Faculty
Paola Martinez, MD, Signs with Department of Neurosurgery
February 23, 2022
The Department of Neurosurgery is excited to announce that Paola Martinez, MD, has officially signed with us to join our neurocritical care faculty. Dr. Martinez received her medical degree with Distinction in Medical Education from the UT Health San Antonio Long School of Medicine. She completed her residency at the UT Health Department of Neurology […]
Alexander Papanastassiou, M.D., Interviewed for KSAT’s Morning Show, GMSA @9
February 22, 2022
Alexander Papanastassiou, M.D., was recently interviewed on KSAT’s morning show, GMSA @ 9, where he discussed his team’s landmark surgery utilizing deep brain stimulation (DBS) as a prospective treatment for mild Alzheimer’s disease. You can watch the interview by visiting this link.
Department Recognizes Addition of Cristian Gragnaniello, MD, PhD, to Our Team
February 18, 2022
Cristian Gragnaniello, MD, PhD, joined the Department of Neurosurgery last fall as an assistant professor. Dr. Gragnaniello received his medical education and advanced surgical training across Europe, Australia, and North America with a primary focus on surgery of the spine and skull base. He has a doctoral degree in experimental pathophysiology and neuroscience and has […]
Alexander Papanastassiou, M.D., Co-Authors Study Examining Effects of VNS Therapy on Cerebral Blood Flow
February 17, 2022
Alexander Papanastassiou, M.D., recently co-authored a study comparing cerebral blood flow changes in baboons with epilepsy who were treated with different frequencies of vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy. VNS involves the use of a device (that is often surgically implanted) to stimulate the vagus nerve with electrical impulses. Because many individuals who suffer from epilepsy […]
Alexander Papanastassiou, M.D., Interviewed For Daily Dive Podcast
February 16, 2022
Alexander Papanastassiou, M.D., was interviewed for an episode of the Daily Dive podcast on the iHeartRadio platform where he discussed his team’s recent landmark surgery utilizing deep brain stimulation (DBS) as a prospective treatment for mild Alzheimer’s disease. You can listen to the podcast episode by visiting the link below:
UT Health San Antonio Newsroom Publishes Article about Wide-Neck Aneurysm Treatment Studies
February 15, 2022
Justin Mascitelli, M.D., was recently interviewed for an article released online by the UT Health San Antonio Newsroom. He was asked about the multicenter studies he co-authored comparing endovascular therapy and microsurgery treatments for wide-neck aneurysms. You can read the article and learn more about those studies and their findings by visiting the link below. […]
Alexander Papanastassiou, MD, Interviewed for DBS Study
February 10, 2022
Alexander Papanastassiou, MD, was recently interviewed by KENS 5 Eyewitness News about a new study evaluating the effectiveness of deep brain stimulation (DBS) to treat patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease. You can watch the video and read the accompanying article by visiting this link.
Fadi Al-Saiegh, MD, Joins Department
February 9, 2022
The Department of Neurosurgery is thrilled to announce that Fadi Al-Saiegh, MD, will joining our team in August as a dual-trained vascular neurosurgeon. Dr. Al-Saiegh comes to us from Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is currently an enfolded Endovascular & Cerebrovascular fellow who is scheduled to complete his CAST-accredited Endovascular Neurosurgery fellowship […]
First South Texas DBS Surgery for Alzheimer’s Performed by Alexander Papanastassiou, MD
February 4, 2022
The Department of Neurosurgery is excited to share the news that Alexander Papanastassiou, MD, performed surgery on the first patient in South Texas to be part of a new study evaluating the effectiveness of deep brain stimulation (DBS) to treat patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease. You can read more about this surgery and the study’s […]
Justin Mascitelli, M.D., Publishes New Textbook
February 1, 2022
Congratulations to Justin Mascitelli, M.D., on the publication of his textbook: “Introduction to Vascular Neurosurgery.” Dr. Mascitelli has been working on this comprehensive summary of neurovascular disease and management for several years as a co-editor. With the collected expertise of its many contributors, the textbook will serve as a trusted resource for medical students, residents, […]