Dr. Vasileios Alexandros Karakousis | Surgery | Best Researcher Award
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Dr. Vasileios Alexandros Karakousis is an accomplished medical researcher and clinician with a solid foundation in pharmaceutical sciences and clinical medicine. With a unique blend of qualifications including a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), a Doctor of Medicine (MD), and a Master of Sciences in Clinical and Industrial Pharmacology, he has steadily built an academic and professional career that bridges pharmacology, surgery, and medical education. Currently a PhD researcher in Plastic Surgery at Papageorgiou General Hospital under the auspices of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), Dr. Karakousis continues to contribute to scientific innovation and translational research in clinical medicine and surgery.
Profile
Education
Dr. Karakousis began his academic journey with a PharmD from the Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy at AUTH. He later pursued his MD at the School of Medicine at the same university, enriching his clinical understanding. Demonstrating a commitment to specialization, he earned a Master’s degree in Clinical and Industrial Pharmacology and Clinical Toxicology in 2023 from AUTH. He participated in the Erasmus+ program at Université de Paris, enhancing his international exposure. His educational record is further supported by a medical license from the Panhellenic Medical Association and a pharmaceutical license from the Panhellenic Pharmaceutical Organization. Additionally, he holds a DELF B2 certification in French and a Certificate of Proficiency in English from the University of Michigan.
Experience
Professionally, Dr. Karakousis has gathered diverse clinical and academic experience. Since May 2023, he has served as a postgraduate instructor in the MSc program “Colorectal Surgery” at the University of Thessaly’s Faculty of Medicine. His clinical experience includes internships and externships at esteemed hospitals in Greece and France, including AHEPA University Hospital, Hôpital Saint-Louis, and Hôpital Paris Saint-Joseph. His earlier career as a pharmacist in Thessaloniki and Katerini laid a practical foundation in drug therapy and patient care. Dr. Karakousis has also completed military medical service and has undergone extensive practical training in pharmacy, reinforcing his clinical competence.
Research Interest
Dr. Karakousis’s research interests span across surgical oncology, plastic and reconstructive surgery, cancer immunotherapy, and diagnostic imaging. He has a particular interest in gastrointestinal stromal tumors, breast cancer subtypes, and neuroendocrine tumors. His research integrates clinical practice with meta-analytical approaches to enhance diagnostic and therapeutic outcomes. Furthermore, his exploration into tumor microenvironments, metabolic reprogramming, and immunomodulation aligns with the frontiers of precision medicine and translational oncology.
Award
Dr. Karakousis is currently nominated for the prestigious Research Minds Best Researcher Award, recognizing his interdisciplinary expertise and his recent contributions to high-impact publications in surgical oncology and pharmacological innovation. This nomination reflects his dedication to both patient-centered clinical practice and progressive academic research.
Publication
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Karakousis V.A., 2025. Multifocal Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GISTs) of the Small Intestine in Patients with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF-1); Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of the Literature, Cancers.
→ Cited for its comprehensive analysis of GISTs in NF-1 patients and contribution to surgical oncology literature. -
Karakousis V.A., 2024. The Efficacy of Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography Scan (PET CT Scan) in the Diagnosis of Local Recurrence and Metastases in Surgical Patients with Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma, Cancers.
→ Recognized for evaluating PET-CT’s diagnostic accuracy in thyroid carcinoma. -
Karakousis V.A., 2024. Streamline Flow of the Portal Vein Affects the Distribution of Colorectal Cancer Metastases; Clinical Reality or Just a Belief—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Cancers.
→ Cited in studies exploring colorectal cancer metastasis mechanisms. -
Karakousis V.A., 2024. A 78-Year-Old Man with Elastofibroma Dorsi Presenting as a Left Subscapular Mass, American Journal of Case Reports.
→ Noted as a rare clinical case report relevant for differential diagnosis in subscapular masses. -
Karakousis V.A., 2024. Metaplastic Breast Carcinoma – A Rare Subtype of Breast Cancer that Poses Challenge to Treatment: 2 Case Reports and Review of the Literature, European Journal of Surgical Oncology.
→ Referenced in discussions about rare and aggressive breast cancer variants. -
Karakousis V.A., 2024. Neuroendocrine Breast Carcinoma; Interesting Images of an Underdiagnosed Entity, Diagnostics.
→ Frequently cited in breast pathology research for its imaging insights. -
Karakousis V.A., 2024. Immune Specific and Tumor-Dependent mRNA Vaccines for Cancer Immunotherapy; Reprogramming Clinical Translation into Tumor Editing Therapy, Pharmaceutics.
→ Highlighted for advancing immunotherapy strategies using mRNA platforms.
Conclusion
Dr. Vasileios Alexandros Karakousis exemplifies a rare blend of pharmaceutical depth and surgical insight, backed by strong academic credentials and hands-on clinical experience. His scholarly contributions and teaching engagements have fortified his reputation as an emerging leader in translational and clinical research. Nominated for the Research Minds Best Researcher Award, he continues to drive impactful research while mentoring the next generation of medical professionals. His career stands as a testament to interdisciplinary expertise, global collaboration, and unwavering commitment to medical advancement.