Stanford University
Showing 101-200 of 340 Results
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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 -
Jaimie Henderson, MD
John and Jene Blume - Robert and Ruth Halperin Professor, Professor of Neurosurgery and, by courtesy, of Neurology and Neurological Sciences
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsMy research interests encompass several areas of stereotactic and functional neurosurgery, including frameless stereotactic approaches for therapy delivery to deep brain nuclei; cortical physiology and its relationship to normal and pathological movement; brain-computer interfaces; and the development of novel neuromodulatory techniques for the treatment of movement disorders, epilepsy, pain, and other neurological diseases.
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Yusuke Hori, MD
Clinical Instructor, Neurosurgery
BioDr. Hori received his MD from Sapporo Medical University, Japan, and during that time he served as a Medical Student Research Fellow in the Department of Pharmacology. He explored the functional role of the SIRT1 gene, a longevity-associated gene, and its association with various conditions such as muscular dystrophy. He also completed a Visiting Student Research Fellowship at the Health Sciences University of Hokkaido and participated in Human Genetics projects focusing on an association between the 27-bp deletion and 538G>A mutation in the ABCC11 Gene.
After graduating from medical school, Dr. Hori completed a neurosurgery residency at National Hospital Organization Okayama Medical Center in Japan. Subsequently, he completed a Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery Fellowship and then a Neurosurgical Oncology and Radiosurgery Fellowship at The Cleveland Clinic. He also completed an International Neurosurgery Fellowship at Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School. In 2022, he moved to Stanford University as a postdoctoral fellow, and under the supervision of Dr. Anca Pasca, he participated in brain organoid research focusing on hypoxic brain injuries.
Since July 2023, Dr. Hori has been working as a Clinical Instructor (Neurosurgical Oncology and Radiosurgery) in the Department of Neurosurgery at Stanford under the supervision of Dr. Steven D. Chang. His clinical interests include malignant brain and spine tumors in both adult and pediatric patients. His clinical research focuses on the application of minimally invasive treatments such as laser interstitial thermal therapy, focused ultrasound, and radiosurgery to treat various neurosurgical conditions. His current lab research aims to develop an organoid model for radiation-induced brain injuries and a high-throughput screening platform to identify novel therapeutic compounds, for which he received a Clinician Educator Grant from Stanford University Maternal and Child Health Research Institute. Outside of medicine, he enjoys playing music including guitar and drums. -
Serena Hu, MD
Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and, by courtesy, of Neurosurgery
BioDr. Hu is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopaedic spine surgeon. She is professor and vice chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and (by courtesy) Neurosurgery, and chief of the Division of Spine Surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. Hu completed her orthopedic surgery residency at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York and her fellowship training in spine and scoliosis surgery at Rancho Los Amigos Rehabilitation Center in Downey, California.
Dr. Hu has extensive experience helping patients with a range of spinal conditions and injuries. She specializes in treating scoliosis (when the spine curves sideways), kyphosis (when the spine is more bent forward than normal) lumbar spine fractures, spondylolisthesis (when a vertebra moves out of place), disc degeneration, and spinal stenosis (spinal canal narrowing). Dr. Hu draws on her expertise to create a customized care plan for each of her patients.
Dr. Hu has been the principal investigator in more than a dozen clinical trials and studies. She has been awarded multiple research grants from the North American Spine Society, Scoliosis Research Society, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Her research interests include the effects of preoperative pain medication on surgical outcomes as well as decreasing the risk of complications after spine surgery. She has also studied and tested new technologies that make spine surgery safer and more effective.
She has published more than 145 articles in dozens of peer-reviewed journals, including Global Spine Journal, Journal of Spine Surgery, Spine, and Spine Deformity. She has written about a range of topics, including quality measures in spine surgery, spinal fusion techniques, spine tumor effects on spine stability and lumbar decompression for spinal stenosis. Additionally, Dr. Hu has written more than a dozen book chapters on spinal cord injuries, spine fractures, pediatric kyphosis, spondylolysis (vertebra fracture), and scoliosis.
Dr. Hu has reviewed articles for Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: A Comprehensive Review, and Spine. She has also served as associate editor for Spine Deformity and deputy editor for Global Spine Journal.
Having delivered hundreds of presentations, papers, and lectures, Dr. Hu is widely considered one of the world’s leading experts in spine surgery. She has been invited to lecture to her colleagues all over the United States and around the world, including in Hong Kong, Canada, Brazil, Australia, Argentina, and Greece.
