Robert M Starke, MD

Cerebral Aneurysm Pathogenesis, Stem Cells in Cerebrovascular Disease, Vascular Inflammation in Stroke, Genetics of Cerebrovascular Disease, Neuroprotection, Atherosclerosis, Endovascular Device & Technology Development, Advances in Neuroimaging, Radiosurgery & Minimally Invasive Surgery, Cerebrovascular & Oncology Treatment Outcomes, Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, Cerebral Vasospasm, Intracerebral Hemorrhage, Arteriovenous Malformations & Fistulas, Moyamoya Disease & Syndrome, Carotid Artery Disease, Pseudotumor Cerebri, Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension, Cerebral & Skull Base Tumors

The Codina Kadre Endowed Chair in Neurosurgery.

University of Miami Senior Faculty Researcher of the Year.
Awarded to 1 faculty member in the University of Miami system each year.
2024

Development of a Novel Aspiration Pump for Neurointerventional Procedures
NIH STTR Grant 1R41NS134425-01A1 Phase 1
Principal Investigator

Single cell Markers of Perioperative ICH following Mechanical Thrombectomy
Cardiovascular Interdisciplinary Grant
Principal Investigator

Endothelial cell dysfunction in cerebral aneurysm pathogenesis
Principle Investigator (2000-2005)
NIH R01NS111119-01A1

Cigarette smoke induces endothelial cell dysfunction in cerebral aneurysm pathogenesis
Principle Investigator
The Department of Health James & Esther King Biomedical Research Cigarette Grant

PCORI: 1 of 12 Site Principal Investigators $9,605,767
Treatment with Endovascular Intervention for Stroke Patients with Existing Disability
www.pcori.org/research-results/2022/treatment-endovascular-intervention-stroke-patients-existing-disability

Bee Foundation Cerebrovascular Research Grant. Role: Principal Investigator.
To determine molecular alternations from endothelial cells captured from
human aneurysms.

Assessment of Novel Catheters and Coils in Neurovascular Disease. Role: Principal Investigator; BALT

Stanley J. Glasser Foundation Research Grant
Invitation only for translational research (2021-2022)

The Aneurysm and AVM Foundation (TAAF)
Vascular Research Grant (2021-2022)

Neurovascular Unrestricted Research Grant
Medtronic Vascular Corporation (2021-2022)

Clinical & Translational Science Institute Grant (2018-2019)
UL1TR002736 - KL2TR002737
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities

Academy Emerging Investigator Program (2018-2020)
American Academy of Neurological Surgery
NRCDP & NIH/NINDS

Cerebrovascular Research Award
Brain Aneurysm Foundation (2018-2019)

Cerebrovascular Clinician Investigator ResearchAward
BEE Foundation (2018-2019)

Cerebrovascular Clinician Investigator Research Award
Joe Niekro Research Foundation (2017-2018)

Cerebrovascular Section Young Clinician Investigator Award (2017-2018)
Neurosurgery Research Education Foundation
American Association of Neurological Surgeru
Congress of Neurological Surgery

W. Dalton Dietrich Translational Research Teaching Award
University of Miami
Miami, FL 2017

“Reviewers of the Year” 2017
Journal of Neurointerventional Surgery
Society of Neurointerventional Surgery

Congress of Neurological Surgeons
San Diego, CA, 2016
CNS Research Award
Differential Gender Response to Aspirin in Decreasing Aneurysm Rupture

American Academy of Neurological Surgery
Chicago, IL, 2016
AANS Stereotactic and Functional Award
Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Arteriovenous Malformations: Evaluation of Long-Term Outcomes in a Multicenter Cohort

Neurosurgery Society Virginias
Greenbrier, VA, 2016
NSV Clinical Research Award
Venous Stenting Reliably Lowers Intracranial Pressures in IIH: A prospective Pilot Study

Congress of Neurological Surgeons,
New Orleans, LA, 2015
CNS Research Award
Cigarette Smoke Initiates Oxidative Stress-Induced Phenotypic Modulation Leading to Cerebral Aneurysm Formation and Rupture

American Association of Neurological Surgeons
San Francisco, CA, 2014
Integra CNS/AANS Tumor Award: American Association of Neurological Surgeons,
Gamma Knife radiosurgery for Sellar and Parasellar Meningiomas: A Multicenter Study

Neurosurgery Society Virginias
Greenbrier, Virginia, 2014
NSV Basic Science Award:
Inflammation in Cerebral Aneurysm Formation, Progression, and Rupture

Congress of Neurological Surgeons
San Francisco, CA, 2013
Galbraith Cerebrovascular Award
Critical Role of TNF-alpha in Cerebral Aneurysm Formation and Rupture

