Benjamin C Warf

Benjamin C Warf, MD is the Cummings Foundation Professor at Harvard Medical School and a neurosurgeon specializing in global health and pediatric hydrocephalus. His work focuses on improving surgical outcomes for children with hydrocephalus and spina bifida in low-resource settings, particularly sub-Saharan Africa. Dr. Warf pioneered the ETV/CPC surgical technique as an alternative to shunts, demonstrating comparable neurodevelopmental outcomes while reducing costs. He has extensively studied the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and socioeconomic impacts of hydrocephalus, including its correlation with infectious diseases like Paenibacillus infections and environmental factors such as arsenic exposure.

His research has informed global health policy, including testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives that led to legislative proposals like the Global Brain Health Act. Dr. Warf collaborates with institutions worldwide through initiatives like the Paul Farmer Collaborative, emphasizing capacity-building in neurosurgical training and resource-limited healthcare systems. His work integrates clinical innovation with public health strategies to address disparities in pediatric neurosurgical care.

Key contributions include randomized trials evaluating ETV/CPC efficacy, cost-benefit analyses of surgical interventions, and molecular studies linking environmental toxins to neural tube defects. He advocates for sustainable healthcare solutions through training programs, telemedicine mentorship, and partnerships with governments and NGOs.