Columbia Neurosurgery Celebrates Dr. Elisa Konofagou as a Jointly Appointed Professor with the School of Engineering and Applied Science

Columbia Neurosurgery and the School of Engineering and Applied Science are partnering together through the joint appointment of Dr. Elisa Konofagou as the Robert and Margaret Hariri Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Professor of Radiology (Physics) and Neurological Sciences (in Neurological Surgery). In this dynamic role, Dr. Konofagou will further develop ultrasound-based technologies for automated estimation of tissue mechanics, drug delivery, and therapeutics. Through her tenure at the Engineering School, her group has worked on designing algorithms that can estimate minute deformation because of physiological function, such as in the heart and vessels, and displacements induced by the ultrasound wave itself, such as in tumors and nerves. She has also developed novel techniques to facilitate noninvasive brain drug delivery and modulation of the central and peripheral nervous systems. 

Specific to Neurosurgery, Dr. Konofagou’s work examines explicitly the mechanism of ultrasound-induced opening of the blood-brain barrier for facilitation of noninvasive and localized brain drug delivery while developing novel methodologies for noninvasive and deep brain stimulation as well as peripheral nerve modulation for the treatment of psychiatric and motor neuron diseases.

Dr. Konofagou shared, “I am excited and honored to become a member of the amazing neurosurgery faculty, several of who my group has fostered collaborations over the years in an effort to translate ultrasound technologies to the clinic, from stroke prevention to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s treatment to drug delivery in brain tumors and pain modulation. I look forward to ongoing endeavors to make ultrasound an attractive neurosurgery tool.”

The Department of Neurosurgery’s Movement Disorders Program has evolved significantly through the leadership of Dr. Gordon Baltuch, a pioneering researcher and physician in high frequency ultrasound who is currently working to expand on the program’s capabilities to treat neurodegenerative disease including Essential Temor, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Disease. Says Dr. Baltuch, “Dr. Konofagou’s work will complement our program by offering a safer and more effective tool to selectively deliver neuroprotective and restorative biologicals to the brains of affected patients. Through this collaboration, Columbia Neurosurgery is uniquely positioned to make significant advancements in the field of neurosurgery, particularly in the areas of ultrasound technology and brain drug delivery. This promises a future of enhanced patient care and improved treatment outcomes.”

Learn more on Columbia Neurosurgery’s Translational Research Initiative

Congratulations Dr. Konofagou!