Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa
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Quiñones-Hinojosa in 2015
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| Born | January 2, 1968 |
| Nationality | Mexican, American |
| Other names | Dr. Q |
| Citizenship | United States |
| Alma mater | University of California, Berkeley Harvard Medical School |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Neurosurgery |
| Institutions | Mayo Clinic Johns Hopkins |
Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa, also known as "Dr. Q," is a famous brain surgeon, writer, and scientist from Mexico and the United States. He currently leads the Neurologic Surgery department at the Mayo Clinic Jacksonville in Florida. He also runs a science lab there, doing important research.
Dr. Q helps edit important medical books and journals. He was the main editor for a big book called Schmidek and Sweet Operative Neurosurgical Techniques. Another book he helped edit, Controversies in Neuro-Oncology: Best Evidence Medicine for Brain Tumor Surgery, won a top award. He also helped start and leads a group called Mission: BRAIN. This group helps share medical knowledge and resources for brain surgery around the world.
He wrote a book about his life called Becoming Dr. Q. It tells how he went from working on farms to becoming a brain surgeon. Disney and Plan B Entertainment are even making a movie about his amazing story!
Contents
Early Life and Journey
Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa was born in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico. In 1987, when he was 19, he moved to the United States. When he first arrived, he could not speak English. He worked on farms near Fresno, California, to earn money. He saved enough to take English classes and start his education.
Education and Achievements
Dr. Quiñones-Hinojosa began his college studies at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, California. He then earned his bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of California, Berkeley, graduating with the highest honors.
After that, he went to Harvard Medical School and became a medical doctor, also graduating with honors. During this time, he also became a citizen of the United States. He completed his special training in brain surgery at the University of California, San Francisco. He also did extra research on how cells develop and how stem cells work.
Professional Career and Research
Dr. Quiñones started his career at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. There, he became a professor of brain surgery and other related fields. He also directed the Brain Tumor Stem Cell Biology Lab.
He does both patient care and scientific research. From 2005 to 2016, his team published over 150 scientific papers. They also received 14 grants to fund their research. Dr. Quiñones studies how stem cells might cause brain tumors. He also looks at how stem cells could help fight brain cancer and help people regain brain function. He often helps raise money for brain cancer research. He even runs half-marathons with his research team and some of his patients to support this cause.
Books and Publications
Dr. Quiñones has written more than 50 chapters for medical books. He has also written several textbooks about brain surgery and stem cell biology.
In 2011, he edited Core Techniques in Operative Neurosurgery. He also published his autobiography, Becoming Dr Q: My Journey from Migrant Farm Worker to Brain Surgeon. This book won an International Latino Book Award in 2012.
In 2012, Dr. Quiñones was the main editor for the 6th edition of Schmidek and Sweet's Operative Neurosurgical Techniques. This is one of the most important textbooks for brain surgeons worldwide. He also served as the lead editor for the 7th edition of this book. In 2013, he published Controversies in Neuro-Oncology: Best Evidence Medicine for Brain Tumor Surgery with Dr. Shaan Raza. This book won first prize in Oncology from the British Medical Association in 2014.
Awards and Recognitions
Dr. Quiñones-Hinojosa has received many awards and honors throughout his career:
- 1994: Bachelor of Arts degree with Highest Honors from the University of California, Berkeley.
- 1999: Medical Doctor degree with Cum Laude honors from Harvard Medical School.
- 2000: Most Valuable Intern Award in General Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco.
- 2004: Howard Naffziger Neurological Surgery Award from the University of California, San Francisco.
- 2006: Howard Hughes Institute Physician-Scientist Career Award.
- 2006: Herbert Nickens Award from the Association of American Medical Colleges.
- 2006: Career Development Award from the American Society of Clinical Oncology Foundation.
- 2006: Franklin Martin Faculty Research Award from the American College of Surgeons.
- 2006: Passano Physician Scientist Award from Johns Hopkins University.
- 2007: Faculty Teaching Award (Richard J. Otenasek) from Johns Hopkins Hospital.
- 2007: Robert Wood Johnson Award.
- 2007: Brilliant 10 Scientists Award from Popular Science Magazine.
- 2008: America's Role Model Award from the Olender Foundation.
- 2010: Nifty Fifty Scientist at the Science & Engineering Festival.
- 2012: Named as a Super Doctor.
- 2012: Recipient of the Ohtli Award.
- 2015: VII Premio Iberoamericano Cortes de Cádiz Surgery Award, Spain.
- 2018: Doctorate honoris causa from the University of Santander - UDES - Bucaramanga, Colombia.
Television Appearances
Dr. Q's story was shown in a TV series called ‘Hopkins’. He also starred in the second episode of The Surgeon's Cut. This show was made by BBC Studios for Netflix and was released globally in December 2020.
In an episode of Adam Ruins Everything about immigration, Dr. Quiñones-Hinojosa's name and picture were featured. He was shown as one of the Mexican-American immigrants who have made the United States better.
