Publication Charts & Student Stories

Publication Charts

Filter by selected classes. Toggle classes on or off to apply filters. Refine your search to just the current active classes. Hover over data points for more info.

These 4 charts (each under a separate tab) have data organized by each class of CCLCM graduates. Each data point represents an individual student.

The charts were created using a home-grown R script that was written by one of our students (Raoul Wadhwa - Class of 2022) and later updated by another student (Sameed Khan - Class of 2027). The script extracts the data from students' Google Scholar profiles.  The students are asked to create these profiles and check and update these annually for accuracy. The data is more complete for all students after the class of 2018 and is used to create these interactive charts.

Glossary:
H-index: A scientist has an H-index of h if they have published h papers, each of which has been cited at least h times.
Example:

• If a researcher has 20 papers, and 15 of them have been cited at least 15 times each, their H-index is 15.
• The remaining 5 papers may have fewer citations, but they don’t lower the H-index.

Citations: The total number of times all their papers have been cited in literature.

Charts last updated October 2025.

Research Day

Congratulations to the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University Class of 2026 for their exceptional research projects that were presented during the 16th annual CCLCM Research Day, March 13.

Class of 2026 oral research presentations

Meghana Iyer
Genetic and Epigenetic Drivers of Sex Differences in Vascular Disease: Uncovering Sex-Specific Mechanisms Through a Multi-Omics Approach
Mentor: Paul Cheng MD, PhD

Nandan Kodur
Prognostic Value of Natriuretic Peptide Levels in Heart Failure with Recovered Ejection Fraction
Mentor: W.H. Wilson Tang, MD

Kieran Lewis
A Split Renal Function-Based Approach for Predicting New-Baseline GFR Following Radical Nephroureterectomy
Mentor: Steven Campbell, MD

Temiloluwa Oladeji, BSc
Investigating The Efficacy of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Versus Metformin in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Management
Mentor: Mindy Christianson, MD

Victoria Rogness
Long-Term Outcomes of Single-Agent Ibrutinib in High-Risk Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia With 10-Year Follow-Up
Mentor: Adrian Wiestner, MD, PhD

Alan Shen
Photodynamic Therapy and Vitamin D Modulation of the Immune Response in Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer: Insights from Murine SCC and Human BC
Mentor: Edward Maytin, MD, PhD

Class of 2026 poster presentations

Miranda Arakelian
BMI and Pain Jointly Moderate Ketamine Antidepressant Response in Treatment-resistant Depression
Mentor: Carlos Zarate, MD

Chloe Borden
Utilization of Predictive Modeling to Maximize Benefits of Genetic Testing for Patients with Kidney Disease
Mentor: Xiangling Wang, MD, PhD

Kelly Bowen
Evaluating Racial and Sex-Based Disparities in the Liver Transplantation Process for Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure
Mentor: Christina Lindenmeyer, MD


August Culbert
Pre-infusion Risk Factors Predict Severe Infectious Complications of CAR T-cell Therapy in Pediatric and Adult Patients with B-ALL
Mentor: Nirali N. Shah, MD, MHSc

R’ay Fodor
Surgical Reconstruction in Patients with Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Scalp
Mentor: Bahar Bassiri Gharb, MD, PhD

Alan Gordillo
Microglia Depletion Demonstrates a Time-dependent but Sex-independent Decrease in Survival in a Murine Model of Glioblastoma
Mentor: Justin Lathia, PhD

Maria Gorenflo
Characterizing the Transient Association Between Arginase and Ornithine Carbamoyltransferase in Bacillus Subtilis
Mentor: Paola Laurino, PhD

Martina Hale
Leveling the Playing Field: How Do Sport and Graft Selection Influence Differences in Male and Female Return to Activity After ACL Reconstruction?
Mentor: Kurt Spindler, MD

Hannah Hong
Assessing Real-time Drug and CAR T-cell Therapy Response using Patient-derived Tumor Organoids and Identifying Therapeutic Targets for Cholangiocarcinoma
Mentor: Jan Jospeh Melenhorst, PhD

Emily Knott
Evaluation of a Simplified Prostate MRI Extraprostatic Extension Score
Mentor: Andrei Purysko, MD

Wilhemina Koomson
Identification of de novo Germline Mutations in Neurological Diseases Using Trio-Based Whole-exome Sequencing
Mentor: Ashleigh Schaffer, PhD

Lydia Lewis neé DeAngelo
Sex Differences in Left Ventricular Remodeling and Adverse Outcomes in Chronic Aortic Regurgitation: A Multicenter Cardiac MRI Study
Mentor: Deborah Kwon, MD

Roshan Lodha
Development, Validation, and Deployment of Path2Space: A Deep-learning Framework to Infer Spatial Transcriptomics from Histopathology in Breast Cancer
Mentor: Eytan Ruppin, MD, PhD

Nitesh Mohan
Analysis of Fundus Photographs for Prediction of Coronary Artery Calcium Score and Quantitative Retinal Vascular Characterization
Mentor: Sumit Sharma MD

Leila Momtazi-Marneé Bushweller
Socioeconomic Disadvantage is Associated With Significantly Impaired Semen Parameters and Increased Risk of Male Infertility
Mentor: Scott D. Lundy, MD, PhD

Kelsey Ouyang
Characterizing Clinical and Molecular Differences in Merkel Cell Carcinoma in Organ Transplant Recipients
Mentor: Bryan T. Carroll, MD, PhD

Scott W. Perkins
Compartmental Segmentation and Feature Characterization Utilizing Deep Learning for Biomarker Discovery and Predictive Assessment of Geographic Atrophy Development and Progression in Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Mentor: Justis P. Ehlers, MD

Nikhil Pramod
Genomic and Molecular Features of High-risk Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer Correlated to 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT Uptake
Mentor: Adam Sowalsky, PhD

Michael S. Ramos
Mid-Term Survivorship and Subsidence of Modular Fluted Tapered Stems in Aseptic Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty: Reoperation, Re-revision, and Risk Factors for Failure in a Cohort of 316 Patients
Mentor: Nicolas Piuzzi, MD

Conor Reid
Enhancing Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Response through Real-Time EEGTriggered Paired Associative Stimulation of Mu Rhythm
Mentor: Sarah “Holly” Lisanby, MD

Matthew J. Schulgit
The Utilization of Retinal Imaging Findings to Assess Risk of Sequalae of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease
Mentor: Sunil K. Srivastava, MD

Betemariam Sharew
Arrhythmic Mitral Valve Prolapse: Arrhythmic Burden and Mortality Following Valve Repair
Mentor: Joanna Chikwe, MD

Jeffrey Shu
Repeat Multiplex PCR Gastrointestinal Panel Testing Within 14 days Yields Minimal Additional Diagnostic Information: A Multicenter Cohort Study
Mentor: Abhishek Deshpande MD, PhD

Mario Cyriac Tchaya Tcheukado
Outcomes of Salvage Radiation Therapy for Recurrent Grade 1 Meningiomas
Mentor: Varun R. Kshettry, MD

Claudia Walker-Arefeayne
Characterizing patterns and determinants of sodium glucose cotransporter-2
Mentor: Modele Ogunniyi, MD, MPH

Alison Zhao
Characterization of systemic risk factors and optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging microsegmentation biomarkers associated with retinal vein occlusion
Mentor: Rishi P. Singh, MD

Student Research Year Highlights

Student Research Year Highlights: August Culbert

The Cleveland Clinic Lerner of College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University (CCLCM) is a five-year program dedicated to developing the next generation of physician investigators. During their first year, students are assigned dedicated physician and research advisors to help ensure they reach their educational goals. In their fourth year, students work with a mentor to develop a master’s-level thesis in basic science, translational medicine, clinical medicine or health systems. When the students graduate, they each receive an MD with Special Qualification in Biomedical Research from Case Western Reserve University.

The research in which students are involved is critical, timely and often results in presentations at national conferences and publication in scholarly journals. The example below briefly describes a student’s research project involving the use of predictive modeling to identify patients at highest risk for developing life-threatening infections after CAR T-cell therapy.

