"Using high-throughput genomic technologies and the principles of genetic epidemiology, our lab works to identify inherited causes of malignant brain tumors in children and adults. The Sontag Foundation's Distinguished Scientist Award enabled us to apply these techniques to uncovering the genes involved in medulloblastoma predisposition, potentially leading to improved risk stratification and a better understanding of the biologic pathways fundamental to tumor initiation."

About DSA-Funded Research

Dr. Walsh's laboratory conducts a mix of bench-science and computational genomics research to better understand the causes of brain tumors in children and adults. This work can improve clinical decision-making and therapeutic targeting through discovery and validation of predictive biomarkers, but their ultimate goal is to identify ways to prevent brain tumors from forming in the first place. Dr. Walsh is grateful that his colleagues in neurosurgery and neuro-oncology have embraced him and his research, despite his hopes to one day put them out of business.