Dr. Nazar Vasyliv is an academic neurosurgeon and researcher with a profound dedication to advancing the fields of neurosurgery, oncology, and precision medicine. His journey into the medical world began at Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University in Ukraine, where he earned his medical diploma in 2014. His early passion for neurosurgery led him to the Romodanov Institute of Neurosurgery in Kyiv,  from August 2014 to August 2020.

During his training at the Romodanov Institute, Dr. Vasyliv honed his skills under the mentorship of esteemed neurosurgeons, gaining comprehensive experience in both clinical and surgical settings. His dedication and skill were further demonstrated when he took on the role of junior neurosurgeon at the same institute from September 2020 to August 2021. 

Dr. Vasyliv's commitment to professional growth and learning led him to seek advanced training and specialised programmes across Europe and Asia. Notably, he trained at Liv Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey, under the guidance of Professor Talat Kiris, the Past President of the Turkish Neurosurgical Society. Under Professor Kiris, he mastered advanced neurosurgical techniques, including fluorescein-guided neurosurgery, which significantly improved his surgical precision and patient outcomes. He also participated in the European Project on the Development of Epilepsy Surgery Programmes (EPODES) in Brno, Czech Republic, and undertook clinical fellowships in neuro-oncology and epilepsy surgery at Namik Kemal University in Tekirdag, Turkey.

In addition to his European training, Dr. Vasyliv expanded his expertise globally through the WFNS skull-base fellowship at Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai, India. Under the mentorship of Professor Basant Misra, the Vice-President of the World Federation of Skull Base Societies, he gained advanced skills in skull-base neurosurgery. This fellowship, from May to July 2018, provided him with invaluable experience in managing complex cranial base pathologies and enhanced his surgical repertoire significantly.

In 2022, Dr. Vasyliv furthered his academic pursuits by completing a Master of Science in Cancer Research and Precision Oncology at the University of Glasgow. His MSc thesis, "Effect of Photodynamic Therapy on Glioblastoma Cell Lines," was supervised by leading experts in the field and explored innovative treatments for glioblastoma, a highly aggressive form of brain cancer. This research underscored the potential of photodynamic therapy as a promising approach for targeting and treating brain tumours.

His PhD  at the University of Edinburgh, within the Department of Clinical Brain Sciences focuses on developing novel strategies for treating brain tumours, emphasising molecular mechanisms and targeted therapies after photodynamic therapy. 

Dr. Vasyliv has made significant contributions to the scientific community through his numerous publications and presentations at international conferences. His work has been recognised at prestigious events such as the European Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery and the World Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery. His research on the effectiveness of differentiated surgical treatment for Parkinson's disease and the analysis of epileptic seizures post-surgery has been widely acclaimed.

Beyond his research, Dr. Vasyliv is an active member of several professional organisations, including the European Society of Photobiology and the American Association for Cancer Research. He also serves as the Chief Editor for the Neurosurgery section of the Medical and Research (MAR) journal, playing a pivotal role in disseminating cutting-edge research to the medical community. Dr. Nazar is CEO of Global Alliance for Neurosurgical & Brain Cancer Research Innovations.

• Glioblastoma Therapeutics: Development of novel approaches, including photodynamic therapy combined with necroptosis induction, to enhance tumour control and therapeutic outcomes.

• Molecular Oncology and Cell Death Pathways: Investigation of apoptosis, necroptosis, and related mechanisms underlying cancer resistance and treatment response.

• Translational Neurosurgery: Application of laboratory findings to surgical practice, including real-time tumour monitoring using cranial window models.

• Photodynamic Therapy Innovation: Optical system calibration, photosensitiser pharmacokinetics, and intraoperative use for precision brain tumour treatment.

• Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery: Experience in advanced procedures for epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, tremor, and dystonia, informing translational neuro-oncology models.

• Drug Screening and Pre-clinical Modelling: Development of robotic viability assays, clonogenic studies, and in vivo stereotactic tumour models to accelerate therapeutic discovery.

  Mr Vasyliv is the Scientific CEO and Founder of the Global Alliance for Neurosurgical & Brain Cancer Research Innovations, an international platform uniting neurosurgeons, oncologists, molecular biologists, and translational scientists. The Alliance seeks to:

  • Build internationally coordinated research frameworks for brain tumour therapy.

  • Drive multi-centre clinical and translational studies in glioblastoma and functional neurosurgery.

  • Promote global knowledge exchange and the standardisation of neurosurgical oncology practices.

  • Advance innovative photodynamic and molecular strategies for integration into neurosurgical practice.

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Prior publications

Mr Nazar Vasyliv is an Honorary Senior Lecturer in Neurosurgery at the University of Glasgow Medical School. His teaching encompasses neurosurgery, neuro-oncology, and translational brain cancer research, with a particular focus on bridging molecular oncology and clinical practice.

He contributes to the formal curriculum through lectures, seminars, and simulation-based sessions in functional neurosurgery, neuroanatomy, brain tumour surgery, and photodynamic therapy. His teaching is informed by his clinical background and translational research expertise, ensuring that students are exposed to both advanced surgical techniques and the latest developments in neuro-oncology.

Mr Vasyliv supervises postgraduate students and is committed to fostering the next generation of clinician-scientists. He particularly welcomes students with interests in brain tumour therapeutics, photodynamic neurosurgery, and translational molecular oncology.