Jon T. Willie, MD, PhD, FAANS

Clinical Biography

Jon Willie, MD, PhD, FAANS, is a board-certified stereotactic and functional neurosurgeon in UT Health Austin’s Functional Neurosurgery Clinic. He specializes in functional, stereotactic, and epilepsy surgery; movement disorder surgery; deep brain stimulation; laser interstitial thermal therapy (laser ablation); intrathecal therapy; hydrocephalus and intraventricular endoscopy; as well as the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, tremor, spasticity, and encephaloceles. Additionally, Dr. Willie is an associate professor in the Dell Medical School Department of Neurosurgery at The University of Texas at Austin.

Dr. Willie earned his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry with honors from The University of Texas at Austin and both his medical degree and doctorate in biomedical sciences at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. He completed a residency in neurological surgery at Barnes-Jewish Hospital through the Washington University School of Medicine and a fellowship in stereotactic, functional, and epilepsy neurosurgery at Emory University School of Medicine.

Dr. Willie is a nationally recognized leader in functional neurosurgery, with expertise in epilepsy surgery, deep brain stimulation, and minimally invasive laser therapies. He previously served as Director of Stereotactic, Functional, and Epilepsy Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine and leads the Laboratory for Behavioral Neuromodulation. His research, supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other organizations, explores neuromodulation for memory, mood, and seizure disorders, including how brain stimulation can improve memory, reduce seizures, and alleviate symptoms of conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. He actively participates in clinical trials and has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications and regularly lectures at national and international conferences. He is dedicated to advancing innovative, patient-centered care for individuals with complex neurological conditions.

Please note: Dr. Willie will begin seeing patients on November 10, 2025.