Shape Divider - Style tilt
Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa, M.D.Principal Investigator
Dr. Quiñones-Hinojosa — known to his patients as Dr. Q — is the William J. and Charles H. Mayo Professor and Chair of Neurologic Surgery at Mayo Clinic’s campus in Jacksonville, Florida. His research interest is in discovering new methods of delivering effective treatments for brain tumors in diverse populations and predicting prognoses for patients with brain tumors.
|
Paula Valentina (Paula) Schiapparelli, Ph.D. Research Associate Dr. Schiapparelli received her Bachelor of Science in Biology and Biochemistry and her doctorate in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Navarra in Pamplona, Spain. Her doctoral research focused on the role of sonic hedgehog signaling alterations in pediatric tumors such as neuroblastoma and medulloblastoma. Continuing her training as a postdoctoral research fellow under the mentorship of Dr. Quinones-Hinojosa, and now as a faculty member of the Neurosurgery Department in Mayo Clinic, Dr. Schiapparelli studies molecular features of brain tumors, with a special emphasis on glioblastoma, the most aggressive primary brain tumor in adults. One of the key obstacles to successfully treating glioblastoma is the invasive nature of its cells. Addressing this challenge, Dr. Schiapparelli's research is centered on brain tumor cancer stem cells, including isolation, molecular characterization and analysis of genes that regulate migration as well as invasion and proliferation into the healthy brain. Her research efforts have enabled the development of novel nanomedicine-based therapies in murine models using hydrogels, microparticles and small molecules, with the goal of improving therapy for glioblastoma. Focus areas:
|
Adrian Safa Title Adrian Safa graduated with Summa Cum Laude and Honors from the International Medical School of Humanitas University in Milan (Italy), where he was awarded with a merit-based Scholarship and two Travel Grants. Adrian's dedication to research led him to complete also the Virgilio Program, an Excellence in Research track. During his medical school, he completed a Research Trainee and an Observership at the Neurosurgery department of the Mayo Clinic Florida. Under the mentorship of Dr. Q, he gained valuable insights and knowledge, solidifying his passion for the field of Neurosurgery. Subsequently, he pursued additional growth opportunities by participating in two hands-on neurosurgery rotations in the U.S. Adrian is the founder of the first Mission Brain European chapter at Humanitas University and, presently, serves as the Regional Director for Mission Brain Europe. He draws inspiration from reading biographical books and he enjoys sharing his experiences by tutoring students. Adrian is also an avid soccer fan, and he appreciates listening to pop music |
Rachel Whitehead Title Rachel is a recent graduate of the University of Notre Dame, where she held several positions conducting cancer research both on campus and during her semester abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark. Beginning in her junior year at Notre Dame, Rachel led her own project in the lab focused on addressing treatment resistance in neuroendocrine prostate cancer, and she was a mentor for younger undergraduate lab members. She is currently part of Dr. Q’s lab at the Mayo Clinic as a member of the Graduate Research Education Program, where she assists Dr. Paola Suarez-Meade in her research aims to characterize glioblastoma cell migration. |
Yetzali Claudio Medina Title Yetzali is an undergraduate student at the University of North Florida majoring in Biomedical Sciences. She joined Dr. Quiñones-Hinojosa’s team in 2022 under the mentorship of Dr. Schiapparelli. They work on a project studying the roles of kinases SPAK and OSR1 in glioblastoma cell migration, invasion, proliferation, and chemotherapy resistance. |
Emiliano Sanchez Title Dr. Emiliano Sanchez earned his medical degree from Anahuac University in Mexico City in 2022. His journey in the field of medicine commenced at the age of 18, when he began his career as an Emergency Medical Technician, showcasing a commitment to healthcare that has characterized his entire professional trajectory. A pivotal juncture in Dr. Sanchez's academic and professional journey transpired with his participation in a transplant surgery rotation at the University of Utah and Intermountain Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. During this experience, he actively engaged in clinical translational research, focusing on pediatric and adult liver and renal transplantation. Dr. Sanchez's scientific pursuits centers on the intricate study of the Glioblastoma Tumor Microenvironment, directed at unraveling the complexities of this challenging pathology and tumor heterogeneity. Concurrently, focusing on the development of novel CAR-T cell therapy against Glioblastoma. This innovative approach signifies a potential paradigm shift in the brain cancer treatment, leveraging the power of engineered immune cells to specifically target and combat the formidable challenges posed by Glioblastoma. |
