Skip to Main Content
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
Yale Home

INFORMATION FOR

    Murat Günel, MD, FACS, FAHA, FAANS

    Sterling Professor of Neurosurgery and Professor of Genetics and of Neuroscience
    DownloadHi-Res Photo

    Additional Titles

    Chair, Neurosurgery

    Member, National Academy of Medicine

    Co-Director, Yale Program on Neurogenetics

    Physician-in-Chief, Neurosurgery, Yale New Haven Health System, YNHH

    About

    Titles

    Sterling Professor of Neurosurgery and Professor of Genetics and of Neuroscience

    Chair, Neurosurgery; Member, National Academy of Medicine; Co-Director, Yale Program on Neurogenetics

    Positions outside Yale

    Physician-in-Chief, Neurosurgery, Yale New Haven Health System, YNHH

    Biography

    Dr. Murat Günel, the Sterling Professor of Neurosurgery and Professor of Neurobiology and Genetics, was appointed Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at Yale School of Medicine in 2014. He currently serves as Neurosurgeon-in-Chief of the Yale-New Haven Health System and Chair of the Yale Medicine Board. Dr. Günel is the Co-Director of the Yale Program on Neurogenetics and Director of the Yale Program in Brain Tumor Research. He received his medical degree from Istanbul University and completed his internship and neurosurgical residency at Yale-New Haven Hospital. His clinical expertise lies in complex cranial microneurosurgery.

    Dr. Günel’s scientific work is guided by a unifying approach: to use mechanistic studies to understand disorders of brain development, vascular function, and tumor biology—and to translate those insights into neurosurgical strategies that restore neurological function. His research has defined the molecular and epigenetic architecture of neurodevelopmental disorders, including the discovery of WDR62 (Nature, 2010) and other gene mutations as a cause of lissencephaly and cortical malformations (Nature Genetics, 2011; Cell, 2014; Neuron, 2014), and more recently, the identification of mTOR pathway dysregulation as a convergent mechanism and potential therapeutic target in lissencephaly (Nature, 2025). He also contributed to foundational work identifying de novo mutations in autism spectrum disorder in collaboration with the State Lab (Nature, 2012). These insights now inform his leadership of the Yale site of a new initiative, which integrates imaging, electrophysiology, behavior, and genetics to develop noninvasive neuromodulatory and communication strategies for individuals with profound autism. This work represents the evolution of his research—from identifying mechanisms of dysfunction to developing tools that intervene directly at the level of neural circuits.

    This translational model also underpins his work in brain tumors. In meningiomas, Dr. Günel’s group identified molecular subtypes defined by mutations in NF2, TRAF7, AKT1, SMO, and POLR2A, and demonstrated how epigenetic changes and enhancer reprogramming contribute to tumor progression (Science, 2013; Nature Genetics, 2016; Nature Communications, 2017, 2023). His team has characterized the clinical and anatomical correlates of these subtypes, enabling refined surgical planning and risk stratification. In gliomas, his research has described the malignant transformation of IDH1-mutant lower-grade gliomas into glioblastomas, driven by recurrent alterations in MYC, PTEN, and cell cycle regulators (Nature Genetics, 2016).

    In parallel, his lab has advanced the understanding of intracranial aneurysms through both population-based and familial genetic studies. Genome-wide association studies identified common risk loci, including SOX17, CDKN2A/B, and EDNRA (Nature Genetics, 2008, 2010; PNAS, 2011), while whole-exome sequencing in extended pedigrees revealed rare deleterious mutations, including PPIL4, which regulates brain-specific angiogenesis (Nature Medicine, 2021). These findings continue to inform risk prediction and therapeutic development in cerebrovascular disease.

    In 2015, Dr. Günel was elected to the National Academy of Medicine, the highest distinction in medical sciences. He is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), which jointly honored him in 2022 with the Ralph G. Dacey Medal for Outstanding Cerebrovascular Research. In 2021, he received the WINN Award from the Society of Neurological Surgeons for sustained contributions to neuroscience research. Dr. Günel previously served as Chair of the AANS/CNS Cerebrovascular Section and has been elected to the Society of Neurological Surgeons and the Academy of Neurological Surgeons. In 2020, he was recognized by the Turkish Academy of Arts and Sciences for Outstanding Achievement in Health and Life Sciences.

