Our council
Professor Kate Drummond, AM, MD, MBBS, FRACS, graduated from the University of Sydney in 1988 and trained in Neurosurgery in Sydney and Melbourne. She furthered her training with both clinical and research fellowships in Neuro-oncology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard University in Boston. She was awarded an MD from the University of Melbourne in 2008.
She is Director of Neurosurgery at The Royal Melbourne Hospital and Head of Central Nervous System Tumours for the VCCC Parkville Precinct. Her chief research and clinical interests are in the biology and clinical management of brain tumours. She is a specialist in awake craniotomy, intraoperative MRI and fluorescence-assisted brain tumour resection. Her major research projects span the full range of brain tumour care from the basic science of immunotherapy, liquid biopsy and biomarkers in glioma, to innovative surgical techniques and supportive care of patients with brain tumours and their carers. She has published more than 150 peer-reviewed articles, and many book chapters and is frequently invited to speak nationally and internationally. She has received more than $23 million in grant funding from government and philanthropic sources. Her h-index is 34, i10-index 84 and she has 3704 citations.
She is the former chair of the Neuro-oncology Committee of the Victorian Cooperative Oncology Group for the Cancer Council Victoria and serves on the committees of several national cancer and brain tumour groups, including the Neuro-Oncology Committee of the Clinical Oncological Society of Australasia and the Cooperative Trials Group for Neuro-Oncology. She supports community groups and charities advocating for patients with brain tumours and their families.
She is Co-Editor in Chief of the Journal of Clinical Neuroscience and on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Neurosurgery. She is past Chief Examiner in Neurosurgery for the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), serves on the RACS Surgical Education and Training Board and has received the RACS Medal for Services to RACS. She is Chair of Pangea Global Health Education, a for-impact organisation specialising in health education in low-resource settings and teaches in Africa yearly. She is Chair of the Education Committee for the Asian Australasian Society of Neurological Surgeons (AASNS) and serves on the Education Committee of the World Federation of Neurological Societies (WFNS), as well as WFNS 2nd Vice President for AASNS. She is the President of Academia Eurasiana Neurochirurgica.
In 2019 she was awarded Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for services to medicine, particularly in the field of neuro-oncology and community health.
Associate Professor Seow Wan Tew is a highly respected pediatric neurosurgeon in Singapore, recognized for his clinical expertise, leadership, and contributions to neurosurgical education. He serves as a Senior Consultant in the Department of Neurosurgery at the National Neuroscience Institute (NNI) and KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH). His leadership roles have included heading the neurosurgery departments at both institutions, underscoring his dedication to advancing neurosurgical care.
A/Prof Seow is deeply committed to neurosurgical education, playing a pivotal role in postgraduate training at NNI. He is a member of the Residency Advisory Committee for Neurosurgery in Singapore and the Joint Committee on Specialist Training (JCST) Exit Examination Committee for Neurosurgery. Additionally, he serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor at Duke-NUS Medical School, where he mentors the next generation of neurosurgeons.
Internationally, A/Prof Seow has made significant contributions to the field of pediatric neurosurgery. He served as the President of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery (ISPN) for the 2022–2023 term and as the President of the Asian Australasian Society of Neurological Surgeons (AASNS) from 2019 to 2022. In these roles, he worked to advance global collaboration, education, and research in neurosurgery. As Chair of the Education Committee for the ISPN, he contributed to developing educational programs that benefited neurosurgeons worldwide.
A/Prof Seow has also been instrumental in organizing major international conferences, including chairing the 48th ISPN Meeting in Singapore in December 2022. These events have facilitated knowledge-sharing and fostered innovation in neurosurgery on a global scale.
Through his dedication to pediatric neurosurgery, education, and leadership, A/Prof Seow has significantly advanced neurosurgical care and training, leaving a lasting impact in Singapore and beyond.
Dr. V. D. Sinha is one of the leading neurosurgeons in India. He completed his M.Ch. Neurosurgery training at SMS Medical College in 1989 and joined the faculty at the same institute, which handles one of the largest surgical workloads in India. He further enhanced his surgical skills through a Neuroendoscopy fellowship at Ernst Moritz Arndt University, Greifswald, Germany, and specialised training in Neurovascular and Neuro-Oncology Surgery at Fujita Health University, Japan.
Regarding his contributions, Dr. Sinha has played a pivotal role in developing new specialities in his department by initiating Pediatric Neurosurgery, Neurorehabilitation, and 3D surgical techniques. In terms of research activities, Dr. Sinha focuses on Cerebrovascular Surgery, Skull Base Surgery, Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery, and Neurotrauma.
