Melissa LoPresti

Melissa LoPresti, M.D., M.P.H., is a pediatric and epilepsy neurosurgeon affiliated with UR Medicine, holding faculty appointments as an Assistant Professor in both the Department of Neurosurgery and the Department of Public Health Sciences at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. She specializes in treating pediatric neurosurgical conditions, epilepsy, neuro-oncology, and cerebrovascular disorders, while integrating public health perspectives into her clinical and research work.

• Undergraduate: The City College of New York
• Medical School: New York University School of Medicine
• Residency: Baylor College of Medicine Neurosurgery GME (2015–2022)
• Fellowship: Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Pediatric Neurosurgery (2022–2023)
• MPH: University of Texas School of Public Health (2020)

Dr. LoPresti's research focuses on advancing minimally invasive treatments for pediatric epilepsy and neurosurgical conditions. Her work spans pediatric neuro-oncology, hydrocephalus management, and cerebrovascular anomalies, with recent publications addressing technical innovations in shunt placement, spinal surgery, and endoscopic interventions. She emphasizes public health applications in pediatric neurosurgery to improve broader healthcare outcomes.

She has received the Kinjiro Iwata Award in Excellence and Leadership (2022) for her contributions to neurosurgical practice. Clinically, she provides comprehensive care for both adult and pediatric epilepsy patients, prioritizing patient-centered decision-making and conservative approaches when possible.