The Neuro Team

Dr. Kevin Petrecca is a neurosurgeon and Assistant Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery at McGill University who specializes in neurosurgical oncology. His research at the MNI/H Brain Tumour Research Centre focuses on understanding fundamental molecular mechanisms that regulate cell motility with a focus on malignant glial cell invasion. Malignant gliomas are the most common type of primary brain cancer and among the most devastating of human malignancies. They are characterized by rapid cell proliferation and invasion into the surrounding normal brain. Malignant glial cell invasion is the leading cause of tumour recurrence and of treatment failure. Dr. Petrecca's basic science research aims to identify and characterize fundamental molecular mechanisms that regulate glial cell movement and translate these findings into useful therapeutics. His clinical research program focuses on developing intraoperative tools to improve brain cancer surgery including MRI-coregistered ultrasound and fluorescence-guided surgery.