Alexandra Drakaki, MD
Suite 580
Santa Monica, California 90404
About
Alexandra Drakaki is an MD, PhD and Associate Professor of Hematology/Oncology and Urology. She received her training in Internal Medicine at a Tuft's University affiliate program while she completed her Hematology / Oncology training at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center at Harvard Medical School and her research fellowship at Dana Farber Cancer Center Harvard Medical School in Boston. She specializes in Genitourinary cancers and specifically cancers of the Bladder, Kidney, Prostate and Testicles.
She is the Primary Investigator in therapeutic clinical trials as well as the Lead investigator in a national level in studies that are testing novel drugs. Her research interest is studying the role of a class of genes, named non-coding RNAs, including microRNAs and linkRNAs in genitourinary malignancies. She also has a special interest in studying and understanding the mechanism of drug related toxicity with goal to find combinations of medications that reverse/prevent toxicity without stopping effective therapies.
She is part of the Translational Oncology Research Laboratory of the globally renowed Dr. Slamon, in which researchers are working on drug development by using novel technologies for breakthrough discoveries to treat cancer.
Languages
Education
Medical Board Certifications
Fellowship
Residency
Internship
Degree
Recognitions
- Top Doctors, Los Angeles Magazine, 2023
- Top Doctors, Los Angeles Magazine, 2022
- Nomination for The Faculty Mentor Award for the Internal Medicine Program, UCLA, 2022 See More
Locations
Hospital Affiliations
Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center
UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center
Research
Interests
Dr. Drakaki's research interest is understanding the role of small non coding RNAs in oncogenesis which was also the focus of her PhD. She is currently working on identifying the mechanism by which specific microRNAs are involved in genitourinary malignancies. She is also the primary investigator of several clinical trials that lead to breakthrough approval of novel drugs in the field.
Dr. Drakaki has a special interest in understanding the mechanism of drug toxicity and specifically immune mediated side effects. She is working on developing combinations of medication that can prevent/reverse autoimmunity without needing to stop cancer directed therapy.
Publications
In the News
Dolph Lundgren reveals cancer battle (Source: cnn.com)
Recognitions
- Top Doctors, Los Angeles Magazine, 2023
- Top Doctors, Los Angeles Magazine, 2022
- Nomination for The Faculty Mentor Award for the Internal Medicine Program, UCLA, 2022
- Top Doctors, Los Angeles Magazine, 2021
- Exceptional Physician for the UCLA health System Nomination, 2020
- Best Attending Teaching Award, Teacher of the Year, Hematology/Oncology, UCLA, 2020
- Super Doctors® Southern California, 2018
- Merit Award at the GU ASCO, 2018
- Rising Star, Super Doctors in Southern California, 2016, 2017
- Best Attending Teaching Award, Teacher of the Year, Hematology/Oncology, UCLA, 2016
- Merit Award in the Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium, GI ASCO, 2013
- Merit Award at the GI ASCO, 2013
- Best Teaching Award for Residents, Tufts University School of Medicine, MA, 2010
- Best Basic Research Award for Residents and Fellows in National Annual American College of Physicians Meeting, 2009
- National American College of Physician Award, 2009
- Best Research Award for Residents and Fellows, Annual American College of Physicians Meeting, Massachusetts, 2008
- Local American College of Physician Award at the state of Massachusetts, 2008
- Award for Best Medical Student, 2003