John D. Heiss

Dr. John D. Heiss serves as Senior Clinician, Head of the Surgical Neurology Branch, and Neurosurgical Residency Director at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). His leadership spans clinical care, research direction, and neurosurgical training within the Division of Intramural Research.

His educational background includes:

• B.S. in Biomedical Sciences, University of Michigan (1974-1977)
• M.D., University of Michigan (1976-1980)
• Surgical Internship, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine (1980-1981)
• Neurosurgery Residency, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine (1981-1987)

Dr. Heiss's research integrates clinical neuroscience with translational applications, focusing on degenerative brain diseases, brain tumor therapeutics, and spinal cord disorders. His work bridges molecular interventions like gene therapy with surgical innovations including intraoperative MRI guidance. The Surgical Neurology Branch under his direction emphasizes mechanism-driven approaches to Chiari malformation and syringomyelia.

Analysis of his publication record reveals consistent focus on spinal cord pathophysiology since 1999, with recent expansion into molecular neuro-oncology (IDH1 mutations in glioma) while maintaining core work on CSF dynamics. His publications demonstrate translational trajectory from basic pathophysiology to clinical interventions.

As an NIH institutional leader, Dr. Heiss:

• Chairs surgical residency training
• Vice-Chairs the Combined Neurosciences IRB
• Serves on federal grant review panels
• Directs clinical trial protocols for CNS disorders

His clinical expertise directly informs lab investigations, creating a feedback loop between patient care and research innovation within the Surgical Neurology Branch.