Mariana E. Witgert Bradshaw, Ph.D., ABPP
Department of Neuro-Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine
About Dr. Mariana E. Witgert Bradshaw
Mariana Bradshaw, PhD, is a board certified clinical neuropsychologist and associate professor in the Section of Neuropsychology, Department of Neuro-Oncology. She earned her PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Houston with a specialty in neuropsychology. After completing a two-year neuropsychology fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center, she joined the faculty in 2008. She is dedicated to patient care, providing comprehensive assessments of cancer patients who experience cognitive changes secondary to cancer, cancer treatment, and/or unrelated neurological processes, as well as mood disturbances. She also serves as the section’s Director of Training.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Professor, Neuro-Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Professor, Neuro-Oncology, Section of Neuropsychology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2006 | University of Houston, Houston, Texas, US, Clinical Psychology, Ph.D |
| 2003 | University of Houston, Houston, Texas, US, Psychology, MA |
| 2001 | The University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, US, Psychology, BA |
Postgraduate Training
| 2006-2008 | Clinical Fellowship, Neuropsychology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2005-2006 | Clinical Internship, Clinical Psychology/Neuropsychology, University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, Tucson, Arizona |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2011 | American Board of Professional Psychology, Board Certified in Clinical Neuropsychology |
| 2008 | Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Associate Professor, Neuro-Oncology, Section of Neuropsychology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2017 - 2023
Assistant Professor, Neuro-Oncology, Section of Neuropsychology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2010 - 2017
Instructor, Neuro-Oncology, Section of Neuropsychology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2008 - 2010
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Director of Neuropsychology Training, Neuro-Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2015 - Present
Extramural Institutional Committee Activities
Subject Matter Expert, Epic Efficiency Sprint, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 - 2020
Member, Neuro-Oncology Chair Advisory Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2018 - 2019
Member, Professional Advisory Committee (Clinical Pastoral Education Program), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2017 - 2020
Member, MDACC Psychologists Credentialing Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2017 - Present
Chair, Education Committee for Health Professionals, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2016 - 2018
Member, Brain and Spine Patient Care Team Meeting, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2016 - Present
Chair-Elect, Education Committee for Health Professionals, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2015 - 2016
Member, Education Committee for Health Professionals, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2015 - Present
Member, Faculty Senate, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2011 - 2012
Member, Psychosocial Behavioral & Health Services Research Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2009 - 2012
Honors & Awards
| 2024 - 2027 | Multi-Year Appointment (Re-Award), UT MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2021 - 2024 | Multi-Year Appointment, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2018 - Present | Nominee, Gerald P. Bodey Award for Excellence in Education |
| 2018 | Outstanding Program Director Award, Clinical Health Professionals |
| 2017 - Present | Nominee, Gerald P. Bodey Award for Excellence in Education |
| 2016 - 2018 | Nominee, Gerald P. Bodey Award for Excellence in Education |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
National Presentations
- 2021. Neuropsychological Services in Cancer Care: Critical Considerations from Pediatrics to Adulthood. Invited. Presented at the MD Anderson Division of Pediatrics Grand Rounds. Houston, TX, US.
- 2015. Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine. Invited. The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, TX, US.
International Presentations
- 2022. Models of Neuropsychological Assessment in Pediatric and Adult Oncology Settings. Invited. INS SIG 2022 Webinar Series, US.
Formal Peers
- 2020. Invited Speaker, Neuropsychological Practice in Oncology. Invited. Houston, TX, US.
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Chibawanye I E, Silva E, Noll K, Bradshaw ME, Connelly K, Liu H, Tummala R, Ferson D, Lang FF, Kumar VA. Language mapping during awake brain surgery in a deaf patient with a brain tumor: illustrative case. J Neurosurg Case Lessons 9(18):CASE2597, 2025. e-Pub 2025.
- Bander, ED, Noll, KR, de Almeida, R, Seaman, S, Banu, MA, Clark, VE, Suki, D, Wefel, JS, Bradshaw, ME, Ferguson, SD, Weinberg, J, Lang Jr, FF, Prabhu, SS. Relationships Between Surgical Approach, Tumor Classification Scheme, and Early Neurocognitive Outcome After Awake Craniotomy for Resection of Insular Glioma. Operative Neurosurgery Publish Ahead of Print:1-10, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40985652.