Dr. Hu is a member of multiple professional organizations, including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Association, International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine, Orthopaedic Research Society, and Scoliosis Research Society. She is past president of the Scoliosis Research Society as well as of the American Orthopedic Association. -
Yuhao (Danny) Huang
Resident in Neurosurgery
BioI am a resident and post-doctorate researcher in the Department of Neurosurgery at Stanford University. As a physician-scientist with a focus on signal processing and neural electrophysiology, I work with multimodal datasets to understand how brain signals correlate with human behavior. I am interested in using computer vision and machine learning to parse neural correlates of behavior under naturalistic settings. Another area of interest involves building robust neuro-modulatory treatments for functional disorders and epilepsy. I received my BSc at University of Alberta and my MD at Stanford University.
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John Huguenard
Professor of Neurology and Neurological Sciences (Neurology Research), of Neurosurgery (Adult Neurosurgery) and, by courtesy, of Molecular and Cellular Physiology
On Leave from 02/16/2025 To 02/15/2026Current Research and Scholarly InterestsWe are interested in the neuronal mechanisms that underlie synchronous oscillatory activity in the thalamus, cortex and the massively interconnected thalamocortical system. Such oscillations are related to cognitive processes, normal sleep activities and certain forms of epilepsy. Our approach is an analysis of the discrete components (cells, synapses, microcircuits) that make up thalamic and cortical circuits, and reconstitution of components into in silico computational networks.
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Kamran Hussain
Casual - Non-Exempt, Neurosurgery
BioResearching speech neuroprosthetics at the Neuroprosthetics Translational Lab. Research interests include brain-computer interfacing, neuroprosthetics, computational systems neuroscience, and bio-inspired artificial intelligence.
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Duc Tan Huynh
Postdoctoral Scholar, Neurosurgery
BioAs a cell biologist interested in neuroscience, I am fascinated about the molecular basis of nervous system disorders that reveal therapeutic targets and/or biomarkers. My long-term research goal is to identify strategies that revert dysregulation in aging or neurodegeneration. For my postdoctoral training in the Zuchero lab (Neurosurgery), I will investigate how myelination, an essential developmental process, contributes to intelligence and neurodegeneration at the biochemical, cellular, and physiological level. I received my BSc at UCLA and my PhD at Duke University.
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Peter H. Hwang, MD
Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS) and, by courtesy, of Neurosurgery
Current Research and Scholarly Interests- Clinical outcomes in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery
- Development of innovative medical devices for treatment of sinus disorders
- Founder of CORSICA, a national research registry for sinus cancer -
Michael Jensen, MD, PhD
Clinical Assistant Professor, Neurosurgery
BioDr. Michael Jensen is a neurosurgeon at Stanford Health Care. He also serves as a clinical assistant professor and director of endoscopic spine surgery in the Department of Neurosurgery, Division of Spine Surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine.
Dr. Jensen specializes in endoscopic and minimally invasive spine surgery for degenerative conditions, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and spine-related pain, with experience in more than 2,000 procedures throughout his career. As Director of Endoscopic Spine Surgery at Stanford, he focuses on motion-preserving techniques that shorten recovery and restore function. He also employs advanced imaging and meticulous surgical planning to make spinal fusion safer and promote lasting healing. Dr. Jensen’s care philosophy emphasizes precision, collaboration, and open communication—ensuring that every patient understands their options and feels confident in their care.
As a physician-scientist, Dr. Jensen focuses his research on improving the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of spine care. He has studied how cost-sharing policies, treatment timing, and prescribing patterns affect outcomes for patients with neck and back pain. He has also explored the use of machine learning and predictive modeling to guide clinical decision-making in neurosurgery. Currently, Dr. Jensen works with the Endoscopic Spine Research Group to improve patient pain control and functional recovery after endoscopic spine surgery.
Dr. Jensen has presented his work at national meetings, including those of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons and the Society of Lateral Access Surgery. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in journals such as The Spine Journal, JAMA Network Open, and World Neurosurgery. His research spans clinical care, health economics, and translational science, reflecting his commitment to advancing neurosurgical practice and improving patient outcomes.
Dr. Jensen is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. -
Siddhartha Joshi, PhD
Senior Research Scientist, Neurosurgery
BioI am a neuroscientist with over 20 years of experience in empirical, hypothesis-driven research. My knowledge and expertise cover a wide range of topics and methods within systems neuroscience including sensory perception, neurophysiology and neuroanatomy, eye-movements and pupillometry. My research is focused on how the brain represents and uses sensory information to drive goal-directed behaviors and in exploring how intrinsic neuromodulatory systems influence the neural circuits that drive such behaviors. At Stanford, I am looking to channel my experience towards studying human neural signals that underlie computations governing pain and attention.
