Javier Villanueva-Meyer, MD

Dr. Javier Villanueva-Meyer is a neuroradiologist who specializes in brain tumor imaging. He is experienced in CT, MRI and X-ray imaging of the head and neck, brain, spine and peripheral nervous system. He also performs image-guided procedures to diagnose and treat conditions of the nervous system, with techniques including percutaneous biopsy (image-guided skin punctures to obtain samples for analysis), lumbar puncture, myelography (examining the spinal canal), cisternography (examining the fluid around the brain and spinal cord), epidural injection and selective nerve root injection. He has a special interest in improving the quality of care in the practice of radiology and biomedical imaging.

Villanueva-Meyer's research focuses on the how best to use molecular imaging techniques for brain cancer patients. He works closely with colleagues in the UCSF Brain Tumor Center to evaluate emerging imaging and interpretation technologies.

Villanueva-Meyer earned his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine. At UCSF, he completed a residency in diagnostic radiology and a fellowship in neuroradiology. Also at UCSF, he completed a postdoctoral fellowship funded by the National Institutes of Health as part of a program that prepares doctors to conduct research in areas that will most serve the nation's needs.