- Estevis E, Noll KR, Bradshaw ME, Wefel JS. Driver safety in patients with primary brain tumors. Neurooncol Pract 6(6):490-498, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31832220.
- Noll KR, Bradshaw ME, Weinberg JS, Wefel JS. Neurocognitive functioning is associated with functional independence in newly diagnosed patients with temporal lobe glioma. Neurooncol Pract 5(3):184-193, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30094046.
- Noll KR, Bradshaw ME, Weinberg JS, Wefel JS. Relationships between neurocognitive functioning, mood, and quality of life in patients with temporal lobe glioma. Psychooncology 26(5):617-624, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 26677053.
- Wu AS, Witgert ME, Lang FF, Xiao L, Bekele BN, Meyers CA, Ferson D, Wefel JS. Neurocognitive function before and after surgery for insular gliomas. J Neurosurg 115(6):1115-25, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21905800.
- Witgert M, Salamone AR, Strutt AM, Jawaid A, Massman PJ, Bradshaw M, Mosnik D, Appel SH, Schulz PE. Frontal-Lobe Mediated Behavioral Dysfunction in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Eur J Neurol 17(1):103-10, 2010. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 19874396.
- Davis RN, Andresen EN, Witgert ME, Breier JI. Is basic memory structure invariant across epilepsy patient subgroups?. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 28(6):987-997, 2006. e-Pub 2006. PMID: 16822737.
- Witgert ME, Wheless JW, Breier JI. Frequency of panic symptoms in psychogenic nonepileptic seizures. Epilepsy Behav 6(2):174-178, 2005. e-Pub 2005. PMID: 15710300.
Invited Articles
- Wefel JS, Bradshaw ME. A Closer Look at the Effects of Cancer and Cancer Treatment on Cognitive Function. Coping with Cancer Magazine, 2019. e-Pub 2019.
- Noll KR, Bradshaw ME, Rexer J, Wefel JS. Neuropsychological practice in the oncology setting. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 33(3):344-353, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29718081.
- Wefel JS, Bradshaw ME. Coping with the Cognitive Side Effects of Cancer. Coping Magazine, 2015. e-Pub 2015.
- Witgert ME, Meyers CA. Neurocognitive and Quality of Life Measures in Patients with Metastatic Brain Disease. Neurosurg Clin N Am 22(1):79-85, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21109152.
- Witgert ME, Veramonti T, Hanna E. Instruments for estimation of health related quality of life in patients with skull base neoplasms. Skull Base 20(1):5-10, 2010. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 20592851.
- Wefel JS, Witgert ME, Meyers CA. Neuropsychological sequelae of non-central nervous system cancer and cancer therapy. Neuropsychol Rev 18(2):121-131, 2008. e-Pub 2008. PMID: 18415683.
Review Articles
- Sheppard, D, Noll, KR, Wefel, JS, Bradshaw, ME. Neuropsychological Evaluation for Oncology. Neurologic Clinics 42(4):875-887, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 39343481.
- Noll, KR, Bradshaw, ME, Sheppard, D, Wefel, JS. Perioperative Neurocognitive Function in Glioma Surgery. Current oncology reports 26(5):466-476, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38573439.
- Noll KR, Bradshaw ME, Parsons MW, Dawson EL, Rexer J, Wefel JS. Monitoring of Neurocognitive Function in the Care of Patients with Brain Tumors. Curr Treat Options Neurol 21(7):33, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31250277.
Abstracts
- Bradshaw ME, Noll K, Goethe E, Srinivasan S, Prabhu S, Weinberg J, McCutcheon I, Lang F, Wefel J, Ferguson S. Neurocognitive outcomes after resection of left inferior parietal lobule gliomas. Neuro-oncol 27(suppl5):v333, 2025. e-Pub 2025.
- Noll KR, Bander E, Bradshaw ME, Andrade de Almeida R, Seaman S, Banu M, Clark VE, Suki D, Wefel JS, Ferguson S, Weinberg JS, Prabhu SS, Lang FF. Neurocognitive outcome following awake craniotomy for insular glioma resection: impact of surgical approach and tumor classification 26(suppl8):viii231, 2024. e-Pub 2024.