    Last Updated on July 07, 2025.

    Appointments

    Other Departments & Organizations

    Education & Training

    Chief Resident
    Yale-New Haven Hospital (1998)
    Resident
    Yale-New Haven Hospital (1997)
    Intern
    Yale-New Haven Hospital (1992)
    MD
    Istanbul University (1991)

    Research

    Overview

    • Molecular Genetics of Intracranial Aneurysms
    • Molecular Genetics and Biology of Cavernous Malformations
    • Cerebral Malformations in Developmental Structural Brain Disorders


    Medical Research Interests

    Aneurysm; Brain; Genetics; Hemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous System; Molecular Biology; Neurobiology; Neurosurgery

    Research at a Glance

    Yale Co-Authors

    Frequent collaborators of Murat Günel's published research.

    Publications

    Featured Publications

    See All Publications

    Academic Achievements & Community Involvement

    Honors

    • honor

      Ralph G. Dacey Medal for Outstanding Cerebrovascular Research

      09/12/2022National AwardAmerican Association of Neurological Surgeons and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons
    • honor

      Honorary Doctor of Philosophy Degree

      09/27/2010International AwardBahcesehir University, Turkey
    • honor

      Honorary Master of Arts Privatim Degree

      01/01/2010Yale University AwardYale University
    • honor

      Outstanding Scientific Achievement Award

      01/01/2010International AwardMinister of Health, Turkey
    • honor

      Nixdorff-German Professor

      12/04/2009Yale School of Medicine AwardYale University
    View full list of honors

    Clinical Care

    Overview

    Murat Günel, MD, chair of neurosurgery, specializes in the treatment of complex brain aneurysms, vascular malformations, and brain tumors. He employs advanced techniques such as Gamma Knife radiosurgery, a precise form of radiation therapy targeting brain tumors and other abnormalities without a traditional surgical incision.

    Dr. Günel’s research interests include gene discovery in diseases of the human brain, focusing on brain development, vascular disease, and tumors. Utilizing next-generation genomic technologies, Dr. Günel's lab studies the genetic and epigenetic causes of brain and central nervous system tumors, particularly meningiomas. The aim is to define the molecular makeup of these tumors to guide the development of novel therapies, including oncolytic viruses.

    In addition to holding the title of Sterling Professor of Neurosurgery, Dr. Gunel is a professor of genetics and neuroscience at Yale School of Medicine. He is also the co-director of the Yale Program on Neurogenetics and the director of the Yale Program in Brain Tumor Research.

    Recognized for his pioneering contributions to neurological surgery and research, Dr. Günel has received numerous awards, including the Ralph G. Dacey Medal for Outstanding Cerebrovascular Research and the WINN Award from the Society of Neurological Surgeons. Dr. Günel earned his medical degree from Istanbul University and completed both his internship and residency at Yale New Haven Hospital.

    Clinical Specialties

    Neurosurgery

    Fact Sheets

    See All Fact Sheets On Yale Medicine

    Board Certifications

    • Neurological Surgery

      Certification Organization
      AB of Neurological Surgery
      Latest Certification Date
      2013
      Original Certification Date
      2002

    Yale Medicine News

    See All News On Yale Medicine

    Are You a Patient?

    View this doctor's clinical profile on the Yale Medicine website for information about the services we offer and making an appointment.

    View Doctor Profile

    Get In Touch

    Contacts

    Email
    Academic Office Number
    Appointment Number
    Clinic Fax Number
    Mailing Address

    Neurosurgery

    PO Box 208082

    New Haven, CT 06520-8082

    United States

    Locations

    • Patient Care Locations

      Are You a Patient? View this doctor's clinical profile on the Yale Medicine website for information about the services we offer and making an appointment.

      See Patient Care Locations