Issam Awad

Issam Awad is a Professor of Neurological Surgery and Neurological Sciences at the University of Chicago Medicine, leading the Neurovascular Surgery Program. He holds the John Harper Seeley Professorship and is affiliated with multiple departments and institutes, including the Biological Sciences Division and the Grossman Institute for Neuroscience. His roles include directing the Safadi Program of Excellence in Clinical and Translational Neurosciences and serving on professional boards such as the Congress of Neurological Surgeons and the Alliance to Cure Cavernous Malformations.

Education and Training:

• MD and MS: Loma Linda University, CA
• Neurosurgical Residency: Cleveland Clinic, OH
• Neurotraumatology Fellowship: Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Scotland
• Neurovascular Surgery Fellowship: Barrow Neurological Institute, AZ

Research Focus: Awad's work centers on neurovascular diseases, particularly cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs), brain hemorrhage mechanisms, and vascular biology. He explores biomarkers, therapeutic targets, and minimally invasive surgical techniques. His research has been continuously NIH-funded since 1998, with over 400 scientific papers and 12 books.

Key Achievements:

• Recipient of the Bucy Award for Neurosurgical Education and Arnold Award for Mentoring
• Principal Investigator on multiple NIH grants (R01, P01, U01)
• Leading Phase 1/2a clinical trials on atorvastatin for CCMs and propranolol therapy
• Published consensus guidelines for CCM diagnosis and management

Labs/Teams: Directs the Safadi Program, collaborates with multidisciplinary teams on CCM biomarkers, imaging, and clinical trials. His lab investigates molecular mechanisms of vascular malformations and brain hemorrhage pathobiology.