My work thus far [1-4] supports the idea that there is a need for simultaneous measurements of behavior, brain state and large-scale cortical activity to understand how the brain’s circuits: (i) are modulated by ascending sympathetic activation and (ii) provide top-down control of descending sympathetic control. These are technically challenging experiments [3,4] that have thus far largely been explored in animal models. My current goal is to leverage opportunities to directly measure human brain activity via electrodes implanted for monitoring epilepsy. Towards this end, I will use state-of-the-art neurophysiological, behavioral, pupillometric techniques combined with quantitative analyses.
Representative publications:
1. Joshi S, Gold JI (2020) Pupil Size as a Window on Neural Substrates of Cognition. Trends in Cognitive Sciences 24(6), 466-480. PMCID: PMC7271902.
2. Joshi S (2024). Control of Pupil Responses. Encyclopedia of the Human Brain (Elsevier), Second Edition, Vol.1, 374-387.
3. Joshi S, Li, Y, Kalwani R, Gold JI (2016). Relationships between pupil diameter and neuronal activity in the locus coeruleus, colliculi and cingulate cortex. Neuron 89:221-234. PMCID: PMC4707070.
4. Joshi S, Gold JI (2022) Context-Dependent Relationships between Locus Coeruleus Firing Patterns and Coordinated Neural Activity in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex. eLife 11:e63490. PMCID: PMC8765756. -
Neda Kaboodvand
Basic Life Research Scientist, Neurosurgery
Current Role at StanfordResearch Scientist
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Julia Kaltschmidt
Professor of Neurosurgery
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsThe lab’s primary research interest is to understand how specific neuronal circuits are established. We use mouse genetics, combinatorial immunochemical labeling and high-resolution laser scanning microscopy to identify, manipulate, and quantitatively analyze synaptic contacts within the complex neuronal milieu of the spinal cord and the enteric nervous system.
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Vanessa W.Y. Kan
Postdoctoral Scholar, Neurosurgery
BioI am a second-year postdoctoral researcher in Irene Llorente’s laboratory at the Department of Neurosurgery. I completed my Ph.D. at the Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences GSN-LMU in Munich, Germany, where I was trained as a circuit neuroscientist. During my doctoral work, I focused on dissecting the circuit mechanisms underlying cortical hyperexcitability in ALS, uncovering the pathophysiological role of hyper-responsive layer 2⁄3 neurons (one of the main inputs to layer 5) in the disease course. Currently, my research bridges circuit neuroscience, stem cell biology, and bioinformatics to explore mechanisms of neural repair and regeneration. I utilize advanced experimental and computational tools, including in vivo calcium imaging in awake, freely behaving rodents; machine learning-based motion sequencing (MoSeq); anterograde and retrograde viral tracing techniques; and transplantation of iPSC-derived glial-enriched progenitors and cortical interneurons. In parallel, I apply spatial transcriptomics and single-cell RNA sequencing to map cell-type–specific interactions and molecular signatures during neural circuit remodeling.
My research focuses on understanding the circuit mechanisms underlying neurological conditions such as stroke and identifying how cell-based therapies mediate repair. The ultimate goal of my work is to uncover molecular and cellular processes that promote graft–host integration and functional recovery, paving the way for next-generation regenerative therapies for the injured brain.
In addition to translational research, I am also passionate about scientific education and outreach. I mentor community college students twice a year through the Stanford Science Small Group, in which I share my own experience in research and guide them through the research process. To expand my outreach efforts, in the past summer, I collaborated with Invent Your Own Future as well as The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and organized a summer camp on Neuroscience x AI research for over 20 high school students in Hong Kong. -
Spyros Karadimas, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery
BioDr. Spyridon Karadimas is a board-certified, fellowship-trained cerebrovascular neurosurgeon and physician-scientist with Stanford Health Care. He is also an assistant professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at Stanford University School of Medicine.
Dr. Karadimas offers advanced, personalized treatment for complex vascular disorders of the brain, neck, and spine in both adults and children. His expertise spans brain aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, cavernous malformations, arteriovenous fistulas, Moyamoya disease, stroke, and carotid artery disease. Dr. Karadimas is a rare combination of surgeon, scientist, and innovator dedicated to advancing patient care and shaping the future of cerebrovascular neurosurgery.
Dr. Karadimas directs a basic and translational research program focused on the neural circuits of motor control and stroke recovery. His laboratory integrates systems neuroscience, in vivo imaging, electrophysiology, and brain-computer interface development to uncover the principles of neuroplasticity, or how the brain adapts to change. This knowledge allows him to create new ways to help people move again after a brain injury.
