School of Medicine
Showing 41-50 of 165 Results
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Maxine Umeh Garcia
Instructor, Neurosurgery
Affiliate, NeurosurgeryBioMaxine was born and raised in Sacramento, CA and transferred to UC Merced in 2007 after attending a community college for 2 years. She received her B.S. in Developmental Biology with a minor in Psychology in 2010. During the last year of her undergrad, Maxine was invited to do research in the lab of Dr. Michael Cleary, studying nervous system development. Because of this research experience, Maxine decided to stay at UC Merced to pursue her Master’s in Quantitative and Systems Biology, graduating in 2013. Immediately after graduating, she started her Ph.D. at UC Davis, where her research centered on triple negative breast cancer – a type of breast cancer that has a high incidence in Black and African women.
After completing her PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology with an emphasis in Translational Research in 2019, Maxine became a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University in the department of Neurosurgery. Dr. Umeh Garcia’s research focuses on breast cancers that metastasize (or travel) to the brain. Maxine was recently promoted to an instructor position in her department after receiving a major career development award from the National Cancer Institute (K99/R00), which will fund the remainder of her postdoctoral research and provide 3 years of funding for Maxine to establish her own independent research lab. Using her background in bench research, informatics, and translational research, Dr. Umeh Garcia hopes to bring together biologists, data scientists, and clinicians to make important advances in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, as a women and underrepresented minority, Dr. Umeh Garcia is keenly interested in mentoring women and underrepresented students, and in developing novel strategic approaches to increasing diversity in biomedical sciences and academic research. -
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. -
Pejman Ghanouni, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Radiology (Body MRI) and, by courtesy, of Neurosurgery, of Obstetrics and Gynecology and of Urology
BioDr. Ghanouni is a board-certified, fellowship-trained diagnostic radiologist with Stanford Health Care Radiology. He is an associate professor in the Department of Radiology, Division of Body MRI at Stanford University School of Medicine, and by courtesy, of Urology, of Neurosurgery, and of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Dr. Ghanouni is the director of the Stanford Health Care Minimally Invasive MR Interventional Center (MIMRIC) and the Focused Ultrasound Center of Excellence. He is also chief of the Division of Body MRI at Stanford University School of Medicine.
Dr. Ghanouni is recognized around the world for his extensive expertise in using advanced imaging to diagnose, manage, and treat a wide range of conditions and disorders. As a renowned leader in diagnostic and MRI-guided interventional radiology, Dr. Ghanouni creates a customized care plan for each of his patients.
Dr. Ghanouni’s research interests include the latest advances in MR-guided focused ultrasound techniques to treat essential tremor, Parkinson’s disease, prostate cancer, bone tumors, desmoid tumors, and uterine fibroids. An experienced physician-scientist, Dr. Ghanouni has collaboratively led clinical trials and research initiatives that explore treatments for epilepsy, pancreatic cancer, and several types of tumors. Through these clinical trials, Dr. Ghanouni has helped secure FDA approval for many MR-guided focused ultrasound treatments.
His articles have been published in dozens of peer-reviewed medical journals, including Lancet Oncology, Neurology, Investigative Radiology, European Radiology, Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Journal of Neurosurgery, New England Journal of Medicine, and Radiology. Dr. Ghanouni has been invited to speak at conferences and symposiums all over the nation and the world, including in Rome, Italy; Tel Aviv, Israel; and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He is widely regarded for his groundbreaking research as well as his clinical expertise.
Dr. Ghanouni is a member of several professional organizations, including the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, the International Society for Therapeutic Ultrasound, and the European Focused Ultrasound Society.
MR-guided focused ultrasound treatment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Bwq2YxD9eU -
Iris C. Gibbs, MD, FACR, FASTRO
Professor of Radiation Oncology (Radiation Therapy) and, by courtesy, of Neurosurgery
On Leave from 04/28/2025 To 07/31/2025Current 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.