Dr. Sinha has received numerous national and international awards, including State Awards for Excellence in Neurosurgery. He has the distinction of being among the few neurosurgeons in Asia to serve as Chairman and Member of the Neurorehabilitation Committee and the Reconstructive Neurosurgery Committee of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) as well as the Neurotrauma Committee of the Asian-Australasian Congress of Neurological Surgeons. He has also been an Executive Member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and a Corresponding Member of the European Multidisciplinary Neurotrauma Society. Additionally, he has served as the President of the Skull Base Surgery Society of India and the Neurotrauma Society of India.
Dr. V. D. Sinha has also been actively involved in several public health and awareness initiatives, including road safety awareness programs in Rajasthan.
Dr. Vincent Ng Yew Poh is a distinguished neurosurgeon practising at Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore. He graduated from the National University of Singapore in 2001 and completed his basic postgraduate surgical training in 2005, obtaining membership in General Surgery from the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh. In 2006, he earned his Master of Medicine in Surgery from the National University of Singapore.
Dr. Ng pursued advanced neurosurgical training at the National Neuroscience Institute, working across Singapore General Hospital, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, and Changi General Hospital. He completed his neurosurgical training and was accepted as a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh in 2011. In 2012, he was awarded a scholarship by the Ministry of Health’s Health Manpower Development Programme to undertake a one-year fellowship in Endovascular Neurosurgery at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, UK. During this period, he also completed a Master of Science in Endovascular Neurosurgery at the University of Oxford in 2013.
To further his interest in clinical research, Dr. Ng was awarded a National Medical Research Council Scholarship to pursue a Master of Clinical Investigation at the National University of Singapore in 2011. His clinical expertise encompasses cerebrovascular surgery, neurovascular bypasses and revascularization, neurotrauma, skull base surgery, and general neurosurgery. He manages conditions such as acoustic neuroma, brain aneurysms, brain metastases, cerebral arteriovenous malformations, cerebral dural arteriovenous fistulas, intracerebral haemorrhage, meningiomas, Moyamoya disease, neurotrauma, and palmar hyperhidrosis.
In recognition of his contributions to medical education, Dr. Ng was appointed as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School in 2013 and served as a Clinical Senior Lecturer at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. He has held several leadership roles, including Head of the Department of Neurosurgery at NNI@TTSH Campus, Head of Service for Woodlands Health, and Regional Head of Neurosurgery (North) for the National Healthcare Group. His professional affiliations include membership in the Congress of American Neurological Surgeons and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. He has also served as Chairman of the Chapter of Neurosurgeons and President of the Clinical Neuroscience Society.
Professor Akio Morita, MD, PhD, is a renowned Japanese neurosurgeon whose career has significantly advanced neurosurgical techniques and education. Born on July 23, 1957, he completed his medical degree at the University of Tokyo in 1982 and earned a PhD from the same institution in 2001. His postgraduate training included prestigious fellowships at the Mayo Clinic and George Washington University, where he specialized in vascular surgery, cranial base surgery, and stereotactic functional surgery.
Over his distinguished career, Professor Morita has held numerous leadership roles, including Director of Neurosurgery at NTT Medical Center Tokyo and Professor and Chairman at Nippon Medical School. He has performed over 5,000 complex surgeries, pioneering innovative techniques in cerebrovascular surgery, neuroendoscopy, and robotics-integrated neurosurgery.
As a prolific researcher, he has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles in esteemed journals and has received multiple accolades, such as the Saito Makoto Award and recognition for his work in surgical robotics. His efforts in developing advanced training systems for neurosurgeons have set new standards for precision and safety in the field.
Currently serving as Director General of Tokyo Rosai Hospital, Professor Morita continues to mentor young neurosurgeons while advancing research in robotics and medical engineering. His legacy as a surgeon, educator, and innovator has left an indelible mark on the field of neurosurgery, benefiting patients worldwide and inspiring future generations of medical professionals.
Prof. Jong Hee Chang is a distinguished neurosurgeon specializing in brain tumors and radiosurgery at Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Health System. He earned his M.D. from Yonsei University College of Medicine in 1991 and completed his Ph.D. at the same institution in 2004. Prof. Chang’s extensive career includes roles as Clinical Fellow in the Department of Neurosurgery at Severance Hospital (1999-2001), Research Associate and Clinical Fellow at the Epilepsy Center of Washington University in St. Louis (2001-2003), and Research Associate at The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, University of Toronto (2010-2011). He has been serving as a Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at Severance Hospital since 2012 and has been the Director of the Brain Tumor Center since 2016.
