Warren Selman was born in Toledo, Ohio to Dr. Morris William and Helen (Big H) Marilyn Selman. He attended the University of Toledo where he graduated summa cum laude in 1973. He then attended Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio where he was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha and graduated in 1977.  After finishing his surgical internship, he became the Dudley P Allen Research Fellow, and completed two years of research on focal cerebral ischemia under the direction of Dr. Robert Spetzler at University Hospitals in Cleveland. He obtained his neurosurgical residency training at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and University Hospitals Cleveland, under the leadership of Dr. Frank Nulsen and then Dr. Robert Ratcheson. Prior to the completion of residency, he received specialty training in transsphenoidal surgery at the Mayo Clinic from Dr. Edward Laws.

In 1984, Dr. Selman was appointed to the staff of University Hospitals Cleveland as Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery. In 1990, he was promoted to Associate Professor. He was named Director of the Cerebrovascular Center at University Hospitals in 1992, and in 1994, was promoted to Professor and Vice-Chairman of the Department of Neurological Surgery. In 2005 Dr. Selman was appointed Chair of Neurosurgery at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and The Harvey Huntington Brown Jr Professor of Neurosurgery at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.

Dr. Selman has been active in organized neurosurgery, holding several leadership and editorial positions. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a Fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and served on the Board of Directors of the AANS, the Chair of the AANS Publications Committee, and was a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Neurosurgery. He is a member and served as the Vice President of the American Academy of Neurological Surgeons. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Neurological Surgery and served as Chairman of the Board. He is a member and served as Vice President of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS). He is a member of the AANS/CNS Section on Cerebrovascular Surgery and served as Chairman of the Section. He is a member of the Society of Neurological Surgeons and served as Vice President. His bibliography includes over 200 peer-reviewed manuscripts, chapters, and books. Dr. Selman was the recipient of The Golden Apple Teaching Award from the neurosurgery residents in 2017 and the Scholarship in Teaching Award from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in 2019.

Dr. Selman’s clinical specialties include the surgical management of cerebrovascular and pituitary disorders, and traumatic brain injury, and his research interests focus on those disorders as well. He is also actively involved in the development and application of virtual and augmented reality in preparation and navigation for neurosurgical procedures, and for resident and medical student education, and patient education and engagement.

Warren is a co-founding member of the classic rock band, The Nerve, based in the home of Rock & Roll, Cleveland Ohio, and although ever hopeful, reports of their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame remain unsubstantiated at this time.