About Me
I am a neurologist, neuro-oncologist, clinical trialist, and educator who specializes in brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerve tumors. I am an expert in brain tumor treatment and specialize in inherited tumor syndromes. I co-direct the Neurofibromatosis and Tuberous Sclerosis Clinics. My research is advancing the field of neuro-oncology by discovering new treatments, new tools to assess whether treatment is working, and improving the quality of life for patients. As an educator, I am passionate about developing the next generation of healthcare leaders. I have published >100 articles on these topics, been funded by NIH and other major funders, and collaborate nationally and internationally. I care for patients deeply and make sure all my patients are given the time they need to address the whole patient and family with respect and compassion.
Current Research
- Discovering new treatments for glioblastoma: I lead national clinical studies of new treatments including first-in-class drugs (NCT03216499), targeted therapies (NCT03796273), dietary treatments (NCT02286167), and immunotherapies (KL2TR001421).
- Personalized treatment for brain tumors: I collaborate with scientists to develop patient-specific tumor organoids that predict why tumors become resistant to treatment and how to personalize therapy (R21CA229027).
- Improving the lives of patients with NF and TSC: I contribute to new approaches for these diseases (PMID31583187).
- Managing neurologic complications of cancer treatment: I lead translational studies to find new biomarkers and novel treatments for chemotherapy-induced neuropathy (R21CA248106).