About me
Professional experience in the field of neurosurgery for more than 30 years.
Education
- Fellowship: UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX — Mentor: Dr. Betty YS Kim (08/2020 – 10/2023)
- Fellowship: Emory University, Atlanta, GA — Mentor: Dr. Jeffrey Olson (11/2023 – 07/2024)
- Residency: Neurosurgery Residency, The Ohio State University Program — Director: Dr. Ciaran Powers (07/2013 – 07/2020)
- Medical School: New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, D.O., Osteopathic Medicine (05/2013)
- Graduate: SUNY-Buffalo, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Ph.D., Cellular and Molecular Biology (06/2008)
- Undergraduate: Michigan State University, B.S., Chemical Engineering (Honors), (06/2001)
Achievements and certificates
- Woodburn Presidential Fellowship, Roswell Park Cancer Institute (2001–2008)
- William B. Bean Student Research Award, The American Osler Society (2012)
- James Slayton National Award for Leadership Excellence (2013)
- Gold Humanism Honor Society – Member & iCare Award (2015–2016)
- Best Clinical Research Award Abstract, Congress of Neurological Surgery (2019)
- Neurosurgery Paper of the Year – Socioeconomics, Health Policy & Law, CNS (2021)
- Educator of the Year, Congress of Neurological Surgeons (2021)
- Trainee Grant Incentive Award (2022)
- TH & MP Scott Cancer Research Endowed Fellowship Award (2023)
- SITC Women in Cancer Immunotherapy Network (WIN) Leadership Award, 2023 & 2024
- National leadership award from the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer.
- Excellence in Science Program, MD Anderson Cancer Center (2023)
- Compass Scholar, NIH/NIGMS (2024)
- Future Women Leaders Scholarship Award, CNS Foundation (2025)
- Best Spiegel Abstract, Neurosurgical Society of America (2025)
Education and biography
Professional experience
Kristin Huntoon, MD, PhD
Dr. Kristin Huntoon is an Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Arizona and a fellowship-trained brain and spine tumor neurosurgeon with specialized training from MD Anderson Cancer Center and Emory University. A neurosurgeon-scientist, she leads a research laboratory focused on developing novel diagnostics and therapeutic strategies for brain and spine tumors, with a strong emphasis on cancer immunotherapy and translational neuro-oncology. She has authored more than 80 peer-reviewed publications and numerous book chapters, and her work continues to shape the evolving landscape of tumor biology and neurosurgical innovation.
Dr. Huntoon earned her PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology from SUNY-Buffalo’s Roswell Park Cancer Institute and her DO degree from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her neurosurgery residency at The Ohio State University, followed by advanced fellowship training at MD Anderson under Dr. Betty YS Kim and at Emory University under Dr. Jeffrey Olson.
Her national leadership includes serving as Co-Chair for multiple committees within the Tumor Section of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons. She is also an active editor and reviewer for leading scientific journals, including the Journal of Neurosurgery and World Neurosurgery.
Dr. Huntoon has been recognized with numerous national honors, including the CNS Educator of the Year Award, Neurosurgery Paper of the Year, the SITC Women in Cancer Immunotherapy Leadership Award (2023 & 2024), and the CNS Foundation’s Future Women Leaders Scholarship Award (2025). Her clinical practice integrates precision surgical care with compassionate, patient-centered treatment for individuals facing brain and spine tumors. She is licensed to practice medicine in Arizona, Texas, California, and Utah.
Dr. Kristin Huntoon is an Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Arizona and a fellowship-trained brain and spine tumor neurosurgeon with specialized training from MD Anderson Cancer Center and Emory University. A neurosurgeon-scientist, she leads a research laboratory focused on developing novel diagnostics and therapeutic strategies for brain and spine tumors, with a strong emphasis on cancer immunotherapy and translational neuro-oncology. She has authored more than 80 peer-reviewed publications and numerous book chapters, and her work continues to shape the evolving landscape of tumor biology and neurosurgical innovation.
Dr. Huntoon earned her PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology from SUNY-Buffalo’s Roswell Park Cancer Institute and her DO degree from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her neurosurgery residency at The Ohio State University, followed by advanced fellowship training at MD Anderson under Dr. Betty YS Kim and at Emory University under Dr. Jeffrey Olson.
Her national leadership includes serving as Co-Chair for multiple committees within the Tumor Section of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons. She is also an active editor and reviewer for leading scientific journals, including the Journal of Neurosurgery and World Neurosurgery.
Dr. Huntoon has been recognized with numerous national honors, including the CNS Educator of the Year Award, Neurosurgery Paper of the Year, the SITC Women in Cancer Immunotherapy Leadership Award (2023 & 2024), and the CNS Foundation’s Future Women Leaders Scholarship Award (2025). Her clinical practice integrates precision surgical care with compassionate, patient-centered treatment for individuals facing brain and spine tumors. She is licensed to practice medicine in Arizona, Texas, California, and Utah.