Isabelle Germano | Neurosurgery | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Isabelle Germano | Neurosurgery | Best Researcher Award

Professor at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, United States

Dr. Isabelle M. Germano, MD, MBA, FACS, is an internationally recognized leader in neurosurgery, with a particular focus on neuro-oncology, stereotactic neurosurgery, and image-guided brain tumor surgery. As a Tenured Professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, she holds joint appointments in Neurosurgery, Neurology, and Oncological Sciences. Over a three-decade academic and clinical career, she has built and led Mount Sinai’s Comprehensive Brain Tumor Program, served as Co-Director of the Radiosurgery Program, and directed multiple fellowships in neuro-oncology. Dr. Germano is also a system-wide Vice Chair for Faculty Affairs and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, demonstrating her commitment to academic excellence and institutional transformation.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Dr. Germano began her academic training at the Liceum Classicum M. D’Azeglio, where she studied classical languages before earning her MD with summa cum laude honors from the University of Turin Medical School. She completed a series of competitive and globally renowned post-doctoral fellowships, including neurosurgery at the University of California, San Francisco; epilepsy and functional neurosurgery at the University of Zurich and Montreal Neurological Institute; and chief residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Seeking to bridge clinical science and systems leadership, she earned an MBA from NYU Stern School of Business (2015–2017), complementing her medical expertise with executive knowledge in healthcare economics and strategy.

Experience

Dr. Germano has been an active faculty member at Mount Sinai since 1993, advancing from Assistant Professor to full Tenured Professor by 2009. She has continuously served in critical leadership roles, including Chair of the Multidisciplinary Brain Tumor Board since 2003 and Co-Chair of the Spine Tumor Board since 2007. As Program Director of CAST and UCNS-accredited neuro-oncology fellowships and the CNS Foundation’s International Brain Tumor Fellowship, she has trained numerous global leaders in neurosurgery. Her administrative responsibilities expanded in 2023 with her appointment as System Vice-Chair for Faculty Affairs, following her prior leadership in DEI efforts.

Research Interests

Dr. Germano’s research integrates translational neuroscience, precision medicine, and technology-enabled surgery. Her interests include image-guided brain tumor resection, stem-cell-based therapy for gliomas, molecular oncology, and neurosurgical outcomes research. Recently, her investigations have focused on the intersection of racial disparities and outcomes in glioblastoma treatment, supported by NIH grants. She serves on editorial boards of Neuro-Oncology, Neuro-Oncology Advances, and World Neurosurgery, and frequently leads NIH/NCI and FDA panels. Her grant funding includes RO1s, R03s, and multiple foundation and industry-sponsored research initiatives.

Awards

Dr. Germano has received over 50 prestigious awards recognizing her clinical skill, leadership, innovation, and advocacy. She is the first woman to chair the AANS/CNS Section on Tumors and was named an Aspen Ideas Festival Panelist in 2024. Other honors include the AANS Leksell Radiosurgery Award, the Sundt Distinguished Lectureship at Mayo Clinic (2022), and the Culman Family Award for Physician Communication. She is consistently ranked among “New York SuperDoctors” and “America’s Top Doctors,” and was awarded Castle Connolly’s Hall of Fame distinction. In 2023, she received the Congress of Neurological Surgeons’ Inaugural International Fellowship for global neurosurgical leadership.

Publications

  1. Germano IM et al. “Closing the Gaps: Strategies to Improve Global Neurosurgical Subspecialty Care,” J Neurosurg, 2025, cited by 22 articles.

  2. Germano IM et al. “Navigating the Crossroads: Access to Care among Brain Tumor Patients,” J Neurosurg, 2024, cited by 31 articles.

  3. Germano IM et al. “Charting the Success of Neuronavigation in Brain Tumor Surgery,” J Neurooncol, 2024, cited by 45 articles.

  4. Germano IM et al. “Minimally Invasive Surgery for Metastatic Spine Disease: A Decade Review,” Neuro-Oncology, 2024, cited by 38 articles.

  5. Germano IM et al. “Enhanced Recovery After Brain Tumor Surgery: ERABTS Protocol,” Neurosurgery, 2025, cited by 17 articles.

  6. Germano IM et al. “Survival Predictions for WHO Grade II and III Gliomas via Machine Learning,” NPJ Digital Medicine, 2023, cited by 66 articles.

  7. Germano IM et al. “Adult Neuro-Oncology Trials in the US: 50-Year Review,” Neurooncol Adv, 2024, cited by 29 articles.

Conclusion

Dr. Isabelle M. Germano’s work spans the full arc of academic neurosurgery—clinical care, research, innovation, mentorship, and advocacy. As a physician-scientist and institutional leader, she continues to shape the future of neurosurgery through global engagement, equity-driven research, and technological advancement. Her legacy is distinguished not only by her pioneering work in neuro-oncology but by her commitment to building a more inclusive, effective, and compassionate medical community.

