Antonio Omuro becomes head of Stanford’s Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences

Antonio Omuro, MD, a hands-on clinician as well as an internationally renowned researcher who specializes in the study of brain tumors, has taken on the role of chair of the Stanford University School of Medicine’s Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences.

Before stepping into his new position on Feb. 1, Omuro was chief of neuro-oncology at the Yale School of Medicine and founding director of the Yale Brain Tumor Center. Omuro has published more than 140 peer-reviewed journal articles and has led dozens of clinical trials focusing on new treatments for brain tumors and neurological complications of cancer.  

“Antonio Omuro has a long track record of visionary leadership,” said Lloyd Minor, MD, dean of the School of Medicine and vice president for medical affairs at Stanford University. “While at Yale, he fostered a culture of academic excellence, attracted and retained world-class faculty and research staff, led teams of clinicians and basic scientists in collaborative grants and projects, and embedded clinical trials throughout its practice.”

In addition to cultivating next-generation neurology and neurological-science leaders, Omuro has been a respected teacher and mentor of students and fellows, especially women and underrepresented groups, Minor said.

A Brazil native, Omuro earned his medical degree in 1994 from University of Sao Paulo School of Medicine, where he also completed his residency and served as an instructor in neurology. After a 2002-2004 clinical neuro-oncology fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, he moved to Paris to become a clinician and researcher at Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Sorbonne University, from 2005 through 2008. In 2008, Omuro returned to New York as an assistant professor of neurology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Weill Cornell Medical School, where he rose to associate professor. During his tenure, he developed an extensive portfolio of clinical trials, including practice changing studies in primary central nervous system lymphomas and gliomas, bridging basic and clinical research.   

In 2017, Omuro moved to Florida to lead the University of Miami School of Medicine’s neuro-oncology division and develop a brain-tumor program. In 2018, Yale recruited him to head the School of Medicine’s neuro-oncology division and create a new brain tumor center. Omuro has also served as a member of the Yale School of Medicine and Health System’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, in charge of advancing policies and practices that promote DEI values.

“Dr. Omuro is a highly successful neuro-oncologist with abundant experience in patient care, teaching and research in the field,” said Frank Longo, MD, PhD, professor of neurology and neurological sciences and the George E. and Lucy Becker Professor in Medicine, who was the neurology department chair from 2006 through 2023. “He is a leader in innovative clinical trials for brain tumors, and he has taken a keen interest in the study of high-quality leadership strategies.”

Omuro, the Joseph D. Grant Professor, said that Longo “has left the department in excellent shape, with a strong foundation that will make my job much easier. We will work hard on building on the department’s many strengths to take it to the next level.”

Omuro also expressed gratitude to interim department chair Paul Fisher, MD, professor of neurology and pediatrics, who served as interim department chief between the end of Longo’s term as chair in July 2023 and the onset of Omuro’s term. Fisher is the Beirne Family Professor in Pediatric Neuro-Oncology.

“Dr. Fisher provided strong stewardship and a smooth transition, fiercely continuing to move the department forward during his tenure,” Omuro said.

Further progress will be achieved through group effort, Omuro said: “Although I have many personal ideas, our vision and mission will be crafted collectively, tapping into the talent and wisdom of our amazing faculty.”