Duke neuro-oncologist and neurologist Katherine B. Peters, MD, PhD, was promoted to professor with tenure in Duke University's Department of Neurosurgery. She serves as director of Supportive Care Research at the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center; program director of the neuro-oncology fellowship; and vice chair for education in the Department of Neurology.
Peters cares for patients with primary brain and spine tumors. Her special interests include caring for patients with low-grade glioma, meningiomas, and rare primary brain and spine tumors, as well as partnering chemotherapy safely with radiation therapy for successful treatment.
Her research interests are in the service of patients with brain cancer, including supportive care and exploring cognitive dysfunction, physical function, and activity. Her fundamental interest is in clinical trials focusing on improving patients' quality of life and cognition. Recently, she was awarded the Women in Neuro-Oncology Clinical Research Abstract Award at the Society of Neuro-Oncology 2023 Annual Meeting for her collaborative work in quality of life, cognition, and seizure control in low-grade glioma patients.
In addition to her clinical time at Duke, she serves as the vice chair for the neuro-oncology section of the American Academy of Neurology and as the vice chair for the accreditation council for the United Council of Neurologic Subspecialties.
Peters received medical and doctoral degrees from Stanford University. She completed her residency in neurology and fellowship in cognitive neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University and a fellowship in neuro-oncology at Duke University.
She co-hosts the Brain & Life podcast for the American Academy of Neurology. Each week, she speaks with neurology experts, celebrity advocates, and people affected by brain conditions to educate and inspire others to maintain a healthy brain and healthy life.