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

  1. 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).
  2. 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).
  3. Improving the lives of patients with NF and TSC: I contribute to new approaches for these diseases (PMID31583187).
  4. Managing neurologic complications of cancer treatment: I lead translational studies to find new biomarkers and novel treatments for chemotherapy-induced neuropathy (R21CA248106).