His clinical interests encompass brain tumors, brain mapping, awake surgery, image-guided surgery, the role of imaging in brain tumors, clinical trials for malignant brain tumors, and radiosurgery. His research focuses on translational glioma studies, particularly in gene expression, cell signaling, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and experimental therapeutics.His research interests centre on genetic and epigenetic alterations in primary brain tumours, with his contributions earning over 1,000 citations. Fluent in multiple languages, Dr. Paldor is an active leader in global neurosurgical organizations, emphasizing excellence in patient care and innovation in his practice. Prof. Chang is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Korean Medical Association, Korean Neurosurgical Society, Korean Brain Tumor Society, Korean Society for Neuro-Oncology, Korean Skull Base Society, Korean Gamma Knife Radiosurgery Society, Korean Radiosurgery Society, and Korean Society of Human Brain Mapping. Internationally, he holds memberships in the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Society for Neuro-Oncology, European Association of Neuro-Oncology, Asian Society of Neuro-Oncology, and the International Stereotactic Radiosurgery Society.
Dr. Iddo Paldor is a distinguished neurosurgeon specializing in brain tumours and neurosurgical oncology, with a career marked by excellence in clinical practice, research, and leadership. He graduated magna cum laude from the Hebrew University School of Medicine in Jerusalem in 2006, completing his internship at Haim Sheba Medical Center. During his residency at Hadassah Medical Center’s Neurosurgery Department, he excelled in his training and became a certified neurosurgeon in 2013, achieving the highest score in Europe on the EANS written board exam that same year.
Dr. Paldor pursued advanced training in neurosurgical oncology, completing a 15-month fellowship at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions under Dr. Henry Brem. He further refined his expertise at the Royal Melbourne Hospital under Professors Kate Drummond and Andrew Kaye, completing this fellowship in 2016. His work integrates cutting-edge techniques, focusing on patient safety, improved outcomes, and state-of-the-art maximal safe resections.
Currently, Dr. Paldor serves as a consulting neurosurgeon at Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem, where he focuses on the treatment of brain tumours. He has also held key roles, such as Deputy Director of Neurosurgery at Rambam Health Care Campus and Shaare Zedek Medical Center, where he directed neurosurgical oncology and radiosurgery.
His research interests centre on genetic and epigenetic alterations in primary brain tumours, with his contributions earning over 1,000 citations. Fluent in multiple languages, Dr. Paldor is an active leader in global neurosurgical organizations, emphasizing excellence in patient care and innovation in his practice.
Dr. Lynne Lourdes Lucena is a highly accomplished neurosurgeon with an impressive list of credentials and achievements. She is a Diplomate of the Philippine Board of Neurological Surgeons, Inc. and a Fellow of both the Academy of Filipino Neurosurgeons, Inc. and the Philippine College of Surgeons.
With a passion for advancing the field of neurosurgery, Dr. Lucena has held numerous leadership positions. She is currently serving as the President of the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital Faculty and Alumni of the Neurosciences (UPFANS) since 2021. She is also the Chair of the Neurotrauma Committee for the Asian-Australasian Society of Neurological Surgeons, starting from 2023. In the past, she has served as the Vice President of the Academy of Filipino Neurosurgeons, Inc. from 2021 to 2022, as well as the Chair of the Philippine Specialty Board of Neurosurgery, Inc. from 2015 to 2017. She has also held the position of Secretary on the Board of Directors for the Academy of Filipino Neurosurgeons, Inc. from 2018 to 2019.
Dr. Lynne Lourdes Lucena is widely recognized for her expertise in neurosurgery, particularly in the areas of neurotrauma and women in neurosurgery. Her contributions to the field have earned her a reputation as a respected and influential figure in the medical community. Her commitment to advancing the field of neurosurgery and her leadership in various organizations showcase her dedication to improving patient care and promoting excellence in her profession.
Dr. Lynne Lourdes Lucena’s extensive qualifications and achievements make her a distinguished figure in the field of neurosurgery, and her leadership roles highlight her dedication to advancing the field and improving patient outcomes. Her impressive credentials and contributions to the medical community are a testament to her expertise and commitment to excellence in neurosurgery.
Professor Yigal Shoshan is a distinguished Professor of Neurosurgery at Hadassah University Medical Center in Jerusalem, Israel, and at the Hebrew University School of Medicine. With a career spanning decades, he has held several prestigious positions, including Chairman of the AASNS Education Committee, former Head of the Department of Neurosurgery at Hadassah Medical Center, and Past President of the Israeli Neurosurgical Society. His clinical expertise includes surgical neuro-oncology, addressing both malignant and benign brain tumours, stereotactic radiosurgery, neurotrauma, and spinal tumours.
