Biographical summary
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.
Conditions treated
Procedures performed
Interests
- Pediatric neurosurgery
- Pediatric brain tumors
Mayo Clinic locations
Education
- 2014
Fellow - Pediatric NeurosurgerySt. Jude Children's Research Hospital/LeBonheur Children's Hospital, University of Tennessee
- 2013
ResidentNeurologic Surgery, Programs in Rochester, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
- 2013
ResidentNeurologic Surgery Program, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
- 2008
ResidentPreliminary Surgery, Programs in Rochester, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
- 2007
MDUniversity of Minnesota Medical School
- 2006
PhD - Medicinal ChemistryUniversity of Minnesota
- 1997
BS - ChemistryUniversity of Minnesota Institute of Technology
Activities and honors
Certifications
- 2018
Pediatric Neurological SurgeryAmerican Board of Pediatric Neurological Surgery
- 2018
Neurological SurgeryAmerican Board of Neurological Surgery
Awards and honors
- 2021
Top Doctor Award, Minnesota Monthly MagazineAmericas Top Doctors
- 2020
2020 Top Doctor Award Minnesota Monthly's 2020 Top Doctors
- 2019
Top Doctors of 2018-2019Minnesota Monthly Magazine
- 2019
2019 Top Doctor Award Minnesota Monthly's 2019 Top Doctors
- 2018
2018 Top Doctor Award Minnesota Monthly's 2018 Top Doctors
- 2017
NIH Loan Repayment AwardPediatric Research
- 2013
Resident Teaching AwardMayo Clinic
- 2012
First Annual David Piepgras AwardMinnesota Neurosurgical Society
- 2011
NINDS Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Training Grant in Neuro-oncology, T32 NS04794National Institutes of Health, National Institutes of Health
- 2011
Distinguished Alumni AwardFridley High School
- 2011
97th percentile on written examAmerican Board of Neurological Surgeons
- 2011
First Runner-upCNS SANS Resident Challenge
- 2011
Resident AwardMinnesota Neurosurgical Society
- 2010
Karis AwardMayo Clinic
- 2006
MemberAlpha Omega Alpha Medical Honors Society (Junior Class)
- 2003
Honored all medical school coursesUniversity of Minnesota
- 2003
Pre-doctoral FellowshipAmerican Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education
- 2002
Pre-doctoral FellowshipAmerican Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education
- 2001
Pre-doctoral FellowshipAmerican Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education
- 1999
Honored all graduate school coursesUniversity of Minnesota
Professional memberships
- 2024 - present
ChairASPN Annual Meeting, American Society of Pain and Neuroscience
- 2022 - present
MemberThe Society of Neurological Surgeons
- 2021 - present
Program DirectorDepartment of Neurologic Surgery
- 2021 - present
Co-ChairResearch Committee –Pediatric Section AANS
- 2019 - present
MemberAmerican Society of Pediatric Neurosurgery
- 2018 - present
Associate Program DirectorDepartment of Neurosurgery
- 2018 - present
MemberResearch Committee –Pediatric Section AANS
- 2018 - present
MemberResearch Committee –NREF
- 2018 - present
MemberAmerican Association of Neurological Surgeons—Pediatric Section
- 2018 - present
MemberAmerican Board of Pediatric Neurological Surgery
- 2018 - present
MemberAmerican Board of Neurological Surgery
- 2018 - present
MemberFellow American Association of Neurological Surgeons
- 2017 - 2019
Research Committee of the Pediatric SectionAANS/CNS Section for Pediatric Neurosurgery, American Association of Neurological Surgeons
- 2017 - present
MemberMd/PhD Admissions Committee, Mayo Clinic Committees
- 2017 - 2021
ChairClinical Competency, Anesthesia Residency, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine
- 2017 - present
ChairProgram Education Committee
- 2016 - present
MemberAmerican Association of Neurological Surgeons
- 2016 - present
MemberGraduate School Admissions Committee (MPET)
- 2016 - present
Assistant Medical DirectorPediatric Trauma Committee
- 2015 - present
MemberChildren’s Oncology Group (NCI)
- 2014 - present
MemberSociety for Neuro-Oncology
- 2014 - present
MemberMayo Clinic Cancer Center
- 2014 - present
MemberEducation Committee, Neurosurgery
- 2014 - present
MemberPediatric Trauma Committee
Publications
Research activities