Chetan Bettegowda, M.D., Ph.D., a neurosurgeon and scientist whose work led to the first brain cancer-specific molecular biomarker, has been named the next director of the Department of Neurosurgery for the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, effective May 15. Bettegowda is assuming the role from Henry Brem, M.D., who has led the department since 2000.

The Department of Neurosurgery, one of the largest neurosurgery departments in the world, has a legacy of impactful innovations and research dating back to the opening of The Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1889. Today, Johns Hopkins neurosurgeons conduct over 30,000 outpatient consultations and perform more than 4,000 brain, tumor, vascular and peripheral nerve operations annually.

Bettegowda is an internationally renowned neurosurgeon and an expert on the treatment of brain and spinal tumors. His research has helped shape the molecular understanding of central nervous system cancers, and his genetic discoveries have led to innovative brain cancer liquid biopsy approaches that can act as personalized biomarkers.

A central tenet of Bettegowda’s neurosurgical and scientific career is translating research into patient-centered care and treatments for people with brain and spinal tumors. As a result of his efforts and collaborations with many investigators, the first molecular brain cancer biomarker is now available for clinical use and is anticipated to be incorporated into the National Comprehensive Center Network guidelines as part of the standard of care.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Bettegowda to this role,” says Theodore L. DeWeese, M.D., dean of the medical faculty and chief executive officer of Johns Hopkins Medicine. “His collaborative spirit and dedication to advancing research and improving patient treatment options will carry the Department of Neurosurgery forward in innovative ways.”

Bettegowda also has served as the Jennison and Novak Families Professor of Neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, medical director of the Ludwig Center for Cancer Genetics and Therapeutics, vice chair for research in the Department of Neurosurgery and director of the Reza Khatib Brain Tumor Research Center.

“Dr. Bettegowda’s appointment reflects our commitment to fostering world-class leadership at the intersection of medicine and science,” says Kevin Sowers, M.S.N., R.N., F.A.A.N., president of Johns Hopkins Health System and executive vice president of Johns Hopkins Medicine. “With his remarkable experience and expertise, Dr. Bettegowda embodies the best of Johns Hopkins — a scientist, surgeon, mentor and leader dedicated to advancing medicine’s frontiers.”

Among his numerous awards and recognitions, including the American Association for Cancer Research Team Science Award for “Pioneering the Field of Liquid Biopsies,” Bettegowda received the William Baumgartner Physician of the Year Award from The Johns Hopkins Hospital and the Paragon Award for Research Excellence from the Doris Duke Foundation, which is given to physician-scientists for significantly advancing knowledge toward the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of human disease.

Bettegowda received his bachelor’s degree from Duke University and his medical and doctoral degrees from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He completed a neurosurgery residency at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and a fellowship in neuro-oncology at the school of medicine.