Prof. Shoshan’s research interests are at the forefront of neurosurgical innovation. He is deeply involved in integrating artificial intelligence into neurosurgery, focusing on deep learning for longitudinal follow-up of brain tumours. His work in computer-based neurosurgery support and robotics is advancing precision and patient outcomes. He has contributed to pioneering therapies such as Diffusing Alpha Emitters Radiation Therapy (DaRT) for locally advanced brain tumours and T-cell immunotherapy for brain tumours. Furthermore, his research in the molecular biology and genetics of brain tumours is enhancing the understanding and treatment of these complex conditions.
A respected leader in the neurosurgical community, Prof. Shoshan has made significant contributions to education, innovation, and patient care. His dedication to advancing neurosurgery has established him as a global authority in his field, while his ongoing efforts continue to shape the future of brain and spine tumour treatment and research.
Prof. Krish Sridhar is one of India’s most celebrated neurosurgeons, renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to the field of neurosurgery and neuroscience. With over 30 years of experience, he is particularly noted for pioneering awake cranial surgery and advanced cervical spine surgeries, setting benchmarks in neurosurgical practice.
Prof. Krish Sridhar has played a pivotal role in establishing neuroscience centres of excellence in prestigious institutes across India. These centres deliver world-class clinical care in neurology and neurosurgery while offering outstanding academic programs, fostering the next generation of neurosurgeons and neuroscientists.
Throughout his illustrious career, Prof. Krish Sridhar has made significant academic contributions, publishing extensively in national and international peer-reviewed journals. He has also edited textbooks on Neurosurgery and Operative Neurosurgery, which serve as vital resources for medical professionals worldwide. His leadership extends to his role as the Honorary General Secretary of the Neurological Society of India and his membership on the Academic Board of the Asian Congress of Neurological Surgeons.
Prof. Krish Sridhar‘s exceptional achievements have earned him prestigious honours, including the Dr. Rajaratnam Oration Medal and Award from the Indian Medical Association and the Prof. Dayananda Rao Oration Medal from the Andhra Pradesh Neuroscientists Association. These accolades highlight his commitment to advancing neurosurgical care and education.
Internationally acclaimed and highly respected, Prof. Krish Sridhar continues to inspire the field of neurosurgery through his innovations, academic contributions, and dedication to improving patient outcomes.
Dr. Yam Bahadur Roka is a renowned neurosurgeon with over 24 years of experience. He did his schooling and MBBS to MS surgery in India. He is the first M.Ch. Neurosurgery graduate from the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS), Nepal, and completed a skull base/vascular surgery fellowship in Singapore. Throughout his career, he has performed more than 7,500 neurosurgeries and contributed extensively to medical research with over 100 publications in international and national journals. Dr. Roka has also led multiple free health camps and awareness programs across Nepal, particularly on trauma prevention. He is a Visiting Faculty at NAMS (Bir Hospital) and a Neurosurgery Supervisor for the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Pakistan. In addition to his medical expertise, Dr. Roka is an accomplished poet, authoring 12 volumes of the series “108 Poems.”
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Outside of his professional life, Dr. Roka is an avid adventurer, enjoying activities such as scuba diving, skydiving, paragliding, and white-water rafting. He is also a talented poet, having authored 12 volumes of poetry books entitled 108 Poems.
Dr. Amit Chakrabarty is a distinguished neurosurgeon based in Jaipur, India, with over 18 years of experience in the field. He completed his medical school from Bangalore Medical College, and Masters in General Surgery from G.R. Medical College in Gwalior, and MCh in Neurosurgery from SMS Medical College Jaipur, India. Further enhancing his expertise, Dr. Chakrabarty completed a Fellowship in Cerebrovascular Surgery and Micro Neurosurgery at Helsinki University Central Hospital in Finland. He worked extensively with Prof. Juha Hernesniemi at Helsinki.
Currently, Dr. Chakrabarty serves as the Director and Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon at Rukmani Birla Hospital in Jaipur. His areas of specialization include neurovascular surgery, micro neurosurgery, brain tumors, and neuro traumatology. He has extensively worked on fluorescence guided neurosurgery and keyhole surgeries for vascular pathologies. Throughout his career, he has contributed extensively to national and international medical journals and authored several chapters in reputed textbooks.
He is an active member of several neurosurgical societies, including the Neurological Society of India and Neurotrauma Society of India. He is also a member of WFNS Global Neurosurgery committee for the years 2023-2025.He was an Ex member faculty of WFNS -Neuro rehabilitation & Reconstructive surgery committee. He was the scientific chair for several international conferences, the last one was for ICRAN- 2024 in collaboration with AASNS.