Seyedeh Masoumeh Seyedhosseini Tamijani | Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Seyedeh Masoumeh Seyedhosseini Tamijani | Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Assistant Professor at Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran

Dr. Seyedeh Masoumeh Seyedhosseini Tamijani is a dedicated neuroscientist whose work bridges the realms of neurophysiology, addiction studies, and cognitive neuroscience. With a solid foundation in midwifery and physiology, she transitioned into neuroscience to address complex neurobiological questions, particularly in neurodegeneration, neuroprotection, and addiction-related disorders. Her academic journey, practical research experience, and teaching portfolio reflect a comprehensive understanding of both the biological and behavioral underpinnings of neurological diseases. Throughout her career, she has contributed significantly to experimental neuroscience using molecular, cellular, and behavioral methods, making her a prominent figure in the Iranian neuroscience research community.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Dr. Tamijani began her academic career with a Bachelor of Science degree in Midwifery from Gilan University of Medical Sciences (2000–2004). Motivated to deepen her scientific knowledge, she pursued a Master of Science in Physiology at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (2007–2010), where she developed an interest in neuroendocrinology. Her academic aspirations culminated in a Ph.D. at the Neuroscience Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (2012–2017), where she focused on neural mechanisms underlying addiction and cognitive function. Her multidisciplinary educational background uniquely positioned her to explore neurochemical and behavioral dimensions of brain health and disease.

Experience

Dr. Tamijani possesses extensive laboratory experience across several domains including cellular studies (e.g., primary and lymphocyte cultures), molecular biology techniques (such as RT-PCR and DNA/RNA electrophoresis), and proteomics methods like immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. She has conducted numerous animal surgeries and behavioral experiments, including memory and anxiety-related tasks such as the Y-maze, open field, and novel object recognition tests. Beyond the lab, she has contributed to academia through teaching physiology, neurobiology, and experimental neuroscience to students ranging from undergraduates to Ph.D. candidates. Her teaching spans various institutions, including Mashhad University, Mazandaran University, and neuroscience summer schools organized by IBRO/APRC.

Research Interest

Dr. Tamijani’s research interests are rooted in understanding the mechanisms of neurodegeneration and neuroprotection in disorders such as Alzheimer’s and drug-induced cognitive decline. She is particularly focused on the neural and hormonal mechanisms underlying addiction, especially methamphetamine-related neurotoxicity, and the role of neuroendocrine hormones like thyroid, estrogen, and progesterone in cognitive function. She also explores the therapeutic potential of non-invasive neuromodulation techniques such as vagus nerve and peripheral nerve stimulation, bridging the gap between bench research and clinical application.

Award

Though specific awards are not explicitly listed, Dr. Tamijani’s repeated participation and oral/poster presentations at national and international conferences—including the Basic and Clinical Neuroscience Congress, Addiction Science Congress, and Iranian Congress of Physiology and Pharmacology—reflect recognition from the scientific community. Her role as a speaker on neuroendocrine protection in methamphetamine-induced models, and her engagement in collaborative research on hormonal modulation and neuromodulation, underline her influence in advancing neuroscience research in Iran.

Publication

Dr. Tamijani has published extensively on the neurochemical and cognitive effects of methamphetamine, hormonal therapy, and novel therapeutic techniques. Notable publications include:

Thyroid hormone treatment alleviates the impairments of neurogenesis, mitochondrial biogenesis and memory performance induced by methamphetamine (NeuroToxicology, 2019), cited by 27 articles.

Intranasal insulin treatment restores cognitive deficits and insulin signaling impairment induced by repeated methamphetamine exposure (Journal of Cellular Biochemistry, 2017), cited by 19 articles.

Thyroid hormones: possible roles in epilepsy pathology (Seizure, 2015), cited by 23 articles.

The effect of Crocus sativus extract on human lymphocytes’ cytokines and T helper 2/T helper 1 balance (Journal of Medicinal Food, 2011), cited by 32 articles.

Implication of thyroid hormone receptors in methamphetamine neurocognitive effects (NeuroToxicology, 2022), cited by 11 articles.

Vagus nerve stimulation in the treatment of nervous system disease: a review article (Tehran University Medical Journal, 2022), cited by 5 articles.

A review on novel object recognition disruptions induced by methamphetamine (Addiction and Health, 2023), a recent addition expected to gather impact.

Conclusion

Dr. Seyedeh Masoumeh Seyedhosseini Tamijani’s work embodies the intersection of molecular neuroscience, behavioral pharmacology, and therapeutic innovation. With a strong emphasis on addiction-related neurotoxicity and neuroprotection through hormonal and neuromodulatory interventions, she contributes meaningfully to understanding and mitigating cognitive dysfunction. Her multi-level research—from molecular pathways to behavior—offers translational insights into treatment strategies for neurological disorders. As both a scientist and educator, she continues to influence the next generation of neuroscientists and remains a vital contributor to the evolving landscape of brain research.