American Association of Neurological Surgeons
New Orleans, LA 2013
Brainlab Community Neurosurgery Award
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Nonfunctioning Pituitary Adenomas

Neurosurgery Society Virginias
Greenbrier, VA, 2012
Crutchfield, Gage, Thomson Award
Transsphenoidal Surgery for Acromegaly

American Association of Neurological Surgeons
Miami, FL, 2011
Synthes Skull Base Award
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery of Skull Base Meningiomas

American Association of Neurological Surgeons
Denver, CO, 2011
Leksell Radiosurgery Award
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery of Meningiomas Located in the Posterior Fossa: Factors Predictive of Outcome and Remission

Association of Neurological Surgeons
Denver, CO, 2011
Synthes Cerebrovascular Section Award
Moyamoya Phenomena in the United States American

Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Bronx, NY, 2009
Graduated Top 5% of Class
Distinction in Neuroscience Research

Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Bronx, NY, 2009
Masters of Medical Science in Statistics & Epidemiology
Distinction in Clinical & Translational Research

Alpha Omega Alpha Society
Bronx, NY, 2009
Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Annual Eastern-Atlantic Research Forum
University of Miami, FL, 2008
First Place, Outstanding Basic Science
The Role of Matrix Metalloproteinases in Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations

Annual National Research Forum
University of Texas, Galveston, TX, 2007
Prize for Overall Excellence in Clinical Research, (2007)
Results of the Impact of a Policy of Early Antifibrinolytic Therapy for the Prevention of Acute Rebleeding After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage”

American Medical Association
Washington D.C., 2007
Influence of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Single Nucleotide Polymorphism on Vasospasm After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ, 2001
B.A., Neuroscience
Magna Cum Laude

Ciba Geigy
Tarrytown, NY, 1997
Basic Science Award and Grant

Hackley High School
Tarrytown, NY
Three by Four Hackley Athletic Award
Award for distinction in Football, Basketball, Tennis
Most Valuable Player Tennis
11 Varsity Season Letters

Dr. Starke is a tenured member of the departments of Neurological Surgery, Neuroradiology, Neurosciences, and Pharmacology. He has a busy clinical practice performing more than 700 operations each year. He specializes in the treatment of cerebral vascular disease including aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations and fistulas, cavernous malformations, moyamoya disease, carotid and intracranial stenosis including bypass surgery. He also treats all aspects of brain tumor and skull base surgery. He is one of the few dual-trained neurosurgeons in the country able to offer both surgical and minimally invasive endovascular solutions to complex cerebrovascular disease. The minimally invasive endovascular techniques allows patients to be treated through a 1mm incision in the leg with no incisions in the head. He also practices in gamma knife radiosurgery adding a further component of minimal invasive treatment options as one of the only doctors in Florida able to treat AVMs by all three therapeutic options. Because of his multi-modality training, he is unbiased with regards to the treatment chosen. While most lesions can be treated endovascularly, there are some cases are safer with surgery or focused radiotherapy. Dr. Starke is able to perform every procedure from the initial angiogram to the final embolization or surgery. Dr. Starke also has a busy brain tumor practice, with approximately 1/3 of his patients being referred for brain tumors. He is also a specialist in pediatric vascular disease such as aneurysms and tumors, with one dedicated day per week treating children with endovascular techniques.

Dr. Starke is currently a member of the University of Miami MILLER School of Medicine. Previously, he graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. from Princeton University and distinction in neuroscience. He obtained his medical doctorate from Albert Einstein graduating with distinction in clinical and translational research. He also obtained a Masters of Medical Science with distinction in neuroscience research as part of the National Institute of Health Clinical Research Training Program. He also completed a cerebral vascular research fellowship at Columbia University, which provided him with a wide background in epidemiology and statistics. Dr. Starke attended neurosurgery residency at the University of Virginia. He also completed endovascular neuroradiology fellowships at Thomas Jefferson University and University of Virginia and a cerebral vascular and skull base fellowship at Auckland University Hospital, New Zealand. He is board certified in Neurosurgery ABNS and certified by the Committee on Advance Subspecialty Training in Endovascular Therapies (CAST).

His laboratory is supported by multiple grants including more than 3 million dollars from the National Institute of Health to study aneurysms. His research focuses on cerebral vascular pathophysiology including aneurysm, AVM, ICH, and ischemic stroke models. These avenues allow for the development of novel cellular, medical, radiographic, surgical, and endovascular techniques. He has co-authored over 700 academic publications. As the Director of Neurovascular Research, he helps run numerous clinical trials for minimally invasive treatment of cerebral vascular disease brain tumors.