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The World of Acoustic Neuroma Symposium, held at the University of Toronto Faculty Club in October 2024, began with a warm welcome from Dr. Gelareh Zadeh, Professor and Chair of Neurosurgery at the University of Toronto, Head of Neurosurgery at Toronto Western Hospital, and Chair of ANAC’s Medical Advisory Committee for the past 10 years. Her opening remarks set an inspiring tone for the day, with her leadership in neurosurgery and dedication to the acoustic neuroma community resonating deeply with all in attendance. Dr. Zadeh introduced her team’s research, focused on improving patient outcomes by understanding the molecular and genetic underpinnings of various types of tumours. She discussed ANAC’s growth and evolution since her involvement, emphasizing its efforts to improve patient care through a multidisciplinary approach, as well as the need to map locations across North America where patients can access specialized care. She also highlighted ongoing efforts to better understand the needs of patients and their loved ones. Dr. Zadeh also shared the bittersweet news of her upcoming transition to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, where she will serve as Head of Neurosurgery beginning in January 2025. This announcement was paired with the introduction of Dr. Farshad Nassiri, who will assume Dr. Zadeh’s role as Head of Neurosurgery at Toronto Western Hospital. Together, these milestones left attendees confident in the continued excellence of UHN’s neurosurgery program and its continued commitment to supporting ANAC and its members.

About the Speaker:  

Gelareh Zadeh, MD, PhD

Neurosurgeon, Oncologist, Mayo Clinic

Gelareh Zadeh, M.D., Ph.D., is a consultant and chair of the Department of Neurologic Surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. She joined the staff of Mayo Clinic in 2024 and holds the academic rank of professor of neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. Dr. Zadeh is recognized with the distinction of the William J. and Charles H. Mayo Professorship I. Dr. Zadeh earned her B.Sc. and M.D. at the University of Manitoba and her Ph.D. at the University of Toronto. She subsequently completed fellowships at the University of Health Network, University College of London, and Canadian Institutes of Health.

Dr. Zadeh joined Mayo Clinic from the University of Toronto, where she was the University of Health Network's division head of Neurosurgery, the medical director of the Krembil Neuroscience Program, the co-director of the Krembil Brain Institute, a senior scientist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, and the Dan Family Chair and professor of neurosurgery at the University of Toronto. Dr. Zadeh's research focuses on integrated multiplatform molecular analysis of brain tumors, together with a focus on understanding molecular response to targeted therapies, such as anti-angiogenesis and metabolic inhibitors. Her seminal research also focuses on use of circulating biomarkers for detection, diagnosis and discrimination in outcomes of brain tumors. Dr. Zadeh's extensive and influential research has advanced clinical care and has been published in high-impact journals, including Nature, Nature Medicine, Nature Genetics, Nature Communications, and Cancer Cell. She has consistent peer-reviewed funding from the National Institutes of Health, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Department of Defense, the Brain Tumour Charity, the V Foundation for Cancer Research, the Canadian Cancer Society, the Brain Canada Foundation, and the Terry Fox Research Institute, among others. In addition to her clinical and research activities, Dr. Zadeh is active in education and serves as mentor. She holds full faculty privileges in Neuroscience at Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. She also serves as editor-in-chief of Neuro-Oncology Advances. Dr. Zadeh's academic, clinical and research contributions have been recognized through many awards, such as the prestigious Canada Gairdner Momentum Award, the William E. Rawls Prize from the Canadian Cancer Society, and the American Brain Tumor Translational Research Award, as well as through her leadership in multiple international organizations, including the Society of Neuro-Oncology, the World Federation of Neurological Societies and the International Consortium on Meningiomas, which she co-founded.

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