June 1, 2006

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – James M. Markert, M.D., has been named director of the division of neurosurgery in the Department of Surgery at UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham). Markert is a professor of surgery, physiology and biophysics, and pediatrics.

“Dr. Markert was selected as the director of the division of neurosurgery to replace Richard B. Morawetz, M.D., based on his significant achievements in the field to enhance clinical care and research of the neurosurgical patient,” said Kirby I. Bland, M.D., Fay Fletcher Kerner Professor and Chair of the UAB Department of Surgery. “He is an excellent educator and researcher who will make signal contributions to neuro-oncology and neurosurgery. We are fortunate to have Dr. Markert assume this key role in our surgical leadership.”

The field of neurosurgery involves surgical and non-surgical treatments for head and spine trauma, aneurysms and clogged arteries involving the brain, epilepsy, degenerative spine conditions, neurodegenerative diseases, spinal cord injuries, stroke, pituitary disorders, brain and spine tumors and other neurologic conditions.

Markert earned his medical degree from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He did post-graduate training at the University of Michigan, Massachusetts General Hospital and the University of Chicago. He joined the UAB faculty in 1995.

Markert is also the co-director of the UAB Brain SPORE, a $13 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop new therapies to treat brain cancer.

His major research interest is in the development of treatments for brain tumors using molecular biology, viral vectors and gene therapy. His current focus is on using an engineered herpes simplex virus as a vector to treat brain tumors. He is a diplomat of the American Board of Neurological Surgeons.