Dr. Viviane Tabar

Dr. Tabar leads the Department of Neurosurgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) and holds the Theresa C. Feng Chair for Neurosurgical Oncology. Her clinical focus spans complex primary and metastatic brain tumors, including lesions located deep in eloquent cortex or along the skull base. Research in her laboratory uses human pluripotent stem cells to model tumor development and to generate replacement neurons for degenerative disorders.

 

Investigational platforms developed under her direction integrate single-cell sequencing with spatial transcriptomics to trace tumor heterogeneity and treatment resistance, findings that direct first-in-human trials of targeted agents in diffuse glioma. Parallel studies translate embryonic-stem-cell–derived dopaminergic neurons into phase-I transplantation trials for Parkinson’s disease. These efforts are anchored by multidisciplinary collaborations with bioengineers and neuro-imagers, ensuring that laboratory observations feed actionable protocols in the operating room.

 

Academic service includes election to the National Academy of Medicine and membership in the American Society for Clinical Investigation, recognitions that underscore her commitment to evidence-based innovation. She mentors neurosurgery residents through coursework on surgical neuro-oncology and ethics, fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making that prioritizes patient safety over technological novelty.