Dr. Karadimas has published his research as first author in peer-reviewed journals such as Nature, Nature Neuroscience and Science Translational Medicine. His work has received editorial highlight at Nature Reviews Neuroscience. He has presented to his peers at international, national, and regional meetings, including those of the American Academy of Neurological Surgery, American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), European Association of Neurosurgical Societies, and World Federation of Skull Base Societies.
Dr. Karadimas is a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada and American Association of Neurological Surgeons as well as member of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, and the North American Skull Base Society. -
Ziya Karimov
Affiliate, Neurosurgery
Visiting Postdoctoral Scholar,BioZiya Karimov, MD is a Neurosurgery Postdoctoral Scholar at Chang/Park Lab in the Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine. He graduated with an Honours Degree from Ege University Faculty of Medicine (6 years med school, including 1 year Internship) in Izmir, Türkiye. Dr. Karimov ranked top percentile in the Turkish Medical Specialty Exam (TUS) and started the residency at Izmir City Hospital (4th largest hospital in Türkiye). He gained neurosurgery experience in the US top-level centers - Johns Hopkins University, Barrow Neurological Institute, and Lenox Hill Hospital.
Dr. Karimov is interested in Cerebrovascular Surgery, Skull Base Surgery, Neurosurgery Education, and Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience.
He plans to be an academic neurosurgeon and teacher, and build up new programs.
Dr. Karimov serves as a Peer-Reviewer in Springer-Nature, Cureus, Lippincott, MDPI, and other trusted publishers.
Hobbies: Judo, swimming, volleyball, intellectual contest games, brain ring -
Laurence Katznelson, MD
Professor of Neurosurgery, Emeritus
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsDr. Katznelson is an internationally known neuroendocrinologist and clinical researcher, with research expertise in the diagnosis and management of hypopituitarism, the effects of hormones on neurocognitive function, and the development of therapeutics for acromegaly and Cushings syndrome, and neuroendocrine tumors. Dr. Katznelson is the medical director of the multidisciplinary Stanford Pituitary Center, a program geared for patient management, clinical research and patient education
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Prashanth Krishnamohan, MD
Clinical Associate Professor, Adult Neurology
Clinical Associate Professor (By courtesy), NeurosurgeryBioDr. Krishnamohan is a board-certified, fellowship-trained neurologist. He is a clinical assistant professor of neurology and neurological sciences and, by courtesy, of neurosurgery at Stanford University School of Medicine. In addition, he is Medical Director of the Neurosciences Service Line at Stanford Health Care – ValleyCare and is Medical Director of its Stroke program.
Dr. Krishnamohan excels in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological conditions. His clinical interests include the management of stroke, epilepsy, concussion, and coma. With every patient, his goal is to provide personalized care designed to optimize neurological function for the best possible clinical outcome and quality of life.
He has published extensively on topics including innovations in stroke care quality management and measurement, rapid bedside evaluation of seizures in the ICU, and EEG metrics in comatose cardiac arrest patients. Articles by Dr. Krishnamohan have appeared in Neuroanesthesia and Neurocritical Care, Quality Management in Healthcare, Current Infectious Disease Reports, and other journals. He has presented his research findings at the annual meetings of the Neurocritical Care Society and American Academy of Neurology.
He has authored chapters on post-concussive syndrome, stroke, and other conditions for the guidebook Ferri’s Clinical Advisor. In addition, he is a reviewer for the Journal of Neuroscience Nursing, Neurohospitalist, and the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry.
Dr. Krishnamohan has won recognition from Stanford Health Care, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement Open School, the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, and PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research – the latter two his alma maters.
Dr. Krishnamohan is a member of the Neurocritical Care Society, American Academy of Neurology, and American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. He volunteers as a community health educator with numerous organizations. -
Kathryn Kvam
Clinical Associate Professor, Adult Neurology
Clinical Associate Professor (By courtesy), NeurosurgeryCurrent Research and Scholarly InterestsDr. Kvam's research focuses on 1) how to measure quality of care for patients with neurologic disease, 2) the value and impact of neurohospitalist models of care on patient outcomes and trainee education and 3) outcomes in rare diseases like autoimmune encephalitis.
