Dr. Mark Souweidane

06/01/2026

05/18/2026

Dr. Mark Souweidane and Jeffrey P. Greenfield MD, PhD host Annual Family Council Meeting

At the Children’s Brain Tumor Project, our work is powered by families. 💛

Our research depends on the generosity of patient families and family-founded nonprofits who share our mission and invest in the fight against pediatric brain tumors. We are especially grateful to the families who have entrusted us with their child’s tumor tissue, often during profoundly difficult times, to help advance life-saving research.

While no family should have to carry the responsibility of funding research that could improve outcomes for future children, the reality is that pediatric brain tumor research often relies on the support of our patient and nonprofit community, especially when government funding falls short.

Sharing progress with those who make this work possible is essential. We invite anyone impacted by a pediatric brain tumor diagnosis, whether you have contributed tissue, supported our lab, raised awareness, or are interested in funding this critical work, to join us.

This year’s meeting will be held in person, with an optional lab tour beforehand. A light breakfast will be provided, and a summary of materials will be shared afterward for those unable to attend.

To learn more or get involved, visit our website: https://www.childrensbraintumorproject.org/2026/03/18/family-meeting-2026/

05/07/2026

💙 Nurses Week Spotlight 💙

Meet Michelle Buontempo, MSN, RN, CCRN, CPNP, a dedicated pediatric neurosurgery nurse whose expertise and commitment to patients make a difference every day.

This National Nurses Week, we want to thank all our incredible nurses for the care, dedication and compassion they bring to patients and families every single day. Learn more about our amazing team: https://weillcornell.org/services/neurosurgery

01/28/2026

Calling all future neuroscientists and pediatric brain tumor researchers! 🔬

The 2026 CBTP Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship is now open — and only two students will be selected for this competitive, eight-week, hands-on research internship.

This program offers undergrads the chance to work inside the CBTP lab at Weill Cornell Medicine, contribute to real pediatric brain tumor research, and learn directly from Drs. Greenfield, Dahmane, and Souweidane. It’s an invaluable step for any student hoping to pursue a PhD and build a future in neuroscience.

If you want to spend your summer gaining experience that truly matters — this is your moment.

💛 Apply before February 15, 2026: https://www.childrensbraintumorproject.org/summerinternship/

01/16/2026

Picture of Hope. Dr. Mark Souweidane with his patient, Lisha, who benefitted from his DIPG clinical trial more than ten years ago.

For families facing a DIPG diagnosis, clinical trials are their only hope. And right now, that hope is being threatened.

Dr. Mark Souweidane, one of the world’s leading neurosurgeons in DIPG research, interviewed with The Guardian to share how significant cuts in government funding are bringing clinical trials to a halt.

Souweidane completed a successful trial using convection-enhanced delivery that has helped some children live years beyond their diagnosis — with several long-term survivors, including one child still here 12 years later.

But funding cuts have halted the nationwide expansion of his most promising trial. Seven groundbreaking studies — including his — are now closed to new patients. And families who need options today are being told there are none.

This is why continued funding, advocacy, and awareness matter. Children don’t have time to wait. Their futures depend on keeping research moving forward.

Read more the article through the link below — and help this research move forward by contributing today.
🔗 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2026/jan/15/childhood-brain-cancer-trump

01/12/2026

The Cristian Rivera Foundation (CRF) reached a historic milestone in its mission to cure diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) with a $365,000 donation, the largest single gift in the foundation’s history, to support groundbreaking research at Weill Cornell Medicine.

Read more at https://neurosurgery.weill.cornell.edu/about-us/news-updates/cristian-rivera-foundation-sets-new-record-365000-gift-advance-dipg-research

01/06/2026

A powerful moment for pediatric brain tumor research 💛

On January 3, the Cristian Rivera Foundation presented a record-breaking $365,000 gift — the largest in the foundation’s history — to support DIPG research at Weill Cornell Medicine. The gift was presented by John Gungie Rivera and Kenan Thompson to Dr. Mark Souweidane, Co-Director of the Children’s Brain Tumor Project.

This extraordinary contribution will directly advance innovative research focused on developing more effective, targeted treatments for children diagnosed with DIPG — a rare and devastating pediatric brain tumor. It’s a powerful reminder of what’s possible when families, advocates, and researchers come together with a shared commitment to change outcomes.

💛 We are deeply grateful to the Cristian Rivera Foundation and its community for their unwavering dedication to honoring Cristian’s legacy and driving progress toward a cure.

🔗 https://www.childrensbraintumorproject.org/2026/01/05/crf-365000-donation/

01/01/2026

Looking ahead to 2026: more discoveries, more hope, more children’s lives changed.

As the year winds down, there’s still time to make a difference — your last-minute donation to Children’s Brain Tumor Project helps fuel life-saving research and brings brighter futures within reach.

Every tax-deductible contribution, big or small, supports Dr. Mark Souweidane and Jeffrey P. Greenfield MD, PhD in their mission to cure childhood brain tumors. 💛

Donate today and help us start 2026 with hope, progress, and new possibilities.
🔗 lightupthelab.org to donate
🔗 childrensbraintumorproject.org/impact to read the 2025 Impact Report

12/30/2025