He has been a faculty member since 2006. Dr. Rao is the recipient of numerous awards including the American Brain Tumor Society's Young Investigator Award and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons/Congress of Neurological Surgeons Preuss Award for Excellence in Basic Neurosurgical Research. Dr. Rao's laboratory efforts are focused on modeling the genetic basis of malignant gliomas in mice and he is currently supported by the National Institutes of Health. His clinical interests include the surgical management of primary and metastatic brain tumors. He also has significant experience with the surgical management of primary and metastatic spinal column tumors. He has authored over 100 manuscripts on a wide variety of topics in neurosurgical oncology. He has been recognized by U.S. News and World Report and Best Doctors in America.