Chirag Patel

Physician-scientist in neuro-oncology @MDAndersonNews. Lab studies biophysical energy against cancer, cancer-neuronal interactions, and advanced neuroimaging.

[Stacie Walker @NeuroNews01]

Reflecting with appreciation on the impact of the 13th Annual @HeadfortheCure 5K—Houston. @MDAndersonNews Team NEU RUNS was 55 members strong and raised more than $7,500 💙🧠

Overall, the event registered 550 participants, generated $89,000 in donations, and featured inspiring remarks from @anthonymatt, Founder & President @HeadfortheCure, and @VPuduvalli, who serves as Neuro-Oncology Professor and Chair; Co-Director of the Brain Tumor Center and Co-Program Director of the Cancer Neuroscience Program @MDAndersonNews.

We are proud to congratulate💛:
🏅 Angela Chapa, RN, Clinical Nurse, Nursing Clinical Decision Unit: 1st place, Female Masters category
🥈 Aileen Hsi, M.D., First Year Neuro-Oncology Fellow: 2nd place in her age category

We are grateful for every teammate and supporter and for the leadership, guidance, and collaboration of:

Dr. Puduvalli • Mr. Anthony • Anne Kleiman, D.O. • Benjamin Anderson • Shelley Robson • Eleanor Chan • @SivilsSummer • Sara Herzog • @CPatel_Lab

#HeadForTheCure #MDAnderson #EndCancer

[Chirag Patel @CPatel_Lab]

Congratulations to Michelly (@MDAndersonNews Lymphoma & Myeloma Department APP) on her case report highlighting a rare and potentially lethal #neurological side effect of CAR T-cell therapy: PML (collab w/ @DrKrinaPatel) https://t.co/e1rvvZOLhN

[Chirag Patel @CPatel_Lab]

Congratulations to @MDAndersonNews former neuro-oncology fellow @KengLam6 (now at @cityofhope) on his recent study of molecular alterations in IDH-mutant astrocytoma https://t.co/LqwUQrdzSN (collab w/ @leoballester @EsquenaziMD @AntonioDonoMD) #BrainCancer

[Chirag Patel @CPatel_Lab]

Congratulations to Sri, the lab's 2024 summer @MDAndersonNews University Outreach Summer Program intern, on presenting her project at the 2025 @Stanford Undergraduate Research Association's Research Conference

[Stacie Walker @NeuroNews01]

.@CPatel_Lab, M.D., Ph.D., @MDAndersonNews Assistant Professor of Neuro-Oncology and McNair Scholar, chaired the #AI in Clinical Diagnostics session at the inaugural Technology in Healthcare: Integration, Networks, and Knowledge (THINK) AI in Healthcare Conference held at the @Stanford Faculty Club on January 16-17. Sponsored by @Philips, the conference was attended by 200 in-person and 300 virtual attendees. The #AI in Clinical Diagnostics session highlighted the research advancements of Salah Al-Zaiti, Ph.D., RN, FAHA, of @UofR (applying #AI to pre-hospital #EKGs to risk-stratify patients with myocardial infarction) and Steve Cashman of @ButterflyNetInc (using hand-held ultrasound probes that seamlessly integrate with advanced #AI and workflow management software to aid in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment). Dr. Chirag Patel also served as an invited panelist on the #AI at the Bedside session, alongside the Director/Co-Founder, @StanfordBDHG @joshatstanford (Josh Makower, M.D.), and the Vice-President and Chief Nursing Information Officer, @StanfordHealth Gretchen Brown, MSN, RN). The panel was moderated by the Executive of Healthcare and Life Science Technology, Biomedical Engineering, @StanfordHealth, @AdamA27180 (Adam Alkhato).

