Elias Rizk, MD, MSc - Penn State Cancer Institute
Researcher Profile

Elias Rizk, MD, MSc
Associate Professor, Department of Neurosurgery
Assistant Professor, Department of Neurosurgery
Assistant Professor, Department of Neurosurgery
Scientific Program:Next-Generation Therapies
Disease Teams:
Cancer Institute, Brain and Central Nervous System Cancer Team
Cancer Institute, Pediatric Cancer Team
Cancer Institute, Pediatric Cancer Team
Research Interests
- Therapeutics
- Neoplasms
- Child
- Wounds and Injuries
- Bone and Bones
- Pediatrics
- Anatomy
- Regeneration
- Folic Acid
- Hydrocephalus
- Survival
- Bioprinting
Recent Publications
2023
Moncal, KK, Yeo, M, Celik, N, Acri, TM, Rizk, E, Wee, H, Lewis, G, Salem, AK & Ozbolat, IT 2023, 'Comparison of in-situ versus ex-situ delivery of polyethylenimine-BMP-2 polyplexes for rat calvarial defect repair via intraoperative bioprinting', Biofabrication, vol. 15, no. 1, 015011. https://doi.org/10.1088/1758-5090/ac9f70
Rizk, E, Madrid, A, Koueik, J, Sun, D, Stewart, K, Chen, D, Luo, S, Hong, F, Papale, LA, Hariharan, N, Alisch, RS & Iskandar, BJ 2023, 'Purified regenerating retinal neurons reveal regulatory role of DNA methylation-mediated Na+/K+-ATPase in murine axon regeneration', Communications Biology, vol. 6, no. 1, 120. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-023-04463-4
Madrid, A, Alisch, RS, Rizk, E, Papale, LA, Hogan, KJ & Iskandar, BJ 2023, 'Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance of axonal regeneration after spinal cord injury', Environmental Epigenetics, vol. 9, no. 1, dvad002. https://doi.org/10.1093/eep/dvad002
2022
Li, Q, Song, W, Li, J, Ma, C, Zhao, X, Jiao, J, Mrowczynski, O, Webb, BS, Rizk, EB, Lu, D & Liu, C 2022, 'Bioinspired super-strong aqueous synthetic tissue adhesives', Matter, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 933-956. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matt.2021.12.018
Moncal, KK, Tigli Aydın, RS, Godzik, KP, Acri, TM, Heo, DN, Rizk, E, Wee, H, Lewis, GS, Salem, AK & Ozbolat, IT 2022, 'Controlled Co-delivery of pPDGF-B and pBMP-2 from intraoperatively bioprinted bone constructs improves the repair of calvarial defects in rats', Biomaterials, vol. 281, 121333. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.121333
Tan, X, Gerhard, E, Wang, Y, Tran, RT, Xu, H, Yan, S, Rizk, EB, Armstrong, AD, Zhou, Y, Du, J, Bai, X & Yang, J 2022, 'Development of Biodegradable Osteopromotive Citrate-Based Bone Putty', Small, vol. 18, no. 36, 2203003. https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202203003
Tankam, CS, Padmanaban, V, Pazniokas, J, Lane, J, Clark, JB & Rizk, EB 2023, 'Direct ventriculoatrial shunt in a pediatric patient: case report and technical note', Child's Nervous System, vol. 39, no. 1, pp. 255-259. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-022-05717-y
Bailey, D, Mau, C, Toepke, C, Finch, E & Rizk, E 2022, 'Extracranial medulloepithelioma: a review of the literature', Child's Nervous System, vol. 38, no. 7, pp. 1259-1266. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-022-05525-4
Tankam, CS, Peterson, MR, Tachie-Baffour, Y, Zammar, S & Rizk, EB 2023, 'Fatty filum terminale and low-lying conus medullaris in Gollop-Wolfgang complex: a case report and review of literature', Child's Nervous System, vol. 39, no. 2, pp. 517-526. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-022-05679-1
Sciscent, BY, Bhanja, D, Daggubati, LC, Ryan, C, Hallan, DR & Rizk, EB 2022, 'Pregnancy in spina bifida patients: a comparative analysis of peripartum procedures and complications', Child's Nervous System. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-022-05705-2
Khristov, V, Lin, A, Freedman, Z, Staub, J, Shenoy, G, Mrowczynski, O, Rizk, E, Zacharia, B & Connor, J 2023, 'Tumor-Derived Biomarkers in Liquid Biopsy of Glioblastoma', World neurosurgery, vol. 170, pp. 182-194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2022.11.012
2021
Gigliotti, MJ, Pooshpas, P, Patel, N & Rizk, EB 2021, 'A male patient with pseudobulbar affect caused by post-traumatic normal pressure hydrocephalus successfully managed with ventriculoperitoneal shunt', Interdisciplinary Neurosurgery: Advanced Techniques and Case Management, vol. 23, 100916. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inat.2020.100916