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Mable Lam
Instructor, Neurosurgery
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsMyelin is required for rapid nerve signaling by insulating axons to accelerate action potential propagation. Myelin-forming cells of the central nervous system, called oligodendrocytes, orchestrate one of the most complex morphological transformations in neurobiology. Each oligodendrocyte can extend multiple processes that selectively wrap axons in tens to hundreds of spiraling membrane layers, forming myelin sheaths that vary in thickness and length. Furthermore, oligodendrocytes can respond to neural activity by adding new sheaths or by changing the geometry of pre-existing sheaths to tune neural circuitry, a process known as adaptive myelination.
What are the membrane trafficking mechanisms that drive adaptive myelination in oligodendrocytes?
How can these mechanisms be stimulated to promote myelin regeneration in disease?
By using transgenic mouse models and primary oligodendrocytes, we have found that SNARE-mediated exocytosis drives membrane addition in myelin sheaths. Current research is focused on how these pathways in oligodendrocytes may be regulated during adaptive myelination. -
Maarten Lansberg, MD, PhD
Professor of Neurology and Neurological Sciences (Adult Neurology) and, by courtesy, of Neurosurgery
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsMy research involves the design and conduct of clinical trials to discover new treatments for patients who have suffered a stroke. These trials span treatment of acute stroke, stroke recovery, and stroke prevention. My research in acute stroke is primarily focused on the use of advanced neuroimaging methods (CT and MRI) to select patients who are most likely to benefit from therapies aimed at restoring blood flow to the brain in patients who have suffered a stroke.
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Jin Hyung Lee
Associate Professor of Neurology and Neurological Sciences (Neurology Research), of Neurosurgery and of Bioengineering and, by courtesy, of Electrical Engineering
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsIn vivo visualization and control of neural circuits
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Michael Leong
Clinical Professor, Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine
Clinical Professor (By courtesy), NeurosurgeryCurrent Research and Scholarly Interests- Intrathecal / Intraspinal Analgesics
- Ziconotide (Prialt)
- Resiniferatoxin
- Industry-supported clinical trials -
Joshua Levin, MD
Clinical Associate Professor, Orthopaedic Surgery
Clinical Associate Professor, NeurosurgeryBioDr. Levin completed a residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Michigan in 2007, and a pain medicine fellowship at the Virginia Commonwealth University in 2008. Currently, he is a member of both the departments of orthopedic surgery and neurosurgery at Stanford University, where he also is the director of the PM&R residency program and the associate director of the interventional spine and musculoskeletal medicine fellowship.
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Simon Levinson
Affiliate, Department Funds
Resident in NeurosurgeryBioSimon was born and raised in and around New York City. He moved to California to attend the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) where he obtained undergraduate degrees in both political theory and neuroscience. Simon continued his education at UCLA where he attended the David Geffen School of Medicine. While a medical student he worked under the mentorship of Dr. Carlos Cepeda to investigate the cellular mechanisms underlying pediatric epilepsy. Additionally, under the mentorship of Dr. Ausaf Bari he created an MRI based structural atlas of the human brainstem. Simon is currently undergoing clinical training in neurologic surgery at Stanford University. He is interested in understanding how neural networks function and contribute to disease and how they can aid in developing novel treatment therapies. Outside of medicine, Simon enjoys spending time with his wife, going for hikes with their dog, traveling, listening to audiobooks, and running.
Please see complete publication list on Google scholar profile: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=en&user=eEX91cwAAAAJ -
Gordon Li, MD
Professor of Neurosurgery and, by courtesy, of Neurology and Neurological Sciences and of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS)
Current Research and Scholarly Interests1.) My laboratory studies the biology of brain tumors with the goal of developing novel therapeutics for the treatment of malignant brain tumors and translating that research into clinical trials.
2.) My clinical interests include improving surgical techniques for brain tumor surgery, immunotherapy for the treatment of glioblastoma, and novel uses for stereotactic radiosurgery. -
Michael Lim, M.D.
Stanford Medicine Endowed Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery, Professor of Neurosurgery and, by courtesy, of Radiation Oncology, of Medicine, of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS) and of Neurology and Neurological Sciences
BioDr. Lim is the Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery and a board-certified neurosurgeon specializing in brain tumors and trigeminal neuralgia.
Dr. Lim’s clinical interests include the treatment of benign and malignant brain tumors, with special interest in gliomas, meningiomas, metastatic tumors, and skull base tumors. Dr. Lim also specializes in surgical treatments for trigeminal neuralgia. During his time at Johns Hopkins, Dr. Lim built one of the largest brain tumor and trigeminal neuralgia practices and utilized the most advanced surgical technologies and techniques for his patients. As a passionate voice for patient experience, he has been recognized by his peers and patients for his integrity and compassionate care, including a Service Excellence Award from HealthNetwork Foundation.