#EndCancer

[Stacie Walker @NeuroNews01]

Reflecting on Our Progress, Shaping Our Future

As we move forward progressively in 2025, the @MDAndersonNews Department of Neuro-Oncology is building on contributions, collaborations, and achievements from the past year, focused on the goal to #EndCancer. Our collective efforts encompass patient care, research, education, mentorship, and outreach.🔬

Here are some accomplishments that underscore our dedication:

✨The Viroimmunotherapy Laboratory, (Co-Principal Investigators @jfueyomargareto, M.D., and @CandelaGManzano, M.D.), secured funding from @theNCI for its R21 grant, which earned an impressive 4.0 percentile score. The lab team has a groundbreaking research project  entitled: “Examining the Role of the Nono Pathway on the Innate Immunity Against Oncolytic Adenoviruses”.

✨Monica Loghin, M.D., and @VPuduvalli, M.D., were recognized as Castle Connolly Top Doctors, representing the top 7% of practicing physicians in the United States.

✨@anujdp, M.D., earned distinction as a FY24 Top Patient Care Provider, ranking in the top 10%. Dr. Patel was also appointed Associate Rotation Site Director for resident and clerkship programs, a leadership role within the department focused on graduate medical education trainees.

✨John M. Slopis, M.D., earned distinction as a FY24 Top Patient Care Provider, ranking in the top 1% with a perfect score.

✨@AshleyAaroe, M.D., was appointed the Neuro-Oncology Vizient Champion. Additionally, Dr. Aaroe earned a Clinical Research LRP award from the @NIH's @ncats_nih_gov and she was accepted into the cohort of the @NeuroOnc (SNO) Future Leaders Development Program.

✨Jeffrey Wefel, Ph.D., ABPP, served on the  Program Committee for the 52nd Annual International Neuropsychological Society Meeting in New York.

✨@CPatel_Lab, M.D., Ph.D., McNair Scholar, served as an organizer, moderator and presenter at the 21st Annual World Congress of the Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

✨Carlos Kamiya Matsuoka, M.D., presented at the 21st Annual World Congress of the Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics.

✨@barbaraobrienmd was appointed Director of the Brain Metastases and Leptomeningeal Disease Program within the department. Additionally, Dr. O’Brien was appointed co-chair of the @NeuroOnc (SNO) Brain Metastasis Special Interest Track (2024-2026) and Wellness Lead for the Division of Cancer Medicine.

✨@NazMajd, M.D., Ph.D., was appointed associate director of clinical research within the department.

✨Our outstanding physician assistants and nurses, with the leadership of  @AbeyMathai1, Physician Assistant Manager, continue to deliver exemplary care to our patients, collaborating closely with providers, families, and caregivers.

✨Faculty, fellows, alumni and clinical research summer program students gave impactful presentations, moderated sessions and showcased detailed research posters at the @NeuroOnc (SNO) 29th Annual Meeting & Education Day.

✨Our fellows and Ph.D. students continue to excel:
Catherine Garcia, M.D., and Pushan Dasgupta, M.D., Ph.D., earned William James Miller Endowed Fellowship Awards for their research proposals. Dr. Dasgupta’s research focuses on “Investigating the MicroRNA Profile of DICER1 Mutant Primary Intracranial Tumors”, while Dr. Garcia’s proposal examines the “Molecular Features of High-Grade Gliomas Treated with IDH Inhibitors”. They also served as co-chairs with Jiasen He, M.D., for the Inaugural Brain Tumor Center (BTC) Trainee Symposium and were appointed as BTC Executive Committee trainees.

The cover of the November issue of the Neuro-Oncology journal features artwork by Ph.D. student Andrew Gillard, Neuro-Oncology – Research, (mentors: @CandelaGManzano/@jfueyomargareto) and a review titled: “The Emerging Field of Viroimmunotherapy for Pediatric Brain Tumors”. The publication includes contributions from Dr. Fueyo, Dr. Gomez-Manzano, Gillard, Marc Garcia-Moure, Sumit Gupta, Soumen Khatua, Jiasen He, M.D., Akhila Parthasarathy, Frederick F. Lang, M.D., and Marta M. Alonso.

Mr. Gillard also was selected by the Student Scholarship Committee and Dean Alejandro Aballay as a recipient of the 2024-25 Rosalie B. Hite Graduate Fellowship in Cancer Research.

