Neurosurgery is evolving rapidly as advances in brain mapping, minimally invasive techniques, neuro-oncology and cerebrovascular surgery expand treatment options for patients with complex neurological conditions.
The following neurosurgeons stand out for their clinical expertise, scientific contributions and leadership in driving breakthroughs in research, surgery and academic medicine.
Editor’s note: This is not a comprehensive or ranked list. Becker’s does not endorse any individual featured. To nominate a physician for a future list, contact seydis@beckershealthcare.com.
- Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa, MD. Mayo Clinic (Jacksonville, Fla.): Dr. Quiñones-Hinojosa is a nationally recognized neurosurgeon specializing in minimally invasive brain and spine tumor surgery, skull base surgery and awake brain mapping procedures. Former chair of the Department of Neurologic Surgery at Mayo Clinic in Florida, he is widely respected for advancing surgical techniques for complex brain and spinal cord tumors while leading National Institutes of Health-funded research focused on brain cancer, stem cell migration and healthcare disparities.
Dr. Quiñones-Hinojosa has authored numerous high-impact scientific publications and is recognized internationally for combining innovative neurosurgical care, translational research and mentorship in academic neurosurgery.
- Michael Lawton, MD. Barrow Neurological Institute (Phoenix): Dr. Lawton is president and CEO of Barrow Neurological Institute and a leading cerebrovascular neurosurgeon specializing in brain aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations and complex skull base tumors.
Nationally recognized for his expertise in microsurgical cerebrovascular techniques, he has treated thousands of aneurysms, AVMs and cavernous malformations while leading NIH-funded research on vascular malformations, aneurysm rupture and cerebrovascular genetics. Dr. Lawton has authored more than 1,000 peer-reviewed publications and is widely respected for advancing neurosurgical education through global teaching initiatives, digital surgical training platforms and international outreach programs.
- Linda Liau, MD, PhD. UCLA Health (Los Angeles): Dr. Liau is chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and an internationally recognized leader in brain tumor surgery and neuro-oncology research. Widely known for pioneering dendritic cell-based vaccines and immunotherapy approaches for glioblastoma, she leads the National Cancer Institute-designated UCLA Brain Cancer Specialized Program of Research Excellence and has maintained continuous NIH funding for more than two decades.
Dr. Liau is also respected for advancing awake brain mapping techniques for tumors in eloquent brain regions and for her leadership in academic neurosurgery, including serving as a director of the American Board of Neurological Surgeons and being elected to the National Academy of Medicine.
- E. Antonio “Nino” Chiocca, MD, PhD. Mass General Brigham/Harvard Medical School (Boston): Dr. Chiocca is president of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, neurosurgeon-in-chief and chair of Mass General Brigham’s department of neurosurgery, executive director of the Center for Tumors of the Nervous System at Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute and the Harvey W. Cushing Professor of Neurosurgery at Harvard Medical School. A nationally recognized leader in neuro-oncology, his research focuses on brain tumor biology, gene and viral therapies, immunotherapy and RNA-based therapeutics for malignant gliomas, with multiple NIH- and NCI-funded research programs.
Dr. Chiocca has also led major multi-institutional clinical trials in experimental brain cancer therapies and served as president of several leading neurosurgical organizations, including the Society for Neuro-Oncology and the American Academy of Neurological Surgery.
- Karin Muraszko, MD. University of Michigan Health (Ann Arbor): Dr. Muraszko is a nationally recognized pediatric neurosurgeon and former chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Michigan, where she became the first woman to lead an academic neurosurgery department in the U.S.
Specializing in pediatric brain and spinal disorders, her clinical and research interests include brain tumors, Chiari malformations, craniofacial anomalies, congenital neurologic conditions and hydrocephalus. Dr. Muraszko is widely respected for her pioneering leadership in academic neurosurgery, contributions to pediatric neurosurgical research and longstanding mentorship within the field.
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