At Johns Hopkins, and now at the Mayo Clinic Florida, Dr. Q leads the Brain Tumor Stem Cell Laboratory, focusing on the surgical treatment of primary and metastatic brain tumors. He has conducted numerous research efforts on brain cancer and the role stem cells can play in fighting illness, receiving funding for his work from the National Institute of Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Howard Hugues, among others. He is also the Chair and Professor of Neurosurgery at the College of Medicine. He is currently working on a method to use human fat cells engineered with nanoparticles and viruses to cure brain cancer. "It's almost like you give a hunting dog something to smell," Dr. Q told CNN. "We give the cells the smell of cancer juice and they go back and chase these cancers incredibly well."

In 2011, he co-founded Mission:BRAIN, a nonprofit organization providing neurosurgical resources to patients, caregivers and healthcare providers in underserved areas around the world. A consortium of medical professionals, suppliers and volunteers from across the U.S., Mission:BRAIN conducts neurosurgical missions in Mexico, the Philippines and other countries across the globe where health care is lacking. Recently, he started up two companies, Obex Theranostics and Dome Therapeutics. He was also appointed International-Vice Chair (Central & South America) for the AANS and CNS Tumor Section 2020-2022.

In 2012, he published his autobiography, Becoming Dr. Q: My Journey from Migrant Farm Worker to Brain Surgeon (University of California Press). The best-selling book details his astonishing journey from the tomato fields of central California to the highest echelons of medicine in the U.S. and around the world. He is at work on a follow-up volume describing his day-to-day life as a brain surgeon at Mayo Clinic and has appeared on television in the award-winning ABC series Hopkins as well as on NOVA, CBS News with Katie Couric and NBC's The Today Show. Dr. Q is regularly listed as one of the best surgeons in America and delivers motivational addresses to the graduating classes of the nation's top universities. Dr. Q is currently Dean of Research at Mayo Clinic, as well as the Neurosurgeon-in-Chief, Professor, and Physician-Scientist in the Department of Neurologic Surgery at Mayo Clinic in Florida. Dr. Quiñones-Hinojosa is recognized with the distinction of being the William J. and Charles H. Mayo Professor at the Mayo Clinic.

Passionate about building bridges, healthcare innovation and patient engagement & the human side of healthcare, Dr. Q has also delivered keynote speeches to a variety of audiences including students, medical organizations and business groups. He enthusiastically recounts his journey and stories from his life as a top brain surgeon and neuroscientist — and how he picked up his sense of control in the operating theater from the work he did picking tomatoes in the San Joaquin Valley. He is a mentor to young people and an ardent champion of STEM education, encouraging students to pursue careers in science, technology, education and math.

RESUME Read Less ^

• World-renowned neurosurgeon and neuroscientist
• Author of the autobiography Becoming Dr. Q: My Journey From Migrant Farm Worker to Brain Surgeon (University of California Press, 2012)
• Former Professor of Neurosurgery and Oncology, Neuroscience and Cellular and Molecular Medicine at The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore
• Neurosurgeon of the Year Award in 2014 from Voices Against Brain Cancer
• Directed the Brain Tumor Surgery Program at The Johns Hopkins Bayview Hospital, Baltimore
• Directed the Pituitary Surgery Program at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore
• Led the Brain Tumor Stem Cell Laboratory at The John Hopkins University, Baltimore
• Named one of the 100 Most Influential Hispanics in 2008
• Selected by Popular Science Magazine as one of its annual Brilliant Ten geniuses influencing the course of science
• Lead editor for the 6th edition of Schmidek and Sweet's Operative Neurosurgical Techniques, the world's preeminent encyclopedia of neurosurgery
• Featured in the movie “Dr.Q”, which is being produced by Brad Pitt’s production company, Plan B