“During my research year, I participated in the Medical Research Scholars Program (MRSP) at the National Institutes of Health and worked in the Pediatric Oncology Branch under the mentorship of Nirali Shah, MD, MHSc. My project focused on using predictive modeling to identify which patients are at highest risk for developing life-threatening infections after CAR T-cell therapy. CAR T-cells are a powerful form of immunotherapy for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), but they can also cause profound immunosuppression, making infections a major source of treatment-related morbidity and mortality."

“Our multicenter study included 350 patients treated at the National Cancer Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Seattle Children’s Hospital. We evaluated a recently developed risk score called ALL-HEMATOTOX (ALL-HT), originally designed to predict low blood counts after CAR T-cell therapy, to determine whether it could also predict severe infections. Using statistical models that account for multiple risk factors simultaneously, we found that older age, history of prior severe infection and higher ALL-HT score were independent predictors of developing a life-threatening infection within the first two months after treatment. Patients classified as high-risk by ALL-HT were significantly more likely to develop infections, with low platelet count before treatment emerging as the strongest driver of infection risk.

“These findings suggest that predictive models like ALL-HT can help clinicians identify vulnerable patients before therapy begins, enabling more targeted monitoring and prevention strategies to make CAR T-cell therapy safer for patients with B-ALL.”

-- August Culbert (’26)

 

Student Research Year Highlights: Knott and Mohan

The research in which students are involved is critical, timely and often results in presentations at national conferences and publication in scholarly journals. The examples below briefly describe two students’ research projects, one that involves improving prostate MR image quality, and another that involves using eye imaging to study cardiovascular health:

“During my research year, I was mentored by Andrei Purysko, MD, on projects focused on prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI is used to detect, stage and monitor patients with prostate cancer. However, MRI accuracy varies widely across institutions, in part because of challenges with achieving consistent image quality.

“My thesis focused on improving prostate MR image quality. We standardized patient preparation and imaging protocols, created a quality control process and trained technologists to troubleshoot common artifacts. Over the course of the initiative, the rate of optimal quality scans increased from 67% to 84% (p<0.001). Improved image quality was associated with a higher positive predictive value for prostate cancer detection.

“We believe this work represents an important step toward more accurate prostate MRI at Cleveland Clinic and may guide similar initiatives at other centers to more broadly improve prostate cancer imaging.”

-Emily Knott (’26)

“During my research year, I worked with Sumit Sharma, MD, and Sunil Srivastava, MD, to study whether images of a patient’s retina (fundus photographs) could be used to provide information about overall cardiovascular health.

“The retina contains many small blood vessels that can be photographed noninvasively during a routine eye exam, making it a potential window into the body’s circulation. We completed several related projects, including testing whether deep learning models could predict coronary artery calcium score (a CT-based measure of plaque buildup in the heart’s arteries) from retinal images and developing tools to precisely measure retinal blood vessel features such as width and branching patterns. The vascular measurement tools allowed us to track subtle changes in retinal blood vessels over time, including changes observed after patients started cholesterol-lowering medications.

“Clinically, this work suggests that routine eye imaging may offer complementary information about vascular health and treatment response, particularly in preventive care settings where noninvasive monitoring is valuable. Overall, this research explored how eye imaging can be used not only to detect eye disease but also to study systemic vascular health in a practical, patient-friendly way.”

-Nitesh Mohan (’26)

 

Student Research Year Highlights: Bowen and DeAngelo

The research in which students are involved is critical, timely and often results in presentations at national conferences and publication in scholarly journals. The examples below briefly describe two students’ research projects, one that involves how patient characteristics and other factors affect access to liver transplantation in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure, and another that involves sex differences in aortic regurgitation:

“For my research year, I investigated how sociodemographic factors influence access to liver transplantation in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), a distinct manifestation of severe liver disease associated with multiple organ failures and markedly high short-term mortality, for which liver transplant remains the only curative treatment. I completed this work in the Cleveland Clinic's Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition under the mentorship of Christina Lindenmeyer, MD.

“The study included over 400 patients admitted to the Cleveland Clinic's Medical Intensive Liver Unit (MILU), a liver-specific ICU, with ACLF. Using deidentified patient data, we examined how patient characteristics and access-related factors impacted the likelihood of undergoing liver transplant evaluation, waitlisting and receipt. We found that private insurance was the most consistent predictor of access across all stages of the transplant process.

“We also identified gaps in healthcare access, with non-white patients significantly less likely to already be in transplant evaluation upon MILU admission. However, there were no significant differences in evaluation or transplant rates by race or sex once patients were admitted to the MILU, suggesting that structured, multidisciplinary transplant pathways within liver ICUs may help mitigate barriers to care.

“These findings highlight the need for more timely and consistent referral practices as well as expanded access to specialized care settings like the MILU to ensure equal access to transplantation.”

-Kelly Bowen (’26)

“For my thesis research, I worked with Deborah Kwon, MD, Director of Cardiac MRI and staff cardiologist in the Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute at Cleveland Clinic. This work was supported by the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (SCMR) Outcomes Grant and conducted in close collaboration with Christopher Nguyen, MD, Director of the Cardiovascular Innovation Research Center (CIRC) at Cleveland Clinic.

“Our project focused on sex differences in aortic regurgitation, a common form of valvular heart disease in which the aortic valve does not close properly and allows blood to leak backward into the heart. Although current national treatment guidelines are sex agnostic, emerging evidence suggests important differences in clinical outcomes and left ventricular remodeling between males and females. For the first aim of the thesis, we conducted a multicenter retrospective study across five U.S. institutions of patients with chronic aortic regurgitation who underwent cardiac MRI. We found that females presented with smaller heart size and lower regurgitant severity, yet experienced greater symptom burden and worse clinical outcomes, and they were referred for surgery less often than males. For the second aim of the thesis, we recruited 40 patients with chronic aortic regurgitation into a prospective study. Patients underwent cardiac MRI with novel imaging sequences to better characterize left ventricular structure and function. Through this work, I gained experience in study design, statistical analysis, grant writing and prospective clinical research recruitment.

“Our findings highlight the need for further research into sex differences in aortic regurgitation to inform more individualized risk assessment and treatment guidelines.”

-Lydia DeAngelo (’26)

Student Research Year Highlights: Momtazi-Mar and Ouyang

The research in which students are involved is critical, timely and often results in presentations at national conferences and publication in scholarly journals. The examples below briefly describe two students’ research projects, one that involves how socioeconomic factors shape access to male infertility care, and another that involves why Merkel cell carcinoma behaves more aggressively in organ transplant recipients than in patients with normal immune function:

“During my research year, I had the privilege of being mentored by Scott Lundy, MD, PhD, on several projects. My main project looked at how socioeconomic factors shape access to male infertility care, a topic that’s surprisingly overlooked, even though male factors contribute to at least half of infertility cases.

"Using deidentified data from nearly 4,000 men seen at our center, I explored a simple but important question: Does where someone live and the resources in their neighborhood affect how quickly they receive a diagnostic workup and how severe their fertility issues are when they finally get evaluated? What we found was striking. Men from more disadvantaged areas were less likely to be referred for a reproductive urology visit and, even after making it to an appointment, were much less likely to complete a semen analysis, which is the key first step in diagnosing male factor infertility. On top of that, they had worse semen parameters despite being younger and having similar medical histories.

“Altogether, the project highlights how social and structural factors can quietly delay care and worsen outcomes for men, and it underscores the need to address these gaps if we want to reduce long-term reproductive health inequities.”

-Leila (Bushweller) Momtazi-Mar (’26)

“During my research year, I worked with Allison Vidimos, MD, at Cleveland Clinic, and Bryan Carroll, MD, PhD, at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, to investigate why Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) behaves more aggressively in organ transplant recipients than in patients with normal immune function. MCC is a rare but highly aggressive skin cancer, and transplant patients face an especially elevated risk because the medications that protect their transplanted organ also weaken the immune system’s ability to recognize and eliminate cancer cells. To address our research question, we coordinated a bi-institutional project between two major Cleveland health systems and assembled a robust spatial transcriptomics dataset.

