After earning his medical degree and neurological surgery residency training in India, Devi Patra, MD moved to the United States in 2016 for advanced training. Over the past decade, Patra has completed one research fellowship, three clinical fellowships and a second neurological surgical residency in the U.S. while also working as an assistant professor.
To say that Patra has an impressive education background is an understatement.
Patra, now an associate professor of clinical neurological surgery at the Indiana University School of Medicine, is focused on delivering the highest standard of care to his patients and continually integrating cutting-edge techniques and technologies to improve patient outcomes and advance neurosurgery research and innovation.
“I’m committed to spearhead groundbreaking studies in neurosurgery, particularly in brain tumor research and neurovascular research, using artificial intelligence to improve our understanding and guiding treatment of brain aneurysms and vascular malformations,” Patra said. “I hope to lead clinical trials that pave the way for new treatment paradigms, ensuring that IU School of Medicine remains at the forefront of neurosurgical innovation.”
Patra, who specializes in skull base neurosurgery, open vascular neurosurgery and endovascular neurosurgery, is one of six neurosurgeons who have joined the Department of Neurological Surgery at the IU School of Medicine since Mitesh Shah, MD, the Paul B. Nelson Professor of Neurological Surgery, became department chair in late 2023.
“Our new faculty members are transforming the fields of pediatric neurosurgery, functional neurosurgery and skull base surgery and elevating the reputation of the robust neurosurgical clinical care, education, research and innovation at the IU School of Medicine,” Shah said.
In addition to his clinical and research interests, Patra has an extensive publication record, with more than 150 peer-reviewed papers and 20 book chapters. He is an associate editor of the "Hemorrhagic and Ischemic Stroke Book" and serves as an academic editor for three peer-reviewed journals. With over 100 presentations at conferences worldwide, Patra is not only a prolific scholar but also a passionate and dedicated educator and mentor to trainees.
We sat down with Patra to hear more about his neurosurgical career and what drew him to the IU School of Medicine.
Why did you choose the field of Neurosurgery?
Neurosurgery is a fascinating field. It blends the intricacies of the human brain with precision, skill and the drive to make life-altering differences for people. My decision to become a neurosurgeon stems from my passion for the complexities of the human brain and my desire to help people with these critical conditions, hoping to make a difference in their lives.
Tell us about your training background in neurosurgery.
Before joining the IU School of Medicine in January 2025, I most recently completed an ACGME-accredited neurosurgical residency training and CAST skull base and cerebrovascular fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizonia in 2024. My training began in India, where I earned my medical degree and completed a full neurosurgery residency in 2014. In 2016, I moved to the U.S. and completed a research fellowship and a clinical fellowship in skull base and endovascular surgery at Louisiana State University School of Medicine in Shreveport, Louisiana. In 2018, I joined the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix for further training, completing a two-year comprehensive fellowship in cerebrovascular, endovascular and skull base surgery, followed by my residency training and CAST fellowship. During my time at the Mayo Clinic, I also served as an assistant professor of neurological surgery.
What drew you to IU School of Medicine?
IU School of Medicine has a long-standing reputation for being a hub of academic and medical innovation. Its world-class facilities, cutting-edge research and highly regarded neurosurgery program were a natural draw. The university’s commitment to advancing medical science while staying deeply patient-centered mirrors my own values as a neurosurgeon. One of the most remarkable aspects of IU School of Medicine is its collaborative ethos. As someone specializing in skull base neurosurgery, open vascular neurosurgery and endovascular neurosurgery, I understand the power of teamwork. Here, specialists from diverse fields come together, fostering a multidisciplinary approach to patient care. This spirit of partnership aligns perfectly with my belief that collaboration drives progress and better outcomes for our patients.
What are your research and clinical focuses?
My clinical focuses include treatment of vascular lesions like brain aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, cavernous malformations and stroke; and various skull base pathologies like pituitary tumors, craniopharyngiomas, chordomas, vestibular schwannomas, skull base meningiomas and other primary or metastatic brain tumors. One of my unique clinical interests is Teflon-free microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgias.
My research interests include data science and artificial intelligence for the early detection and risk stratification and treatment of brain aneurysms and vascular lesions, brain tumor research and development of clinical trials. I am also involved in development of virtual reality and augmented reality platforms for planning, practice and intraoperative execution delivering precision surgery to improve outcomes.
