Arka N. Mallela, MD, joined the University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurological Surgery residency program in July 2018 after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, earning his MD and MS in translational research. He received his undergraduate degrees from the Vagelos Scholars Program at the University of Pennsylvania, completing a BA in biophysics, biochemistry, and philosophy and an MS in biological chemistry.
Dr. Mallela has a strong interest in the intersection of neurophysiology, neuroimaging, network theory and deep learning. He is currently interested in utilizing these tools to study a variety of neurological diseases, including fetal brain folding, epilepsy, and brain tumors. For his work, Dr. Mallela has received the 2017 American Brain Tumor Association Young Investigator Award. He was recently selected for the Burroughs Wellcome Foundation Physician Scientist Incubator Program at the University of Pittsburgh to further his research in these areas.
In his free time, Dr. Mallela enjoys hiking, movie making, and spending time with his family, wife, and friends.
Specialized Areas of Interest
Professional Organization Membership
Education & Training
- BS, Biophysics, Biochemistry, Philosophy, University of Pennsylvania, 2013
- MS, Biological Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 2013
- MS, Translational Research, University fo Pennsylvania, 2018
- MD, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 2018
Honors & Awards
- Stryker CNS Tumor Award, AANS, 2023
- American Epilepsy Society Fellow, 2022
- F32 Ruth L. Kirschstein Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award, 2022
- Highest ABNS Score Award, UPMC Department of Neurosurgery, 2021
- Physician Scientist Incubator Program, Burroughs Wellcome Foundation, 2021
- Walter L. Copeland Grant, Copeland Foundation, 2020
- American Brain Tumor Association Young Investigator Award, 2017
- ITMAT Prize for Clinical/Translational Research, University of Pennsylvania, 2015
Selected Publications
Bin Alamer O, Palmisciano P, Mallela AN, Labib MA, Gardner PA, Couldwell WT, Lunsford LD, Abou-Al-Shaar H. Stereotactic Radiosurgery in the Management of Petroclival Meningiomas: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Treatment Outcomes of Primary and Adjuvant Radiosurgery. J Neuro-oncology [in press], 2021.
Mallela AN, Hect JL, Abou-Al-Shaar H, Akwayena E, Abel TJ. Stereotactic laser interstitial thermal therapy corpus callosotomy for the treatment of pediatric drug-resistant epilepsy. Epilepsia Open [in press], 2021.
Mallela AN, Abou-Al-Shaar H, Nayar GM, Luy DD, Jorge A González-Martínez. Stereotactic Electroencephalography Implantation Through Nonautologous Cranioplasty. Operative Neurosurgery 21(4):258-264, 2021.
Shalom DE, Trevisan MA, Mallela A, Nuñez M, Goldschmidt E. Brain folding shapes the branching pattern of the middle cerebral artery. PLOS ONE 16(1):e0245167, 2021.
Mallela AN, Deng H, Brisbin AK, Bush A, Goldschmidt EG. Sylvian fissure development is linked to differential genetic expression in the pre-folded brain. Sci Rep 10(1):14489, 2020.
Mallela AN, Deng H, Bush A, Goldschmidt EG. Different principles govern different scales of brain folding. Cerebral Cortex 30(9):4938-4948, 2020.
Mallela AN, Agarwal P, Goel N, Durgin J, Jayaram M, O’Rourke DO, Brem S, Abdullah KG. An additive score optimized by a genetic learning algorithm predicts readmission risk after glioblastoma resection. J Clin Neurosci 80:1-5, 2020.
Lou W, Peck KK, Petrovich-Brennan NM, Mallela A, Holodny AI. Left-Lateralization of Resting State Functional Connectivity Between the pre-SMA and Primary Language Areas. NeuroReport 28(10):545-550, 2017.
Mallela AN, Peck KK, Petrovich-Brennan NM, Zhang Z, Lou W, Holodny AI. Altered resting state functional connectivity in the hand motor network of glioma patients. Brain Connectivity 6(8):587-595, 2016.
Dr. Mallela’s publications can be reviewed through the National Library of Medicine’s publication database.
Research Activities
The Role of the Supplementary Motor Area in Expressive Language
Dr. Mallela is studying the role of the supplementary motor area in language dysfunction and recovery through stereo EEG recording and stimulation, multimodal advanced neuroimaging, and psycholinguistic testing.
Understanding Fetal Insular Development and Brain Folding
Dr. Mallela is investigating the fetal development of the insula and Sylvian fissure to propose a novel mechanism of insular formation and telencephalic folding through advanced fetal neuroimaging and data analysis
Surreality Lab at the Alba Tull Center: Augmented and Virtual Reality in Neurosurgery
Dr. Mallela and Edward Andrews, MD, are developing intraoperative augmented reality solutions for cranial and spinal navigation, to integrate multiple monitoring modalities, and to streamline operative workflow.