Biography
I am a native New Mexican and I am proud to have trained at UNM for medical school and neurosurgical residency. After specialty training in endovascular neurosurgery and complex cranial neurosurgery at some of the top centers in the country, I returned to bring these highly specialized treatments to New Mexico. My guiding principles in practicing neurosurgery are to be able to provide the best care with the best approach possible for my patients and their diseases. I focus on the patient and their disease, not a specific technique. This lets me tailor the best treatment for each patient guided by the top scientific evidence. My core values to this end are commitment to technical excellence, constantly learning and testing new approaches, problem solving, honesty, and collaboration with other specialties.
Areas of Specialty
• Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery (Aneurysm, Arteriovenous Malformation, Dural Fistula, Cavernous Malformation, Stroke, Carotid Stenosis)
• Complex Cranial Neurosurgery (Skull Base Tumor, Meningioma, Pituitary Adenoma, CSF leak, Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension, Trigeminal Neuralgia, Chiari Malformation)
Certifications
• American Board of Neurological Surgery: Diplomate
• Committee on Advanced Subspecialty Training: Subspecialty Certification in NeuroEndovascular Surgery
• American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology: Subspecialty Certification in NeuroCritical Care
Achievements & Awards
My clinical achievements revolve around successfully introducing many new techniques and approaches to treatment of complex brain problems to New Mexico including new treatments for aneurysm, strokes, and brain tumors.
In addition, I was recently elected to the Editorial Board of the Journal of Neurosurgery, one of the most highly respected journals in the field of Neurosurgery.
Languages
- English
- French
Research
My research focuses on testing new treatments of neurological problems and understanding the fundamental ways that brain injury and healing occur after severe injuries. I have several NIH funded studies and collaborate closely with the UNM Center for Brain Recovery and Repair trying to understand and treat massive waves of brain injury (sometimes called “brain Tsunamis”) that can occur after strokes and brain injuries. By working with neuroscientists, neurologists, and psychiatrists I believe that we can start to address some of the biggest and most complex problems together.
Research and Scholarship
My research focuses on testing new treatments of neurological problems and understanding the fundamental ways that brain injury and healing occur after severe injuries. I have several NIH funded studies and collaborate closely with the UNM Center for Brain Recovery and Repair trying to understand and treat massive waves of brain injury (sometimes called “brain Tsunamis”) that can occur after strokes and brain injuries. By working with neuroscientists, neurologists, and psychiatrists I believe that we can start to address some of the biggest and most complex problems together.