Alexei Christodoulides, MD

Bio

Where did you grow up?
I was born in Los Angeles, CA, but I spent a good portion of my childhood growing up in Paphos, Cyprus (a small island nation in Europe).

What is your medical school/undergraduate background?
UCLA (Molecular, Cellular, & Developmental Biology)
IU School of Medicine (Doctor of Medicine)

Why are you pursuing a career in neurosurgery?
I was personally drawn to neurosurgery for three distinct reasons. (1) My love for neuroanatomy and its inherently complex and vast nature. I remain captivated by the notion that I can harness my love for neuroanatomy and be able to help people in the process. (2)  Neurosurgery, in my eyes, embodies what it means to continuously strive to remain at the forefront of innovation. As someone that enjoys the process of research and advancing our understanding of the world, I can't imagine a more exciting field to work in. (3) Neurosurgical needs on a global basis remain unmet partly due to the great lack of resources and training in many nations. I hope to harness my passion for global health to help address these issues.

What intrigued you about IU School of Medicine?
I chose to stay at IU School of Medicine for residency due to my experience here as a medical student. I was blown away by the diversity of research endeavors offered by IU, coupled with the world-class faculty in every field I have had the chance to rotate in. Additionally, IU's long-term relationship with Kenya via AMPATH is a huge draw to me given my interests in global health. Most importantly, I fell in love with the culture and people of Indiana!

What are some of your hobbies?
I enjoy being outdoors, and for me this encompasses hobbies like rock climbing, cycling, camping, and nature photography.