Positions

Marc J. Shapiro Professor and Chair

Neurosurgery
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, TX US

Addresses

Baylor College of Medicine (Clinic)

Department of Neurosurgery
7200 Cambridge
Houston, TX 77030
United States
Phone: (713) 798-4696

Education

Advanced Training from MD Anderson Cancer Center

01/2006 - Houston, TX United States

Advanced Training from University Of Utah

01/2005 - Salt Lake City, UT United States

M.D. from University Of Arizona College Of Medicine

01/1998 - Tucson, AZ United States

Certifications

Board Recertification 2019

Re-Certification American Board of Neurological Surgery

Board Certification 2009

American Board of Neurological Surgery

Honors & Awards

President

Congress of Neurological Surgeons (10/2018 - 10/2019)

Professional Interests

• The Rao Lab

Professional Statement

I am a board-certified neurosurgeon with a specialty interest in neurosurgical oncology. Prior to being recruited as Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at Baylor College of Medicine, I practiced neurosurgery at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center for 15 years. I have years of experience treating patients with brain and spine tumors. I treat primary brain tumors including low-grade glioma, glioblastoma, and meningioma, as well as metastatic brain tumors. I have also used advanced surgical techniques and novel technologies to treat brain tumors including stereotactic navigation, awake surgery, endoscopy, stereotactic radiosurgery, and laser interstitial thermal therapy. I perform basic and clinical research to understand the causes of glioma, the most common and aggressive form of brain cancer. I am funded by the National Institutes of Health for this research. My primary goal is to provide the best care for my patients. This includes not only the best surgery possible but also compassionate care before and after surgery with continuous contact with the medical team. Professionally, I have served as President of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (2018-2019) and was the Residency Program Director for the Baylor College of Medicine Neurosurgery Residency Program.

Websites

Selected Publications

• "Glioma epileptiform activity and progression are driven by IGSF3-mediated potassium dysregulation." Neuron. 2023 Mar; Pubmed PMID: 36787748
• "Remote neuronal activity drives glioma progression through SEMA4F." Nature. 2023 Jun; Pubmed PMID: 37380778
• "Integrated electrophysiological and genomic profiles of single cells reveal spiking tumor cells in human glioma." Cancer Cell. 2024 Aug; Pubmed PMID: 39241781

Memberships

Congress of Neurological Surgeons

American Association of Neurological Surgeons

Society of Neurological Surgeons

American Academy of Neurological Surgeons

Society for Neuro-Oncology

Funding

Modeling Malignant Progression in Glioma - #R01NS094615

(03/31/2016 - 04/30/2023) National Institutes of Health

Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy for the Treatment of Glioblastoma - #R21NS123589

(07/01/2021 - 12/31/2023) NINDS

Modulation of Microglia and T Cell Interactions in Malignant Glioma - #R01CA120813

(07/07/2021 - 07/06/2026) NCI

Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of GBM Infiltration - #R01 NS124093

(03/15/2022 - 02/28/2027) NINDS

Skills

Surgery for primary brain tumors

I specialize in the surgery of primary brain tumors, in particular I am an expert in the surgical removal of low-grade gliomas and glioblastoma using advanced surgical techniques including motor and speech mapping during awake surgery.

Surgery for metastatic brain tumors

I use advanced surgical techniques to remove metastatic brain tumors. I have published studies that have helped create the standard of care for the management of metastatic cancer to the brain.