables. By integrating clinical, imaging, and functional data at scale, we aim to deliver clinically meaningful, patient-centered innovations for complex spinal disease.
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Jun Ding
Professor of Neurosurgery and of Neurology and Neurological Sciences
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsNeural circuits of movement control in health and movement disorders
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Robert Dodd, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, of Radiology and, by courtesy, of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS)
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsDr. Dodd is involved in clinical trials using endovascular coils that have a fiber coating that help heal aneurysms of the neck and can prevent an aneurysm from reforming. He uses minimally invasive endoscopic techniques to treat brain tumors.
Dodd's research interests are in cerebral blood vessel reactivity and stroke. -
Ryann Fame, PhD
Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsEarly neural progenitors respond to extrinsic cues that maintain and support their potency. These stem/ progenitor cells are in direct contact with the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which acts as part of their niche. Our research program encompasses the early neural stem cell niche, neural tube closure, CSF, metabolism, and cortical neuronal development. We are dedicated to broad collaboration focused on translating an understanding of neurodevelopment and CSF biology into regenerative strategies.
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Rongxin Fang
Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery and, by courtesy, of Genetics
BioRongxin Fang received his Ph.D. in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology from the University of California, San Diego, under the mentorship of Bing Ren (2015–2019). During his doctoral training, he developed high-throughput genomic technologies and computational tools to map the structure and activity of the mammalian genome at large scale and single-cell resolution. He then applied these approaches to investigate how cis-regulatory elements - such as enhancers - control gene expression and drive the diverse transcriptional programs underlying cellular diversity in the mammalian brain. As an HHMI–Damon Runyon Postdoctoral Fellow at Harvard University (2019–2024), he worked with Xiaowei Zhuang. Rongxin developed and applied genome-scale, volumetric 3D transcriptome imaging methods to map the molecular and cellular architecture of the mammalian brain across evolution and aging. He also contributed to the collaboration with Adam Cohen and Catherine Dulac to integrate transcriptome imaging with functional neuronal imaging, identifying neuronal populations in the animal brain that underlie specific brain functions.
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Juan Carlos Fernandez-Miranda, MD, FACS
Professor of Neurosurgery and, by courtesy, of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS)
BioDr. Juan Fernandez-Miranda is Professor of Neurosurgery and Surgical Director of the Stanford Brain Tumor, Skull Base, and Pituitary Centers. He is internationally renowned for his expertise in minimally invasive brain surgery, endoscopic skull base and pituitary surgery, open skull base surgery, and complex brain tumor surgery. He has performed nearly 3,000 cranial operations including over 1,500 endoscopic endonasal operations for pituitary tumors and other skull base lesions. He is highly regarded for his innovative contributions to the development and refinement of endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery, for his ability to select the most effective and less invasive approach to each individual patient, and for his precise knowledge of the intricate anatomy of the white matter tracts required to maximize resection and minimize morbidity on high and low grade glioma patients. He has been recently ranked by Expertscape as World-Expert (top 0.05%) on Skull Base Surgery and #1 Neurosurgeon Expert on Skull Base Tumors (pituitary adenomas, meningiomas, craniopharyngiomas, chordomas, chondrosarcomas, schwannomas and esthesioneuroblastomas) on the US Pacific Region. He is co-founder and vice-president of the International Rhoton Society and executive member of the Board of Directors of the The Neurosurgical Atlas, the largest nonprofit organization for neurosurgical education and research in the world.
Dr. Fernandez-Miranda completed neurosurgery residency at La Paz University Hospital in Madrid, Spain. Upon completion of his residency, he was awarded the Sanitas Prize to the best medical postgraduate trainee in the country. From 2005 to 2007, he underwent fellowship training in microsurgical neuroanatomy at the University of Florida under legendary neurosurgeon Albert L. Rhoton, Jr. From 2007 to 2010 he continued subspecialty clinical training in cerebrovascular surgery at the University of Virginia, and endoscopic endonasal and open skull base surgery at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). During his 10-year tenure at UPMC, he pioneered endoscopic endonasal approaches to highly complex pituitary and skull base tumors, developed a world-class complex brain surgery program, and led a premier training and research program on surgical neuroanatomy and skull base surgery.
In 2018, he was recruited to bring to Stanford his unique technical expertise and to collaborate with world-renowned Stanford colleagues across multiple disciplines, leading the establishment of one of the most preeminent centers worldwide for comprehensive treatment of complex lesions in the brain, skull base, and pituitary regions. His top priority is to provide gentle, accurate, and safe surgery, in a team-based and compassionate approach to patient care. -
Margaret S. Ferris, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor, Adult Neurology
Clinical Assistant Professor (By courtesy), NeurosurgeryBioDr. Ferris is a fellowship-trained neurologist and Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology, Division of Movement Disorders.
