Dr. Roberto Jose Diaz is a neurosurgeon and Assistant Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery at Ï㽶ÊÓƵ who specializes in the neurosurgical treatment of brain tumours. His research at The Neuro's Brain Tumour Research Centre focuses on understanding fundamental molecular mechanisms that regulate the development of cancer in the brain.
Model systems, genetic tools, and biochemical assays are used to understand how brain cancer cells originate, replicate, survive, and migrate. By understanding the basic processes that allow tumours to develop, smart medicines can be developed which will be less toxic to normal cells and effectively seek and destroy brain cancer cells. The laboratory also studies new strategies for delivering drugs and biological agents across the blood-brain barrier, which prevents many useful chemotherapy agents from entering the brain.
In addition to basic science research, Dr. Diaz leads a clinical research program. His main areas of research are the assessment of targeted therapies for malignant brain tumours and the development of minimally invasive surgical tools for brain tumour diagnosis and treatment.
Selected Publications
Ivan ME, Diaz RJ, Berger MH, Basil GW, Osiason DA, Plate T, Wallo A, Komotar RJ. (2016) Magnetic Resonance-Guided Laser Ablation for the Treatment of Recurrent Dural Based Lesions: A Series of Five Cases. World Neurosurg. Oct 17. [Epub ahead of print]
Diaz RJ, McVeigh PZ, Etame AB, Bramall A, Smith C, Rutka JT. (2016) Rational Design of Multifunctional Nanoparticles for Brain Tumor Targeting. J. Bionanosci. 10, 247–256
Jermakowicz WJ, Diaz RJ, Cass SH, Ivan ME, Komotar RJ. (2016) Use of a mobile intraoperative CT scanner for navigation registration during laser interstitial thermal therapy of brain tumors. World Neurosurg. Oct; 94:418-425
Girgis F, Diaz R, Hader W, Hamilton M. (2015) Comparison of Intracranial Neuroendoscopic Procedures in Children versus Adults. Can J Neurol Sci. Nov;42(6):427-35.
Diaz RJ, Dios RR, Hattab EM, Burrell K, Rakopoulos P, Sabha N, Hawkins C, Zadeh G, Rutka JT, Cohen-Gadol AA. (2015) Study of the biodistribution of fluorescein in glioma infiltrated mouse brain and histopathologic correlation of intraoperative findings in high-grade gliomas resected under fluorescein fluorescence-guidance. J Neurosurgery. Jun;122(6):1360-9. Epub 2015 Apr 3.
Diaz RJ, Golbourn B, Faria C, Picard D, Shih D, Raynaud D, Leadly M, MacKenzie D, Bryant M, Bebenek M, Smith CA, Taylor MD, Huang A, Rutka, JT. (2015) Mechanism of action and therapeutic efficacy of Aurora kinase B inhibition in MYC overexpressing medulloblastoma. Oncotarget Feb 20;6(5):3359-3374.
Rutka JT, Kim B, Etame A, Diaz RJ. (2014) Nanosurgical Resection of Malignant Brain Tumors: Beyond the Cutting Edge. ACS Nano. Oct 28; 8(10):9716-22. Epub 2014 Sept 18.
Diaz RJ, Girgis F, Hamilton M (2014). Endoscopic third ventriculostomy for hydrocephalus due to tectal glioma. Can J Neurol Sci. Jul; 41(4):476-81.
Diaz RJ, Maggacis N, Zhang S, Cusimano MD. (2014) Determinants of quality of life in patients with skull base chordomas. J Neurosurgery. Feb;120(2):528-37
Diaz RJ, McVeigh PZ, O’Reilly M, Burrell K, Bebeneck M, Smith C, Etame A, Zadeh G, Hynynen K, Wilson BC, Rutka JT. (2014) Focused ultrasound delivery of Raman nanoparticles across the blood-brain barrier: Potential for targeting experimental brain tumors. Nanomedicine. Jul;10(5):1075-87
