Dr. Yan Michael Li, MD, PhD, FAANS

Expert Publications

• Familial Chiari malformation: case series.
• Structure-based discovery of a novel inhibitor targeting the β-catenin/Tcf4 interaction.
• The influence of maximum safe resection of glioblastoma on survival in 1229 patients: Can we do better than gross-total resection?
• Intraventricular Hemangiopericytoma: A Case Report and Literature Review.
• An update on the clinical diagnostic value of β-hCG and αFP for intracranial germ cell tumors.
• Mesenchymal stem cells deliver exogenous miR-21 via exosomes to inhibit nucleus pulposus cell apoptosis and reduce intervertebral disc degeneration.
• Effect of Single-Level Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion on Segmental and Overall Lumbar Lordosis in Patients with Lumbar Degenerative Disease.

Media Releases

Get to know Neurosurgeon Dr. Yan Michael Li, who serves patients in Texas.

A highly-trained neurosurgeon, Dr. Li works with patients at the Minimally Invasive Brain and Spine Institute, with offices based in Houston and San Antonio, Texas, as well as Upstate New York. His clinical practice is characterized by a comprehensive approach to spine and tumor care, encompassing a wide spectrum of conditions ranging from herniated disk disease to complex spinal deformities and brain tumors.

Dedicated to innovation, he utilizes state-of-the-art technologies, including advanced imaging, awake mapping, and stereotactic radiosurgery, to optimize surgical outcomes and ensure patient safety. His expertise extends to advanced techniques such as minimally invasive spinal surgery, computer-assisted navigation, and robotic surgery, enabling him to deliver precise and effective treatments tailored to each patient’s needs.

A graduate of Peking Union Medical College and holder of a PhD from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Dr. Li’s journey into neurosurgery has been marked by a relentless pursuit of knowledge and skill refinement. Following his medical education, he undertook rigorous neurosurgical residency and complex spine fellowship training at the State University of New York, further enriched by fellowships at prestigious institutions such as Dana Farber Cancer Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Harvard Medical School. Notably, he also completed a neurosurgical oncology fellowship at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, specializing in complex brain and spine tumor surgery.

Distinguished as a Fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (FAANS), the doctor is board-certified in neurological surgery by the American Board of Neurological Surgery (ABNS). The broad aim of the ABNS is to encourage the study, improve the practice, elevate the standards and advance the science of neurological surgery and thereby serve the cause of public health.

Recognized as a leader in his field, Dr. Li has garnered widespread acclaim for his contributions to neurosurgical research, with over 60 scholarly articles published in esteemed peer-reviewed journals and book chapters. His pioneering work in nanoparticle gene therapy, which holds promise for enhancing cancer treatment, has earned him patents and accolades, including the prestigious Bittner Award on Brain Tumor Research from the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Additionally, Dr. Li has been honored with awards from the Department of Defense Cancer Research Program, underscoring the impact of his research on advancing the field of neuro-oncology.

Beyond his academic and clinical endeavors, Dr. Li is deeply committed to patient-centered care, prioritizing individualized treatment strategies and interdisciplinary collaboration. His reputation as an expert in complex spinal surgery is evidenced by the significant number of referrals he receives from fellow surgeons seeking his expertise in revision surgeries and challenging cases.

Neurosurgery is the medical specialty concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, surgical treatment, and rehabilitation of disorders which affect any portion of the nervous system including the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and extra-cranial cerebrovascular system. Neurosurgeons are doctors who diagnose and treat problems with the nervous system, often by performing surgery on the brain or spine. They treat strokes, tumors, cervical and lumbar disc disease, infections, and head or spinal cord injuries.

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