She diagnoses and treats a breath of movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor. She recognizes the broad effects of these conditions on daily living and aims to develop personalized, comprehensive treatment plans that optimize health and quality of life.
Dr. Ferris research interests focus on access to interventional therapies for movement disorders. She has participated in investigations sponsored by the National Institutes of to evaluate advanced treatments for complications of Parkinson’s disease.
She has co-authored articles in publications such as Nature, The Neurohospitalist, and BioMed Central (BMC) Genomics. She has presented her insights about innovations in the understanding, detection, and management of movement disorders at conferences including, the Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, Pan American Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Congress.
She is a member of the American Academy of Neurology and the Movement Disorder Society.
Essential tremor patient story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV6BzyU9b3c -
Paul Graham Fisher, MD
Beirne Family Professor of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology, Professor of Pediatrics and, by courtesy, of Neurosurgery and of Epidemiology and Population Health
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsClinical neuro-oncology: My research explores the epidemiology, natural history, and disease patterns of brain tumors and other cancers in childhood, as well as prospective clinical trials for treating these neoplasms. Research interests also include neurologic effects of cancer and its therapies.
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Robert Fisher, MD, PhD
The Maslah Saul, MD, Professor and Professor, by courtesy, of Neurosurgery
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsDr. Fisher is interested in clincal, laboratory and translational aspects of epilepsy research. Prior work has included: electrical deep brain stimulation for epilepsy, studied in laboratory models and clinical trials; drug delivery to a seizure focus; mechanisms of absence epilepsy studied with in vitro slices of brain thalamus; hyperthermic seizures; diagnosis and treatment of non-epileptic seizures, the post-ictal state; driving and epilepsy; new antiepileptic drugs; surgery for epilepsy.
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Paul George, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Neurology and Neurological Sciences (Adult Neurology) and, by courtesy, of Neurosurgery
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsCONDUCTIVE POLYMER SCAFFOLDS FOR STEM CELL-ENHANCED STROKE RECOVERY:
We focus on developing conductive polymers for stem cell applications. We have created a microfabricated, polymeric system that can continuously interact with its biological environment. This interactive polymer platform allows modifications of the recovery environment to determine essential repair mechanisms. Recent work studies the effect of electrical stimulation on neural stem cells seeded on the conductive scaffold and the pathways by which it enhances stroke recovery Further understanding the combined effect of electrical stimulation and stem cells in augmenting neural repair for clinical translational is a major focus of this research going forward.
BIOPOLYMER SYSTEMS FOR NEURAL RECOVERY AND STEM CELL MODULATION:
The George lab develops biomaterials to improve neural recovery in the peripheral and central nervous systems. By controlled release of drugs and molecules through biomaterials we can study the temporal effect of these neurotrophic factors on neural recovery and engineer drug delivery systems to enhance regenerative effects. By identifying the critical mechanisms for stroke and neural recovery, we are able to develop polymeric technologies for clinical translation in nerve regeneration and stroke recovery. Recent work utilizing these novel conductive polymers to differentiate stem cells for therapeutic and drug discovery applications.
APPLYING ENGINEERING TECHNIQUES TO DETERMINE BIOMARKERS FOR STROKE DIAGNOSTICS:
The ability to create diagnostic assays and techniques enables us to understand biological systems more completely and improve clinical management. Previous work utilized mass spectroscopy proteomics to find a simple serum biomarker for TIAs (a warning sign of stroke). Our study discovered a novel candidate marker, platelet basic protein. Current studies are underway to identify further candidate biomarkers using transcriptome analysis. More accurate diagnosis will allow for aggressive therapies to prevent subsequent strokes. -
Iris C. Gibbs, MD, FACR, FASTRO
Professor of Radiation Oncology (Radiation Therapy) and, by courtesy, of Neurosurgery
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsDr. Gibbs is a board-certified radiation oncologist who specializes in the treatment of CNS tumors. Her research focuses on developing new radiation techniques to manage brain and spinal tumors in adults and children. Dr. Gibbs has gained worldwide acclaim for her expertise in Cyberknife robotic radiosurgery.
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Carl Gold
Clinical Associate Professor, Adult Neurology
Clinical Associate Professor (By courtesy), NeurosurgeryBioDr. Gold is a board-certified neurologist who is fellowship-trained in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders in hospitalized patients. He cares for a broad range of patients, including individuals with seizures, central nervous system infections, autoimmune diseases, headaches, neuromuscular conditions, and neurological complications of cancer.
Dr. Gold serves as Vice Chair of Quality, Safety, & Experience for the Department of Neurology & Neurological Sciences. In this role, he coordinates projects aimed at improving care for patients with neurological conditions across the health system. He also serves as Medical Director of Service Excellence for Stanford Health Care.
