Born in London, Ontario, and educated
at Princeton University (1969-1974), Royal College of
Surgeons in Ireland (1974), University of Toronto (1986-1987),
and Royal College of Surgeons of Canada (1987). Training
included a research fellowship funded by the Medical Research
Council of Canada (1986-1987) in Hydrocephalus. Assumed
his appointment in the Department of Surgery, Division
of Neurosurgery in 1988, and has been on the surgical
staff at The Hospital for Sick Children in the Division
of Paediatric Neurosurgery since then.
Primary research and clinical interests
relate to the science and surgery of hydrocephalus. Laboratory
interests lie in the applications of engineering science
to developing novel techniques for diagnosing and treating
hydrocephalus, and image guided surgery. Clinical research
includes clinical trials in hydrocephalus and management
of complex spinal disorders. Works include 84 peer reviewed
publications, and a co-authored a book on cerebrospinal
fluid shunts. A member of the editorial board of Computer
Assisted Surgery, and the Medical Advisory Board for the
Hydrocephalus Association in San Francisco, California.
A full professor of Neurosurgery at the University of
Toronto.
Research Interests
Clinical research in hydrocephalus
and spasticity
Basic research in bioengineering and mathematical models
Neuroendoscopy
Complex shunt problems
Computer assisted surgery
Research Activities
Hydrocephalus is an abnormal accumulation
of spinal fluid within the fluid containing spaces of
the brain, and is very common in children. It is normally
treated with a valved drainage tube called a shunt, which
stops working at a rate of 50 per cent in two years.
The hydrocephalus research program
is focusing on clinical and basic research into the reasons
for shunt failure. This includes randomized trials for
new shunt valves and surgical insertion techniques including
the use of miniature scopes; prospective studies of shunt
failure looking at risk factors for failure; prospective
study of shunt infection; and development of clinical
outcome measures in children with hydrocephalus. Basic
research focuses on developing minimally invasive techniques
for unblocking shunts, and development of mathematical
models of the hydrocephalic brain for improved shunt valve
design and placement.
