Samuel L. Barnett

Dr. Samuel L. Barnett is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurological Surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center and serves as Co-Director of the UT Southwestern Comprehensive Skull Base Program. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, he completed his neurosurgery residency at UT Southwestern and pursued subspecialty fellowship training in Skull Base and Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery at the University of South Florida under Dr. Harry R. van Loveren.

Education & Training

• Neurosurgery Residency – UT Southwestern Medical Center
• Fellowship in Skull Base & Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery – University of South Florida (with Dr. Harry R. van Loveren)

Research & Clinical Interests

Dr. Barnett’s academic focus lies at the intersection of advanced microsurgical technique and minimally invasive endoscopic approaches to complex lesions of the skull base and cerebrovascular system. His work encompasses the surgical management of cerebral aneurysms—particularly giant and ophthalmic artery lesions—brainstem cavernomas, vestibular schwannomas, petroclival meningiomas, and rare sinonasal malignancies with intracranial extension. A strong emphasis on hearing preservation, headache mitigation, and optimization of coagulation parameters in neurosurgical patients underscores his translational research agenda.

Publications Overview

Between 2005 and 2013 Dr. Barnett authored or co-authored fourteen peer-reviewed articles that collectively chart the evolution of modern skull-base and cerebrovascular surgery. Early work detailed open microsurgical strategies for giant anterior cerebral artery aneurysms and complex petroclival meningiomas. Subsequent contributions explored combined anterior-posterior approaches, presigmoid corridors to pontine cavernomas, and nuanced clinoidectomy techniques for aneurysm surgery. Recent publications pivot toward endoscopic innovation—3-D stereoscopic visualization systems, practice-pattern surveys, and minimally invasive resection of sinonasal tumors—demonstrating a clear translational trajectory from open microsurgery to advanced endoscopic skull-base surgery.

Professional Leadership & Service

• Co-Director, UT Southwestern Comprehensive Skull Base Program
• Member, North American Skull Base Society
• Faculty, UT Southwestern Department of Neurological Surgery