He is also involved in many public awareness work on prevention of road traffic accidents and pre hospital care. He is the secretary of Neuro trauma society of Jaipur and under its aegis has conducted many educational and awareness programs for first responders including police personnel.
Professor Rachel Grossman is a highly accomplished neurosurgeon and a leading expert in brain tumour therapy. She currently serves as the Head of the Brain Tumor Center and Vice Chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery at Rambam Medical Center in Israel. Following her neurosurgical residency at Sheba Medical Center, Prof. Grossman joined the prestigious Surgical Neurology Department at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Maryland, USA, where she spearheaded groundbreaking research projects, particularly in innovative brain tumour therapies.
Upon returning to Israel, Prof. Grossman joined the neurosurgery faculty at Tel Aviv Medical Center, where she served as Vice Chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery. Throughout her career, she has cultivated a distinguished clinical and academic practice, focusing on brain tumour therapy, pituitary surgery, extended endoscopic approaches to the skull base, and technology development in collaboration with international biotech companies.
Prof. Grossman is an active member of the Tumor Section of the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS) and the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS). She contributes to international clinical studies as a lead principal investigator, serves on executive steering committees, and provides scientific advisory support for biotechnology companies. She is also a member of editorial boards and a reviewer for leading scientific journals.
Her clinical expertise includes complex brain tumour surgeries, particularly awake craniotomies with intraoperative cortical mapping and white matter tracking for tumours near functional brain regions. She is also renowned for her endoscopic surgeries for pituitary and skull base tumours. Prof. Grossman’s research focuses on innovative therapeutics for malignant brain tumours, including immunotherapy, combination therapies, and advanced imaging technologies for surgical planning. Her contributions continue to shape the field of neurosurgery and improve patient outcomes globally.
Dr. Tanya Yuen is a distinguished neurosurgeon with an impressive multidisciplinary background, holding both dental and medical degrees from the University of Melbourne. Initially trained in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in the United Kingdom, where she earned a Fellowship in Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons of London, Dr. Yuen transitioned to medicine upon her return to Australia.
She completed her medical degree at the University of Melbourne and became a fully qualified neurosurgeon in 2012. Alongside her surgical training, she earned a PhD in “Tumour Associated Epilepsy” through the University of Melbourne.
Dr. Yuen’s dedication to advancing neurosurgery is reflected in her receipt of numerous prestigious scholarships, including the Melville Hughes Surgical Trainee Scholarship, NHMRC Medical Training Scholarship, John Lowenthal Surgical Trainee Scholarship, and the Pfizer Neuroscience Research Scholarship. She has authored multiple publications in peer-reviewed journals and neurosurgical textbooks and is the co-convenor of the renowned “Controversies in Neurosurgery” meeting in Australia. She is also a regular reviewer for the Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, the official publication of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia.
Dr. Yuen holds Consultant appointments at Melbourne Private, Royal Melbourne, and Western General Hospitals. Her clinical expertise spans neuro-oncological conditions, particularly brain and spinal tumours, complex spinal surgery, neurotrauma, hydrocephalus, Chiari malformations, and peripheral nerve surgery. Committed to education, she serves as an Academic Supervisor for medical students in the Department of Neurosurgery at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and as a Senior Lecturer and Examiner for the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Health Sciences at the University of Melbourne.
A Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Dr. Yuen is actively involved in the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia, the Australian Medical Association, and the Women in Surgery Section within the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. She is highly regarded for her meticulous care and dedication to achieving both excellent surgical outcomes and patient satisfaction.
Dr. Manjul Tripathi is an Additional Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh, India. With extensive experience in neurosurgery, he focuses on functional neurosurgery, Gamma Knife radiosurgery, neuro-oncology, and neurotrauma. His clinical expertise includes minimally invasive brain and spine surgeries, endoscopic neurosurgery, vascular neurosurgery, and craniovertebral junction procedures.
Dr. Tripathi completed his MBBS at SN Medical College, Agra, followed by an MS in General Surgery from Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal. He obtained his MCh in Neurosurgery from PGIMER in 2013. Before joining PGIMER, he was part of the neurosurgery faculty at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru.
In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Tripathi has contributed significantly to medical research and academic literature. He has also co-authored a history of neurosurgery at PGIMER and conducted a notable study analyzing Michael Jackson’s dance moves, published in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine.
Dr. Tripathi is actively involved in professional neurosurgical organizations, serving as the Treasurer of the Indian Society of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery. He is also a member of various societies, including the Neurological Society of India and the European Association of Neurological Surgeons.
His work demonstrates a commitment to improving neurosurgical care and advancing the field through education and research.