Akhila Parthasarathy, a Ph.D. student in Neuro-Oncology – Research, (mentors: @CandelaGManzano and @jfueyomargareto, was awarded a three-year ChadTough Predoctoral Fellowship.

Andres Lopez-Rivas, a Ph.D. student in Neuro-Oncology – Research (mentors: @CandelaGManzano/ @jfueyomargareto), was selected by the Student Scholarship Committee and Dean Alejandro Aballay to receive the 2024-2025 American Legion Auxiliary Fellowship in Cancer Research. He also secured a $138,648 @NIH/@theNCI grant for his research titled: “Glioma Therapy with Oncolytic Adenoviruses and Immunometabolic Adjuvants, Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research.”

✨We welcomed @HoutanNoushmehr, Ph.D., for the Peter Steck Memorial Lectureship, focusing on “Revolutionizing Diagnosis and Monitoring Through Exploring the Epigenetics of Glioma”; @vennetilab, Sriram Venneti, M.D., Ph.D., for the Deborah Richman Memorial Lectureship, addressing “Oncometabolism in Childhood Brain Tumors”; and @AshleeLoughan, Ph.D., LCP, for the Section of Neuropsychology Lecture, highlighting “Forging Quality Care in Neuro-Oncology: Moving Beyond Symptom Identification to Intervention Development”.

✨We hosted a delegation from the Taiwanese Neurological Institute; coordinated monthly Brain tumor Education and Support Together (BEST) sessions with the leadership of Shiao-Pei Weathers, M.D. , and collaborated on initiatives with the Brain Tumor Center (BTC), the Cancer Neuroscience Program (CNP), and the NeuroHealth Initiative (NHI).

✨As we prepare for key stakeholder events such as the 21st Annual @DrMarnieRoseFdn Run for the Rose on March 30 @TMC_HelixPark, the 13th Annual @HeadfortheCure 5K in September, the 7th Annual Swim Across America-Houston on October 11 at Lake Conroe, and the Boot Walk to End Cancer® in November, we will sustain our momentum to achieve new milestones. Here’s to another transformative year ahead!

[JCAT Online @JCATonline]

Dynamic Contrast-enhanced MRI Processing Comparison for Distinguishing True Progression From Pseudoprogression in High-grade Glioma: Background: Treatment-related changes may occur due to radiation and temozolomide in glioblastoma and can mimic tumor… https://t.co/Ul2V29ypQ9

[Chirag Patel @CPatel_Lab]

#TTFields increase the permeability of human #GBM cell membranes, with parallels to detergent-based membrane permeabilization. Potential implications for increased access of #chemotherapy to #cancer cells. https://t.co/wpNTI068sA

[Chirag Patel @CPatel_Lab]

Departmental holiday party

[Stacie Walker @NeuroNews01]

Scenes from #SNO2024:
@MDAndersonNews showcased our impactful efforts to #EndCancer at this year’s annual meeting! Our incredible faculty, fellows, researchers, nurses, alumni, and interns took center stage with their contributions, including:
✨ Delivering impactful keynote presentations
✨ Sharing groundbreaking research findings
✨ Collaborating in a #ClinicalTrial Design Workshop
✨ Moderating insightful sessions
✨ Networking with global colleagues
✨ Presenting detailed posters
✨ Building meaningful mentor-mentee connections

We’re proud to highlight the outstanding participation of our team members including @VPuduvalli and the Puduvalli Lab, @jfueyomargareto, @CandelaGManzano and the Viroimmunotheraphy Lab, @barbaraobrienmd, Monica Loghin, MD, Carlos Kamiya Matsuoka, MD, @NazMajd, @AshleyAaroe, Chirag Patel, MD, PhD and the @CPatel_Lab, Shiao-Pei Weathers, MD, W. K. Alfred Yung, MD, Mariana Bradshaw, PhD, ABPP, Kyle Noll, PhD, ABPP, Pratibha Sharma, PhD, @Anujdp, @timgregorymd, Jiyong Liang, PhD, Christopher Alvarez-Breckenridge, MD, PhD, Amol J. Ghia, MD, Kazutaka Fukumura, PhD, Nasser Mohammed, MD, Catherine Garcia, MD, Amulya Gottiparthy, MD, Marine Isakadze, MD, Stephanie Knight, APRN, @ChetnaWathoo, @Platerowood, @gbuchold, Andrew E. Rodriguez, MD, @KengLam6, Jacob Mandel, MD, David Cachia, MD, Surya N. Bhat, Neuro-Oncology Clinical Research Summer Program Trainee, and many others.

