Faculty
Core Faculty Members
The University of Virginia Health System has a full range of neurological subspecialist serving diverse patients in various inpatient and outpatient settings. Our faculty has diverse interests and skills to meet the depth and the breadth of educational needs of the fellows. Fellow education is also provided by our colleagues in medical oncology, neurology, neuroradiology, neuropathology, neurosurgery, radiation oncology, neuro-ophthalmology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and palliative care.
David Schiff, M.D.
Program Director
Clinical practice in adult patients with primary brain tumors, metastatic and non-metastatic neurologic complications of systemic cancer. Research Interest in new therapeutic modalities for primary brain tumors and the management of neurologic complications associated with systemic cancer. His clinical research has focused on immunotherapy for primary brain tumors and clinical trials for brain metastases.
Camilo E. Fadul, M.D.
Associate Program Director
Clinical practice in adult patients with primary brain tumors, metastatic and non-metastatic neurologic complications of systemic cancer. Research Interest in new therapeutic modalities for primary brain tumors and the management of neurologic complications associated with systemic cancer. His clinical research has focused on immunotherapy for primary brain tumors and clinical trials for brain metastases.
Benjamin Purow, M.D.
Professor of Neurology
Clinical practice in adults and pediatric patients affected with primary brain tumors, metastatic and non-metastatic neurologic complications of systemic cancer. Research Interest in new therapeutic modalities for primary brain tumors and the management of neurologic complications associated with systemic cancer. His laboratory research has focused in the diacylglycerol kinases as targets in cancer, immunotherapy, repurposing existing agents, and on novel ways to target the underlying molecular circuitry in brain tumors.
Beatriz Lopes M.D., Ph.D
Professor of Pathology
Practice in neuropathology with research interest in pathogenesis of pituitary adenomas, immunohistochemical and molecular diagnostic techniques for pathological classification of brain tumors; and the mechanisms of glioma invasion and migration.
Ashok Asthagiri, M.D.
Professor of Neurosurgery
Practice in neurosurgery of brain and spinal tumors, peripheral nerve tumors and lesions, neurocutaneous disorders (neurofibromatosis type 1 and 2, von Hippel-Lindau disease, tuberous sclerosis). Research interest in neuro-oncology genetics and neurocutaneous disorders.
Sohil Patel, M.D.
Associate Professor of Radiology
Research focus on radiogenomics of diffuse cerebral gliomas. His projects are collaborative efforts between Radiology, Neuro-Oncology, Neuropathology, and Biomedical Imaging sciences.
Clinical practice in neurosurgery for brain and pituitary tumors. Main interest is surgical treatment of low grade and high grade gliomas, brain metastases, tumors located in eloquent and deep locations, and recurrent tumors. Research interests are molecular biology of gliomas, targeted drug delivery and AI models for diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors.
Shayan Moosa, MD
Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery
Clinical practice in stereotactic neurosurgery for minimally invasive treatment of brain tumors using laser interstitial thermal therapy and transcranial focused ultrasound. Also treats patients with spinal and peripheral nerve tumors. Research interests include the use of focused ultrasound for sonodynamic therapy and drug delivery, as well as advanced imaging techniques combined with machine learning algorithms for predicting patient outcomes.
Tanvir Rizvi, MD
Associate Professor of Radiology
Practice in Neuroradiology with imaging of brain and spinal tumors. Research interests include brain tumor imaging and medical student teaching.
Supporting Program Members
Eleanor Seid, AG-ACNP
Nurse Practitioner in Neuro-Oncology
I have been a nurse practitioner with the division of neuro-oncology since 2019. My entire nursing career has been at UVA and I hold two degrees from the UVA School of Nursing. I love working with this multi-disciplinary care team and helping patients and families navigate their oncologic journeys. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband and two young children.
Jim Kearns, PA-C
Physician Assistant in Neuro-Oncology
From cardiac surgery, neurosurgery, general surgery and hospitalist my journey in medicine has led me to Neuro-Oncology. Welcome to the Neuro-Oncology family at the University Virginia and Emily Couric Cancer Center. I have been working in Neuro-Oncology since 2016 and shall be here until I retire. We have built an amazing team dedicated towards providing the best care for patients with malignancies of the brain and CNS, including primary tumors, brain metastases, spinal cord tumors and paraneoplastic disease. Working closely with our colleagues in Neurosurgery, Radiation Oncology, Palliative Care and Physical Medicine and rehab we are driven to provide the best possible care of our patients. Come join us in historical Charlottesville. See the presidential homes of Jefferson, Madison and Monroe. Draw inspiration of what one can accomplish striving for the benefit of many.
Debbie DeMarsh
Senior Data Technician
I’ve been working with Neuro-Oncology since 2014. I maintain the Neuro-Oncology database and I’m proud to be a part of this phenomenal team! I enjoy gardening and spending time with my Australian Cattle Dogs.