Dr. Dominique Higgins is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery and Director of Adult Neurosurgical Oncology, specializing in the treatment of brain tumors.

Dr. Higgins completed a dual MD/PhD program at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, appeasing both his interests in medicine and research. While at Mayo, Dr. Higgins spent time in the tumor-focused labs, and eventually completed his PhD thesis on glioblastoma stem cells. During his time at Mayo, Dr. Higgins felt he had found his passion where both his research and clinical interests came together, and he felt he could make a mark on the progress that was being made. He went on to complete his residency training in neurosurgery at Columbia University’s Neurological Institute of New York. He also completed a brain tumor fellowship at the University of Miami, with an emphasis on awake craniotomies, laser ablations, and minimally invasive open and endoscopic surgical treatments for brain tumors.

The Higgins lab in the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center focuses on the treatment of malignant brain tumors, including glioblastoma. Dr. Higgins also leads several brain tumor clinical trials on campus. He is the recipient of the Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials Career Development Award, the American Cancer Society Clinician Scientist Development Award, and the Neurosurgery Research Career Development Program Award (K12). He was also selected as an executive committee member of the Section on Tumors Research and Neurosurgery Research Education Fund (NREF) subcommittee, co-chairing the 2025 AANS tumor scientific program.