Josh Neman-Ebrahim, PhD

Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery and Physiology & Neuroscience

Director for the PhD Program in Cancer Biology and Genomics

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Overview

Dr. Josh Neman is an Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery, Physiology & Neuroscience at the Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California (USC). Dr. Neman is the Director of the Cancer Biology & Genomics Doctoral Program and the Scientific Director of the USC Brain Tumor. As well, Dr. Neman is the Co-leader of Neuro-oncology Disease Affinity Group and Director of Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination (CRTEC) at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Dr. Neman received his doctoral degree at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine in Neurobiology. He then went on to complete his Cancer Biology Fellowship at the City of Hope’s Beckman Research Institute where he was a California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) Fellow focusing on brain tumors.

As the Director of the Laboratory of Cancer Neuroscience (www.cancerneuroscience.org), Dr. Neman’s current research investigates the biology of brain metastases (cancers that spread to the brain—i.e. breast, lung, melanoma, prostate) and pediatric brain tumors. His expertise and strengths in stem cell biology and neuroscience have allowed him to develop novel molecular, cellular, and therapeutic approach to study the bidirectional interplay between the brain and cancer cells (termed cancer neuroscience). Dr. Neman’s goal is to uncover novel mechanism used by the nervous system to promote tumor growth and spread. This will ultimately result in development of improved strategies for cancer prevention and treatment of patients with these devastating diseases.

Dr. Neman has been the recipient of multiple research awards including from National Institutes of Health (National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke), CIRM, American Cancer Society, American Brain Tumor Association, STOP Cancer, METAvivor, Uncle Korry Foundation, Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and Department of Defense.

Dr. Neman is strong supporter of involving the community in his basic and translational laboratory—this involves engaging with patients, patient advocates, and their families’. He served on the Board of Directors of Susan G Komen LA County and is involved with American Brain Tumor Association at multiple levels.

For more information on Dr. Neman and his research endeavors please visit: cancerneuroscience.org

Awards

  • UCLA: Gonda/Goldschmeid Neuroscience Award
  • City of Hope and Beckman Research Institute: Outstanding Postdoctoral Research Project Award

Research Keywords

  • Brain Tumor
  • Breast Cancer
  • Brain Metastases
  • Medulloblastoma
  • Tumor Microenvironment
  • Clinical Trials
  • Neuroscience
  • Stem Cells
  • Blood Brain Barrier

Publications

  • Clinical efficacy of stem cell mediated osteogenesis and bioceramics for bone tissue engineering. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2012; 760:174-87.. View in PubMed
  • Emerging role of brain metastases in the prognosis of breast cancer patients. Breast Cancer (Dove Med Press). 2011 Aug 10; 3:79-91.. View in PubMed
  • Classification of genomic changes in breast cancer brain metastasis. Neurosurgery. 2010 Aug; 67(2):N18-9.. View in PubMed
  • Decreasing glioma recurrence through adjuvant cancer stem cell inhibition. Biologics. 2010 Jun 24; 4:157-62.. View in PubMed
  • Translational emphasis: hypoxia and vasculogenesis in glioma recurrence. Neurosurgery. 2010 Jun; 66(6):N20-1.. View in PubMed
  • Nanoplatforms for constructing new approaches to cancer treatment, imaging, and drug delivery: what should be the policy? Neuroimage. 2011 Jan; 54 Suppl 1:S106-24. Kateb B, Chiu K, Black KL, Yamamoto . View in PubMed