Neurosurgery clinical faculty members are widely recognized for their expertise in primary and metastatic brain tumor surgery, pituitary adenoma surgery, cranial base surgery, spinal reconstructive surgery, surgical procedures for pain management, pediatric neurosurgery and stereotactic surgery. The department performs over 1,900 brain, spine and skull base surgeries each year.

Our unique surgical expertise allows us to offer fellows exposure to all aspects of neurosurgical oncology, including:

• The surgery of primary and metastatic brain tumors
• Surgery of primary and metastatic spinal tumors and reconstruction
• Trans-sphenoidal surgery
• Skull base surgery
• Surgical treatment of pain
• Advanced brain mapping techniques
• Endoscopic neurosurgery
• Pediatric neurosurgery 
• Intraoperative MRI
• Proton Beam Therapy
• Brain (Gamma Knife) and Spinal Stereotactic Radiosurgery

Fellows will also have access to a new Microsurgical and Endoscopic Center for Clinical Applications (MECCA) Laboratory, a multidisciplinary state-of-the-art cadaveric and animal surgical lab for education, training and research.

The Department of Neurosurgery has developed a world-class clinical research program to manage all aspects of neurosurgical oncology, including complex brain and skull-base tumors, spinal tumors and intractable, cancer-related pain disorders. Our basic and applied research programs are also regarded as premier programs with expert faculty that work closely with physician-scientists to integrate laboratory discoveries with clinical observations.  

Ongoing research projects include:  

• Management strategies for brain metastasis
• Mechanisms of inducing immunity against human brain tumors
• The mechanism of cell death and differentiation of neural stem cells after radiation
• Molecular mechanisms of glioma and brain metastasis
• Oncolytic viral therapy for glioblastoma

In addition, we are proud to be one of the few cancer centers in the nation to house a prestigious federally-funded Brain Cancer SPORE (Specialized Program of Research Excellence) program. Enabling us to offer a range of clinical trials, many of which are available at only a few centers in the country. 

In 2013, we expanded the Neurosurgical Oncology Fellowship to include a dedicated year in skull base neurosurgery. Under the guidance of Franco DeMonte, M.D., and working with Shaan Raza, M.D., trainees are exposed to the multidisciplinary care of patients with a variety of pathologies unique to the skull base. The fellows work closely with colleagues in Head and Neck Surgery, Neuro-Otology, Ophthalmology, Plastic Surgery, and Medical and Radiation Oncology. Their experience centers on problem-focused decision making, the acquisition and refinement of advanced surgical techniques, as well as study of the complex anatomy of the region. They are trained in technically challenging open procedures as well as minimally invasive and endoscopic surgeries. It is a unique program due to the high volume of patients seen at MD Anderson with skull base malignancies as well as the more commonly seen benign tumors of the skull base. This has quickly become one of the premier fellowship training programs focusing on the neurosurgical management of skull base neoplasia. 

Skull Base Fellowship

For applicants interested in our Skull Base Track: we participate in the Neurosurgery Skull Base Fellowship administered via the North American Skull Base Society. Use the NASBS online application system to apply for the 2025–2026 fellowship. Applications are open until June 15, 2023.

Neurosurgical Oncology Fellowship

For applicants interested in our Neurosurgical Oncology fellowship:

Send the completed application by email to DepartmentofNeurosurgeryEducation@mdanderson.org. The subject line should read: Neurosurgical Oncology Fellowship AY 2025–2026.

The application deadline is September 1, 2023.

All applicants must have an M.D. degree or equivalent. Applicants must hold U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or a J-1 VISA. MD Anderson does not offer H-1B visas for GME trainees.

Please provide the following in your application:

• a copy of current ECFMG certification if you completed medical school outside the United States
• a copy of your USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3 if applicable, or Comlex scores
• current curriculum vitae (CV)
• three letters of recommendation:
  • one letter from the residency program director
  • two letters from an attending physician and/or teaching faculty
• letter of good standing
• diploma of highest degree
• statement of intent
• unofficial transcript of highest degree
  

Applicants should have completed or be nearing completion of a board-accredited residency program in neurosurgery. Minority and female applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

MD Anderson Cancer Center is located in Houston, in the Texas Medical Center, which boasts:

• The finest in medical education and treatment
• Numerous parks, including Hermann Park which has an outdoor theater and large zoo
• An academic and cultural arena that includes Baylor College of Medicine, Rice and St. Thomas Universities, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Contemporary Arts
• Close proximity to Houston's noted symphony orchestra, opera, theater and ballet.

Other sites of various activities available within a few minutes' drive include Moody Gardens, Sam Houston Race Park, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, SplashTown Waterpark, Downtown Aquarium, Space Center Houston, Lone Star Flight Museum, San Jacinto Battlefield, NRG Stadium, Minute Maid Park, Toyota Center and the George R. Brown Convention Center. For more information, go to Visit Houston. The cost of living is moderate and housing is very reasonable.

Shaan M. Raza, M.D.
Associate Professor, Director of Training
Neurosurgery, Unit 442
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
1515 Holcombe Blvd.
Houston, Texas 77030
Phone: 713-792-2400
Fax: 713-794-4950

Stephanie Hood
Program Coordinator - Education
Department of Neurosurgery
Email: SAdair@mdanderson.org
Phone: 713-563-1908
Mobile: 713-851-1704
Fax: 713-794-4950

The Department of Neurosurgery offers a one-to-three-month research elective in neurosurgical oncology in the following subspecialties:

• Cranial
• Skull base
• Spine
• Radiosurgery

This is not an enfolded fellowship. Residents are expected to participate in a clinical or basic science research project. While any level resident or fellow may apply, we typically accept PGY3 and above.