As a mentor, he has garnered numerous teaching awards, including being honored as an outstanding teacher by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He is actively involved in shaping education for neurosurgery and oncology across the United States and around the world. He is the recipient of the prestigious 2023 Abhijit Guha Award in Neuro-Oncology.
Dr. Lim’s research interests focus on harnessing the immune system to fight cancer. His laboratory focuses on understanding mechanisms of immune evasion by cancer cells. He has successfully translated his findings from the laboratory to the clinics and has conducted and led several large national immunotherapy clinical trials for brain tumors.
Dr. Lim’s bibliography contains well over 300 articles on topics such as immunotherapy for glioblastoma, long-term survival of glioma patients treated with stereotactic radiation, and treatment of neuropathic pain. His work has appeared in Science Translational Medicine, Clinical Cancer Research, Lancet Oncology, Nature Immunology, and many more publications. He also has written 20 book chapters and monographs.
Dr. Lim is a world leader in immunotherapy for brain tumors. In addition to being invited world-wide to give lectures and seminars, he has given platform presentations on the topics of immunotherapy for brain tumors, neurosurgical techniques and management of brain tumors at the American Society of Clinical Oncologists, American Academy of Neurological Surgeons, Radiological Society of North America, Annual Symposium on Brain and Spine Metastases, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, and other meetings. In addition, he has served as platform chairman of the CNS session at the American Society for Clinical Oncology conference.
Dr. Lim is a member of the American Society for Clinical Oncology, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, American Association of Neurological Surgeons, and Society for Neuro-Oncology. Dr. Lim served as the program co-chair of the Society for Neuro-Oncology and CNS section of the American Society for Clinical Oncology. He also served on many executive committees, including the Executive Committee for the Joint Tumor Section of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons.
Trigeminal neuralgia treatment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-n8nvwkwZik
Trigeminal neuralgia patient stories: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kClePRPYlQs&t=1s -
Frank M. Longo, MD, PhD
George E. and Lucy Becker Professor of Medicine and Professor, by courtesy, of Neurosurgery
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsClinical interests include Alzheimer's disease and Huntington's disease and the development of effective therapeutics for these disorders. Laboratory interests encompass the elucidation of signaling mechanisms relevant to neurodegenerative disorders and the development of novel small molecule approaches for the treatment of neurodegenerative and other neurological disorders.
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Jaime Lopez, MD
Professor of Neurology and Neurological Sciences (Adult Neurology) and, by courtesy, of Neurosurgery
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsMy clinical interests are in the areas of Intraoperative Neurophysiologic Monitoring (IOM), clinical neurophysiology, electromyopgraphy and in the use of botulinum toxins in the treatment of neurologic disorders. Our IOM groups research is in the development of new and innovative techniques for monitoring the nervous system during surgical and endovascular procedures and how these alter surgical management and patient outcomes. I am also active in formulating national IOM practice guidelines.
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Irene L. Llorente
Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery
BioOriginally from Spain, Irene L. Llorente joined the Neurosurgery Department at Stanford University in 2022. Following her undergraduate degree in Molecular Biology at the University of Leon in Spain, Dr. Llorente completed an MS in Molecular Biology and Biomedicine and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience between the Universities of Leon (Spain) and Florence (Italy). She conducted a postdoctoral fellowship in the Neurology Department at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA where she also started her independent career as a Research Assistant Professor. Her research interests are largely directed toward understanding the biology of white matter repair in central nervous system disorders. She is particularly interested in leveraging the current technologies emerging in the stem cell field to develop more efficient and effective stem cell-based therapies for stroke, spinal cord injury, Traumatic brain injury, and vascular dementia patients.
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Zhonglin Lyu
Instructor, Neurosurgery
BioDr. Lyu is an instructor at the Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine. He obtained his PhD at Soochow University, China, where he gained training in designing biomaterials to modulate stem cell behaviors and led multidisciplinary research under the advice of Prof. Hong Chen. During his PhD, he worked as a visiting student researcher at Canary Center for Early Cancer Detection at Stanford University School of Medicine where he gained training in microfluidics and cancer metastasis. Dr. Lyu carried out his postdoctoral research under the guidance of Prof. Jon Park and Wonjae Lee at the Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine. He developed an in vitro microphysiological model of ischaemic stroke and used it as a platform to systematically evaluate the restorative potential of stem cell therapy.