Rajapa Kenchapa Title I am an Associate Consultant and Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, Neuroscience and Cancer Biology at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville. I obtained my PhD in Neuroscience at National Brain Research Center, India, and then pursued post-doctoral training at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where I studied the role of the p75NTR/NGFR in driving developmental cell death in sympathetic neurons. During and after this time, I also pursued independent collaborations with Drs. William Kaelin and Susanne Schlisio at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute on the tumor suppressor functions of the prolyl hydroxylase EglN3 and the kinesin KIF1Bβ. Through this period of training and independent research, I developed an abiding interest in the biology of malignant gliomas. For this reason, I joined H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center to further my training in these tumors. My research interests are to study molecular motors such as non-muscle myosins, kinesins and other mitotic regulators, transmembrane receptors and signaling kinases in glioblastoma invasion, proliferation, and treatment resistance. Essentially, they serve as convincing targets for the development of highly novel therapeutic approaches for treating glioblastoma. My research interests are to develop translational research program in glioblastoma. |
Manuela Aramburu Berckemeyer Postdoctoral Research Fellow Dr. Manuela Aramburu Berckemeyer earned her medical degree from European University of Madrid in Spain in mid 2023. She did her first two years in her home-country Peru and then transferred to Spain to finish her degree. She did a neurosurgical rotation in Tubingen Germany back in 2018 and ever since aspires to become a neurosurgeon. She currently works under Dr. Quinones mentorship focusing her research on glioblastoma drug repurposing and developing glioblastoma and other tumor organoids. Outside medicine, she is a black belt in karate and has competed at an elite level until 2019. |
Juan Pablo Navarro de Llano Title Juan Pablo Navarro-Garcia de Llano, an MD from Mexico, actively participates in clinical and translational basic science research under the guidance of Dr. Q. His focus centers on neurosurgery, particularly emphasizing its oncological and vascular aspects. Juan Pablo aspires to build a robust research background. He aims to evolve into a neurosurgeon who substantially contributes to science and patient care through a combination of medical practice and research endeavors. |
Naveen Kumar Hunasepalya Nagaiah Title I have my PhD in Biochemistry from Kuvempu University atIndia, then I joined as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Dr. Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa and Dr. Rajappa Kenchappa’slaboratory at the Department of Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic at Florida. The goal of my project is to validate Nerve Growth Factor Receptor (NGFR) in glioblastoma progression and treatment resistance. |
Maria Jose Ulloa Title Dr. Ulloa-Navas graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences from the University of Valencia, Spain, in 2016, and a master’s degree in Basic and Applied Neursocience from the University of Valencia, Spain, in 2017, and a master’s degree in neurodegenerative diseases from the University San Pablo-CEU in 2023. She received her graduate training in the laboratory of Prof. Jose Manuel Garcia-Verdugo—one of the foremost leaders in electron microscopy and adult neurogenesis—and received her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Valencia, Spain, in 2021. During her PhD she received training in molecular analysis of mesenchymal stem cell engraftment in glioblastoma under the supervision of Dr. Quinones-Hinojosa. For her graduate studies, she received two awards from the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (McDonald Fellowship 2017 and DuPre Grant 2019), as well as several fellowships to attend conferences. After graduating, Dr. Ulloa-Navas started her postdoctoral research training at the Mayo Clinic in Florida under the supervision of Dr. Veronique Belzil, a world leader in ALS genetics. Currently, she is working in the validation of CAR-T cell therapies for glioblastoma and tumor microenvironment at Dr. Quinones-Hinojosa’s laborator. |
Raegan Weil Title Raegan Weil is a graduate research education student working under the mentorship of Dr. Beatriz Fernandez-Gil. Her primary interests involve investigating the metabolic interactions in GBM. Currently, she is focused on the role of the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway and how pharmacological inhibition alters GBM progression. |
Beatriz Fernandez Gil POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW Dr. Fernandez Gil is a Biologist holding a master's degree in Genetics and Evolution. She completed her doctorate in Biomedicine at the Biomedical Research Centre at the University of Granada in Spain. Her thesis focused on the synergistic effects of high melatonin concentrations with radio and chemotherapy in head and neck cancer. In her postdoctoral training at Dr. Quinones-Hinojosa's lab, Dr. Fernandez Gil expanded her expertise in Cancer Biology to focus on glioblastoma from a metabolic standpoint. Her work revealed that pH plays a pivotal role in melatonin's ability to decrease glioblastoma aggressiveness. Simultaneously, she explored the role of UAP1, a metabolic enzyme linked to GBM malignancy and investigated the effects of preoperative radiotherapy in GBM. Dr. Fernandez Gil's primary interests center around unraveling metabolic manipulations at both pharmacological and physiological levels. Employing a multidimensional approach, she intricately studies the interactions between metabolomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics to decipher the complexity of glioblastoma across various layers. Her investigations extend to key GBM metabolic pathways, exploring their interplay with environmental and physiological cues such as nutrition, ad-hoc designed drugs, chemo- and radiotherapy, and soon, the microbiome. Dr. Fernandez Gil overarching goal is to develop novel therapeutics based on her findings, propelling the translational potential of her work towards phase I clinical trials. Her ultimate ambition is to positively impact patient lives. Dr. Fernandez Gil's significant contributions are evident through her numerous scientific publications, holding two patents, and active participation in various international conferences in recent years. Her commitment to advancing the understanding of cancer biology reflects a dedication to pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge and improving outcomes in the field. |
Vanessa Jones Title Vanessa Jones graduated cum laude from the University of North Florida (UNF) in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in molecular and cellular biology and obtained a Biotechnology certification. Before graduating from UNF, Vanessa enrolled in the Undergraduate Biomedical Research Internship (U-BRI), where she gained research training at Mayo Clinic in the Neurogenesis and Brain Tumor laboratory, under the direction of Hugo Guerrero Cazares, M.D., Ph.D. She assisted Emily Norton, Ph.D. in her project involving disruptions in subventricular zone neurogenesis in relation to glioblastoma proximity to the lateral ventricles. Vanessa joined Dr. Quinones-Hinojosa's team in early 2023 as a research technician where her focus is to establish novel glioblastoma cell lines derived from glioblastoma patients’ tissue samples directly from the operating room. Her research extends into characterizing the brain tumor initiating cells (BTICs) in vitro and subsequently in vivo using animal models. Additionally, she extends her research training at Mayo Clinic under the direction of Hong Qin, M.D., Ph.D., by contributing to the study which focuses on the development of novel patient-derived chimeric antigen receptor (CAR-T) therapy. She also assists in various lab managerial responsibilities. In her free time, she enjoys baking, arts and crafts, and spending time with her son, Jaylon. |