“This project integrated both the clinical characteristics and the molecular architecture of MCC to better understand the drivers of poor outcomes in transplant patients. We first built a unified database of over 300 patients (deidentified), enabling comparisons in diagnosis, treatment patterns and outcomes between transplant recipients and immunocompetent patients. Using spatial transcriptomics, we mapped gene activity within tumor tissue, revealing not just which genes are expressed, but also exactly where critical immune and tumor processes occur. Early results show that transplant-associated tumors exhibit weaker immune activity and more tightly clustered metabolic regions, patterns that may underlie their higher recurrence and mortality rates. By combining advanced spatial biology with real-world clinical data, this project helps us identify the molecular signals and spatial patterns that drive more aggressive disease. Our long-term goal is to use these insights to improve risk prediction and guide more tailored therapeutic strategies for immunosuppressed patients with skin cancer.”

-Kelsey Ouyang (’26)

Student Research Year Highlights: Reid and Shu

The research in which students are involved is critical, timely and often results in presentations at national conferences and publication in scholarly journals. The examples below briefly describe two students’ research projects, one that involves transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS, and another that involves molecular stool panel testing for patients with infectious diarrhea:

“During my research year, I participated in the National Institutes of Health’s Medical Research Scholars Program, a yearlong experience that immerses medical students in clinical and translational research alongside world-class physician-scientists. I worked in the Noninvasive Neuromodulation Unit at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) under the mentorship of Sarah “Holly” Hollingsworth Lisanby, MD, investigating ways to improve the effectiveness of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a noninvasive treatment for psychiatric conditions such as major depressive disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder.

“Though TMS is a great option for individuals who have not responded to other treatments, there is still a subset of people who do not see relief in their symptoms from TMS. Our team focused on answering a key question: Does brain activity at the time of treatment influence someone's response to TMS? To explore this, my study combined TMS with real-time electroencephalography to deliver stimulation at specific phases of an individual's brain rhythm. The study is still ongoing at the NIMH, but preliminary results indicate that brain activity at the time of stimulation does impact response. These findings pave the way for the possibility of more personalized and effective neuromodulation treatments for patients.”

-Conor Reid (’26)

“During my research year, I worked under the mentorship of Abhishek Deshpande, MD, PhD, in the Center for Value-Based Care Research and was supported by a Center for Populations Health Research Fellowship. This experience allowed me to strengthen my data science skills by collaborating closely with talented Quantitative Health Sciences statisticians and researchers who work under Jarrod Dalton, PhD.

“My project focused on identifying which patient populations would most benefit from molecular stool panel testing for infectious diarrhea. Using data from more than 16,500 patients across Cleveland Clinic, we found that pathogen detection patterns varied substantially by underlying health conditions. Transplant recipients were more likely to have viral infections, while patients living with HIV were more likely to have bacterial and parasitic infections. Across all groups, norovirus emerged as one of the most common pathogens detected. Notably, fewer than one in five tests identified a pathogen in high-risk patients, suggesting that more targeted testing could improve diagnostic stewardship while maintaining accuracy. These findings provide important epidemiological insights that can inform clinical decision making, refine testing strategies and advance risk-stratified approaches to improve patient care and reduce healthcare costs. We have been working closely with our clinical microbiology team to translate these findings into an improved stool testing algorithm for our patients.”

-Jeffrey Shu (’26)

 

Student Research Year Highlights: Borden and Walker

The research in which students are involved is critical, timely and often results in presentations at national conferences and publication in scholarly journals. The examples below briefly describe two students’ research projects, one that involves using machine learning to maximize benefits of genetic testing for those with chronic kidney disease, and another that involves addressing a gap in care for those with diabetic kidney disease:

"For my master's thesis, I defended a project titled ‘Utilization of Predictive Modeling to Maximize the Benefits of Genetic Testing for Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.’ Genetic testing is increasingly important to diagnose and manage kidney diseases but remains underused in practice. One barrier is provider uncertainty in determining which patients are likely to benefit from genetic evaluation. To address this barrier, we built a model to classify genetic testing outcomes based on readily available demographic, clinical and laboratory data to serve as a clinical decision support tool.

“Our model was trained on de-identified data from a cohort of about 700 patients evaluated by the Cleveland Clinic Renal Genetics Clinic with completed genetic testing from December 2018 through May 2024. We used machine learning (artificial intelligence) to understand the complex interactions between predictor variables, then explicitly modeled these relationships using interaction terms in a logistic regression framework. More simply put, we used machine learning tools to improve the performance and reliability of our logistic regression model. We were successful in building a model that accurately classifies genetic testing outcomes about 76% of the time (ROC-AUC 0.76). The next step in this project will be to validate model performance in a larger cohort of kidney disease patients not already referred for genetic testing.”

-Chloe Borden (’26)

“During my thesis year, I was awarded a fellowship through the Sarnoff Cardiovascular Research Foundation, which allowed me to conduct research at Emory University School of Medicine. This program is designed to prepare future physician-scientists through hands-on research and mentorship. Under the guidance of Modele Ogunniyi, MD, and Priyathama Vellanki, MD, I focused on improving access and care for patients with diabetes who develop kidney disease. This severe complication affects one in three adults with diabetes, leading to heart-related death and kidney failure. A newer class of medications, called sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), is protective of both the kidneys and the heart, slowing kidney disease progression and reducing heart-related risk factors; however, they are not being prescribed as often as guidelines recommend.

“To better understand this gap in care, we analyzed one of the largest national datasets to date, including over 1.58 million adults with diabetic kidney disease (DKD), to identify patient-specific demographic and clinical factors that affect SGLT2i prescribing. We found that only half of eligible patients were receiving these guideline-recommended medications. Prescribing patterns were multifaceted, with differences based on age, sex, insurance status, race and even neighborhood-level social factors (e.g., economic stability and community resources), which influenced prescription status. My research highlights key opportunities to improve care for patients who would benefit from these life-sustaining medications. To optimize the equitable implementation of these therapies across the DKD population, targeted interventions addressing policy barriers, healthcare infrastructure, provider education and social support services are urgently needed.”

-Claudia Walker (’26)

Student Research Year Highlights: Oladeji and Shen

The Cleveland Clinic Lerner of College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University (CCLCM) is a five-year program dedicated to developing the next generation of physician investigators. Students are assigned dedicated physician and research advisors to help ensure they reach their goals. In their fourth year, students work with a mentor to develop a master’s-level thesis in basic science, translational medicine, clinical medicine or health systems. When the students graduate, they each receive an MD with Special Qualification in Biomedical Research from Case Western Reserve University.

The research in which students are involved is critical, timely and often results in presentations at national conferences and publication in scholarly journals. The examples below briefly describe two students’ research projects, one that involves efficacy of treatments for polycystic ovary syndrome, and another that involves testing the use of vitamin D to improve the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy for non-melanoma skin cancers:

“My clinical research project is titled ‘The Efficacy of Glucagon Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1RA) versus Metformin in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Management,’ and my research mentor is Mindy Christianson, MD. My research focused on patients diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) from 2020 to 2024 who were treated with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), metformin or both. The primary outcome is a change in BMI to assess if the use of GLP-1RA compared to metformin leads to increased weight loss in patients with PCOS. A significant secondary outcome is whether use of GLP-1RA, because of this weight loss, leads to restoration of ovulatory function more frequently than metformin use alone. Results so far have demonstrated that the use of GLP-1RAs are by far superior to metformin in promoting weight loss in this population, when controlling for possible confounders such as age, hemoglobin A1c and more.”

-Temi Oladeji (’26)

“During our research year, I studied new ways to improve treatment for non-melanoma skin cancers, the most common cancers in the world. These cancers often develop a tumor environment that blocks the body’s natural ability to clear them through the immune system, which can make them more persistent. The research team and I focused on using photodynamic therapy (PDT), a light-based treatment that destroys cancer cells and can also stimulate immune responses, but which sometimes works less well on thicker or more aggressive tumors. Our project explored whether vitamin D could be used to boost PDT’s effectiveness. In experiments, we found that vitamin D not only increased the number of immune cells entering tumors but also strengthened their ability to attack cancer cells, possibly allowing for more complete tumor destruction. We also examined human skin cancer samples and discovered that more aggressive tumor types had stronger immune-suppressing features, which may explain why they are harder to treat. Building on these findings, we have designed a clinical trial to test whether adding vitamin D can improve PDT treatment efficacy for patients with non-melanoma skin cancer. Altogether, this work suggests that vitamin D may be a safe and effective way to enhance PDT and improve clearance rates for these patients.”

