Dr. Kenny Kwok Hei Yu

Dr. Kenny Kwok Hei Yu is a neurosurgeon and scientist specializing in the immunobiology and treatment of brain tumors, including both primary brain tumors and metastatic brain tumors that have spread from other areas of the body. He brings expertise in a range of cutting-edge surgical adjuncts, including intraoperative MRI, awake mapping, intraoperative ultrasound, and Raman spectroscopy, using these advanced modalities to improve surgical outcomes for his patients. Dr. Yu holds a PhD in addition to his medical training, a background that directly informs his approach to understanding the diseases he treats at the biological level.

His research focuses on the role that immune cells play within the tumor microenvironment, examining how the biology of these tumors shapes their behavior and, ultimately, how that knowledge can lead to better treatments. Dr. Yu describes his scientific work as an opportunity to get "face-to-face" with the tumors he treats in the operating room, giving him a perspective that bridges the clinic and the laboratory. He practices at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where he is part of a multidisciplinary tumor board that brings together specialists across disciplines to determine optimal treatment strategies for individual patients, a collaborative model he considers central to delivering the best possible care.

Dr. Yu is deeply committed to an informed and compassionate approach to patient care, recognizing that a tumor diagnosis often arrives with anxiety and fear. He works to ensure his patients feel supported at every step of their treatment journey by offering clear communication grounded in clinical, diagnostic, and scientific expertise. Outside of medicine and research, he enjoys spending time with his family and following football.