Medical Advisory Board

Miriam Bornhorst, MD is a pediatric neuro-oncologist at Lurie Children’s Hospital (LCH), principal investigator in the Stanley Manne Children’s Research institute, Max Lacewell Endowed Brain Tumor Research Scholar and an Associate Professor in Pediatrics at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL. Her research interest and experience are in the discovery of tumor biomarkers that predict tumor behavior, including response to treatment. She has an active funded research project looking at baseline metabolism in NF1, and how to leverage changes in metabolism to prevent/treat plexiform neurofibromas. She also has an active project researching SV patterns within tumors associated with risk for progression/decreased treatment response. In her role as a neuro-oncologist, she has extensive experience with the clinical care of children with brain tumors, Neurofibromatosis Type 1, and Cancer Predisposition, including clinical trial development and execution. 

Shawn Damodharan, DO is the director of pediatric neuro-oncology at UChicago Medicine/Chicagoland Children’s Health Alliance specializing in brain tumors and neurocutaneous disorders, including neurofibromatosis (NF1 and NF2-related schwannomatosis). His interest in NF began during pediatric residency and has remained a central focus throughout his training and career, ultimately shaping his path into neuro-oncology. He is drawn to the multidisciplinary, longitudinal care of this unique patient population, ongoing advances in surveillance and treatment, and the lasting relationships formed with patients and families.

Director of UWM Child Neurodevelopment Research Lab

Director of UWM Child Neurodevelopment Research Lab