- Patel A, Arnold N, Awodola L, Bradshaw ME, Buchold G, Cobb C, Dougherty P, Khan S, Kleiman A, Noll KR, Mathai V, Meyer L, Morrow M, Rexer JL, Sullaway C, Wathoo C, Wefel J, Wintermark M, Ray J, Puduvalli V. The MD Anderson NeuroHealth Initiative: A Novel Standardized Program for Early Detection and Proactive Management of Neurotoxicities in Cancer Care. Neuro-Oncol 27(suppl5):v319-320, 2023. e-Pub 2023.
- Noll KR, Bradshaw ME, Wefel JS, Sullaway C, Thomas A, Kumar VA, Prabhu S, Liu HL. Variability in anxiety and depression symptoms after eloquent glioma resection is associated with changes in functional connectomic properties. Neuro-Oncol 25(Suppl5):v248, 2023. e-Pub 2023.
- Noll KR, Bradshaw ME, Chen HS, Wefel JS, Sullaway C, Thomas A, Kumar VA, Prabhu S, Liu HL. Changes in functional connectivity after surgery are associated with decline in functional independence in patients with eloquent glioma. Neuro-Oncol 25(Suppl5):v249, 2023. e-Pub 2023.
- Bradshaw ME, Wefel JS, Noll KR, Rao G, Ferguson SD, Tawbi H, Huse J, Johnson J, Court L, O'Brien B, Lang F, Ejezie L, Sullaway C, Thomas A, Suki D, Yeboa DN. Baseline patient-reported outcomes in an ongoing phase-III trial of pre-operative SRS vs. post-operative SRS for brain metastases. Neuro-Oncol 25(Suppl5):v213, 2023. e-Pub 2023.
- Eschler BD, Bradshaw ME, Wefel JS, Rexer R, Sullaway C, Noll KR. Understanding Object Dysnomia in Patients with Left Hemisphere Primary Brain Tumors. Presented at the 2023 International Cancer and Cognition Task Force Meeting, San Diego, CA, 2023.
- Chen H, Noll K, Prabhu S, Kumar V, Hou P, Ferguson S, Rao G, Bradshaw M, Johnson J, Schomer D, Liu HL. Functional connectome analysis of FMRI before and after brain tumor resection. Medical Physics 45(6):E368, 2018. e-Pub 2018.
- Wefel JS, Patwardhan SY, Bradshaw ME, Massman PJ. Validity and diagnostic accuracy of the clinical trial battery in patients with primary brain tumor. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 23(Suppl 1):p101, 2017. e-Pub 2017.
- Estevis E, Bradshaw ME, Wefel JS, Kesler Rexer J, Harmon CE, Rhines S, Noll K. Driver safety in patients with primary brain tumor. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 23(Suppl 1):o157, 2017. e-Pub 2017.
- Wefel JS, Bradshaw ME, Sullaway CM, Gilbert MR, Armstrong TS. A Brain-Plasticity Based Computerized Intervention to Treat Attention and Memory Problems in Adult Brain Tumor Survivors. Neuro-Oncology 17(Suppl 5):v149-150, 2015. e-Pub 2015.
- Bradshaw ME, Noll K, Ziu M, Weinberg J, Strange C, Turner C, Wefel JS. Neurocognitive functioning and functional status in patients with glioma of the temporal lobes. Neuro-Oncology 15(Suppl 3):iii92, 2013. e-Pub 2013.
- Turner C, Strange C, Bradshaw ME, Noll K, Wefel JS. Quality of life, mood, and neurocognitive functioning in patients with temporal lobe glioma. Neuro-Oncology 15(Suppl 3):iii96, 2013. e-Pub 2013.
- Witgert M, Chang E, Wefel J. Acute effects of stereotactice radiosurgery +/- whole brain radiation therapy on fatigue in patients with brain metastases. Neuro-Oncology 10(881), 2008. e-Pub 2008.
- Witgert M, Lang F, Suki D, Chang E, Meyers C, Wefel J. Baseline cognitive impairment in patients with single brain metastasis. Neuro-Oncology 9:571, 2007. e-Pub 2007.
- Witgert M, Massman PJ, Mosnik DM, Bradshaw MR, Schulz PE. Behavioral change in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society 12:134, 2006. e-Pub 2006.