-Alan Shen (’26)

Student Research Year Highlights: Arakelian and Ramos

The research in which students are involved is critical, timely and often results in presentations at national conferences and publication in scholarly journals. The examples below briefly describe two students’ research projects, one that involves using ketamine to treat concurrent pain and depression, and another that evaluates the performance of a specialized implant in revision total hip arthroplasty, the findings for which were accepted as a podium presentation at the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons 2025 Annual Meeting:

“During my research year, I participated in the National Institute of Health's (NIH) Medical Scholars Research Program, a yearlong immersion program that brings medical students to the NIH and supports their professional development into physician-scientists. As part of this, I joined the laboratory of Carlos Zarate, MD, who is the current chief of the Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Dr. Zarate's group is interested in novel therapeutics that will change how we practice psychiatry. One such therapeutic, and a major part of Dr. Zarate's work, is ketamine. Ketamine was traditionally thought of as an anesthetic, but over the past 20 years it has been recognized for having antidepressant effects as well. Ketamine is particularly exciting as a potential treatment because it has rapid onset (unlike traditional antidepressants) and may offer an alternative to patients who are otherwise resistant to traditional depression treatments.

“Because ketamine is used to treat both pain and depression, I wanted to explore whether patients who had concurrent pain and depression were more likely to benefit from ketamine treatment than those without pain. If patients with pain are, in layman's terms, "super-responders" to ketamine, that would help us better understand how the pathophysiology of pain and depression intersect, and it may provide us with a potent treatment for patients who are historically very hard to treat. My findings indicate that body mass index interacts with pain and ketamine treatment through a mechanism we don't yet understand.”

-Miranda Arakelian (’26)

“Revision total hip arthroplasty (rTHA) is a complex reconstructive procedure performed when a patient’s primary total hip arthroplasty fails. Due to the reconstructive challenges involved in rTHA, the use of specialized implants, including modular fluted tapered (MFT) femoral stems, has gained popularity over the past two decades. These stems provide several advantages in restoring joint mechanics and leg length, leading to improved patient outcomes. However, studies on these stems have been limited by small sample sizes and a lack of radiographic analysis.

“Our study evaluated the performance of MFT stems in aseptic rTHA, focusing on the incidences of reoperation, re-revision and stem subsidence, or loosening over time, and factors associated with these outcomes. The retrospective cohort study included 316 patients who underwent rTHA with MFT stems between 2015 and 2024. Over a 10-year follow-up period, 16.5% of patients underwent reoperation, while 10.1% required re-revision. Radiographic analysis showed that clinically significant stem subsidence occurred in 16% of cases. Additionally, we identified several factors linked to repeat surgeries and stem subsidence. Increasing age was associated with a lower risk of reoperation, while higher BMI was linked to increased risks of reoperation, re-revision and stem subsidence. No radiographic measurement was ultimately associated with any of the outcomes investigated. The results suggest that a femoral stem canal fill of at least 78% is sufficient to prevent reoperation, re-revision and stem subsidence, effectively establishing a threshold of canal fill that surgeons should aim for during aseptic rTHA. Further, younger patients and those with higher BMIs may require additional early follow-up visits or more cautious return to weight-bearing after surgery to reduce the chances of reoperation and stem loosening.”

-Michael Ramos (’26)

Student Research Year Highlights: Pramod and Sharew

The Cleveland Clinic Lerner of College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University (CCLCM) is a five-year program dedicated to developing the next generation of physician investigators. Students are assigned dedicated physician and research advisors to help ensure they reach their goals. In their fourth year, students work with a mentor to develop a master’s-level thesis in basic science, translational medicine, clinical medicine or health systems. When the students graduate, they each receive an MD with Special Qualification in Biomedical Research from Case Western Reserve University.

The research in which students are involved is critical, timely and often results in presentations at national conferences and publication in scholarly journals. The examples below briefly describe two students’ research projects, one that involves using advanced screening techniques to find prostate cancer and another that examines the prevalence of arrhythmic mitral valve prolapse after valve repair:

“During my research year at the National Institutes of Health, I studied how advanced imaging can better detect aggressive localized prostate cancer. Specifically, I worked with a specialized scan called PSMA PET/CT, which targets a protein commonly found elevated on prostate cancer cells. While this imaging tool has transformed how we find and stage prostate cancer, we still don’t fully understand why some tumors show up brightly on these scans and others don’t. To investigate this, we analyzed tumor samples from patients who had surgery for high-risk prostate cancer. Using a combination of immunohistochemistry (a method to visualize proteins in tissue), whole exome sequencing (to examine mutations in the DNA) and RNA sequencing (to study gene activity), we looked for molecular patterns linked to high uptake on the PET scans. We also tracked clinical outcomes like cancer recurrence after surgery. Our goal was to identify features of the tumor that could predict both imaging behavior and disease aggressiveness, helping personalize treatment decisions for future patients. This experience solidified my interest in academic urology and gave me hands-on training in translational research that bridges laboratory science with patient care.”

-Nikhil Pramod (’26)

“During my research year at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center as a Sarnoff Cardiovascular Disease Fellow, I led a project focused on arrhythmic mitral valve prolapse. In approximately one-third of patients, mitral valve prolapse is associated with ventricular arrhythmias, which can result in adverse outcomes, including sudden cardiac death. My work explored the prevalence and prognostic impact of arrhythmic mitral valve prolapse in patients undergoing either surgical or transcatheter mitral valve repair. In a national cohort, we found that patients with arrhythmic mitral valve prolapse who underwent surgical repair had survival outcomes comparable to those without arrhythmias. Similarly, in an institutional cohort using long-term rhythm monitoring, the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias after surgical repair was not significantly different between groups. However, following transcatheter edge-to-edge repair, patients with arrhythmic mitral valve prolapse experienced worse survival and a higher risk of ventricular arrhythmias compared to their non-arrhythmic counterparts. The lab I worked with is currently enrolling patients in a multicenter randomized controlled trial to compare outcomes after surgical versus transcatheter repair in patients with mitral valve prolapse. We plan to use detailed imaging and prospective electrocardiographic data from this trial to further investigate the pathophysiologic impact of valve repair on arrhythmias.”

-Betemariam Sharew (’26)

Student Research Year Highlights: Onwubueke and Schafer

The research in which students are involved is critical, timely and often results in presentations at national conferences and publication in scholarly journals. The examples below briefly describe two students’ research projects, one that involves effective yellow fever disease prevention in pregnant populations and another that involves equitable access to breast reconstruction following mastectomy:

My research, conducted in the lab of Suan Sin Foo, PhD, focused on investigating the maternal and placental immune response to the YFV-17D yellow fever vaccine. With changing climates, mosquito-borne diseases like yellow fever are becoming more of a global issue. The yellow fever vaccine is an excellent way to protect people from infection, morbidity and death. The vaccine, however, is live-attenuated, meaning populations including pregnant women are currently recommended against receiving it. Our research team sought to investigate how the maternal and placental immune system respond to vaccination. We did in vitro experiments on human villous trophoblasts (HVTs) and ex vivo experiments on whole blood obtained from both non-pregnant women and women in different trimesters of pregnancy.

Our results showed that HVTs are highly susceptible to infection from the YFV-17D live-attenuated yellow fever vaccine. When exposed to the vaccine, HVTs exhibited a robust inflammatory response that reduced growth factor and angiogenic expression. Additionally, we observed activation of immune cells called monocytes in the second and third trimester of pregnancy. We therefore concluded that the YFV-17D vaccine may be associated with negative pregnancy outcomes during the second and third trimesters. I hope that this research can be useful in paving the way to safe, effective yellow fever disease prevention in pregnant populations.”

-Chineme Onwubueke (’25 )

For my research thesis, I worked with Graham Schwarz, MD, and my research committee to examine how the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has impacted access to breast reconstruction after undergoing mastectomy. Using data from the National Surgical Qualitative Improvement Project, we analyzed over 200,000 patients to uncover persistent racial disparities in reconstruction access before the ACA passed. After the passage of the ACA, we still saw persistent racial disparities, but we also saw improvements in some areas.

