John Kestle was born in Toronto and trained in Neurosurgery at the University of Toronto. He began his career at the University of British Columbia then moved to the University of Utah Department of Neurosurgery where he is Professor and Vice Chair of Clinical Research and Residency Program Director. He is the founder and past Chair of the Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network. He has served on the editorial boards of Child's Nervous System and Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics. He has held numerous roles on the ISPN Executive Committee and was a Director of the American Board of Pediatric Neurological Surgery. His clinical work focuses on hydrocephalus and craniosynostosis.