Xiao-Tang Kong

Biography

Xiao-Tang Kong, M.D., Ph.D., is HS Clinical Professor, Interim Division Chief of the Neuro-Oncology Division, and Fellowship Director of the Neuro-Oncology Program in the Department of Neurology at the University of California, Irvine. She holds joint appointments in the Department of Neurosurgery and the Hematology-Oncology Division of the Department of Medicine. Kong received a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology of Cancer from the University of Tokyo and an M.D. from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. She completed postdoctoral training at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and UC Irvine, followed by neurology residency at UC Irvine, where she served as Chief Resident, and a neuro-oncology fellowship at UCLA.

Kong has established a neuro-oncology hospitalist practice model at UCI Hospital and serves as Co-Chair of the Neuro-Oncology Disease Oriented Treatment Committee at the UCI Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. She directs the weekly Brain Tumor Board, which is CME accredited, and co-moderates the Neuro Tumor Board at Veterans Affairs Long Beach Health Care. As principal investigator for multiple clinical trials, Kong has led studies evaluating novel therapies for glioblastoma and other central nervous system tumors, including trials of NanO2 combined with radiation and temozolomide, ONC201 for H3 K27M-mutant diffuse glioma, and lomustine-temozolomide combination therapy. She has also served as principal investigator for a phase 2 study of bortezomib combined with temozolomide and radiation therapy for newly diagnosed glioblastoma, published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics.

Kong has authored over 40 peer-reviewed publications spanning molecular genetics of cancer, neuro-oncology therapeutics, and clinical case studies. Her research has appeared in journals including Blood, Cancer Research, Neoplasia, and the Journal of Biological Chemistry. She serves as a member of the Clinical Faculty Advisory Committee for the UC Irvine School of Medicine and has been a member of the Biomedical IRB A committee since 2017. Kong has mentored numerous trainees, including neuro-oncology fellows, neurology residents, medical students, and undergraduate researchers, guiding projects on topics ranging from immunotherapy for glioma to treatment of autoimmune encephalitis. She has been recognized as Southern California Super Doctors from 2022 to 2025 and received the UCI Health Patient Experience Award in 2024.

Education

• Master of Pediatrics in Pediatrics, Harbin Medical University, China, 1989
• Doctor of Pediatrics, Beijing Capital Medical University, China, 1994
• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology of Cancer, University of Tokyo, Japan, 1996
• M.D., Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2008

Distinctions

• Member of New Investigators Committee in NRG oncology/RTOG foundation, 2017
• Medical Student Prize for Excellence in Neurology, American Academy of Neurology, 2008
• Teacher of the Year Award, Dept. of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, 2019
• Resident Research Awards, Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, 2012
• Physician of Excellence, Orange County Medical Association, Orange Coast Magazine, 2020-2025
• Southern California Super Doctors, Magazine with the Los Angeles Times, 2022-2025
• UCI Health Patient Experience Award, one of the top 20 doctors in achieving outstanding results in patient communication among UCI Health physicians and surgeons, 2024
• Dean's Recognition, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2008
• Resident Award for Outstanding Accomplishments, Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, 2012
• Healthcare Hero honored by UCI Health patients and care givers, 2018