Columbia University Department of Neurological Surgery

Columbia University Department of Neurological Surgery A world leader in neurological and spine health. Excellence in patient care, cutting-edge research, and training. Join us in advancing neurosurgical health.

Welcome to the Department of Neurological Surgery at Columbia University Medical Center and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, where exceptional patient care, innovative research and cutting edge technology converge in a world-class academic environment for the treatment of neurological diseases. Columbia Neurosurgery’s vision is to provide clarity and the best possible outcomes for all of our patients – and we want you to be a part of that effort. Columbia Neurosurgery’s page is an online information platform provided to the community for educational purposes only. Any and all comments are monitored and reviewed to ensure they comply with our commenting guidelines. If you have specific neurosurgical-related health condition, please call your healthcare provider for examination, or contact us through our website at www.columbianeursurgery.org. By viewing or posting comments, links or other information on Columbia Neurosurgery’s page, you agree to:

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7. Not post materials that are copyrighted or trademarked. All comments and other posts are subject to review by Columbia Neurosurgery. Those that do not abide by these policies will be removed.

12/24/2025

Happy Holidays from all of us at Columbia Neurosurgery. 💙

We’re grateful for our patients, families, colleagues, and community, and for the trust you place in our team throughout the year.

Wishing everyone a season filled with peace, connection, and good health.

Celebrating another remarkable year with the Columbia Neurosurgery family. ❄️💙Last Friday, our department gathered at Be...
12/22/2025

Celebrating another remarkable year with the Columbia Neurosurgery family. ❄️💙

Last Friday, our department gathered at Beast & Butterflies in the new M Social Hotel New York Downtown to kick off the holiday season together.

From our residents and faculty to our administrators and research teams, we’re grateful for the collaboration, dedication, and heart you bring to this department every single day.

Wishing everyone a joyful and restorative holiday season.

As 2025 comes to a close, a few of our residents reflected on 2025. ✨Nathan Shlobin, MD PGY-2Arjun Adapa, MD PGY-4Debora...
12/19/2025

As 2025 comes to a close, a few of our residents reflected on 2025. ✨

Nathan Shlobin, MD PGY-2
Arjun Adapa, MD PGY-4
Deborah Boyett, MD PGY-6

12/19/2025

SEEG is a minimally invasive technique that helps pinpoint where seizures begin in the brain using thin electrodes and precise mapping.

For patients with hard-to-localize epilepsy, it can reveal answers imaging can’t and guide more targeted treatment at Columbia Neurosurgery.

12/17/2025

Brain–computer interfaces are getting smaller, faster, and far more powerful.

Our partners at Columbia Engineering have developed a single-chip, paper-thin implant that enables high-bandwidth, fully wireless communication with the brain, expanding what’s possible for conditions like epilepsy, paralysis, vision loss, and stroke.

This work is the result of close collaboration between engineers, neuroscientists, neurologists, and neurosurgeons designed with real patients and real surgical environments in mind.

Proud to advance this research alongside Columbia Engineering, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Stanford, and University of Pennsylvania, with leadership from Dr. Kenneth L. Shepard, Dr. Andreas S. Tolias, and our very own Dr. Brett Youngerman.

This is how innovation moves from the lab to the operating room.

Watch for more, or click the link below for further details.
https://www.neurosurgery.columbia.edu/news/silicon-chips-brain-researchers-announce-new-generation-brain-computer-interface?utm_content=sked_694331eaa55ba13a83623604&utm_medium=social&utm_name=sked&utm_source=facebook

Proud to share that members of the Dr. Jeffrey Bruce's Canoll Lab and Dr. Brian Gill's Lab at — including PGY-4 reside...
12/17/2025

Proud to share that members of the Dr. Jeffrey Bruce's Canoll Lab and Dr. Brian Gill's Lab at — including PGY-4 resident Arjun Adapa, along with Misha Amini, Sophia Windemuth, Karen Conboy, Angeliki Mela, Ashwin Viswanathan, and Brianna Pereira — presented their latest research at the 7th Quadrennial Meeting of the World Federation of Neuro-Oncology Societies in Honolulu.

