William Mack, MD

Professor of Neurological Surgery, Physiology & Neuroscience and Neurology (Clinical Scholar)

Chair, Department of Neurological Surgery

Dr. Martin H. Weiss Chair in Neurological Surgery

Director, Neurointerventional Program, Keck Hospital of USC

Director, Neurosurgery Ambulatory Services, Keck Medical Center of USC

Culture and Engagement Champion

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Overview

Dr. Mack’s major areas of clinical interest are stroke, brain aneurysms, subarachnoid hemorrhage, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), arteriovenous fistulas, cavernous malformations, carotid artery disease, intracranial stenosis, and brain tumors. Dr. Mack performs both open surgery and minimally invasive, endovascular procedures for cerebrovascular disorders.

Dr. Mack is a faculty member of the Neuroscience Graduate Program and is the Principal Investigator and Director of the Cerebrovascular Laboratory in the Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute. He receives NIH R01 funding for his laboratory research. Dr. Mack’s scientific interests are focused on translational efforts to treat ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. Laboratory investigations concentrate on the pathophysiology of cerebral ischemia and inflammatory modulation. Using the information and experience gained in the laboratory, Dr. Mack is working to develop new technologies, techniques, and therapies to directly improve the clinical care administered to stroke patients.

William Mack, MD, received his Bachelor degree with honors from Cornell University. He then attended Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, where he graduated from medical school (Alpha Omega Alpha) and completed Neurosurgical residency training. During residency, he spent one year performing a post-doctoral cerebrovascular research fellowship under Drs. David J. Pinsky and E. Sander Connolly Jr. at Columbia University. Following residency, Dr. Mack completed an Interventional Neuroradiology/ Neuroendovascular Surgery fellowship at UCLA.

Dr. Mack is board certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery (FAANS) and is a fellow of the American Heart Association (FAHA) and. He is a committee member on the executive council of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons/ American Association of Neurological Surgeons’ Cerebrovascular Section. Dr. Mack serves as an Associate Editor of the Journal of Neurointerventional Surgery and on the editorial board of World Neurosurgery.

Research Funding

  • Synergistic white matter injury from diesel exhaust particulate and chronic cerebral hypoperfusion exposures: Interaction between the Nogo/NgR1 receptor pathway and extravascular fibrinogen toxicity
    NIH · RF1NS130681 · Sep 20, 2022 – Aug 31, 2027 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • Activated protein C mechanisms of brain white matter protection and new therapies for brain white matter ischemic injury
    NIH · R01NS117827 · Jul 15, 2020 – Apr 30, 2026 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • Translational potential of the internalization of Nogo-A receptor to enhance axonal regeneration after stroke
    NIH · R21NS116720 · Jul 1, 2020 – Jun 30, 2022 · Role: Co-Principal Investigator
  • USC Neurosurgery Research and Education Training Program
    NIH · R25NS099008 · Jul 15, 2017 – Jun 30, 2027 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • USC Neurosurgery Research and Education Training Program
    NIH · UE5NS099008 · Jul 15, 2017 – Jun 30, 2027 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • Neurotoxicity of Airborne Particles: Role of Chronic Cerebral Hypoperfusion
    NIH · R01ES024936 · Jan 15, 2015 – Nov 30, 2020 · Role: Principal Investigator

Publications

  • Investigating the blood-spinal cord barrier in preclinical models: a systematic review of in vivo imaging techniques. Spinal Cord. 2021 Jun; 59(6):596-612.. View in PubMed
  • Comorbid depression in surgical cancer patients associated with non-routine discharge and readmission. Surg Oncol. 2021 Jun; 37:101533.. View in PubMed
  • Tracking Scan to Incision Time in Patients with Emergent Operative Traumatic Brain Injuries as a Measure for Systems-Based Practice in Neurosurgical Trainees. World Neurosurg. 2021 05; 149:e491-e497.. View in PubMed
  • Neuroprotective effect of minocycline against acute brain injury in clinical practice: A systematic review. J Clin Neurosci. 2021 Apr; 86:50-57.. View in PubMed
  • Letter to the Editor. Scoring change for Step 1 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination. J Neurosurg. 2021 06 01; 134(6):2012-2013.. View in PubMed
  • Increasing Prevalence of Frailty and Its Association with Readmission and Mortality Among Hospitalized Patients with IBD. Dig Dis Sci. 2021 12; 66(12):4178-4190.. View in PubMed
  • Urban Air Pollution Nanoparticles from Los Angeles: Recently Decreased Neurotoxicity. J Alzheimers Dis. 2021; 82(1):307-316.. View in PubMed
  • Strategies for writing a successful National Institutes of Health grant proposal for the early-career neurointerventionalist. J Neurointerv Surg. 2020 Nov 25.. View in PubMed
  • National Institutes of Health grant opportunities for the neurointerventionalist: preparation and choosing the right mechanism. J Neurointerv Surg. 2020 Nov 25.. View in PubMed
  • Tobacco Use Is Associated with Readmission within 90 Days after Craniotomy. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2021 01; 200:106383.. View in PubMed