As an instructor, Dr. Lyu's main research interest is to develop in vitro tissue/organ models to mimic human diseases including neurological diseases and cancer metastases. The goal is to use these models to understand disease mechanisms, to evaluate the safety and efficacy of existing drugs, and to look for new therapeutic targets. -
Sasidhar Madugula
Postdoctoral Scholar, Neurosurgery
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsMy research focuses on high-precision neural interfaces and the development of next-generation brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) for sensory and motor restoration. I am particularly interested in the biophysics of electrical stimulation, systems neuroscience, and the decoding of neural activity for high-fidelity communication and control. My work spans both fundamental and translational neuroscience.
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Kelly Mahaney
Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery
BioDr. Mahaney is a Pediatric Neurosurgeon with clinical interest in Hydrocephalus, Craniovertebral Junction abnormalities, Spasticity, Spinal dysraphism and Myelomeningocele, Central Nervous System tumors, and Pediatric Epilepsy surgery. She completed residency training at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and subspecialty Pediatric Neurosurgery training at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and the Barrow Neurologic Institute at Phoenix Children's Hospital. She is interested in advancing Neuro-endoscopic techniques in Pediatric Neurosurgical practice. Dr. Mahaney's research focuses on delineating the role of iron in the development of post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus.
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Cormac Maher, MD, FAANS, FAAP, FACS
Botha Chan Endowed Professor
BioDr. Maher is a board-certified, fellowship-trained neurosurgeon with Stanford Health Care and is chief of neurosurgery at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford. He is also the Botha Chan Endowed Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery, Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Stanford University School of Medicine.
Dr. Maher specializes in treating children who have neurological disorders — conditions of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. In his adult practice, he offers particular expertise in treating Chiari malformation, which involves a portion of the brain pushing down into the spinal canal, and tethered spinal cord. Dr. Maher has served on many national organization committees for research and training in neurosurgery.
Dr. Maher has published more than 190 articles in peer-reviewed journals, including Journal of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery, and Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics. He has also served on the editorial boards for publications and organizations including the Journal of Neurosurgery Publishing Group. He has performed ad hoc review for many other journals and grant review for organizations including the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS).
Dr. Maher has delivered hundreds of presentations at symposiums and conferences for national and international audiences. He is also a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, AANS, and American College of Surgeons. -
Stephen Lawrence McKenna, MD
Clinical Professor (Affiliated), Neurosurgery
Staff, Neurosurgery OperationsBioDr. Stephen McKenna is a founding member of the Stanford Partnership for Spinal Cord Injury and Repair. He is currently the Chief of the Rehabilitation Trauma Center; as well as, the site director of the Advanced SCI Medicine Fellowship at SCVMC.
As a Neurocritical Care physician, Dr. McKenna specializes in ventilator-dependent Spinal Cord and Traumatic Brain Injury, as well as neuromuscular diseases. He has led first-in-human clinical trials ranging from vaccines for HIV to stem cell-derived oligodendrocyte progenitor cell-based therapies for SCI. Dr. McKenna is Chairman of the Respiratory Section of the International Standards to Document Autonomic Function after SCI (ISAFSCI) and co-chair of the American Spinal Cord Injury Association (ASIA) Research Education Subcommittee.
Clinical Focus:
Spinal Cord Injury
Traumatic Brain Injury
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS)
Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis
Neuromyelitis Optica (Devic disease)
Professional Education:
Board Certification: Neurocritical Care, UCNS (2008)
Board Certification: Internal Medicine, ABIM (2005)
Internship & Residency: Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (2002,2005)
Medical Education: Stanford University School of Medicine (2002)
Book Chapter:
Shah A, Shem K, McKenna SL, Berlly M. Management of Respiratory Failure in Spinal Cord Injury. Spinal Cord Medicine (Hardcover) by Steven, M.D. Kirshblum (Editor) Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2011
Selected Publications:
Exploration of surgical blood pressure management & expected motor recovery in individuals with traumatic SCI.
Ehsanian R, et al, McKenna SL.
Spinal Cord. 2020 Mar;58(3):377-386. PMID: 31649323
A Novel Pharyngeal Clearance Maneuver for Initial Tracheostomy Tube Cuff Deflation in High Cervical Tetraplegia.
Ehsanian R, et al, McKenna S.
Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2019 Sep;98(9):835-838. PMID: 30973517
Burden of Care Implications & Association of Intracranial Hypertension with Extremely Severe Post-traumatic Amnesia After TBI: A 5-Year Retrospective Longitudinal Study.
Quach NT, et al
Front Neurol. 2019 Jan 29;10:34. PMID: 30761071
Venous Thromboembolism is Associated with Lack of Vitamin D Supplementation in Patients with SCI & Low Vitamin D Levels.
