Thompson named Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery

Eric Thompson, MD, Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery for Comer Children’s Hospital in Chicago, IL, has been named Chief of the Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and neurosurgeon-in-chief at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. His tenure begins Aug. 1.  Dr. Thompson succeeds David Limbrick, MD, PhD, who served as […]

Making waves: high-intensity focused ultrasound for essential tremor

More than 7 million people in the U.S. live with a movement disorder called essential tremor. Symptoms of this condition include a rhythmic shaking of the hands; in some people, hands and feet may shake, and the voice may also be involved. The source of essential tremor lies within the brain, in an egg-shaped structure called […]

WashU Neurosurgery ranked no. 5 in nation for NIH funding

Since 2006, the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research (BRIMR) has published the rankings of institutions, departments, and investigators based on the funding they receive from the US National Institutes of Health (NIH). We are honored to announce that our world-class researchers have elevated WashU Neurosurgery to No. 5 in NIH funding among all neurosurgery departments in […]

Zipfel receives Dacey award for cerebrovascular research

Honor named after mentor, former head of neurosurgery department Gregory J. Zipfel, MD, head of the Department of Neurosurgery at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has been awarded the Ralph G. Dacey Jr., MD, Medal for Outstanding Cerebrovascular Research. The honor, from the Joint Cerebrovascular Section of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the […]

Mapping human brain cells could lead to new treatments for brain disorders

Research faculty member Yang Eric Li, PhD, joined the Brain Tumor Center in July 2023 as an Assistant Professor of Genetics and Neurosurgery. His lab focuses on developing computational tools and using advanced (epi)genomic techniques to understand gene dysregulation in brain tumors and neuropsychiatric disorders. As part of the NIH’s Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative, […]

Leuthardt installed as Shi Hui Huang Professor of Neurological Surgery

Leuthardt is also Chief of the Division of Neurotechnology and Director of both the Center for Neuroscience in Innovation and Technology and the Brain Laser Center. Eric C. Leuthardt, MD, professor of neurosurgery, neuroscience, biomedical engineering and mechanical engineering & materials science, was installed as the Shi Hui Huang Professor of Neurological Surgery. A celebration […]

Device for noninvasive brain biopsies via blood draw moves closer to market approval

FDA grants WashU-based technology ‘Breakthrough Device’ designation A device aimed at enabling neurosurgeons and other physicians to perform noninvasive blood-based biopsies in adults with brain tumors has received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) “Breakthrough Device” designation. The device includes technology from Washington University in St. Louis and developed by Cordance Medical Inc., a medical device […]

Singing a new song: surgery as a curative option for epilepsy

Marie Zeligman has always loved music. She started singing at a young age in school plays like Annie and The Sound of Music. In high school, she began writing her own songs and even recorded her first CD in Nashville, TN. “I have a classic country sound,” she explained. “I was told that I always […]

Inaugural Grubb Lecture debuts

For more than 40 years, Robert L. Grubb, Jr., MD, served in the Washington University Department of Neurosurgery as an outstanding scientist, surgeon, and exceptional teacher. Dr. Grubb even wrote the definitive history book about the department – Neurosurgery at Washington University: A Century of Excellence. On Oct. 11, the inaugural Robert L. Grubb, Jr., […]

Aum named the 2023 Dacey Neurosurgeon Scholar 

The purpose of the award is to recognize and promote the development of a neurosurgery resident, as both an outstanding clinician and scientific investigator. On Sept. 22, Diane Aum, MD, a PGY6 neurosurgery resident, was named the 2023 Dr. Ralph G. Dacey Neurosurgeon Scholar. The award was presented by Dr. Dacey, Dr. Joshua Osbun, Residency […]