Dr. Alexander Khalessi, MD, MBA

University of California San Diego

Dr. Khalessi is the chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery and professor of neurological surgery, radiology and neurosciences at UC San Diego. As a board-certified neurosurgeon, he specializes in complex cranial surgery, endovascular neurosurgery, stroke care, and neurological oncology. In 2021, he was named the inaugural Don and Karen Cohn Chancellor’s Endowed Chair in Neurosurgery.

Under Dr. Khalessi’s leadership the Department of Neurological Surgery has experienced significant growth. The Department performs an average of 4,000 major cases annually and is one of few health systems in the nation to have two comprehensive stroke centers.