Ehsanian R, et al
PM R. 2019 Feb;11(2):125-134. PMID: 30300766
Pulmonary outcomes following specialized respiratory management for acute cervical SCI: a retrospective analysis.
Zakrasek EC, et al, McKenna SL
Spinal Cord, 2017; Feb 21. PMID: 28220822
Dose Response Effect of Exposure to Hypotension on Expected Neurological Recovery in Individuals with Traumatic SCI.
ARCHIVES OF PM&R
Reza, E., et al, McKenna, S.
2016: DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2016.09.016
Combined SCI & TBI: recovery of forelimb function after unilateral cervical SCI is retarded by contralateral traumatic brain injury (TBI), & ipsilateral TBI balances the effects of SCI on paw placement.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
Inoue T, et al.
2013 Oct 248: 136-47. PMID: 23770071
Functional electrical stimulation in SCI respiratory care.
TOPICS IN SPINAL CORD REHAB.
R Jarosz, et al, S McKenna
2012:Vol. 18, No. 4, 315-321. PMID: 23459661
Impact of mean arterial blood pressure during the first seven days post SCI.
TOPICS IN SPINAL CORD REHAB.
J Cohn, et al
2010: DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1310/sci1503-96
Successful Pregnancy & Delivery in a C1 ASIA A spinal cord injured Woman: The Role of Coordinated Care Between PM&R & Obstetrics Services: A Case Report.
PM&R
Lin C, et al
2010: DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pmrj.2010.07.461
The impact of project closure on HIV incidence and mortality in a cohort of couples in Lusaka, Zambia.
AIDS CARE
Stephenson R, et al
2008 Jul;20(6):683-91. PMID: 18576170
Rapid HIV testing & counseling for voluntary testing centers in Africa.
AIDS
McKenna SL et al
1997 Sep;11 Suppl 1:S103-10. PMID: 9376093 -
Paul Salomon Mischel
Fortinet Founders Professor and Professor, by courtesy, of Neurosurgery
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsMy research bridges cancer genetics, signal transduction and cellular metabolism as we aim to understand the molecular mechanisms that drive cancer development, progression, and drug resistance. We have made a series of discoveries that have identified a central role for ecDNA (extrachromosomal DNA) in cancer development, progression, accelerated tumor evolution and drug resistance.
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Michelle Monje
Milan Gambhir Professor of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology and Professor, by courtesy, of Neurosurgery, of Pediatrics, of Pathology and of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsThe Monje Lab studies the molecular and cellular mechanisms of postnatal neurodevelopment. This includes microenvironmental influences on neural precursor cell fate choice in normal neurodevelopment and in disease states.
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Seema Nagpal, MD
Clinical Professor, Adult Neurology
Clinical Professor (By courtesy), NeurosurgeryCurrent Research and Scholarly InterestsI'm a board certified neuro-oncologist who treats both primary brain tumors as well as metastatic disease to the brain and nervous system. My research concentrates on clinical trials for patients with late-stage central nervous system cancer. I have a special interest in leptomeningeal disease, a devastating complication of lung and breast cancers. I collaborate with Stanford scientists to detect this disease earlier, and with our breast and lung oncologists to improve outcomes for patients.
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Puja Nakrani
Affiliate,
BioAffiliate, Stanford Neurosurgery
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Jayakar V. Nayak, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS) and, by courtesy, of Neurosurgery
On Partial Leave from 09/16/2025 To 04/30/2026Current Research and Scholarly InterestsUpper Airway Stem Cell Biology, Fate, and Repair/Regeneration of the Airway Epithelium to treat Upper and Lower Airway Disorders
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Ryan Nitta
Senior Research Scientist, Neurosurgery
Current Role at StanfordThe main project of the Li lab is to elucidate the signaling pathways responsible for maintaining and initiating brain tumor growth. Previously the Li lab has identified an interesting protein, known as casein kinase 2, which plays an integral role in adult brain tumor growth. My goal is to expand on this initial finding and determine if casein kinase 2 could be a therapeutically relevant drug target in adult brain tumors and whether this protein plays a role in pediatric brain tumors. The role of the candidate would be the lead researcher on these projects, as well as managing and leading the undergraduate and medical students in the lab. In addition, I am responsible for maintaining the laboratory and assisting in grant writing.
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Paul Nuyujukian
Assistant Professor of Bioengineering and of Neurosurgery
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsOur group explores neuroengineering and its application to both basic and clinical neuroscience. Our goal is to develop brain-machine interfaces as a platform technology for a variety of brain-related medical conditions including stroke and epilepsy.