For more information on the Stanford Neurohospitalist Program & Fellowship, please visit: https://med.stanford.edu/neurology/divisions/neurohospitalist.html
Learn more about the Stanford Neurology Communication Coaching Program by visiting: http://med.stanford.edu/neurology/education/resident-coaching.html
Additional information on Stanford Neurology's efforts in Quality, Safety, & Value can be found here: http://med.stanford.edu/neurology/quality.html -
Pardes Habib
Instructor, Neurosurgery
BioPardes Habib, MD/PhD, is an Instructor in the Department of Neurosurgery at Stanford University School of Medicine. His research focuses on how human neural stem cells (hNSCs) drive brain repair after chronic stroke. By integrating state-of-the-art imaging (MRI/PET) with spatially resolved multi omics, he maps structural and molecular remodeling after stroke and aims to identify diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers that drive the development and refinement of precision, cell-based therapies.
Dr. Habib completed dual doctorates in Neurology/Neuroscience (MD/PhD) and Biochemistry (PhD) at RWTH Aachen University in Germany, where he later earned a Habilitation (Venia Legendi) in Experimental Neurology—an academic qualification comparable to an associate professorship.
As head of Aachen’s Translational Stroke Research Group, he investigated neuroprotective and neuroinflammatory pathways and illuminated the roles of inflammasome activation and the unfolded protein response in acute ischemic stroke.
Since joining Dr. Gary Steinberg’s laboratory at Stanford in 2022, Dr. Habib has focused on decoding the molecular crosstalk among hNSCs, immune cells, and host neural circuits. His long-term goal is to transform these insights into targeted interventions that restore function and quality of life for patients living with the aftermath of stroke. -
Seunggu Jude Han, MD
Clinical Associate Professor, Neurosurgery
BioDr. Han is a board-certified neurosurgeon with fellowship training in neuro-oncology. He is also a clinical associate professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at Stanford University School of Medicine and chief of neurosurgery at Palo Alto VA Medical Center.
Dr. Han diagnoses and treats a wide range of conditions, including brain tumors, pituitary tumors, spinal tumors, and degenerative spinal disorders. He is passionate about caring for underserved populations, as well as educating and mentoring the next generation of neurosurgeons.
Dr. Han’s academic and research interests include brain mapping, advancing diagnostic methods and treatments for brain tumors, and improving the quality of neurosurgical care. He has conducted several clinical trials to determine the safety and effectiveness of specific treatments for different tumors affecting the central nervous system.
Dr. Han has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles in prestigious journals, including Neurology, Neurosurgery, Neuro-Oncology, and the Journal of Neurosurgery. He also serves as a reviewer for many professional publications.
Dr. Han is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, and the Society for Neuro-Oncology. He serves as an executive committee member and abstract reviewer for annual conferences in several of these organizations. -
Summer Han
Associate Professor (Research) of Neurosurgery, of Medicine (Biomedical Informatics) and, by courtesy, of Epidemiology and Population Health
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsMy current research focuses on understanding the genetic and environmental etiology of complex disease and developing and evaluating efficient screening strategies based on etiological understanding. The areas of my research interests include statistical genetics, molecular epidemiology, cancer screening, health policy modeling, and risk prediction modeling. I have developed various statistical methods to analyze high-dimensional data to identify genetic and environmental risk factors and their interactions for complex disease.
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Ciara Harraher, MD
Clinical Professor, Neurosurgery
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsI am interested in medical education and I am an Associate in the Practice of Medicine and doctoring with CARE ( E4C) Program. I am also interested in surgical outcomes research and I am involved in clinical trials studying brain tumors and stroke. I have also presented internationally on issues related to improving diversity in Neurosurgery.
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Odette Harris, MD, MPH
Paralyzed Veterans of America Professor of Spinal Cord Injury Medicine
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsTraumatic brain injury with a focus on epidemiology and outcomes.
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Melanie Hayden Gephart
Professor of Neurosurgery and, by courtesy, of Neurology and Neurological Sciences
BioI am a brain tumor neurosurgeon, treating patients with malignant and benign tumors, including gliomas, brain metastases, meningiomas, and schwannomas. I direct the Stanford Brain Tumor Center and the Stanford Brain Metastasis Consortium, collaborative unions of physicians and scientists looking to improve our understanding and treatment of brain tumors. My laboratory seeks greater understanding of the mechanisms driving tumorigenesis and disease progression in malignant brain tumors. We study how rare cancer cell populations survive and migrate in the brain, inadvertently supported by native brain cells. We develop novel cerebrospinal fluid-based biomarkers to track brain cancer treatment response, relapse, and neurotoxicity. Our bedside-to-bench-to-bedside research model builds on a foundation of generously donated patient samples, where we test mechanisms of brain cancer growth, develop novel pre-clinical models that reliably recapitulate the human disease, and facilitate clinical trials of new treatments for patients with brain cancer.
www.GephartLab.com
https://stan.md/BrainMets
@HaydenGephartMD
