Alexander Cherkashin is known for his cross-disciplinary work in the fields of orthopedics, outcome studies and data management. He is worldwide expert on external fixation techniques. After receiving his medical degree at Novosibirsk State Medical University in Russia, he joined the renowned Ilizarov Orthopedic Research Center in Kurgan, Russia, where he worked for 12 years. While working as head of the hip reconstruction department, he conducted research on the prevention of complications during the application of distraction osteogenesis techniques using computer data management. At the same time, he served on the faculty of the department of continuing medical education at the Ilizarov Center.

In 1995, Dr. Cherkashin joined the research department of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, and six years later became director of the Orthopedic Data Management Lab. His research work includes limb lengthening, deformity correction, and bone transport; computer assisted preoperative planning and external skeletal fixation. Dr. Cherkashin’s outstanding work led to development of the Ilizarov Interactive Database for analysis of the Ilizarov treatment outcome and prevention of complications. He is co-developer of the TrueLok, TL-Trauma, and TL-Hex external fixation systems and holds more than 50 patents and multiple certified inventions in the areas of external fixation and limb reconstruction. He is widely published and is a chief editor on 2 books, his list of publications includes 45 book chapters, 26 peer review articles, and more than 200 abstracts. He is regularly invited as a guest speaker to national and International course, symposiums and conferences.