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David J. Daniels, M.D., Ph.D.

David J. Daniels, M.D., Ph.D., is a pediatric neurosurgeon who specializes in pediatric brain tumors. He spends his clinical time managing patients with complex brain tumors, both in the operating room and in the outpatient setting. Tumors from the operating room go to his laboratory for further study. Some of these tumors become established cell lines that can be studied to learn more about how they work and identify new ways to treat some of these deadly diseases. In addition to brain tumors, Dr. Daniels manages and treats general pediatric neurosurgical conditions, including:

  • Hydrocephalus
  • Chiari I malformations
  • Arachnoid cysts
  • Spine disorders including tethered cord
  • Spinal tumors
  • Vascular malformations
  • Head and spine trauma

In addition to his active brain tumor research, Dr. Daniels teaches medical students and graduate students and mentors neurosurgical residents.

  1. Pediatric cervical spine surgery
  2. Pediatric neurosurgery
  • Pediatric neurosurgery
  • Pediatric brain tumors
  1. 2014
    Fellow - Pediatric NeurosurgerySt. Jude Children's Research Hospital/LeBonheur Children's Hospital, University of Tennessee
  2. 2013
    ResidentNeurologic Surgery, Programs in Rochester, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
  3. 2013
    ResidentNeurologic Surgery Program, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
  4. 2008
    ResidentPreliminary Surgery, Programs in Rochester, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
  5. 2007
    MDUniversity of Minnesota Medical School
  6. 2006
    PhD - Medicinal ChemistryUniversity of Minnesota
  7. 1997
    BS - ChemistryUniversity of Minnesota Institute of Technology

Certifications

  1. 2018
    Pediatric Neurological SurgeryAmerican Board of Pediatric Neurological Surgery
  2. 2018
    Neurological SurgeryAmerican Board of Neurological Surgery

Awards and honors

  1. 2021
    Top Doctor Award, Minnesota Monthly MagazineAmericas Top Doctors
  2. 2020
    2020 Top Doctor Award Minnesota Monthly's 2020 Top Doctors
  3. 2019
    Top Doctors of 2018-2019Minnesota Monthly Magazine
  4. 2019
    2019 Top Doctor Award Minnesota Monthly's 2019 Top Doctors
  5. 2018
    2018 Top Doctor Award Minnesota Monthly's 2018 Top Doctors
  6. 2017
    NIH Loan Repayment AwardPediatric Research
  7. 2013
    Resident Teaching AwardMayo Clinic
  8. 2012
    First Annual David Piepgras AwardMinnesota Neurosurgical Society
  9. 2011
    NINDS Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Training Grant in Neuro-oncology, T32 NS04794National Institutes of Health, National Institutes of Health
  10. 2011
    Distinguished Alumni AwardFridley High School
  11. 2011
    97th percentile on written examAmerican Board of Neurological Surgeons
  12. 2011
    First Runner-upCNS SANS Resident Challenge
  13. 2011
    Resident AwardMinnesota Neurosurgical Society
  14. 2010
    Karis AwardMayo Clinic
  15. 2006
    MemberAlpha Omega Alpha Medical Honors Society (Junior Class)
  16. 2003
    Honored all medical school coursesUniversity of Minnesota
  17. 2003
    Pre-doctoral FellowshipAmerican Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education
  18. 2002
    Pre-doctoral FellowshipAmerican Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education
  19. 2001
    Pre-doctoral FellowshipAmerican Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education
  20. 1999
    Honored all graduate school coursesUniversity of Minnesota

Professional memberships

  1. 2024 - present
    ChairASPN Annual Meeting, American Society of Pain and Neuroscience
  2. 2022 - present
    MemberThe Society of Neurological Surgeons
  3. 2021 - present
    Program DirectorDepartment of Neurologic Surgery
  4. 2021 - present
    Co-ChairResearch Committee –Pediatric Section AANS
  5. 2019 - present
    MemberAmerican Society of Pediatric Neurosurgery
  6. 2018 - present
    Associate Program DirectorDepartment of Neurosurgery
  7. 2018 - present
    MemberResearch Committee –Pediatric Section AANS
  8. 2018 - present
    MemberResearch Committee –NREF
  9. 2018 - present
    MemberAmerican Association of Neurological Surgeons—Pediatric Section
  10. 2018 - present
    MemberAmerican Board of Pediatric Neurological Surgery
  11. 2018 - present
    MemberAmerican Board of Neurological Surgery
  12. 2018 - present
    MemberFellow American Association of Neurological Surgeons
  13. 2017 - 2019
    Research Committee of the Pediatric SectionAANS/CNS Section for Pediatric Neurosurgery, American Association of Neurological Surgeons
  14. 2017 - present
    MemberMd/PhD Admissions Committee, Mayo Clinic Committees
  15. 2017 - 2021
    ChairClinical Competency, Anesthesia Residency, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine
  16. 2017 - present
    ChairProgram Education Committee
  17. 2016 - present
    MemberAmerican Association of Neurological Surgeons
  18. 2016 - present
    MemberGraduate School Admissions Committee (MPET)
  19. 2016 - present
    Assistant Medical DirectorPediatric Trauma Committee
  20. 2015 - present
    MemberChildren’s Oncology Group (NCI)
  21. 2014 - present
    MemberSociety for Neuro-Oncology
  22. 2014 - present
    MemberMayo Clinic Cancer Center
  23. 2014 - present
    MemberEducation Committee, Neurosurgery
  24. 2014 - present
    MemberPediatric Trauma Committee

Publications

Research activities

See a description of research activities.