Ahmad Kareem Almekkawi | Neurosurgery | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Ahmad Kareem Almekkawi –  Neurosurgery –  Best Researcher Award

Research Impact

Dr. Almekkawi’s research has the potential to transform neurosurgery and related fields in several impactful ways: Neurosurgery: His computational research in spine surgery could redefine clinical decision-making by integrating predictive AI models. Child Neurology: His genetic studies of autism spectrum disorders can contribute to early diagnosis and targeted treatments. Psychiatry: His work in optogenetics could pave the way for precision psychiatric interventions.

Saint Luke’s Hospital  | United States

      Profile

Scopus

Scholar

 

📍Current Position and Responsibilities

Dr. Ahmad Kareem Almekkawi is currently a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Neurosurgery at Saint Luke’s Hospital. Under the mentorship of Dr. Carlos Bagley, M.D., he is engaged in computational and clinical research, focusing primarily on spine-related studies, as well as leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to advance neurosurgical practices. His innovative approach bridges clinical neurosurgery and computational techniques, showcasing his commitment to advancing the field through interdisciplinary methodologies.

 

📝Publication Achievements and Research Focus

Dr. Almekkawi has made significant contributions to scientific literature, publishing extensively in the fields of neurosurgery, psychiatry, and pediatric neurology. His work on mitochondrial respiration in pediatric neurological conditions and his groundbreaking research on optogenetics in psychiatric disorders have been recognized as innovative and influential. His publications demonstrate a solid integration of computational analysis, biological insights, and clinical applications.

 

🔍Ongoing Research and Interests

In his current role at Saint Luke’s Hospital, Dr. Almekkawi focuses on: Developing biomechanical models for spine conditions using advanced computational techniques. Implementing artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to enhance surgical precision. Conducting translational research aimed at optimizing neurosurgical outcomes. Previously, at the University of Arizona, his research spanned multiple domains: investigating genetic and epigenetic changes in pediatric patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), exploring mitochondrial respiration in neurodevelopmental conditions, and analyzing serotonin 2A reuptake gene activation using optogenetics in psychiatric disorders.

Dr. Almekkawi’s diverse research interests include:

  • Translational research in pediatric and psychiatric disorders.
  • Neurosurgical applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning.
  • Biomechanical modeling and analysis in neurosurgery.
  • Genomic and epigenomic changes in neurological diseases.
  • Single-cell data clustering and analysis.

🎓Academic Background

Dr. Ahmad Kareem Almekkawi holds an M.D. degree from Beirut Arab University, which he earned in 2018. He also holds prestigious Micromasters certifications from: University of California, San Diego (UCSD) in Algorithms and Data Structures, where he mastered essential algorithmic techniques and developed skills to solve complex computational problems. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Statistics and Data Science, where he gained proficiency in probabilistic modeling, machine learning, and big data analysis.

 

🏆Scholarships and Awards

Dr. Almekkawi has been recognized for his academic excellence through various scholarships and awards. His exceptional performance in clinical and computational research has earned him opportunities at globally renowned institutions.

 

bioinformatics

Dr. Almekkawi has demonstrated exceptional skills in bioinformatics, including: Whole-genome analysis using R programming. miRNA data analysis for translational research applications. Statistical analysis and results interpretation, contributing to precision medicine and computational biology.

 

🌐Professional Associations  and Training 

Dr. Almekkawi is actively involved in professional medical and research communities, fostering collaborations that advance neurosurgical and computational methodologies. His engagements include contributions to neurosurgical conferences and membership in global research networks.

Dr. Almekkawi has completed several advanced training programs, including:

  1. Career Tracks on Data Camp:
    • Data Scientist with Python.
    • Machine Learning Scientist with Python.
    • Data Engineer with Python.
  2. Hands-on workshops in optogenetics and single-cell clustering techniques.
  3. Specialized courses on biomechanical modeling and surgical video preparation.

 

🎤Oral Presentations and Workshops

Dr. Almekkawi has delivered impactful oral presentations at leading conferences, showcasing his research on: Mitochondrial dysfunctions in ASD. Psychiatric phenotypes linked to serotonin 2A reuptake gene activation. Computational advancements in spine surgery.

 

🧑‍🔬Tasks Completed as a Researcher 

Dr. Almekkawi’s diverse skill set includes: Grant and proposal writing for research funding. Formulating hypotheses and conducting data-driven analysis. Preparing high-impact manuscripts and surgical videos. Applying R programming for statistical and genomic analyses. Building biomechanical models for neurosurgical applications.

 

🚀Success Factors 

Dr. Almekkawi’s success as a researcher can be attributed to: His interdisciplinary expertise spanning medicine, bioinformatics, and data science. Proactive involvement in cutting-edge research projects. Strong analytical skills and critical thinking abilities. Commitment to continuous learning through advanced certifications and training.

 

🧪Publications & Laboratory Experience

Dr. Almekkawi has a wealth of laboratory experience, including: Conducting optogenetic experiments in psychiatric research. Developing computational tools for analyzing large datasets. Leading translational research projects on neurological disorders.

 

🔍 Conclusion

Dr. Ahmad Kareem Almekkawi, M.D., exemplifies excellence in neurosurgical research, computational innovation, and bioinformatics. His interdisciplinary expertise, spanning clinical, academic, and computational domains, positions him as a leader in translational medicine. With a proven track record of impactful publications, advanced training, and successful projects, Dr. Almekkawi continues to push the boundaries of neurosurgery and data science. His dedication and achievements make him a strong candidate for recognition in the field of medical research.

 

📚Publications

  • Comparative Analysis of Large Language Models and Spine Surgeons in Surgical Decision-Making and Radiological Assessment for Spine Pathologies

    Author: Almekkawi, A.K., Caruso, J.P., Anand, S., … Aoun, S.G., Bagley, C.A.

    Journal: World Neurosurgery

  • Neurologic Quality of Life Outcomes in Patients with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus After Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Placement: A Prospective Assessment of Cognition, Mobility, and Social Participation

    Author: Caruso, J.P., El Ahmadieh, T.Y., Trent, T., … Aoun, S.G., White, J.A.

    Journal: World Neurosurgery

  • Age is Associated with Level of First-Time Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: An Ordinal Analysis of Factors Influencing Timing of Cervical Degeneration

    Author: Caruso, J.P., Wilson, R., Dosselman, L., … Van Hal, M., Al Tamimi, M.

    Journal: World Neurosurgery

  • Phase 1 study of concomitant tumor treating fields and temozolomide chemoradiation for newly diagnosed glioblastoma

    Author: Goldlust, S.A., Singer, S., Cappello, L.A., … Azmi, H., Kaptain, G.J.

    Journal: Neuro-Oncology Advances

  • Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Literature

    Author: Almekkawi, A.K., Caruso, J.P., El Ahmadieh, T.Y., … Bagley, C.A., Aoun, S.G.

    Journal: Spine