One thing we found is that Hispanic women are now more likely to undergo breast reconstruction compared to their non-Hispanic counterparts. This demonstrates that while racial barriers still exist, it is possible to make breast reconstruction access more equitable in the United States. I think every single person deserves to be able to have breast reconstruction surgery if they choose. Reconstruction can have a huge impact on quality of life for mastectomy patients, yet right now we're seeing that some groups can access it more than others. Our analysis will hopefully lead to more targeted initiatives exploring how to increase access so that we as a medical community can advocate for meaningful change.”

-Rachel Schafer (’25)

Student Stories - Awards

Akua Abrah receives Fulbright U.S. Student Award for 2025-26

Akua Abrah (’27) received a Fulbright U.S. Student Program award from the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board to conduct public health research in Ghana for the 2025-26 academic year. Abrah’s Fulbright research involves a screening study of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency among newborns at Suntreso Government Hospital in Kumasi, Ghana. G6PD deficiency increases the risk of severe hyperbilirubinemia, which can lead to kernicterus, a leading cause of neonatal mortality in Ghana. In partnership with the Northern Pacific Global Health Research Fellows Training Consortium, Abrah will not only assess its incidence and correlation with neonatal jaundice but also evaluate the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of integrating G6PD screening into routine newborn care. Her work aims to reduce preventable neonatal complications in resource-limited settings and lay the groundwork for future collaboration and capacity building in neonatology in Ghana. Learn more about Abrah’s work in this interview.

Student wins CLEsog Award

Congratulations to Jameson Mitchell (’25) on receiving the 2024 Cleveland Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (CLEsog) Medical Student Award. This honor, accompanied by a cash prize, is presented annually to one exceptional graduating medical student from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine or Northeast Ohio Medical University who is pursuing a career in obstetrics and gynecology. The CLEsog executive committee selects the recipient based on outstanding dedication to women’s health and strong potential for a successful career in the field.

Chichi Onwubueke wins Alumni Association Award

Congratulations to Chineme “Chichi” Onwubueke (’25) for winning the 2025 Alfred and Norma Stoller Award for Virtue-Based Leadership in Medical School. The purpose of the award is to support recipients who exemplify and drive one or more of the seven classic virtues: trust, compassion, hope, justice, wisdom, temperance and courage. In addition to her cash award, Chichi received a signed copy of the book, "Better Humans, Better Performance: Driving Leadership, Teamwork, and Culture with Intentionality" by Peter Rea, James Stoller and Alan Kolp. Chichi will be acknowledged in the spring issue of the Cleveland Clinic Alumni Connection newsletter and will be presented with her award during the annual spring reception.

Students earn Research Day recognition

Congratulations to Elaine Cheng (‘29), who was named among the Outstanding Student Presenters, and Ryan Song (‘28), who was selected for an oral presentation at the second annual Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine Graduate and Medical Student Research Day, Oct. 22, 2024.

Two students recognized for their research

Congratulations to Madeleine Blazel (‘25), who is among the winners of the 2024 F. Merlin Bumpus Junior Investigator Award. She placed second for her research project titled “Deconstructing disparities in hypertension prevalence by neighborhood socioeconomic position and racial composition.” Madeleine has been conducting her research in the Jarrod Dalton Lab.

Congratulations also to R. Sky Jones (‘27), who is among the finalists of the 2024 Bumpus Junior Investigator Award for his project titled “MR fingerprinting predicts gait improvement following lumbar CSF drainage in normal pressure hydrocephalus.” Sky’s sponsor is Stephen E. Jones, MD, PhD.

The Bumpus Award winners and finalists were announced at the 44th Annual Cleveland Clinic Research Day. The F. Merlin Bumpus Junior Investigator Award was created to highlight excellence in research by graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in both basic and clinical research. The award is named after F. Merlin Bumpus, PhD, who served as Chair of Research at Cleveland Clinic from 1966 to 1985.

CCLCM celebrates research awardees

For academic year 2024-25, we celebrate the 10 fourth-year students who received away-fellowship research awards. Notably, all the students who applied for these awards received them.

National Institutes of Health

• Miranda Arakelian
• August Culbert
• Roshan Lodha
• Nikhil Pramod
• Coner Reid
• Victoria Rogness

Sarnoff Fellowship Award

• Meghana Iyer
• Betemariam Sharew
• Claudia Walker

Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Japan 

• Maria Gorenflo

Madeleine Blazel wins Crain Research Award

Congratulations to Madeleine Blazel (‘25) who received the competitive 2024 Lawrence "Chris" Crain Research Award for her research titled “Neighborhood-level disparities in hypertension prevalence and treatment among midlife adults.” Madeleine received her award at the Cleveland Clinic Internal Medicine Grand Rounds on Aug. 22. The Crain Award comes with a cash honorarium. Lawrence “Chris” Crain was Cleveland Clinic’s first African-American chief resident in internal medicine. After completing a nephrology fellowship at Cleveland Clinic, he established a clinical practice focused on hypertension and renal disease, particularly in patients with a range of experience and needs. Dr. Crain died suddenly in 2003 at the age of 38. Learn more about Dr. Crain and contribute to the Lawrence “Chris” Crain Memorial Fund, which helps to fund this annual research award.

Three students receive “Compassion and Valuing Every Person” award

Congratulations to Eliot Haddad (’27), Shivani Nellore (’28) and Chichi Onwubueke (’25) who received a 2024 “Compassion and Valuing Every Person” award for their reflections regarding actions of compassion or actions that demonstrate the valuing of a person in healthcare. Eliot received an award for his story “From Error to Asset: A Med Student’s Role in the Healthcare Team.” Shivani received an award for her artwork titled “Who gets the heart? Life beyond numbers,” a reflection about organ transplantation. Chichi’s reflection, titled “To Know or Not to Know?” received a special recognition award.

Student Stories - Grants

Radhika Duggal earns two research grants from national society

Kudos to Radhika Duggal (‘25) who earned two grants in 2024 from the American Head and Neck Society. Radhika received an AHNS Pilot Grant for her research titled “Targeting E6/E7 in HPV+ oropharyngeal cancer with therapeutic RNA nanovaccines” and the Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association Award for Thyroid Cancer Research Grant for her research titled “Therapeutic personalized RNA-LPs for dab/tram-tolerant anaplastic thyroid cancer.” Her findings will directly inform a human clinical trial at Cleveland Clinic investigating the application of RNA nanovaccines for head and neck cancers.

Brianna Matthew on her Mission: Nutrition

Brianna Matthew, a second-year student at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine (CCLCM), has always had a passion for nutrition. Thanks to a Cleveland Clinic Catalyst Grant for her project "Enhancing Nutrition Literacy in Medical Education: The CCLCM Medicine Initiative for Hypertension," she is now working with mentors and peers to educate a group of hypertensive Clevelanders about maintaining a healthy diet. Matthew discusses her unique background, the importance of health education and plans for her new initiative below.

How did you end up at CCLCM?

I was born and grew up in the U.S. Virgin Islands. After getting my bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from the Florida Institute of Technology, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in medicine. CCLCM stood out to me from the very first time I visited it on interview day. Everyone was so warm and welcoming, and I felt a really strong sense of community among the students. As a first-generation student, it was important to me to enter a supportive environment welcoming to everyone. I couldn’t be happier with my decision to come to CCLCM.

You have a unique background. How has it influenced your passion for nutrition?

Cooking played a big role in my childhood. Some of my favorite memories are of me cooking with my mom. In the Caribbean, dietary habits often include significant amounts of meat, rice and flour-based foods. My father has diabetes, and it’s always been a struggle to get him to eat healthier. I started thinking about how I could use my love of cooking and my medical knowledge to help people of all backgrounds make more nutritious dietary choices. My mission is to meet communities where they are. Healthy eating doesn’t have to get in the way of celebrating culture through food. I want to help people adapt the foods they already cherish into more nutritious meals.

You recently won a Cleveland Clinic Catalyst Grant for a nutrition literacy project proposal – congratulations! Tell us about the project.

This is a project that’s meant to address knowledge deficits within both patient and physician communities. Medical school does an excellent job of providing foundational scientific knowledge behind different pathologies and diseases. What I found in practice though is that I couldn’t take the medicine behind nutrition and effectively apply it when discussing dietary planning with patients. Patients with hypertension and diabetes would often mention their struggles with maintaining a healthy diet, and I wouldn’t know how to help them. That’s when my colleagues and I decided that we wanted to create an initiative incorporating nutrition education into the medical curriculum.

The Catalyst Grant covers 20 hypertension patients and 20 medical students to participate side-by-side in nutrition education activities. These include three cooking sessions led by a professional chef -- during which participants will learn how to make healthier alternatives to some of their favorite foods -- as well as a grocery store immersion session where a registered dietitian will teach participants to read nutritional labels and pick ingredients. Since this is a pilot program, participants will complete pre- and post-activity surveys to provide feedback.

It's unique to see programs where medical students and patients are learning together. Why is that so important?

For medical students to effectively engage with patients about nutrition, they must first understand the challenges of diet adherence from the perspective of patients. This program gives medical students the opportunity to cook healthy alternative dishes and learn shopping techniques themselves so that when they work in the clinic, they can relate to patients’ experiences. It also allows students to get comfortable working interprofessionally with dietitians. By including patients in the program, we aim to teach healthy habits, create a supportive environment and gain insight into their cultural relationships with food. We hope to eventually host patients with diseases other than hypertension to gain an even broader understanding of patients’ relationship to nutrition.

You mentioned earlier that your father inspired your passion for nutrition. What does he think about this project?

He’s really excited about it! My dad wants me to come and teach him the techniques we learn in our sessions once the pilot program is over. I can’t wait to share my new knowledge with my family back home.

Student Spotlight and Kudos

Student Spotlight: Temiloluwa “Temi” Oladeji

Tell us briefly about yourself.

I completed my undergraduate degree at McGill University in Montreal, where I majored in biochemistry and minored in history. My research interests center around reproductive endocrinology, particularly the intersection of endocrine disorders like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with reproductive outcomes. I matched into an obstetrics & gynecology residency.

Tell us more about the skills you acquired at CCLCM beyond medical knowledge.

I chose CCLCM because of its individualized learning structure and strong emphasis on physician-scientist training. The program allows students to develop personalized learning plans and grow in areas where they may feel less confident. For me, that meant intentionally building skills such as public speaking and research leadership.

You are earning a master's degree along with your medical degree. What drew you to this path?

I was drawn to the opportunity to complete a master’s degree in Clinical Research to critically evaluate medical literature and design meaningful studies. Combined with the extraordinary research resources and mentorship available at Cleveland Clinic, CCLCM provided an environment where I could grow both as a clinician and a researcher.

What have you discovered about Cleveland that you especially enjoy?

One of my favorite places in Cleveland is the Cleveland Museum of Art. It is a beautiful and peaceful space, and it’s become one of my favorite places to bring visiting friends and family. The museum became one of my favorite study spots during Step 2 dedicated.

Additionally, Playhouse Square has become one of my favorite places in the city. I’ve had the chance to see shows like “Les Misérables,” “Hamilton,” “Back to the Future” and “Little Shop of Horrors.”

I also love attending concerts at the Blossom Music Center, where the Cleveland Orchestra performs each summer in a stunning outdoor setting. It’s such a special experience and one of the highlights of the Cleveland summer.

Finally, during my first year of medical school, I attended more than 15 Cleveland Cavaliers games, which was an incredibly fun way to explore the city and bond with classmates.

Tell us about your research year project.

My thesis research investigated the comparative effectiveness of GLP-1 receptor agonists versus metformin in the management of PCOS, a common endocrine disorder associated with insulin resistance, metabolic disease and infertility. While metformin has traditionally been used to address insulin resistance, GLP-1 receptor agonists have emerged as promising therapies because of their effects on weight loss, metabolic health and glycemic control.

Using a retrospective cohort design, I examined how these medications compare in terms of metabolic and reproductive outcomes, including changes in weight, HbA1c and ovulatory function. The goal of this research was to explore whether GLP-1 receptor agonists may offer additional benefits for patients with PCOS, particularly those with significant metabolic dysfunction.

How do you manage stress?

Staying active and spending time with friends are two of my favorite ways to decompress. I regularly attend hip-hop spin classes and participate as a dancer in Doc Opera with classmates, which has become a fun tradition during medical school.

What are some words of wisdom you live by?

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,” a quote attributed to hockey legend Wayne Gretzky. I try to remind myself to put myself out there, take risks and pursue opportunities, even when they feel intimidating. Failure can be difficult, but it also provides some of the most valuable lessons for growth.

What’s something you've been learning about lately simply out of curiosity?

I’ve always been interested in film and cinema, and recently I’ve been learning more about documentary filmmaking, especially nature documentaries. I’m fascinated by how filmmakers combine storytelling, science and cinematography to create such powerful narratives about the natural world.

What advice would you give to new CCLCM students?

Take advantage of the incredible opportunities available at CCLCM, especially the mentorship, expertise and collaborative environment. So many faculty members are eager to support students’ growth.

Also, Cleveland is a wonderful place to live as a student. The cost of living makes it much easier to explore the city and enjoy your time outside of medicine, so make sure to take advantage of that and treat yourself occasionally.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

I am a Nigerian-Canadian. By the age of 10, I had lived on four continents. Growing up in multiple places exposed me to many cultures and perspectives at a young age and helped shape my adaptability and curiosity about the world. It also sparked my lifelong love of travel and exploring new places.

Student Spotlight: Hanna Hong

Tell us briefly about yourself.

I was born in Queens, New York, raised on Long Island, and went to Johns Hopkins University for my undergraduate degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology. After college, I worked at the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute Surgical Oncology Program conducting translational research in cholangiocarcinoma and peritoneal tumor modeling in the lab of Jonathan Hernandez, MD. I then came to Cleveland for medical school and plan to pursue a general surgery residency and potentially hepatobiliary surgery/surgical oncology fellowship.

Why did you choose CCLCM?

CCLCM immediately stuck out to me due to its innovative curriculum, integration of research education and tight-knit community. As an aspiring surgeon who hopes to develop new, effective treatment strategies for my patients, I wanted to hone my clinical and translational research skills while pursuing a medical education that’s based on teamwork, scientific curiosity and compassion. To do so with world-class mentors at Cleveland Clinic and absence of financial burden thanks to the Lerner family is a unique, unparalleled opportunity.

What is one of your favorite experiences at CCLCM thus far?

One of my favorite experiences at CCLCM was serving on the Q&A student panels and interviewing applicants for the program. It is incredibly rewarding to be on the other side and play a small part in shaping the future classes of CCLCM.

What have you discovered about Cleveland that you especially enjoy?

The music and arts scene here is amazing! From the Cleveland Art Museum to Cleveland Orchestra and Blossom Music Center concerts, opportunities for music and art are accessible and student-friendly.

Tell us about your research year project.

For my research year project, I worked with Jos Melenhorst, PhD, and Federico Aucejo, MD, to cultivate patient-derived cholangiocarcinoma organoids and manufacture CAR-T cells based on tumor-specific targets. We then tested the efficacy of these CAR-T cells against cholangiocarcinoma organoids in 2D and 3D formats, with the goal of creating a predictive modeling system tailored toward individual patients. It was an enriching experience that bridged the realms of precision immunotherapy and liver cancer surgery.

How do you manage stress?

By sweating it out. Whether it is a hot yoga or Pilates class, running or HIIT workout, being physically active allows me to enter a meditative and reflective state.

What are some words of wisdom you live by?

“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity," which is attributed to Roman philosopher Seneca.

What’s something you've been learning about lately simply out of curiosity?

I learned how to make a beurre blanc sauce the other day, mainly inspired by television shows centered around cooking, such as “The Bear” and “Culinary Class Wars.”

What advice would you give to new CCLCM students?

Keep an open mind, explore everything and immerse yourself! Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, and try to stay present in conversations with patients. Also, write down or record as much as you can when you reflect.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

I ran my first half-marathon last year and am currently training for my first full marathon.

