Steven Pavlakis

Steven Pavlakis, MD, is a Professor of Neurology at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, where he serves as Chief of Pediatric Neurology. He leads clinical programs at University Hospital at Downstate, Maimonides Medical Center, and Kings County Hospital.

• Brown University (Undergraduate, MD)
• Columbia Presbyterian (Internship, Residency, Fellowship)

Dr. Pavlakis is a pioneer in pediatric neurology, with groundbreaking work in mitochondrial encephalopathies (MELAS), sickle cell disease cerebrovascular complications, HIV neurology, hypertension effects on pediatric brains, and the creation of the International Pediatric Stroke Study (IPSS). His research established transcranial Doppler as a stroke prevention biomarker in sickle cell disease and redefined pediatric hypertension as a critical risk factor.

His 15 most recent publications span pediatric stroke mechanisms, neurogenetics, neuroimaging advancements, and metabolic neurological disorders. Key trends include hypertension's role in childhood stroke, genetic phenotyping of neurological diseases, and longitudinal studies of cerebrovascular risk.

As director of Pediatric Neurology at three major medical centers, Dr. Pavlakis has driven NIH-funded research programs and mentored fellows in pediatric stroke. His clinical practice locations include University Hospital at Downstate, Maimonides Medical Center, and Kings County Hospital.