Karen L. Fink, MD, PhD

Karen Fink, MD, PhD, is the Medical Director of Clinical Neuro-Oncology Research at Baylor University Medical Center.  Dr. Fink leads our neuro-oncology team, heading the multi-disciplinary Baylor Scott and White Sammons Cancer Center brain tumor board and multiple clinical trials for patients with brain tumors. She has a long history of involvement in advanced clinical trials in collaboration with industry groups and with prominent neuro-oncology programs nationwide.


Dr. Fink received her undergraduate degree in biochemistry from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. She then completed her MD and PhD at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where she investigated early cellular activation of cancer-causing genes in response to growth signals. Her Neurology residency and Neuro-oncology fellowship were accomplished at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. She stayed there after completing her training, becoming the Director of Clinical Neuro-Oncology. She moved to Baylor University Medical Center to found Neuro-Oncology Associates in 2006. At Baylor Scott & White, she continued to offer clinical trials as an investigator in the North American Brain Tumor Consortium, and later, the Brain Tumor trials Collaborative spearheaded at the National Institute of Health. She still works with pharmaceutical and device companies to offer advanced treatments for patients with brain tumors.

Dr. Fink has participated in over 50 neuro-oncology clinical trials, been an author on over 50 peer reviewed publications, and over 80 abstracts covering various aspects of Neuro-Oncology research. She mentors Neurology Residents, Oncology fellows and medical students, instilling knowledge regarding the management of primary brain tumor patients and providing an example of compassionate and up-to-date clinical care. Dr. Fink has formally served as a member of the Corporate Compliance Committee and the Multidisciplinary Cancer Committee at Baylor Scott and White. She is a member of the Society for Neuro-Oncology and the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Dr. Fink specializes in the treatment of tumors in the brain, central nervous system, and peripheral nervous system. She collaborates with Neuro-Oncology clinicians and their medical teams in north and central Texas, and with Neurosurgeons, Radiation Oncologists, Medical Oncologists, Neuro-Radiologists and Palliative Care clinicians across the region to coordinate complete care for patients and their loved ones who are dealing with a brain tumor.

Dr. Fink has been named one of Texas Monthly's Texas Super Doctors for over 10 years earning her a place on Texas Monthly's Hall of Fame list.

Read more about Dr. Fink’s research publications on PubMed.gov.