Wael Mostafa MD PhD FAANS

Chief of Neurosurgery
Carle Foundation Hospital
Urbana, Illinois

Associate Medical Director
Carle Neuroscience Institute

Program Lead
Brain Tumors & Skull Base Center
Carle Neuroscience Institute

Education and Training

Dr. Wael Mostafa, also known as Wael Hassaneen, is an accomplished neurosurgeon with extensive experience in clinical practice, academic research, and leadership. Dr. Mostafa earned his MD with honors from Ain Shams University in Cairo, Egypt, in 2001, followed by a Master’s and PhD in Surgery and Neurosurgery, respectively. His doctoral research, conducted in collaboration with the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas, focused on surgical strategies for lateral ventricle tumors. Additionally, he completed neurosurgical residencies at both Ain Shams University and Loyola University Medical Center in Illinois. His post-residency training includes advanced fellowships in cerebrovascular and skull base surgery, as well as neurosurgical oncology at Indiana University’s Goodman Campbell Brain & Spine.

Academic and Clinical Contributions

As a clinician and academic, Dr. Mostafa has made significant contributions to neurosurgery. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in top medical journals, covering topics from brain tumor management to advancements in neurosurgical robotics and machine learning in healthcare. He is a faculty member of the National Tumor Quality Outcomes Database (QOD) Research Group and an affiliate faculty member at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology.

Dr. Mostafa has been instrumental in organizing educational programs, such as the Annual Carle Illinois Microsurgery & Endoscopic Hands-on Course, and serves as a mentor to students and residents. His research interests include high-grade gliomas, brain metastases, and fluorescence-guided neurosurgery.

Leadership and Innovation

A recognized leader in the field, Dr. Mostafa holds administrative roles, including Treasurer of the Illinois State Neurosurgical Society and board member of the Carle Center for Philanthropy. He has led quality improvement programs at the Carle Neuroscience Institute and chaired multidisciplinary brain tumor conferences. He is also involved in translational research projects, including tumor exosome vaccines and neurosurgical robotics.

Awards and Recognition

Dr. Mostafa has been honored with numerous accolades throughout his career, such as the Rising Star Physician Excellence Award and recognition for excellence in teaching and research. His innovative contributions have been highlighted at national conferences, including finalist positions for research and innovation awards.

Professional Affiliations

He is a member of prestigious societies such as the North American Skull Base Society, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, and the Society of Neuro-Oncology. Dr. Mostafa also contributes to global neurosurgery as a member of the Innovation & Technology Committee at the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies.

• Clinical Associate Professor, Carle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• Member of the North American Skull Base Society. International Committee
• Illinois State Neurosurgical Society. Treasurer
• Member of the Innovation & Technology Committee at the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS)