Dr. Rajagopal received his medical and doctoral degrees from the University of Chicago as part of the Medical Scientist Training Program, in 2002. He completed his general surgery residency at Duke University Medical Center in 2009, during which time he also undertook and completed a 2 year research fellowship in cardiovascular biology at Duke University Medical Center. He completed a cardiothoracic surgical residency at Duke University Medical Center in 2012. During this time, he undertook advanced training in heart transplantation, lung transplantation, and mechanical cardiac and pulmonary support.