John Grotzinger
Harold Brown Professor of Geology, Caltech | Chief Scientist, NASA Curiosity Rover | Member, National Academy of Sciences
Dr. “Q” Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa
Chair of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic | World-Renowned Neurosurgeon & Neuroscientist | Bestselling Author of Becoming Dr. Q | Mission: BRAIN Co-Founder
Speaker Dr. "Q" Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa is Chair of Neurologic Surgery at Mayo Clinic and one of the world's top brain cancer researchers. He performs ~250 brain tumor surgeries per year, leads NIH-funded research, and went from migrant farm worker to leading neurosurgeon — a journey being adapted to film by Disney. Audiences book Dr. Q for healthcare innovation, brain cancer science, STEM careers, and his unforgettable American story.
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Dr. “Q” Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa biography
Healthcare speaker Dr. “Q” Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa is one of the world’s most distinguished neurosurgeons and the protagonist of one of medicine’s most extraordinary American success stories. Born into poverty in Mexico, he crossed into California as a teenager to work the tomato fields and rail yards before earning his way through community college, the University of California, Berkeley, and Harvard Medical School — a journey now being adapted into a feature film by Disney and Brad Pitt’s production company.
Today, Dr. Q is the William J. and Charles H. Mayo Professor and Chair of Neurologic Surgery at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, where he also serves as the James C. and Sarah K. Kennedy Dean of Research. He performs roughly 250 brain tumor surgeries per year and leads NIH-funded research into the cellular and molecular drivers of brain cancer, including pioneering work on stem cell migration and the use of human fat cells to attack glioblastoma.
Surgeon, Scientist, and Champion of Underserved Communities
Dr. Q is the co-founder of Mission: BRAIN, a nonprofit that brings advanced neurosurgical care and training to patients and providers in disadvantaged communities across Mexico, the Philippines, and beyond. His autobiography, Becoming Dr. Q: My Journey from Migrant Farm Worker to Brain Surgeon, became a national bestseller. His lab continues to publish breakthrough research, including recent work showing that glioblastoma cells retain a kind of mechanical memory that influences how they invade and adapt — a finding with major implications for cancer treatment.
He has been honored repeatedly for his clinical excellence and public impact. He was selected by Yale School of Medicine’s MD class as their commencement speaker, and was named the Earl Bakken Lecture awardee by the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering in recognition of his contributions to medicine and biological engineering.
As a speaker, Dr. Q delivers one of the most compelling combinations on the modern stage: world-class surgical and scientific expertise paired with one of the most powerful immigrant journey stories in American life. He speaks for Fortune 500 companies, leadership summits, university convocations, and STEM and DEI conferences on healthcare innovation, the science of brain cancer, the case for STEM careers, and the lessons of a life that took him from migrant farm worker to one of the top brain surgeons in the United States.
Dr. “Q” Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa Speaking Videos
Dr. Alfredo Quinones talks about his unique and inspiring life story
Dr. Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa - Fighting Brain Cancer with Trojan Horses
Dr. “Q” Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa Keynote Topics
Drawing on his work as Chair of Neurologic Surgery at Mayo Clinic and head of one of the world's leading brain tumor labs, Dr. Q examines where healthcare innovation is actually breaking through — and where it is stalling. He covers the convergence of digital health, advanced imaging, AI, and stem cell biology in cancer treatment, the role of interdisciplinary collaboration in driving scientific progress, and how policy and regulation shape what reaches patients. He also speaks candidly about the realities of NIH-funded research and what it takes to build a translational pipeline that turns laboratory breakthroughs into operating-room outcomes.
As one of the most decorated neurosurgeons in the United States, Dr. Q makes a personal and persuasive case for STEM careers. He shares his own path through engineering, biology, and medicine, the moments his work has transformed a patient's life, and the rewarding career opportunities now opening across science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. He also addresses the challenges keeping students out — particularly first-generation, underrepresented, and immigrant students — and offers practical strategies for educators, employers, and policymakers committed to building a STEM workforce that reflects the country it serves.
