David Limbrick, MD, PhD, FAANS, FAAP

David D. Limbrick Jr., MD, PhD joined the VCU Health and CHoR faculty as chair of the Department of Neurosurgery in 2023. Prior to joining VCU Health, he served as the T.S. Park Chair and Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery, and Executive Vice Chair of Neurological Surgery at Washington University. Dr. Limbrick is internationally regarded for his expertise in treating disorders of the craniovertebral junction, including the Chiari malformations, neuro-endoscopic treatment of hydrocephalus, and pediatric brain tumors. He has received the Public Service Citation from the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons for international neurosurgical relief work, the Humanism in Medicine Award from Washington University School of Medicine, and the Innovator Award from the Hydrocephalus Association.

Dr. Limbrick offers Virtual Specialist Reviews for patients and families considering coming to Richmond for care. Find out more

Dr. Limbrick’s primary research focus is on cerebrospinal fluid disorders, where he is active in basic, clinical, and translational research. He serves as Principal Investigator for two major multicenter randomized controlled trials: Posterior Fossa Decompression with or without Duraplasty for Chiari Type I Malformation and Syringomyelia and Endoscopic Versus Shunt Treatment of Hydrocephalus in Infants. He is Chair of Biospecimens and Neuro-Imaging for the Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network and has been the Principal Investigator for the Park-Reeves Syringomyelia Research Consortium since its inception. His research has been continuously funded by NIH, PCORI, and other federal agencies since he joined the faculty in 2008. Most recently, he was the recipient of a program project award (PPG) and an R25 educational grant with a long-term goal of increasing the diversity of the pediatric neurosciences workforce.

Dr. Limbrick has authored more than 250 peer-reviewed journal articles and 15 book chapters and has given more than 150 national/international presentations. He has edited two books and serves on the Editorial Board of Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics, Fluids and Barriers of the CNS, and Neurosurgery Practice, where he is the section editor for Pediatric Neurosurgery. He serves as Treasurer of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)/Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) Joint Section for Pediatric Neurosurgery, Treasurer of the Accrediation Council for Pediatric Neurosurgery Fellowships (ACPNF), and Research Chair on the Executive Committee of the American Society of Pediatric Neurosurgeons (ASPN). He is a member of the Academy of Neurological Surgeons and the Society of Neurological Surgeons and serves on the National Advisory Committee of the Neurosurgeon Research Career Development Program (NRCDP). Nationally, he serves on the boards of Cure Hydrocephalus, Bobby Jones Chiari & Syringomyelia Foundation, Rudy Schulte Institute, and the Hydrocephalus Association, including the HA Washington Advocacy Committee.