Duke Neurosurgery

Glioblastoma is an aggressive, fast-growing brain cancer. Annick Desjardins, MD, told Today.com what symptoms she watches for closely in her own body:

✅ Morning headaches
✅ Nausea or vomiting
✅ Seizures
✅ Personality changes

Read more: https://www.today.com/health/disease/glioblastoma-symptoms-brain-cancer-most-common-doctor-monitors-rcna385840

LEGO 🤝 brain research

Max Bucklan, a PhD student and part of the Gregory Lab, is a 2026 Lasker Award winner.

He used the bricks and minifigs to create a stop-motion video to explain his research in the lab on atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors (ATRT), a rare pediatric brain tumor.

Read more (and watch his video!) here: https://medschool.duke.edu/news/brick-brick-duke-phd-student-makes-brain-research-easier-grasp

Kate McDaniel is one of the Duke Provost's Faculty Fellows for the 2026-27 academic year.

"I'm excited to spend time this year learning from members of the Provost's leadership team and exploring ways to better support faculty as they navigate the introduction of AI in the classroom and across the learning environment," McDaniel said.

Read more about the honor here: https://neurosurgery.duke.edu/news/mcdaniel-named-2026-27-provost-faculty-fellow

The blood-brain barrier protects the brain. But, it also makes treating brain tumors more difficult.

Dr. Gerald Grant’s research focuses on using low-frequency ultrasound to open the blood brain barrier of patients with brain cancer.

Learn more about his lab's work:

https://today.duke.edu/2026/06/mission-possible-powerful-new-brain-cancer-treatment?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Breaking%20through%20barriers%20for%20brain%20cancer&utm_campaign=dukedelivered2026_06_16&fbclid=IwVERTSASw0eNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR5R7EXKx8JGzpw3-U1lnn5XyL2Tzklp9GwOsK_2aixJsyq6CHigPogpyP5LnA_aem_0gjXWEj-UMxRMazRSo8plg

Congratulations, Dr. Wissel! Benjamin Wissel, MD, is the 2026 Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) Data Science Scholar.

Read more about the work he'll be doing during his fourth year of residency:

Wissel receives 2026 CNS Scholarship in Data Science Benjamin Wissel, MD, is the recipient of the 2026 CNS Scholarship in Data Science. Wissel, who is in his fourth year of residency, is working on developing the ASCENT (automated surgical candidate identification) platform.

Congratulations to Jordan Komisarow, MD, for being named the Physician Vice President of the Duke Health Neurosciences & Spine service line!

Komisarow named physician vice president of Neurosciences and Spine Neurosurgeon Jordan Komisarow, MD, has been named the Physician Vice President of the Neurosciences and Spine service line at Duke Health, effective July 1.“We could not be prouder of Dr. Komisarow to be the first physician champion of this new service line,” said Gerald Grant, MD, MBA, chair of...

Congratulations, graduates! Best wishes on the next steps in your journeys.

🧠 💙 😈

Duke Neurosurgery faculty member Nanthia Suthana, PhD, has been named the Carol Gram Deane Presidential Distinguished Professorship by the Duke University Board of Trustees.

Read more here: https://neurosurgery.duke.edu/news/suthana-named-carol-gram-deane-presidential-distinguished-professor-neurosurgery

Kathy Ayasoufi, PhD, received the Early Career Research Mentoring Award in Basic Science as part of the 2026 Duke University School of Medicine Faculty Awards.

Read more about Dr. Ayasoufi's love of mentoring here: https://neurosurgery.duke.edu/news/ayasoufi-receives-faculty-mentorship-award

David Hasan, MD, received the 2026 Sullivan Award for his outstanding commitment to service.

Hasan has completed repeated medical missions to Gaza and is building multinational coalitions to deliver aid and foster peacebuilding. He has convened partners across nations, institutions and communities to create sustainable support systems for vulnerable populations.

Read more: https://neurosurgery.duke.edu/news/hasan-honored-2026-sullivan-award