Dr. Hodis was born and raised in Southern California earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychobiology at the University of Southern California (USC) and Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. Dr. Hodis trained as an intern and resident in Internal Medicine at the Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center where he also served as Chief Resident in Internal Medicine. Following completion of his medical training, Dr. Hodis studied under Dr. David Blankenhorn, an international authority on atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Upon Dr. Balnkenhorn’s death, Dr. Hodis assumed the responsibilities of directing the cardiovascular research program at USC that would later become the nationally and internationally recognized Atherosclerosis Research Unit (ARU).

As Dr. Hodis fondly remembers “I was fortunate to work in the laboratories of some of the best physician-scientists and clinicians at USC beginning at age 16, majorly contributing to my early interests in biology and medicine. I was continuously trained in scientific methodology across a variety of disciplines including neuropathology, neurology, neurosurgery and ophthalmology through my high school and college years. It was an unbelievable experience to be trained by and to interact with giants in their respective fields. I owe a debt of gratitude to all of these great individuals who obviously shaped my passion and interests for the remainder of my life. I am convinced that my success as a physician-scientist has been my broad interests, exposure and training.” [more…]