At the Forefront - UChicago Medicine

Neurology & Neurosurgery Research

Our Legacy


100+ Years of Discovery

The University of Chicago has shaped the course of modern neurosurgery. From pioneering the anterior cervical discectomy to establishing the foundations of endovascular surgery, our department's discoveries continue to define how patients are treated worldwide.

Nobel Prizes

Roger Wolcott Sperry
Awarded for split-brain research
Revealed that the brain's two hemispheres specialize in different functions — foundational to how we understand consciousness, language, and cognition.

Charles Brenton Huggins
Awarded for hormonal control of cancer
Discovered that prostate cancer could be treated with hormones — the first systemic cancer therapy, developed right here at UChicago.

James Dewey Watson
Awarded for the structure of DNA
Co-discovered the double helix — the foundation of all modern cancer genetics, molecular diagnostics, and targeted therapy. UChicago PhD.

Enrico Fermi
Awarded for nuclear chain reactions
The nuclear reactions he achieved at UChicago laid the foundations for modern radiation therapy — now a cornerstone of brain tumor treatment.

Landmark Discoveries

Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion
Pioneered by Ralph Cloward
A foundational spine surgery technique still used worldwide to relieve spinal cord and nerve root compression — invented at UChicago.

Endovascular Neurosurgery
Advanced by John Mullan
Established the principles of minimally invasive vascular neurosurgery — the basis for every catheter-based aneurysm and stroke treatment used today.

Klüver-Bucy Syndrome
Discovery of temporal lobe function
Revealed how the temporal lobes control emotion, behavior, and memory — foundational to modern neuroscience and epilepsy surgery.

Intraoperative Ultrasound
Pioneered by John Mullan
Enabled real-time imaging during brain surgery for the first time, dramatically improving tumor localization and surgical precision.

Thalamic Mapping & Stereotactic Surgery
Conducted by Earl Walker
Mapped the thalamus with precision that enabled targeted interventions for movement disorders — the precursor to modern DBS.

Center for Care & Discovery

A landmark facility designed by architect Rafael Viñoly, equipped with modern, large operating rooms and one of the newest intraoperative MRIs in the country — one of only 12 in the United States.

Comer Children's Hospital

A freestanding children's hospital with dedicated pediatric neurosurgical suites, providing specialized care for our youngest patients.

UChicago Comprehensive Cancer Center

The largest cancer center in the United States, integrating neurosurgery with neuro-oncology, radiation oncology, and translational research.

Areas of Expertise

Brain Tumors

We pioneered awake craniotomy for tumors in eloquent cortex and use advanced cortical and subcortical mapping to remove tumors while protecting your ability to speak, think and move.

Epilepsy

Our team is among the few in the world performing laser hemispherotomy — a minimally invasive alternative that treats seizures through five small openings instead of removing the skull. UChicago physicians have performed more than 400 laser ablation procedures.

Spine Surgery

We treat complex spinal conditions using minimally invasive, endoscopic and robotic-assisted approaches. For the most challenging cases, we perform complex reconstruction and revision surgery. We also offer augmented reality-guided navigation, regenerative stem cell therapies when appropriate, and clinical trials advancing spine care.

Cerebrovascular & Stroke

Home to the nation’s first designated Center of Excellence for cerebral cavernous malformations, our program helped identify the key genetic mutations that enabled simplified testing for at-risk populations. Our specialists also bring extensive expertise in advanced endovascular procedures for complex cerebrovascular conditions and stroke care.

Pediatric Neurosurgery

Our pediatric neurosurgery program brings decades of experience in treating complex neurological conditions in children and extends specialized expertise across a multi-hospital pediatric care network throughout Chicagoland.

Neurosurgical Trauma

Since opening its Level 1 adult trauma center in 2018, UChicago Medicine has treated more than 18,800 patients and helped reduce area firearm mortality by nearly 4%. The program is also one of the few in the region with a dedicated neurosurgical trauma fellowship.

