Yang Li, PhD, awarded prestigious ALSF ‘A’ Award Grant for pediatric brain tumor research

We are proud to announce that Yang Li, PhD, Assistant Professor of Genetics and Neurosurgery, has been selected as a recipient of the 2025 Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) ‘A’ Award Grant for his groundbreaking work in childhood cancer research. The award provides $800,000 in total funding over four years, supporting Dr. Li’s efforts to […]

WashU Neurosurgery Welcomes Dr. Tyler Lazaro to Faculty

WashU Welcomes Vascular Neurosurgeon The Taylor Family Department of Neurosurgery at WashU Medicine is pleased to announce that Tyler Lazaro, MD, has accepted a full-time faculty position in our department. He will begin this summer as a vascular neurosurgeon and will establish a laboratory focused on ischemic neuroprotection. Dr. Lazaro is a dual-trained vascular neurosurgeon […]

WashU Neurosurgery Welcomes Dr. Derek Li to Faculty

WashU Welcomes Brain Tumor Surgeon–Scientist The Taylor Family Department of Neurosurgery at WashU Medicine is thrilled to announce that Derek Li, MD, has accepted a full-time faculty position in our department. Dr. Li will begin this summer as a brain tumor surgeon–scientist. Dr. Li earned his undergraduate degree from Johns Hopkins University and his medical […]

Before Life-Changing Spine Surgery at Christian Hospital, a Grandfather Answered Doctor’s Challenge

After saying he’d do anything to feel better, William proved it When Kumar Vasudevan, MD, a WashU Medicine neurosurgeon at Christian Hospital, meets with patients to discuss if spine surgery is right for them, he shares that their path to pain relief starts before he puts on his surgical scrubs and extends after the operation is complete. Sometimes he […]

Lee, Leuthardt awarded Falk Catalyst grant to fund acute stroke clinical trial

Jin-Moo Lee, MD, PhD, head of the WashU Medicine Department of Neurology, and Eric Leuthardt, MD, MBA, vice chair of innovation in the Department of Neurosurgery, have been selected as recipients of the prestigious Falk Catalyst Award. Each year, select institutions are invited to submit up to two applications to the Dr. Ralph and Marian Falk Medical […]

Nasal drops fight brain tumors noninvasively

Nano-sized medicine boosts anti-cancer immune response, eradicates tumors in mice Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, along with collaborators at Northwestern University, have developed a noninvasive approach to treat one of the most aggressive and deadly brain cancers. Their technology uses precisely engineered structures assembled from nano-size materials to deliver potent […]

WashU Neurosurgery Faculty and Alumni Participate in 2025 K12 NRCDP Retreat

A national gathering in Denver highlighted mentorship, leadership, and the development of future neurosurgeon-scientists. WashU Neurosurgery faculty and alumni joined colleagues from across the country at the 2025 K12 NRCDP Retreat in Denver—a gathering dedicated to mentorship, leadership, and the development of future neurosurgeon-scientists. The retreat fostered meaningful discussion, guidance, and collaboration among emerging and […]

Taylor Family Department of Neurosurgery Makes a Strong Impact at CNS 2025

WashU Neurosurgery showed strong representation at CNS 2025 — with our faculty and medical students leading across research, education, and innovation. Dr. Molina’s LabTim Bui – Selected for Best Basic Science Poster (Spine Track)“Development of a Gait-Based Dynamic Spinal Alignment Model: A Prospective Feasibility Study”Karan Joseph – Selected for Best Clinical Research Poster (Spine Track)“Extending […]

Dr. Thompson Installed as T.S. Park, MD, Chair in Pediatric Neurosurgery

Dr. Thompson described as “Servant Leader” in the field of Neurosurgery by Dr. Gregory Zipfel Congratulations to Eric M. Thompson, MD, on being installed as the T.S. Park, MD, Chair in Pediatric Neurosurgery. Dr. Thompson is a pediatric neurosurgeon-scientist and Professor in the Department of Neurological Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine. He also […]

Huguenard Officially Joins the Taylor Family Department of Neurosurgery

As announced earlier this year, we’re thrilled to officially welcome Dr. Anna Huguenard to the Taylor Family Department of Neurosurgery! A WashU-trained neurosurgeon with dual expertise in both open vascular and endovascular techniques, Dr. Huguenard returns after completing a prestigious fellowship in cerebrovascular and skull base surgery at Barrow Neurological Institute. She specializes in the […]