Paola Suarez-Meade, M.D. Postdoctoral Research Fellow Dr. Suarez Meade earned her medical degree from Anahuac University in Mexico City in June of 2020 where she graduated with honors in research. She spent her two last years of medical training at Médica Sur Hospital, a Mayo Clinic Care Network-member hospital. Dr. Suarez Meade's research as a postdoctoral fellow is focused on preclinical studies that are leading to a better understanding of the mechanisms of glioblastoma invasiveness and the development of novel treatments for primary and metastatic central nervous system cancers. Further, she is investigating the use of a microfluidic invasion network device to predict glioblastoma prognosis and response to treatment, as well as the spatial migration characteristics and mechanical memory of glioblastoma tumors. On the clinical setting, Dr. Suarez Meade’s research is focused on awake brain surgery and mapping. She also serves as the executive secretary of the non-profit foundation Mission:BRAIN, where she has a fundamental role in building bridges with international partners, organizing outreach mission trips, fundraising events, and international student chapters from more than 35 Universities around the globe. To continue with her neurosurgical endeavors, Dr. Suarez-Meade will be applying to neurosurgery residency training in the near future. |
Fudhail Sayed Title Fudhail Sayed is a senior at the University of North Florida majoring in behavioral neuroscience. He joined Dr. Quinones’ lab as an undergraduate biomedical intern in January 2023. He has been working under post-doctoral fellow Beatriz Fernandez-Gil. After graduation, Fudhail aspires to attain an MD/PhD degree. |
Loizos Michaelides Title Dr. Michaelides' research is focused on bridging the gap between the Laboratory and the Operating Room through his work on the department's clinical trials. He is currently overseeing several clinical trials as well as our Phase 1 Clinical Trial Evaluating the Safety and Preliminary Efficacy of Adipose Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Recurrent Glioblastoma where we have enrolled our first patient and stem cells are applied within the surgical resection cavity at the time of surgery. He is also leading a new study where we focus on the relationship between the gut microbiome and CNS gliomas by collecting multiple samples of tumor tissue, blood, saliva, urine and feces, from various timepoints, for correlative analysis. Dr. Michaelides is also heavily involved in innovation and developing new state of the art biomedical devices. He is currently leading an effort with a team of stellar engineering students to create a new ergonomic suturing device. |
Mieu Brooks RESEARCH TECHNOLOGIST Mieu Brooks joined Dr. Quinones-Hinojosa’s team in August 2019 as a lab manager and research technician. Her responsibilities as lab manager include lab upkeep, logistics, team management, harvest of intraoperative tissue samples and establishment of novel brain cancer cell lines. Her support extends to lab safety, cell culture, and animal training, as well as additional support for various projects within the team. |
Caroline Teeter Caroline Teeter was born in the small town of Newnan, Georgia and moved to Jacksonville in 2011. Caroline began working at Mayo Clinic in 2019 as she finished her degree at the University of North Florida. Upon graduating with her BS in Biology with a concentration in Biomedical Sciences, she looked for roles in her field and applied to join Dr. Q's laboratory working under Dr. Paola Suarez-Meade in the Brain Tumor Stem Cell Laboratory. She transitioned into her new role in research in January 2023. Since then, she has been studying migration and invasion in glioblastoma with microfluidic technology. Caroline is passionate about human health and disease and especially interested in health equity. She plans on going to medical school and working with under-served communities. Outside of the lab, she spends most of her time with her 8-year-old pug, Professor, and reading nonfiction and memoirs. |
Diogo Garcia, M.D. Research Trainee Diogo Garcia earned his medical degree from Faculdade de Medicina at the University of Porto, Portugal. As a medical student in Portugal, Diogo was involved in basic research with a particular focus on cancer and immunology, having written a dissertation on the role of the immunologic and genetic context of colorectal adenoma, which was selected as one of the five best abstracts submitted to the European Congress of Pathology, 2019 in the digestive pathology category. |
Andres Ramos-Fresnedo Postdoctoral Fellow Andres first joined Dr. Quiñones-Hinjosa’s team in 2016. A few years later he returned as a research trainee for a period of six months where he helped the clinical team with their research projects, mainly focusing on how the outcomes of different surgical techniques impact the quality of life of neurosurgical patients. During his time working with the team, he has volunteered in Dr. Quiñones’ non-profit organization Mission:BRAIN during their outreach trips to Mexico City. |