Meet Our Neurological Surgery Specialists

The neurosurgeons at the University of Chicago are recognized leaders in their fields — recruited from the nation's top programs to bring world-class expertise to every patient.
Mohamad Bydon, MDMohamad Bydon, MD

Neurosurgery

Martin Herman, MD, PhDMartin Herman, MD, PhD

Neurosurgery

Bakhtiar Yamini, MDBakhtiar Yamini, MD

Neurosurgery

Peleg Horowitz, MD, PhDPeleg Horowitz, MD, PhD

Neurosurgery

Issam A. Awad, MDIssam A. Awad, MD

Neurosurgery

Peter Warnke, MDPeter Warnke, MD

Neurosurgery

Faculty Research

Our faculty don't just practice neurosurgery — they advance it. Here are some of the programs driving innovation at UChicago.

Faculty Research Program Detail

Issam Awad, M.D.

Cerebral Cavernous Malformations

Discovered the Common Hispanic CCM1 and Ashkenazi Jewish CCM2 mutations. Leads the nation's first designated CCM Center of Excellence with continuous NIH funding since 1998, developing imaging and blood-based biomarkers and leading the AT CASH EPOC clinical trial.

Peter Christian Warnke, M.D.

Brain-Computer Interfaces & Epilepsy

Funded by four NIH grants including the BRAIN Initiative. Directs the NAUTILUS trial for thalamic stimulation in drug-resistant epilepsy, the SLATE and RESPONSE trials, and performed the first laser hemispherotomy in Illinois for pediatric epilepsy.

Mohamad Bydon, M.D.

Stem Cell Trial & AI-Driven Spine Surgery

Led the first-in-human Phase 1 trial of stem cells for traumatic spinal cord injury — 7 of 10 patients showed neurological improvement. Holds 12 medical device patents and established the Safadi Program of Excellence, bridging AI analytics with surgical outcomes at national scale.

Sean Polster, M.D.

The Gut-Brain Axis Laboratory

First to demonstrate that the gut microbiome modulates the effects of radiosurgery on the neurovascular unit. NIH-funded research exploring how the microbiome influences stroke, brain injury, and neurodegeneration. Published in Nature Communications and Stroke.

Peleg Horowitz, M.D./Ph.D.

Tumor Genetics & Skull Base Surgery

Identified novel genes driving meningioma and pediatric glioma formation, published in Nature Genetics and PNAS. Department of Defense Neurofibromatosis Research Program funded. Combines a neuroscience PhD with advanced skull base surgical training.

Martin Herman, M.D./Ph.D.

Wireless Spinal Cord Stimulation

Co-developed a fully implantable wireless intraspinal microstimulation device for motor function restoration after spinal cord injury. Published in Artificial Organs and Scientific Reports, bridging device engineering with complex spine surgery.

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By Subspecialty

Spine Mohamad Bydon  ·  Timothy F. Witham  ·  Martin Herman  ·  Rohaid Ali  ·  Paramita Das  ·  David Satzer
Brain Tumors & Skull Base Youssef G. Comair  ·  Bakhtiar Yamini  ·  Peleg Horowitz  ·  Paramita Das  ·  Sean P. Polster  ·  Ryan M. Naylor
Functional Neurosurgery Peter Christian Warnke  ·  David Satzer
Stereotactic Neurosurgery Peter Christian Warnke  ·  David Satzer  ·  Youssef G. Comair  ·  Ryan M. Naylor
Pediatric Neurosurgery Arthur J. DiPatri Jr.  ·  Bakhtiar Yamini  ·  Peter Christian Warnke  ·  Youssef G. Comair
Neurosurgical Trauma Patricia B. Raksin  ·  Paramita Das
Vascular & Endovascular Issam A. Awad  ·  Sean P. Polster  ·  Ryan M. Naylor  ·  Omar Choudhri  ·  Omer Doron