A major moment for our Columbia Neurosurgery community as we contribute to global progress in neuro-oncology at one of the field’s most important scientific gatherings.

Today we’re spotlighting Dr. Michael B. Sisti, one of Columbia’s most accomplished and trusted neurosurgeons.For more th...
12/15/2025

Today we’re spotlighting Dr. Michael B. Sisti, one of Columbia’s most accomplished and trusted neurosurgeons.

For more than 30 years, Dr. Sisti has cared for patients with complex brain tumors, meningiomas, and acoustic neuromas, combining world-class surgical skill with a deeply personal approach to patient care.

A few highlights from his career:

• 8,000+ brain tumor surgeries performed safely
• Pioneer of NYC’s first non-invasive radiosurgery program
• Leader in computer-guided microneurosurgery and Gamma Knife radiosurgery
• James G. McMurtry III Professor of Neurosurgery, Radiation Oncology & Otolaryngology
• Co-Director of the Center for Radiosurgery

Patients and families know him for his technical excellence, and for his compassion. Colleagues and trainees know him as a dedicated mentor and innovator.

We’re proud to recognize Dr. Sisti and the extraordinary impact he continues to make at Columbia Neurosurgery.

Columbia researchers have reached a major milestone in treating pediatric brain cancer.A new study from Columbia Enginee...
12/11/2025

Columbia researchers have reached a major milestone in treating pediatric brain cancer.

A new study from Columbia Engineering and VP&S is the first to show that focused ultrasound can safely open the blood–brain barrier in children—finally allowing chemotherapy to reach tumors that were once inaccessible.

The technique, developed by biomedical engineer Elisa Konofagou, PhD (Robert and Margaret Hariri Professor of Biomedical Engineering; Professor of Radiology (Physics) and Neurological Sciences in Neurological Surgery) and tested clinically by pediatric oncologist Stergios Zacharoulis, MD, was used in three children with diffuse midline glioma, an aggressive and universally fatal tumor.

The barrier opened successfully in all cases, improving drug delivery and marking a major step toward more effective therapies.

Columbia has already launched the next trial, pairing focused ultrasound with etoposide, an FDA-approved chemotherapy active against brain cancer cells.

A promising move toward safer, more targeted options for children with rare and deadly brain tumors.

Full story at the link below.

https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/focused-ultrasound-passes-first-test-treatment-brain-cancer-children?utm_content=sked_6931a62e7df5f3f7349faeaf&utm_medium=social&utm_name=sked&utm_source=facebook

Meet Alex Agopyan-Miu, MD, PGY-4! ⭐️Dr. Agopyan-Miu studied Molecular Cell Biology at UC Berkeley before joining Columbi...
12/09/2025

Meet Alex Agopyan-Miu, MD, PGY-4! ⭐️

Dr. Agopyan-Miu studied Molecular Cell Biology at UC Berkeley before joining Columbia for medical school, where he discovered a deep interest in epilepsy and functional neurosurgery research.

He remains open-minded about his future specialty, with strong interests in functional and spine.

Outside the hospital, you’ll find him on the water. Alex is a former competitive swimmer turned rower.

Fun fact: before leaving the Bay Area, he successfully swam from Alcatraz to shore. 🏊🏼

We’re proud to highlight Dr. Agopyan-Miu and all he brings to our residency program!

Our Chair, Dr. E. Sander Connolly, is in Washington, D.C. this week representing Columbia Neurosurgery in his role as Pr...
12/05/2025

Our Chair, Dr. E. Sander Connolly, is in Washington, D.C. this week representing Columbia Neurosurgery in his role as President of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.

On December 4–5, Dr. Connolly joins the AANS/CNS Washington Committee, a team known for its relentless advocacy on behalf of neurosurgeons nationwide.

Their work has shaped major health policies—fair reimbursement, medical liability reform, streamlined quality reporting, and cutting unnecessary federal barriers that impact patient care.

This week’s meetings on Capitol Hill focus on advancing the future of neurosurgery, strengthening patient access, and ensuring neurosurgeons have the support they need to continue delivering the highest standard of care.

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