- Witgert M, Wheless J, Breier J. Panic symptoms in nonepileptic seizures. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society 11:57, 2005. e-Pub 2005.
- Witgert M, Massman P. Use of the AMNART in estimation of premorbid intelligence in Alzheimer's disease patients. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society 10:7, 2004. e-Pub 2004.
- Mochache M, Bradshaw ME, Prabhu SS, Wefel JS, Noll KR. Prediction of Baseline and Postoperative Change in Verbal Episodic Memory from Learning Characteristics in Patients with Glioma Undergoing Awake Craniotomy. Presented at the 54th Annual North American Meeting of the International Neuropsychological Society.
- Turner C, Noll K, Strange C, Bradshaw ME, Wefel JS. Quality of life, mood, and neurocognitive functioning in patients with temporal lobe glioma. Presented at the Cancer Survivorship Research Symposium, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.
- Noll K, Muir M, Prinsloo S, Michener H, Asman P, Kumar V, Bradshaw M, Wefel JS, Liu HL, Taylor B, Prabhu S. Influence of tractography seeding and thresholding upon relationships between surgical trauma to white matter tracts and postoperative neurocognitive outcome following resection of language-eloquent glioma. Presented at the International Cognition and Cancer Task Force.
- Mochache M, Bradshaw ME, Prabhu SS, Wefel JS, Noll KR. Relationships between single trial learning and baseline and preoperative change in verbal episodic memory in eloquent glioma patients. Presented at the Houston Neuropsychological Society Annual Symposium.
- Wefel JS, Noll KR, Sullaway CM, Bradshaw ME. Breast cancer survivors exhibit elevated rates of inattention and poor vigilance on the Conners' Continuous Performance Test - 3. 54th Annual meeting of the International Neuropsychological Society.
Book Chapters
- Eschler BE, Bradshaw ME, Wefel JS. The Neuropsychology of Oncology. In: Clinical Neuropsychology: A Pocket Handbook for Assessment. 4th, 2024.
- Bradshaw ME. Neuropsychological Assessment of Patients with Tumors of the Skull Base. In: Comprehensive Management of Skull Base Tumors. 2nd. Thieme, 2021.
- Al feghali KA, Chung C, Wefel JS, Bradshaw ME. Neurocognitive Toxicity from Radiation Therapy for Brain Metastases. In: Central Nervous System Metastases. Springer, Cham, 2020.
- Al Feghali KA, Bradshaw ME, Chung C, Wefel JS. Neurocognitive Effects of Brain Metastases and Their Treatment. In: Central Nervous System Metastases: Diagnosis and Treatment. Springer Nature, 2020.
- Bradshaw ME, Wefel JS. Neuropsychological Assessment of Older Adults with a History of Cancer. In: Handbook on the Neuropsychology of Aging and Dementia. 2nd. Springer, 2018.
- Bradshaw ME, Wefel JS. The Neuropsychology of Oncology. In: Clinical Neuropsychology: A Pocket Handbook for Assessment. 3rd. APA, 2014.
- Witgert M, Wefel JS. Neuropsychological Assessment of Older Adults with a History of Cancer. In: Handbook on the Neuropsychology of Aging and Dementia. Springer, 2013.
- Witgert M, Wefel JS. Neurobehavioral Side Effects of Cancer and Cancer Therapy. In: MD Anderson Manual of Psychosocial Oncology. McGraw-Hill, 2011.
- Witgert ME, Meyers CA. Neurocognitive function and quality of life measures in patients with metastatic brain tumors. In: Neurosurgery Clinics of North America: Management of Brain Metastases. W. B. Saunders Company, 2011.
- Witgert M, Veramonti T. Neurocognitive assessment of patients with tumors of the skull base. In: Comprehensive Management of Tumors of the Skull Base. Informa Healthcare, 2009.
- Bradshaw ME, Noll KR, Wefel JS. The Neuropsychology of Adult Cancers. In: Textbook of Clinical Neuropsychology. 3rd. Taylor & Francis.
- Bradshaw ME, Noll, KR, Wefel JS. Neurocognitive Function and Quality of Life. In: Neuro-Oncology: The Essentials. 4th. Thieme.
- Bradshaw ME, Wefel JS. Cancer and Cognition. In: Neuropsychology of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias. 2nd. Oxford University Press; in press.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified July 22, 2026