Special thanks to @VPuduvalli, @barbaraobrienmd, @CPatel_Lab, @LizHilemanPhD, @ChetnaWathoo, and Sarah Fike, MPH, for capturing and sharing these snapshots of our team in action.

[Yoshua Esquenazi, M.D, FAANS @EsquenaziMD]

Wonderful course on Brain Tumor Diagnosis in the molecular era!!! With great colleagues!! @CPatel_Lab @MDAndersonNews @NeurosurgUTH @memorialhermann @leoballester CAP2024 Vegas!!!

[Chirag Patel @CPatel_Lab]

A case of BRAF V600-mutant melanoma with brain parenchymal and leptomeningeal metastases responsive to BRAF+MEK inhibition after initial immunotherapy. https://t.co/OBol9ZUjMT #Melanoma #metastasis #leptomeningeal_disease #LMD #brain_metastasis #BRAF #MEK #immunotherapy

[Imaging Biometrics @ImgBiometrics]

@Michael_Iv_MD's recent publication @TheAJNR - https://t.co/HC5D4J705x has been nominated for a 2024 AJNR Journal Award! The paper features IB's DSC and DSC-FTB maps which yielded the highest agreement and confidence for posttreatment surveillance of HGG.
@SNO @TheASNR @theASFNR

[Chirag Patel @CPatel_Lab]

A #commentary (https://t.co/xMaR87O9nB) on using bone removal and spinal implants as waveguides to enhance the field strength of #TTFields for bony spinal #metastasis. #collab w/ @claudio_tatsui (forthcoming #Phase1 #clinicaltrial) and @KrisCarlson19 (#computational modeling)

[Stacie Walker @NeuroNews01]

@MDAndersonNews Dr. Chirag Patel, a McNair Scholar, shared his tumor treating fields and cancer neuroscience research with Kristi Cooper, Executive Director of The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation and Dr. Charles Neblett, M.D., Medical Director of the McNair Medical Institute.

[Betty Y.S. Kim, MD, PhD, FRCSC, FAIMBE @BettyKimLab]

Thank you for the invitation to participate @DavidHongMD @skopetz and our hero Dr. Robert Bast #CA125.
Great seeing you all
@EyalGottliebPhD @SGoswamiMDPhD @JenWargoMD Chibe Ene, C Alvarez-Breckenridge and Chirag Patel and others.#PhysicianScientists @MDAndersonNews

[Chirag Patel @CPatel_Lab]

We report (https://t.co/9tlYbmRJ3x) initial #clinical data regarding #TTFields increasing #Glioblastoma blood volume and blood-brain barrier #permeability, which needs to be prospectively validated. #collab w/ @Michael_Iv_MD, @Stanford_Neuro et al. Thank you @AACR & @McNairFdn

[Emil Lou, MD, PhD, FACP, FASCO @cancerassassin1]

On a logistical note, this collaboration has been awesome. Sparked by discussion with another @AACR grantee, Dr. Chirag Patel @MDAndersonNews, we began meeting right at the onset of the pandemic, it is a great example of being flexible enough to pivot and use available resources.

[Margaret Foti, PhD, MD (hc) @AACR_CEO]

It was great to meet with the @AACR Associate Member Council today in Philadelphia. It is a pleasure to work with this dedicated team to support early-career cancer scientists. #AACRAMC #ECR

[AACR President Keith T. Flaherty @AACRPres]

My first meeting with the #AACRAMC Council. Early-career scientists are critical to sustaining the cancer workforce, and I look forward to working with our Associate Members to advance the AACR's mission. #ECR #AACR18