Viviane Tabar facts for kids
Viviane Tabar is a very important doctor who specializes in brain and nervous system surgery. She is a neurosurgeon and currently leads the Department of Neurosurgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. She started this big job in 2017.
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Her Journey to Becoming a Neurosurgeon
Viviane Tabar studied medicine at the American University of Beirut. After that, she trained to become a brain surgeon at the University of Massachusetts. She also did special research after her medical training at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Later, Dr. Tabar did more research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She then joined the team of doctors there. Today, she holds important positions like the Theresa C. Feng Chair for Neurosurgical Oncology. This means she is a top expert in brain cancer surgery. She also helps lead research and education for brain surgery. In December 2017, she became the head of the Neurosurgery Department at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She took over from Dr. Philip Gutin.
Dr. Viviane Tabar also started and leads a special center. It is called the Multidisciplinary Pituitary and Skull Base Tumor Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. This center helps people with specific types of brain tumors.
Her Important Work
Dr. Tabar is an expert in special techniques for brain surgery. She uses something called intraoperative brain mapping. This helps surgeons know exactly which parts of the brain do what during an operation. It makes sure they don't harm important areas.
Research on Stem Cells and Brain Repair
Her research focuses on stem cell biology. Stem cells are special cells that can turn into many different types of cells. Dr. Tabar is a leader in a group working to use human embryonic stem cells. They are trying to create dopamine neurons for people with Parkinson's disease. Dopamine neurons are brain cells that are damaged in Parkinson's.
She has also found ways to use cell-based therapies to fix brain damage. This damage can happen after radiation treatment. Her lab uses special stem cells, called pluripotent stem cells, to study brain tumors. This research helps doctors understand gliomas better. Gliomas are a type of brain tumor. Her work has also helped find new ways to treat brain tumors.
Treating Brain Tumors
Dr. Tabar is very skilled in surgery for brain tumors. She treats complex gliomas, meningiomas, and skull base tumors. Meningiomas are tumors that grow on the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Skull base tumors grow at the bottom of the skull.
In 2010, Dr. Tabar and her research team made an important discovery. They showed that tumor cells can create their own blood supply. They do this by making blood vessel cells from the tumor cells themselves. This discovery showed how adaptable tumors can be.
Dr. Tabar has written many articles and papers. Her work is often used and referenced by other scientists and doctors.
Other Important Roles
Dr. Tabar is part of several important groups:
- Since 2017: She is a member of the National Academy of Medicine. This is a very high honor for doctors and scientists.
- Since 2014: She is a member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation. This group recognizes doctors who are also top researchers.
- She is a member of the Society of Neurological Surgeons.
- She is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgery.
- She is a member of the American Brain Tumor Association.
- She is a friend of the Murray F. Brennan, MD, FACS, International Guest Scholarship Fund.
Awards and Recognition
Dr. Tabar has received several awards for her excellent work:
- 2014: Top Doctors: New York Magazine
- 2013: Top Doctors: New York Metro Area
- 2012: Top Doctors: New York Metro Area
- 2011: Top Doctors: New York Metro Area
Her Family Life
Viviane Tabar is married to Lorenz Studer. They have two children. Both Dr. Tabar and Dr. Studer work at the Sloan Kettering Institute. They both lead important medical research projects there.
