Stephanie Casillo, MD

Stephanie Casillo, MD, joined the University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurological Surgery as a PGY-1 resident July 1, 2023 after earning her MD degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. As a medical student, she was president of the AANS Medical Student Chapter, led the preclinical medical student neurosurgery elective course, and was awarded the Theodore Kurze, MD Senior Prize for Excellence in Neurological Surgery and Clinical Neurosciences. Prior to medical school, she graduated magna cum laude from Rochester Institute of Technology with a degree in biomedical engineering. 

Dr. Casillo’s clinical and academic interests include neuro-oncology, pediatric neurosurgery, surgeon-scientist education, and women in neurosurgery. As a research fellow in the Physician-Scientist Training Program (PSTP), Dr. Casillo conducted longitudinal translational research on metabolic dependences in pediatric diffuse midline glioma (DMG). Specifically, she identified a novel mechanism by which the hallmark histone mutation H3K27M impacts tumor cell glycolysis through an ERK5-PFKFB3 axis involving both a critical kinase and a metabolic effector. Small molecule inhibitors targeting this axis prolong survival in mouse models. She was awarded the Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation (NREF) Medical Student Summer Research Fellowship (MSSRF) for this work, which has resulted in publications in Molecular Oncology and Nature Cancer. 

Dr. Casillo is an advocate for the advancement of women in neurosurgery and was the lead investigator on a project narrating the life and accomplishments of Dorothy Klenke Nash, MD, the first female neurosurgeon in the United States. Her work has resulted in publications in Neurosurgery and Journal of Neurosurgery. 

Dr. Casillo has also sought clinical research opportunities in traumatic brain injury, vascular neurosurgery, spine surgery, and neurosurgical education.

Dr. Casillo was born and raised in Buffalo, N.Y. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, live music, and spending time with her family, friends, and partner Patrick.