Research Programs

Advancing Translational Neuro-Oncology

My research focuses on developing technologies and therapeutic strategies that improve outcomes for patients with primary and metastatic brain tumors by bridging laboratory discovery and clinical application.

Metabolic Reprogramming

Cancer cells undergo profound metabolic adaptation to sustain growth, evade therapy, and survive within the unique microenvironment of the brain. My laboratory investigates how metabolic reprogramming influences glioblastoma biology, with a particular focus on mitochondrial function, cellular bioenergetics, oxidative stress, and therapeutic resistance. By defining how tumor metabolism changes in response to radiation, interactions with the tumor microenvironment, and emerging targeted therapies, we seek to identify metabolic vulnerabilities that can be exploited to improve treatment outcomes.

Fluorescence microscopy demonstrating mitochondrial architecture and cellular bioenergetics in glioblastoma research.

Our current work integrates molecular biology, mitochondrial physiology, transcriptomics, and functional metabolic assays to develop novel therapeutic strategies, including metabolic modulation, mitochondrial transplantation, and senescence-directed therapies. These studies are designed to accelerate the translation of laboratory discoveries into clinically meaningful interventions for patients with malignant brain tumors.

Mitochondrial Therapeutics

Schematic illustrating autologous mitochondrial transplantation as a therapeutic strategy for glioblastoma.

Surgical Technology

Advancing neuro-oncology requires more than new drugs or surgical techniques—it also depends on developing technologies that address unmet clinical needs in the operating room and throughout the continuum of care. My research focuses on designing and translating novel medical devices that improve surgical precision, intraoperative decision-making, and targeted therapeutic delivery. Current efforts include the development of an innovative intraoperative ultrasound platform designed to enhance visualization of brain tumor resection cavities and improve real-time assessment of residual disease, as well as technologies that facilitate localized therapeutic delivery to the central nervous system. By combining engineering, imaging science, and clinical neurosurgery, these projects aim to accelerate the translation of practical innovations that improve patient care while creating new opportunities for commercialization and industry collaboration.

Prototype intraoperative ultrasound applicator developed to improve visualization of brain tumor resection cavities.

Healthcare Systems

Delivering exceptional neuro-oncology care requires more than scientific discovery and advanced surgical technology—it requires healthcare systems capable of providing timely, coordinated access to specialized expertise. My research focuses on the design and evaluation of regional neuroscience programs that integrate multidisciplinary care across health systems through standardized referral pathways, virtual collaboration, shared imaging review, and coordinated treatment planning. Current work includes the development of Time to Definitive Neuro-Oncology Care (TDNC), a novel conceptual framework that evaluates how efficiently healthcare systems deliver definitive multidisciplinary care rather than relying solely on traditional measures such as geographic distance or provider availability. By studying how regional systems function, my goal is to develop scalable models that improve access, quality, and patient outcomes for individuals with complex neurological disease.

Diagram illustrating Time to Definitive Neuro-Oncology Care (TDNC), showing a coordinated regional system connecting neurosurgery, radiation oncology, medical oncology, neuroradiology, and neuropathology to multidisciplinary brain tumor care.

These complementary research programs span the continuum from scientific discovery to healthcare delivery, integrating molecular biology, translational therapeutics, medical technology, and health systems research through the common goal of improving outcomes for patients with brain tumors.

Selected Lectures & Scientific Discussions

Selected invited lectures, expert discussions, and educational programs addressing advances in neuro-oncology, stereotactic radiosurgery, intraoperative radiotherapy, emerging technologies, and scientific communication.

Invited discussion examining emerging applications of brachytherapy and intraoperative radiotherapy, including the evolving role of highly localized radiation strategies in contemporary cancer care.

Everything, Everywhere, All at Once: IORT in Contemporary Cancer Care
American Brachytherapy Society

Discussion of intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) as part of the treatment of surgically resected brain metastases, including treatment workflow, patient selection, and integration of surgery and radiation therapy

Integrating IORT into the Brain Metastasis Treatment Workflow
International expert discussion

Invited discussion exploring the emerging role of large language models and ChatGPT in neuro-oncology publishing, including opportunities, limitations, and implications for scientific communication and academic medicine.

Large Language Model Artificial Intelligence in Neuro-Oncology Publishing
Journal of Neuro-Oncology Tumor Talk Webinar