Mrowczynski, OD, McNutt, S, Bourcier, AJ, Jafrani, R, Lane, JR, Padmanaban, V & Rizk, EB 2021, 'Aneurysmal and arteriovenous malformation hemorrhage during pregnancy: An update on the epidemiology, risk factors and prognosis', Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery, vol. 208, 106897. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clineuro.2021.106897
Moncal, KK, Gudapati, H, Godzik, KP, Heo, DN, Kang, Y, Rizk, E, Ravnic, DJ, Wee, H, Pepley, DF, Ozbolat, V, Lewis, GS, Moore, JZ, Driskell, RR, Samson, TD & Ozbolat, IT 2021, 'Intra-Operative Bioprinting of Hard, Soft, and Hard/Soft Composite Tissues for Craniomaxillofacial Reconstruction', Advanced Functional Materials, vol. 31, no. 29, 2010858. https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202010858
Gigliotti, MJ, Mau, C, Specht, CS, Lawson, C, McNutt, S, Natarajan, S, Rizk, EB & Iantosca, M 2021, 'Malignant spindle cell tumors of the posterior fossa in children: case series and review of management', Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics, vol. 28, no. 5, pp. 609-619. https://doi.org/10.3171/2021.3.PEDS2148
Khristov, V, Shenoy, G, Mau, C, Mrowczynski, O, Rizk, E, Pu, C, Specht, CS & Aregawi, D 2022, 'Myxopapillary Ependymoma with Anaplastic Features: A Case Series and Review of the Literature', World neurosurgery, vol. 158, pp. e735-e745. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2021.11.053
Bailey, D & Rizk, EB 2021, 'Origin and Use of Hydrogen Peroxide in Neurosurgery', Neurosurgery, vol. 89, no. 1, pp. E3-E7. https://doi.org/10.1093/neuros/nyab107
Gigliotti, MJ, Patel, N, McLaughlin, C, Rothermel, A, Henry, C & Rizk, E 2021, 'Osteoradionecrosis and microvascular free flap failure managed with negative pressure wound therapy: A case report', British Journal of Neurosurgery. https://doi.org/10.1080/02688697.2021.1940845
Padmanaban, V, Payne, R, Corbani, K, Corl, S & Rizk, EB 2021, 'Phrenic Nerve Stimulator Placement via the Cervical Approach: Technique and Anatomic Considerations', Operative Neurosurgery, vol. 21, no. 3, pp. E215-E220. https://doi.org/10.1093/ons/opab047
National Spina Bifida Patient Registry Group 2021, 'Tethered spinal cord among individuals with myelomeningocele: An analysis of the National Spina Bifida Patient Registry', Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics, vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 21-27. https://doi.org/10.3171/2020.12.PEDS20868
2020
Patel, NJ, Hogan, KJ, Rizk, E, Stewart, K, Madrid, A, Vadakkadath Meethal, S, Alisch, R, Borth, L, Papale, LA, Ondoma, S, Gorges, LR, Weber, K, Lake, W, Bauer, A, Hariharan, N, Kuehn, T, Cook, T, Keles, S, Newton, MA & Iskandar, BJ 2020, 'Ancestral Folate Promotes Neuronal Regeneration in Serial Generations of Progeny', Molecular Neurobiology, vol. 57, no. 4, pp. 2048-2071. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-019-01812-5
McNutt, SE, Mrowczynski, OD, Lane, J, Jafrani, R, Rohatgi, P, Specht, C, Tubbs, RS, Zacharia, TT & Rizk, EB 2021, 'Congenital Spinal Cysts: An Update and Review of the Literature', World neurosurgery, vol. 145, pp. 480-491.e9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2020.08.092
Patel, NJ, Hogan, KJ, Rizk, E, Stewart, K, Madrid, A, Meethal, SV, Alisch, R, Borth, L, Papale, LA, Ondoma, S, Gorges, LR, Weber, K, Lake, W, Bauer, A, Hariharan, N, Kuehn, T, Cook, T, Keles, S, Newton, MA & Iskandar, BJ 2020, 'Correction to: Ancestral Folate Promotes Neuronal Regeneration in Serial Generations of Progeny (Molecular Neurobiology, (2020), 57, 4, (2048-2071), 10.1007/s12035-019-01812-5)', Molecular Neurobiology, vol. 57, no. 4, pp. 2072-2073. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-020-01886-6
SECTION ON NEUROLOGIC SURGERY, SECTION ON PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY 2020, 'Identifying the misshapen head: Craniosynostosis and related disorders', Pediatrics, vol. 146, no. 3, e2020015511. https://doi.org/10.1542/PEDS.2020-015511
