Dr. Maria Bederson was born and raised in New York City. She studied Molecular Engineering and Chemistry at the University of Chicago, and Biophysics at Georgetown. Then she attended the Edinburgh Atelier of Fine Art for one year, studying traditional oil painting and drawing under master artists. She graduated with honors from Carle Illinois College of Medicine, the nation’s first engineering-based medical school. During her training, she developed an interest in skull base and tumor neurosurgery. She joined Dr. Michael Lim’s immunotherapy lab as an NREF Medical Student Fellow. Maria is inspired by the art of excellent neurosurgical technique and looks forward to learning from skilled mentors in the operating room while contributing to innovation through collaborative, patient-centered design.

Outside of neurosurgery, Maria loves being outdoors hiking, backpacking, skiing, and snowboarding.

What do you enjoy most about neurosurgery as a career? 

I fell in love with neurosurgery the moment I stepped into the operating room. To me, it represents the ultimate expression of human skill and teamwork—demanding precision, creativity and deep thought. Over time, I’ve realized that the most rewarding part is caring for patients during some of their toughest moments. There’s a shared optimism between the patients and the team that inspires me every day, and I feel lucky to be part of that.

What led you to do your training at Stanford?

Stanford has always felt like a place where big ideas come to life. I first got a taste of that energy as an undergrad and then when I came back during medical school for a Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation fellowship in Dr. Lim’s Tumor Immunotherapy lab. When I returned for my sub-internship, I was blown away by the high-quality patient care, the supportive and diverse team, and the culture of learning. Knowing I’d get a well-rounded experience here—with opportunities across Stanford Hospital, Santa Clara Valley, Kaiser, and the Children’s Hospital—made it clear this was the right place for me.

What is something that others may not know about you?

I’m proud to come from a loud, passionate, and supportive multicultural family—my mom is a first-generation immigrant from Italy, and my dad’s family immigrated from Eastern Europe. When we’re together, our favorite thing is to gather around the table, eat, and plan the next meal.

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Editor's note:

The original version of this article by Stanford Medicine can be found here.