This is the talk that has earned Dr. Q standing ovations from corporate audiences, Fortune 500 leadership teams, and university communities around the world. He tells the story of his journey from undocumented migrant farm worker in California to becoming Chair of Neurologic Surgery at Mayo Clinic — including the obstacles, the moments of doubt, and the mentors and choices that turned a longshot into one of the great American careers. The keynote leaves audiences with a vivid lesson in resilience, education, and what it actually takes to follow a dream when the odds are stacked against you.
Speaker topics
FAQs on Booking Dr. “Q” Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa
Why Dr. Q?
Dr. "Q" Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa is one of the rare keynote speakers who unites world-class scientific authority with one of the most extraordinary personal stories of our time. He chairs Neurologic Surgery at Mayo Clinic, performs roughly 250 brain tumor surgeries every year, leads NIH-funded brain cancer research, and went from undocumented teenage farm worker in California to one of the top neurosurgeons in the United States. His upcoming Disney biopic only adds to the cultural reach of a speaker already booked by Fortune 500s, top universities, and major medical institutions. Book Dr. Q through Aurum Speakers Bureau to deliver a keynote your audience will remember for years.
What does Dr. Q do at Mayo Clinic?
Dr. "Q" Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa serves as the William J. and Charles H. Mayo Professor and Chair of Neurologic Surgery at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, and as the James C. and Sarah K. Kennedy Dean of Research. He performs roughly 250 brain tumor surgeries each year, including complex resections of metastatic and primary brain tumors. He also leads a basic-science laboratory studying the cellular and molecular drivers of glioblastoma, with NIH-funded projects on stem cell migration and emerging cell-based therapies.
What is Dr. Q's book Becoming Dr. Q about?
Becoming Dr. Q: My Journey from Migrant Farm Worker to Brain Surgeon is Dr. Quiñones-Hinojosa's national bestselling autobiography. The book traces his life from his impoverished childhood in Mexico, through working the tomato fields and rail yards of central California as an undocumented teenager, to his studies at UC Berkeley and Harvard Medical School and his rise to becoming one of America's leading neurosurgeons. The story is currently being adapted into a feature film by Disney and Brad Pitt's production company.
What kind of audiences book Dr. Q to speak?
Dr. Q delivers keynotes for Fortune 500 corporate leadership summits, healthcare and life-sciences conferences, university convocations and commencements, STEM and education events, and Latino, immigrant, and DEI-focused gatherings. His talks blend scientific authority with personal narrative, which makes him equally effective for technical audiences and broad inspirational keynotes. To book Dr. Q for your next event, contact Aurum Speakers Bureau for fees and availability.
How to book Dr. “Q” Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Dr. “Q” Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Dr. “Q” Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa's availability for a speaking engagement. One of our booking agents will respond to your request immediately and contact the speaker to let them know you want to hire them. We will assist you with obtaining speaking fees, booking information, and confirming availability for Dr. “Q” Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is Dr. “Q” Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa speaking fee?
Dr. “Q” Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa speaking fees are determined by several factors, including the event's date, whether it's a virtual or in-person event, the duration, format, preparation required for their speech, and more. The same applies to the cost to hire any other top expert speakers and celebrities. The Speaker Fee Range listed on our website is simply a guideline and is subject to change without notice. If you would like to hire Dr. “Q” Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa to deliver a keynote speech for your event, please fill out the contact form or email us at info@aurumbureau.com with as much detail as possible. One of our experienced agents will get in touch with you and let you know exactly how much it will cost to book Dr. “Q” Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa.
How can I contact Dr. “Q” Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa?
We only work with Dr. “Q” Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking Dr. “Q” Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having Dr. “Q” Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa speak at your event. We will be your sole point of contact throughout the process. Get in touch with Aurum Speakers Bureau today, and we will reach out to any motivational speaker or celebrity you want to enquire about speaking at your event. If you wish to contact Dr. “Q” Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
Can I book Dr. “Q” Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa for a virtual keynote?
Yes, Dr. “Q” Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Dr. “Q” Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
