Research Instructor - Neurobiology & Anatomy

Research Coordinator - Neurosurgery

Email: Ajay.Bakshi@drexel.edu

Research: My research focus is on using basic neuroscience knowledge to create therapeutic strategies for diseases of the brain and spinal cord. We have developed a novel technique for delivering stem cells for spinal cord injuries in a minimally invasive way using a percutaneous lumbar puncture. We also collaborate with a leading drug delivery lab led by Dr. Anthony Lowman to develop biomimetic matrices which release therapeutic peptides in a sustained manner. 

Biography: Dr Bakshi trained as a neurosurgeon at All India Institute of Medical Sciences at New Delhi, INDIA. During residency, he performed novel studies documenting the presence of basilar artery vasospasm in head injured patients; a presentation of this work received the JB Mody Best paper award at the 6^th Annual meeting of the Neurotrauma Society of India at Banaras. After completing his residency in 1996, he worked at AIIMS as Chief Resident for 1 year and then visited Prof Axel Perneczky at Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, GERMANY for neuroendoscopic training. Subsequently, he worked as a Consultant neurosurgeon at a not-for-profit center in New Delhi called Vidyasagar Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences (VIMHANS). At VIMHANS, Dr.Bakshi developed new programs on endoscopic neurosurgery and spinal instrumentations and performed 6-8 major neurosurgical procedures each week. He developed a novel endoscopic instrumentation which received the Best Paper in Neurosurgery award at the 48th annual meeting of the Neurological Society of India in 1999. After 5 years of neurosurgical practice, Dr.Bakshi moved into a full time research position at the Drexel University College of Medicine in March 2002. Dr.Bakshi was elevated to a research faculty position in March 2003. Dr.Bakshi is also receiving business education via the Wharton Management Program from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. 

Selected Publications

1. Bakshi A, Nandi D, Guleria S. Cadaveric renal transplants-our experience with relatives. (Correspondence). National Medical Journal of India. 7(5), pg 252. 1994.

2. Jayasundar R., Singh V.P., Bakshi A., Raghunathan P., Banerji A.K. Proton spectroscopy in brain tumours (abst.). Neurology India Vol. 43(4) (Suppl.) 1995.

3. Bakshi A., Nag T.C., Wadhwa S., Mahapatra A.K., Sarkar C. The expression of nitric oxide synthases in human brain tumours and peritumoral areas.  J Neurol Sci. 1998 Mar 5;155(2):196-203.

4. Bakshi A, Mahapatra AK. Basilar artery vasospasm after severe head injury: A preliminary transcranial Doppler ultrasound study. Natl Med J Ind 1998 11(5): 220-221

5. Bakshi A, Banerji AK. Book Review: "A Neurosurgeon's Notebook" by Chris Adams in Natl. Med. J. Ind. 1999 12(1): 37.

6. Bakshi A, Mukerjee DB, Bakshi A, Banerji AK Das UN. Gamma-linolenic acid therapy of human gliomas. Nutrition 19:305–309, 2003

7. Bakshi A, Patir R, Bakshi A & Banerji AK. A multifunctional, modified rigid neuroendoscopic system: clinical experience with 83 procedures. Technical note. J.Neurosurg. 99:421-425, 2003

8.Bakshi A, Bakshi A, Banerji AK. Neuroendoscope assisted evacuation of large intracerebral hematomas: introduction of a new minimally invasive technique. (manuscript submitted)

9.Bakshi A, Fisher O, Dagci T, Himes BT, Fischer I and Lowman AM. Mechanically engineered hydrogel scaffolds can promote axonal regeneration and angiogenesis 

after transplantation in spinal cord injury. (Manuscript submitted)

10.Bakshi A, Hunter C, Swanger S, Fischer I. Minimally invasive delivery of marrow stromal cells for spinal cord injury: advantages of the 

lumbar puncture technique (Manuscript submitted)