 

Student Spotlight: Meghana Iyer

Tell us briefly about yourself.

I am originally from Minneapolis. I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania, where I majored in bioengineering with a minor in philosophy. I am currently applying to internal medicine residency programs, with hopes to pursue a cardiology fellowship afterward.

Why did you choose CCLCM?

I was drawn to CCLCM’s philosophy of training students to become strong physician investigators at the forefront of academic medicine, while remaining grounded through reflective practice and a strong arts and humanities curriculum. The people at CCLCM are also incredibly warm and welcoming. I remember leaving my CCLCM interview loving my interactions with current students. I am so grateful to be part of that family today.

Mentorship is important to you. Tell us more.

I didn’t understand what true mentorship was until my time at CCLCM. The opportunities for strong mentorship here are truly second to none, and I would not be here without those strong influences today. I met one of my current mentors, Grant Reed, MD, MSc, during year one, after he gave a talk on cardiac physiology to our class. Though I was initially nervous to approach him about career and research guidance, he was so approachable and made time to meet and invest in my growth and learning.

Flash forward almost five years later, and he remains one of my strongest mentors to date. A highlight for me was getting to design and complete a clinical cardiology elective with him in third year, during which I worked with him either in the Cardiac ICU or Structural OR/Cath Lab in the mornings and then on research projects together in the afternoons!

What do you especially love about Cleveland, your “second home”?

Cleveland has many gems, from its incredible outdoors to a vibrant food scene. A highlight for me has been exploring and taking advantage of our world-class music scene, from Cleveland Orchestra performances at Blossom Music Center in the summer to Severance Hall in the fall and winter, and Broadway shows at Playhouse Square. Some of my favorites include “Lord of the Rings: Return of the King” movie with live orchestral accompaniment at Blossom Music Center, and “Hamilton” and “Hell’s Kitchen” at Playhouse Square.

Tell us about your research year project.

I was awarded the Sarnoff Cardiovascular Research Foundation Fellowship and had the opportunity to complete my research year at Stanford University under the mentorship of Paul Cheng, MD, PhD, and Brian Kim, MD, MPH. I used a multi-omics approach to study why men and women experience vascular disease, specifically atherosclerosis, differently. During the first half of my research year, I learned bioinformatics and computational approaches to analyze bulk and single-cell transcriptomic and epigenomic data. In the latter half, I sought to validate some of these computational findings at the bench using cell and other models.

My studies uncovered the possible role of X-linked epigenetic modifiers, existing at higher concentrations in females compared to males, that may drive divergent disease trajectories. I hope that work like this will begin to lay the foundation for precision-guided therapies that account for biological sex.

How do you manage stress?

I love to call my family every day; it is grounding to talk to them, especially during more stressful moments. I also enjoy spending time with friends; playing and listening to music; cooking and attempting to recreate some of my mom’s South Indian recipes; yoga and fitness; and catching up on a good movie or TV show. More recently, I’ve gotten back into reading and doing puzzles.

Share a favorite affirmation that keeps you motivated.

There is a verse from the Bhagavad Gita that translates to “lift yourself by yourself.” To me, it’s a crucial reminder that our minds can be both our best friends and worst enemies. We are capable of navigating life’s challenges by recognizing our inner strength. I often repeat this phrase to myself to remember that I am capable of anything and can achieve whatever I set out to do as long as I remain positive, focused and balanced.

What advice would you give to new CCLCM students?

Enjoy the process and have faith in yourself that everything will work out. Your time in medical school will fly by so quickly, so enjoy the enduring moments outside the classroom and hospital with yourself, friends and family. This profession can be so demanding and taxing; it is so important to develop healthy practices and routines early on.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

I was roommates with my younger sister in California during my research year! It had been almost seven years since we last lived together. We had the best time together exploring California and nearby areas, from driving along the Pacific Coast in Big Sur to skiing in Lake Tahoe and surfing in Hawaii!

 

Student Spotlight: Martina (Marti) Hale

Tell us briefly about yourself.

I grew up in Chicago, got my undergraduate degree in chemistry from Princeton University, New Jersey, and then moved across the country to San Francisco to start a two-year research fellowship at the University of California, doing CAR-T and other immunologic development for hematologic malignancies. I quickly fell in love with the San Francisco food scene, hiking and weekend runs across the Golden Gate Bridge.

Now I’m happy to be back in the Midwest and at CCLCM, where I’ve found some incredible friends, mentors and colleagues. Soon I’ll be applying for an orthopaedic surgery residency.

Why did you choose CCLCM?

I had been deciding between an MD/PhD and MD track, and my decision to possibly pursue a surgical specialty pushed me toward the MD track. Because I wanted research to feature prominently in my medical education and future career, I sought out schools that heavily incorporated research into the curricula. At CCLCM, the built-in research thesis and grades-free philosophy — this allows students to more freely pursue research opportunities — stood out to me. I knew this would be a place I’d be both lucky and happy to attend.

What is one of your favorite experiences at CCLCM thus far?

One of my favorite memories was serving as an orientation leader for the incoming medical school class. It was so fun to work with my closest friends to plan scavenger hunts, ice breakers and AMAs [Ask Me Anythings] for the new students to learn more about the program and their classmates.

Tell us about your research year project.

I am very passionate about expanding female visibility in orthopaedic literature. For a long time, it was believed that whatever research was conducted on males would transfer to females, but that simply isn’t the case. I wanted my thesis to focus on understanding where female athletes differ from their male counterparts after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) and figuring out why these differences exist.

In previous research, I found that female sex was repeatedly correlated with lower activity scores at 2, 6 and 10 postoperative years. My thesis focused on generating a causative model to investigate females’ lower activity levels at two years after ACLR. We conceptualized a hypothetical randomized control trial in which male and female participants were separated into two study arms based on sex, randomized to different combinations of sport and ACL graft type, and were followed over two years to assess their activity level. We found that for males and females, graft choice and sport did not cause differences in activity levels in either males or females.

How do you manage stress?

Usually, if I’m feeling overwhelmed, I’ll try to fit in a quick run or lift at the gym. If the stress hits after a long day in clinic or the OR and there’s not enough energy left for a full workout session, I’ll bake cookies or cuddle up on the couch with my Bernese Mountain Dog, Sully, and distract myself with a rom-com movie.

What advice would you give to new CCLCM students?

Take your time finding yourself a mentor; the first physician you work with doesn’t have to be the one you stay with. I think we’re eager to join a big lab when we first start out so we can get some exposure to what’s out there. This can be a rewarding strategy, but you can always cold email people whose research sounds up your alley, even if they haven’t worked with medical students before. Some of my strongest relationships were built with physicians I emailed and were relatively new to mentoring students. I have found that this can provide two things: more freedom in deciding what research you’d like to work on and more individualized time with mentors.

How do you fill your spare time?

I enjoy training for triathlons, hosting dinner parties for my friends, reading pieces on food journalism and walking Sully through the Metroparks.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

I worked as sales rep, fitting people for running shoes, at a running shoe store during my time in med school!

Student Spotlight: Roshan Lodha

Tell us briefly about yourself.

I went to the University of California, Berkeley, where I majored in computer science and biochemistry. I’m planning to go into emergency medicine for residency.

Why did you choose CCLCM?

I chose CCLCM because there are no grades, homework or tests. CCLCM felt like a place where I could actually focus on learning how to take care of patients instead of memorizing, for example, which enzyme does what.

What is one of your favorite experiences at CCLCM thus far?

My research year at the NIH was incredible. I got to meet and work with so many amazing people, several of whom have become some of my closest friends.

What have you discovered about Cleveland that you especially enjoy?

The seasons, fall in particular. The city goes from gray to cinematic for about three weeks.

Tell us about your research year project.

My project explored how attention networks can be used to predict spatial transcriptomics (RNA gene expression) in breast cancer. We showed that it’s possible to infer spatial gene expression directly from standard hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) slides and that the predicted expression patterns carry biologically meaningful information.

How do you manage stress?

I hang out with friends, build things (building blocks, woodworking, coding) and play tennis. Basically, I deal with stress by making more projects that could cause stress, but in a fun way.