Horn, SR, Stoltzfus, KC, Mackley, HB, Lehrer, EJ, Zhou, S, Dandekar, SC, Fox, EJ, Rizk, EB, Trifiletti, DM, Rao, PM & Zaorsky, NG 2020, 'Long-term causes of death among pediatric patients with cancer', Cancer, vol. 126, no. 13, pp. 3102-3113. https://doi.org/10.1002/cncr.32885
Padmanaban, V, Hussein, R & Rizk, E 2020, 'Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infection in Patients with Neurosurgical Hardware: Two Cases and A Review of the Literature', Cureus, vol. 12, no. 3, e7398. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.7398
Mrowczynski, OD, Lane, JR, Specht, CS, Greiner, RJ, Iantosca, MR & Rizk, EB 2020, 'Suprasellar central nervous system ganglioneuroblastoma: a case in a 9-year-old child and review of the literature', Child's Nervous System, vol. 36, no. 11, pp. 2845-2849. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-020-04597-4
2019
Koueik, J, Kraemer, MR, Hsu, D, Rizk, E, Zea, R, Haldeman, C & Iskandar, BJ 2019, 'A 12-year single-center retrospective analysis of antisiphon devices to prevent proximal ventricular shunt obstruction for hydrocephalus', Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics, vol. 24, no. 6, pp. 642-651. https://doi.org/10.3171/2019.6.PEDS1951
Moncal, KK, Aydin, RST, Abu-Laban, M, Heo, DN, Rizk, E, Tucker, SM, Lewis, GS, Hayes, D & Ozbolat, IT 2019, 'Collagen-infilled 3D printed scaffolds loaded with miR-148b-transfected bone marrow stem cells improve calvarial bone regeneration in rats', Materials Science and Engineering C, vol. 105, 110128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msec.2019.110128
Church, EW, Church, EB, Rizk, EB & Knuckey, NW 2019, 'Commentary: neurosurgery in Western Australia', Clinical Neurosurgery, vol. 84, no. 4, pp. E251-E256. https://doi.org/10.1093/neuros/nyy631
Dias, MS & Rizk, EB 2019, Embryology of Occult Spinal Dysraphisms. in Occult Spinal Dysraphism. Springer International Publishing, pp. 17-58. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-10994-3_2
Payne, R, Mrowczynski, OD, Slagle-Webb, B, Bourcier, A, Mau, C, Aregawi, D, Madhankumar, AB, Lee, SY, Harbaugh, K, Connor, J & Rizk, EB 2019, 'MLN8237 treatment in an orthoxenograft murine model for malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors', Journal of neurosurgery, vol. 130, no. 2, pp. 465-475. https://doi.org/10.3171/2017.8.JNS17765
Mau, C, Ghali, MGZ, Styler, M, Malysz, J, Specht, CS & Rizk, E 2019, 'Neuroleukemiosis: Diagnosis and management', Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery, vol. 184, 105340. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clineuro.2019.04.019
Stewart, KJ, Iskandar, BJ, Meier, BM, Rizk, EB, Hariharan, N, Koueik, J, Andrei, AC & Hogan, KJ 2019, 'Nitrous oxide impairs axon regeneration after nervous system injury in male rats', Anesthesiology, vol. 131, no. 5, pp. 1063-1076. https://doi.org/10.1097/ALN.0000000000002906
Chern, JJ, Bollo, RJ, Governale, LS, Halvorson, KG, Hooten, K, Kulkarni, AV, Lo, W, Mathieu, F, Mrowczynski, O, Piatt, J, Rizk, E & Thompson, E 2019, 'Pediatrics', Operative Neurosurgery, vol. 17, pp. S182-S208. https://doi.org/10.1093/ONS/OPZ078
Ghali, MGZ, Davanzo, J, Leo, M & Rizk, E 2019, 'Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in pediatric patients: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management', Leukemia and Lymphoma, vol. 60, no. 10, pp. 2365-2372. https://doi.org/10.1080/10428194.2019.1594210
Mrowczynski, OD, Payne, RA, Bourcier, AJ, Mau, CY, Slagle-Webb, B, Shenoy, G, Madhankumar, AB, Abramson, SB, Wolfe, D, Harbaugh, KS, Rizk, EB & Connor, JR 2019, 'Targeting IL-13Ra2 for effective treatment of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors in mouse models', Journal of neurosurgery, vol. 131, no. 5, pp. 1369-1379. https://doi.org/10.3171/2018.7.JNS18284
Dhawan, A, Kennedy, PM, Rizk, EB & Ozbolat, IT 2019, 'Three-dimensional bioprinting for bone and cartilage restoration in orthopaedic surgery', Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, vol. 27, no. 5, pp. E215-E226. https://doi.org/10.5435/JAAOS-D-17-00632
Joseph, SC, Rizk, E & Shane Tubbs, R 2019, Variations of the Intracranial Dural Venous Sinuses. in Anatomy, Imaging and Surgery of the Intracranial Dural Venous Sinuses. Elsevier, pp. 205-220. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-65377-0.00025-8