Residents observe outpatient clinic with faculty of their selected subspecialty. Radiosurgery rotation participates in the Andrew M. McDougall Brain Metastasis Clinic. Residents also participate in multidisciplinary conferences including:

• Neurosurgery Case Conferences (weekly)
• Medivis anatomy sessions (three times a month)
• Tumor Board and Radiosurgery Conferences

Residents do not participate in call, inpatient service, or operative responsibilities.

For more information, or to apply, please email DepartmentofNeurosurgeryEducation@mdanderson.org. The subject line should read: Research Elective.

Since the Neurosurgical Oncology Fellowship was established in 1991, we have trained more than 80 fellows, who currently practice around the world. The Skull Base Tumor Fellowship was established in 2013 and all fellows who have graduated from the program have gone on to careers at highly respected academic medical centers. Learn more about our recent and faculty alumni below. 

• Bledi Brahimaj, M.D., (Skull Base) Current Affiliation: Baylor University Medical Center, part of Baylor Scott & White Health, Dallas, TX
• Michael Catalino, M.D., Current Affiliation:  The University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
• Phillip Cezayirli, M.D., Current Affiliation:  Haynes Neurosurgical Group, Birmingham, AL

• Candice Poon, M.D., Ph.D. (2021–2023), Current Affiliation: University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
• Elena Fomchenko, M.D. (2021–2023), Current Affiliation: Allegheny Health Network, Erie, PA
• Solon Schur, M.D., (Skull Base) Current Affiliation: McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada

• Christopher Alvarez-Breckenridge, M.D., Ph.D., Current Affiliation: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
• Chibawanye Ene, M.D., Ph.D., (2020–2022) Current Affiliation: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 
• Matthew Shepard, M.D., Current Affiliation: Kelsey-Seybold, Pittsburgh, PA
• Rasheed Zakaria, M.D., Current Affiliation: The Walton Centre, London, United Kingdom
• Joel Passer, M.D., (Skull Base) Current Affiliation: Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, Burlington, MA

• Krishanthan Vigneswaran, M.D., Current Affiliation: McGovern Medical School, UTHealth, Houston, TX
• Cara Rogers, D.O., Current Affiliation: Carilion Clinic, Roanoke, VA
• Ahmed Meleis, M.D., Current Affiliation: Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY
• Idara Edem, M.D., (Skull Base) Current Affiliation: Insight Neurosurgery, MI

• Kimberly Hoang, M.D., Current Affiliation: Emory Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA
• Rafael Vega, M.D., Current Affiliation: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA
• Amparo Wolf, M.D., Current Affiliation: Health Sciences North, London, ON, Canada
• Jonathan Breshears, M.D. (Skull Base), Current Affiliation: St. Lukes, Kansas City, MO

• Linton Evans,  M.D., Current Affiliation: Dartmouth Health, Lebanon, NH
• Nelson Moussazadeh, M.D., Current Affiliation: Memorial Hospital For Cancer And Allied Diseases, New York, NY
• Jay Thawani, M.D., Current Affiliation: Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI
• Gautam Mehta, M.D. (Skull Base), Current Affiliation: West Hills Hospital & Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA

• Tiffany Hodges, M.D., Current Affiliation: University Hospitals at Cleveland Medical Center, OH
• Ali Jalali, M.D., Ph.D., Current Affiliation: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
• Wajd Al-Holou, M.D., Current Affiliation: Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
• Richard Everson, M.D., Current Affiliation: UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
• Jacob Freeman, M.D. (Skull Base), Current Affiliation: Ocala Neurosurgical Center, Ocala, FL

• Sarah Garber, M.D., Current Affiliation: University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT
• Peleg Horowitz, M.D., Ph.D., (Skull Base) Current Affiliation: The University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL
• Jonathan Thomas, M.D., Current Affiliation: Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
• Brian Williams, M.D., Current Affiliation: University of Louisville, Louisville, KY

• Edjah Nduom, M.D., (2013–2015) Current Affiliation: National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
• Vincent DiNapoli, M.D., Ph.D., (Skull Base) Current Affiliation: University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
• Salvatore Zavarella, D.O., Current Affiliation: Long Island Neurological and Pain Specialists, West Islip, NY

• Michael Dirks, M.D., Current Affiliation: U.S. Army, Bethesda, MD
• Yan Michael Li, M.D., Ph.D., Current Affiliation: University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
• Rohan Ramikrishna, M.D., Current Affiliation: Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
• Shaan Raza, M.D. (Skull Base), Current Affiliation: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

• Betty Y.S. Kim, M.D., Ph.D., (Skull Base), Current Affiliation: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, Professor (Neurosurgery)
• Tal Shahar, M.D., (2011–2013), Current Affiliation: Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
• Adrian Harvey, D.O., Current Affiliation: Maricopa Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ
• Nick Marko, M.D., Current Affiliation: Geisinger Health System, Danville, PA
• Mateo Ziu, M.D., Current Affiliation: Seton Brain and Spine Institute, Austin, TX

Several members of our own faculty came from the Neurosurgical Oncology Fellowship Program. Faculty alumni include: 

• Frederick Lang, M.D. (1995–1996)
• Jeffrey Weinberg, M.D. (2000–2001)
• Sujit Prabhu, M.D. (2001–2003)
• Claudio Tatsui, M.D. (2006–2008)
• Betty Kim, M.D., Ph.D. (2011–2013)
• Shaan Raza, M.D. (2013–2014)
• Christopher Alvarez-Breckenridge, M.D., Ph.D. (2020–2021)
• Chibawanye Ene, M.D., Ph.D. (2020–2022)