Brain Tumor Center at BIDMC
About
Mission
About Us
Vega Laboratory for Translational Surgical Neuro-Oncology (VL-TSNO)
At the VL-TSNO, we are a multidisciplinary team of surgeons, scientists, engineers, and trainees dedicated to advancing the care of patients with primary and metastatic brain tumors. Our work bridges the laboratory and the operating room — integrating surgical innovation, molecular discovery, and clinical translation to improve survival, preserve neurologic function, and enhance quality of life.
Our research spans the spectrum of translational neuro-oncology, with active projects in operative technique development, proteomic and microRNA-driven therapeutics, and functional outcomes research. By combining precision surgery with cutting-edge molecular profiling, we aim to uncover new strategies for tumor characterization and targeted treatment.
Collaboration is central to our mission. We partner closely with clinicians, scientists, and industry innovators to accelerate the development of new technologies and therapeutic approaches. Whether refining endoscopic and microsurgical strategies for complex intraventricular tumors or studying molecular markers of metastatic disease, our team is driven by the same goal — to bring meaningful, evidence-based improvements to patients through science and surgical excellence.
The VL-TSNO is more than a research group — it’s a community of passionate minds united by curiosity, compassion, and the pursuit of innovation in neurosurgical oncology.
Team
Leadership at the Forefront of Our Research Areas
Rafael A. Vega, MD, PhD
- Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, Harvard Medical School
- Section Chief, Neurosurgical and Skull Base Oncology
- Director, Brain Tumor Center at BIDMC
- Program Co-Lead, Neuro-Oncology Clinical Trials Group at BIDMC
- Member, Neuro-Oncology Program, Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center
- Clerkship Director, Neurosurgery at Harvard Medical School (BIDMC Site)
- Core Faculty, Principle Clinical Experience for the Surgery Clerkship at Harvard Medical School
Principal Investigator, Vega Laboratory of Translational Surgical Neuro-Oncology (VL-TNSO)
Dr. Rafael Vega is a neurosurgeon-scientist whose work bridges advanced surgical techniques with cutting-edge translational research to improve outcomes for patients with brain tumors. As Principal Investigator of the VL-TNSO, he leads a multidisciplinary team focused on bringing new therapeutic strategies from the lab to the operating room and, ultimately, to patient care.
His research centers on glioblastoma and meningioma biology, drug development and clinical trials aimed at expanding treatment options for patients with primary brain tumors. In his surgical practice, Dr. Vega specializes in brain mapping, awake craniotomies, neuroendoscopy, and fluorescence-guided surgery techniques that help maximize tumor removal while preserving critical neurological function.
Through his work at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School and the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Dr. Vega is committed to advancing the science and precision of brain tumor care—bringing innovation from the bench and operating room directly to patients.
Approach
Our Research Approach
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Methodology
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Lab Protocol
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Policy
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Education
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Funding
Funding
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Locations
Location 1
BIDMC Division of Neurosurgery
Lowry Medical Office Building, Suite 3B
110 Francis Street
Boston, MA
United States
02215
Location 2
BIDMC Brain Tumor Center
Shapiro 8th Floor
330 Brookline Ave
Boston, MA
United States
02215