Dr. Akhil Katakam, hailing from the Greater Chicago area, is a passionate educator and orthopaedic surgery resident physician who leverages his expertise to help pre-medical students prepare for the MCAT. He has over 10 years of experience teaching a wide range of subjects and has tutored for several board exams, including the SAT, MCAT, and USMLE Step 1. With a strong background in mentoring, research, and leadership, Dr. Katakam is committed to helping others achieve their goals and reach their full potential.
Dr. Katakam's educational journey began at Northwestern University, where he graduated with a dual degree in Economics and Biological Sciences with a Neurobiology concentration. During his time at Northwestern, he actively participated in peer tutoring and basic science research, laying the foundation for his future endeavors in medicine and education. Additionally, he became the President of the largest cultural organization on campus, the South Asian Student Alliance (SASA). This organization aimed to create a community within the South Asian demographic at Northwestern. He would later go on to research hepatocellular carcinoma at the Baruch Blumberg Institute and become certified as an EMT.
After graduating from Northwestern, Dr. Katakam matriculated at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University. Throughout his medical education, he pursued orthopedic surgery research at the Rothman Orthopedic Institute and Midwest Orthopedics at Rush, where he published his research and abstracts. With 27 research publications and presentations, many of them as first author, Dr. Katakam has demonstrated his perseverance in advancing orthopedic medical knowledge. Additionally, Dr. Katakam has hosted professional educational programs and discussions for participants at the American Academy for Orthopedic Surgeons.
Drawing on his entrepreneurship skills, Dr. Katakam co-founded Statistically Significant Tutoring with his colleague from Northwestern, which aimed to provide helpful tips to aspiring medical students. Through this platform, he honed his expertise in student mentorship, sharing his insights and strategies for mastering important exams such as the MCAT.
Dr. Katakam’s commitment to positive student mentorship is rooted in his belief that hard work, passion, and a willingness to ask for help are the keys to reaching one's goals. He understands the complexities of the MCAT and works closely with his students to form individualized study plans, providing personalized attention and guidance to help them excel.
In addition to his roles as a medical student and researcher, Dr. Katakam has contributed to the success of his combined passion for orthopedics and student mentorship across several titles, such as:
- Orthopaedic Surgery Resident Physician at Rutgers University - Newark
- Clinical Research Fellow at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital
- Co-Founder of Statistically Significant Tutoring
- Research Associate at Rothman Institute
- Research Associate at Midwest Orthopaedics at RUSH
- Business Development Intern at ExplORer Surgical
- Researcher at Hepatitis B Foundation
- Undergraduate Research Assistant at the Routtenberg Lab at Northwestern University
With his extensive knowledge, leadership skills, and mentorship, Dr. Katakam is positioned to guide pre-medical students through the process of preparing for the MCAT in pursuit of a degree in medicine. His insights can help students develop effective study strategies, master challenging concepts, and build the confidence needed to succeed on critical medical school exams.
.svg)
