Research

The Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center is committed to collaboration with fellow neuroscientists in performing translational research. The infusion of drugs and growth factors hold great promise for neurologic diseases. In addition, new technology using stem cell biology for the treatment of many neurologic disorders such as stroke and brain tumors may provide therapeutic options for our patient population. Great new vistas exist for the treatment of neurologic disease and the department will play a leading role in the implementation of new treatment paradigms.

We maintain a number active research laboratories:

• Vice Chair for Research Michael G. Kaplitt, M.D., Ph.D., directs the Molecular Neurosurgery Research Laboratory
  
  
• Vice Chair of Neurosurgery and Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery Mark M. Souweidane, M.D., directs a Pediatric Neuro-oncology Research Laboratory focused on innovative delivery of therapeutic agents
  
  
• Director of Spinal Surgery Roger Härtl, M.D., directs our Biological Spine Tissue Research
  
  
• Theodore H. Schwartz, M.D., Director of the Center for Epilepsy and Pituitary Surgery, runs the Epilepsy Research Laboratory
  
  
• Jeffrey Greenfield, M.D., Ph.D., directs a Pediatric Neuro-oncology Research Laboratory that is investigating genomic sequencing and neo-vascularization.
  
  
• Nadia Dahmane, Ph.D., directs a basic research laboratory that studies the mechanism controlling brain development and their deregulation in brain tumors as part of the Children's Brain Tumor Project.
  
  
• Babacar Cisse, M.D., Ph.D., directs a basic research laboratory that studies the interactions between the immune system and brain tumors.

The Surgical Innovations Lab
In addition to our research laboratories, Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center is home to the state-of-the-art Surgical Innovations Laboratory for Skull Base Microneurosurgery. Co-directed by Neurosurgeon-in-Chief Philip Stieg, M.D., Ph.D., and Antonio Bernardo, M.D., the Surgical Innovations Lab is an educational environment for developing and improving surgical approaches to the skull base. Surgeons and residents from around the world come to the Surgical Innovations Lab for hands-on and virtual training in advanced techniques. Learn more about the Surgical Innovations Lab, or take a virtual tour of the facility (Adobe Flash required).