Carlos Perez-vega Dr. Perez-Vega graduated with honorable mention from Tecnologico de Monterrey School of Medicine, in Guadalajara, Mexico. He is currently a post-doctoral research fellow in the Mayo Clinic Department of Neurologic Surgery under the mentorship of Dr. Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa. As a medical student, Dr. Perez-Vega worked as a research trainee in the Tecnologico de Monterrey Research Department, with a main focus on Pediatric Neurosurgery. |
Gaetano De Biase Research Trainee Gaetano De Biase graduated Summa Cum Laude, with honorable mention as top of the class, from Medical School Catholic University Sacro Cuore in Rome, Italy. He is currently a research trainee in the Neurological Surgery department with Dr. Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa, at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. He is currently working on several outcome-focused clinical translational projects in neuro-oncology and spine degeneration, as well as doing lab research on microfluidity and glioblastoma cell migration in the Brain Tumor Stem Cell laboratory. |
Rachel Sarabia Estrada, D.V.M., Ph.D. Assistant Professor Rachel Sarabia Estrada, D.V.M., Ph.D., assists in directing the Brain Tumor Stem Cell Research Laboratory, where she oversees and conducts preclinical studies that are leading to new treatments and methods of delivery for primary and metastatic tumors of the spine and brain. One of her main goals is to lead an integrated research team that focuses on translational and preclinical research to facilitate bench-to-bedside contributions. |
Tito G. Vivas-Buitrago, M.D. Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Vivas-Buitrago’s project with the lab’s basic neurosurgery research team focuses on neurogenesis in the subventricular zone and the role it plays in brain cancer throughout its development and progression. He also works on emerging technology translation to the surgical and academic fields. |
Karim ReFaey, M.B., B.Ch. Postdoctoral Fellow As part of the Brain Tumor Stem Cell Lab’s basic neurosurgery research team, Dr. ReFaey focuses on understanding the formation of mature neuronal networks from neural stem cells by studying the topography effects on neuronal differentiation. Concurrently, he contributes to the clinical neurosurgery team through development of several chapters and neurosurgical videos for the seventh edition of Dr. Quinones-Hinojosa’s “Schmidek and Sweet: Operative Neurosurgical Techniques.” |
Ricardo A. Domingo, M.D. Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Domingo obtained his medical degree from Iberoamerican University in 2018 at Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. During his medical career, he worked as a research trainee at the Dominican Gamma Knife Center and the Iberoamerican University Research Department. |
Henry Ruiz Dr. Ruiz-Garcia's research focuses on the modulation of tumor microenvironment in glioblastoma, aiming to improve therapies using bioengineered stem cells. His clinical research looks for improving outcomes on patients with brain tumors through brain mapping and minimally invasive approaches. Dr. Ruiz-Garcia graduated from National University of San Marcos (UNMSM), the oldest university in the Americas. Here, he graduated with highest honors and obtained the first place in the National Examination for Internship Qualification (EsSalud) and the National Examination for Medical Students. |
Michael Pullen Mike Pullen graduated with a B.S. in biomedical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a pre-health concentration. While at Tech Mike worked for Atlanta Falcons Sports Medicine and Johnson and Johnson (Ethicon). He currently serves as the co-founder and CEO of LZRD Tech, a performance textile technology company based in Atlanta, Georgia. During his time at Tech Mike was awarded the “Outstanding Entrepreneur Award” by the department of Biomedical Engineering. He was the Georgia Tech nominee for both the Forbes 30 under 30 list, and the ACC InVenture prize for which he was a finalist. |
ContactAlfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa
Mayo Clinic, Florida 4500 San Pablo Rd. Jacksonville, FL 32224 |
Speaking Engagements RequestsJan S. Tavitian, Sr. Vice President
American Program Bureau, Inc. One Gateway Center, Suite 751 Newton, MA 02458 Office: 617-614-1631 Email: [email protected] |