What are some words of wisdom you live by?

Life is too serious to be taken seriously.

What advice would you give to new CCLCM students?

Enjoy yourself! Medical school is long and challenging, but our unique curriculum gives you room to breathe. Take advantage of that flexibility before residency begins.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

I make pottery. I’ve made mugs, bowls and a few mushrooms for friends. They describe them as “whimsical,” which I think is their polite way of saying “lumpy.” 

Student Spotlight: Victoria Rogness

Tell us briefly about yourself.

I was born in Colorado but grew up in Minnesota. I went to the University of Minnesota for my undergrad and majored in neuroscience and genetics. I decided it was time for better weather (at least by a few degrees!) and came to Ohio to attend CCLCM, where I am now in my fifth year. I am applying into internal medicine residency and hope to pursue hematology-oncology or palliative medicine after.

Why did you choose CCLCM?

I loved the idea of learning in an environment focused on growth and reflection rather than just grades and tests. The culture here encourages curiosity, collaboration and honesty about both strengths and weaknesses.

What is one of your favorite experiences at CCLCM thus far?

One highlight was working with fellow student Emily Knott (’26), Venkatesh Kambhampati, MD, and Shetal Shah, MD, to help teach the ultrasound pilot course for first-year students. Ultrasound is becoming such an important part of modern clinical practice, and helping to teach it strengthened my skills. It was also fun to connect with underclassmen and share some of what I had learned.

What have you discovered about Cleveland that you especially enjoy?

The Cleveland Botanical Garden is a hidden gem. It’s free for students and a particularly lovely reprieve in the winter. The indoor exhibits feature different biomes, so you can experience warmth, humidity and green space.

Tell us about your research year project.

I had the wonderful opportunity to work with Adrian Wiestner, MD, PhD, at the National Institutes of Health to study chronic lymphocytic leukemia, a cancer of mature B cells. One of my main projects focuses on clonal evolution, examining the complex interplay between driver mutations, the tumor microenvironment and growth of specific clones. I also had the chance to be involved with a phase II clinical trial analyzing the long-term outcomes of patients treated with ibrutinib. I’m currently working on the final revisions for this paper and hope to see it published soon! Having the chance to combine translational and clinical research was a tremendous learning experience and gave me a much deeper appreciation for bench-to-bedside research.

How do you manage stress?

The same way I manage everything else, with an evidence-based approach! Cats are proven blood pressure reducers, though those that have met my spicy cat, Lamb, might disagree. Additionally, green space is psychologically restorative, exercise lowers stress hormones and commiseration with friends is validating.

What advice would you give to new CCLCM students?

There will always be more to learn, but it’s important to set boundaries and not lose sight of life outside of school. Making space for the people and activities you love will help keep you sane and grounded.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

I have read almost half of the Pulitzer Prize winners in the fiction category and am working my way through the rest!

Student Spotlight: Matthew Schulgit

Tell us briefly about yourself.

Originally from Wisconsin, I attended college at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, majoring in biology and Spanish before coming to CCLCM. I am a few months into my fifth year at CCLCM and am looking forward to continuing my training in residency.

Why did you choose CCLCM?

CCLCM provides a unique curricular structure compared to other programs. I enjoyed my experience in research during my undergraduate education, so CCLCM’s incorporation of both dedicated research time and methodological instruction stood out. The innovative evaluation system is also unique as it fosters a collaborative learning environment and prioritizes self-reflection and personalized improvement. I also have other interests outside of academics, and CCLCM’s schedule provides time to explore them.

What is one of your favorite experiences at CCLCM thus far?

I’ve really enjoyed the early clinical experience that CCLCM provides. These clinics taught me skills that I have used throughout my rotations to develop my own style when taking care of patients. It has also introduced me to numerous faculty members who helped me develop my leadership skills, which I have been fortunate to use for patient advocacy.

Tell us about your research year project.

I worked with Sunil Srivastava, MD, and Sumit Sharma, MD (CCLCM ’09), to investigate how photos of the back of the retina (fundus photos) could be used to assess risk of heart attack and stroke. This central goal is based on research demonstrating that the retinal vasculature is among the most sensitive blood vessels in the body and responds to metabolic changes that may be implicated in cardiovascular disease. Current practice patterns recommend utilization of a risk calculator in primary care clinics that depends on blood tests, which can be difficult for many patients to obtain. We hope to utilize this non-invasive imaging to make assessment of cardiovascular health more accessible and personalized for patients.

What advice would you give to new CCLCM students?

Even with the advantages of the curriculum, there can be a lot of uncertainty when you first start. We are used to grades being an easy way to see how we are progressing through our education, so not having that safety net can be a bit of a shock. It’s important to trust your preparation and recognize that you still have those same study skills and knowledge base when you received grades, but now the focus is on mastery and depth of understanding instead of an upcoming midterm.

How do you manage stress?

I really enjoy sports and love watching the Brewers, Bucks and Packers as well as local teams like the Guardians and Cavaliers throughout the year! I also like spending time with my friends and going for walks at the great Metroparks system like Rocky River Reservation or the nearby Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

I enjoy public service and have held positions ranging from student government to the city council!

Student Spotlight: Nandan Kodur

Tell us about yourself.

I was born in Ottawa, Canada, and moved to Michigan when I was 7 years old. I attended Michigan State University for college, where I majored in physiology, with minors in bioethics and philosophy. After graduating with my bachelor’s, I took a research gap year at the University of Michigan before enrolling at CCLCM in 2021. I’m in my final year here at CCLCM and will be graduating in 2026.

Why CCLCM?

I love CCLCM’s approach to assessments. The lack of emphasis on testing means that we get more opportunities to engage in problem-based learning and to collaborate with each other. CCLCM also strongly values introspection as a learning tool, and I thoroughly enjoy receiving detailed feedback and engaging in reflective writing. These opportunities for self-directed growth are enhanced by small class sizes as well as faculty who are eager to serve as mentors.

What are some of your favorite CCLCM experiences?

One of my favorite experiences at CCLCM has been being involved with Stethos, our school’s medical humanities journal. I served as an editor for the journal during my first couple of years of medical school and have since served as co-editor-in-chief during my third and fourth years. I’m constantly in awe of the creativity and artistic talent of folks in our community and beyond. Viewing medicine through a humanistic lens provides me with a refreshing reminder as to why I chose to enter this profession.

I also had the privilege of co-leading our school’s book club during my second year. Not only did I get to connect with my peers over books, but we also hosted amazing guests like Nobel Prize-winning physician-scientist Dr. Robert Lefkowitz, MD, who spoke about his career journey.

Tell us about your research year project.

I conducted my research here at Cleveland Clinic under Dr. Wilson Tang, MD, who is a cardiologist and heart failure specialist. My thesis focused on a condition known as heart failure with improved/recovered ejection fraction (HFimpEF), which refers to a state in which patients who have a heart with weak pumping function subsequently achieve improvement in such function, owing to medication and device therapies. While current clinical guidelines recommend that all patients with HFimpEF should continue to receive treatment indefinitely, there is growing awareness that a subset of these patients might be able to safely de-escalate from these therapies. It is currently difficult, however, to personalize treatment recommendations for patients with HFimpEF, as we lack robust clinical markers for risk stratification. My research sought to better characterize HFimpEF, including by identifying clinical markers that can risk stratify patients. Through conducting multiple retrospective cohort studies as well as a clinical study, we were indeed able to identify multiple clinical markers that can risk stratify patients with HFimpEF.

What advice would you give to new CCLCM students?

Trust the process. We have one of the most unique medical school curriculums in the country, which can initially be unfamiliar, especially since we don’t have exams to assess knowledge. However, through engaging in problem-based learning, obtaining early clinical exposure and receiving continual personalized feedback, you will have ample opportunities to learn and reinforce key clinical concepts that will prepare you for the USMLE exams and, more importantly, real-world patient care.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

My favorite show of all time is Avatar: The Last Airbender (the original, animated series—not the new live-action one). The show has a beautiful storyline and it’s funny, philosophical and enjoyable for people of all ages. I highly recommend giving it a watch!

Student selected to attend 2024 AAMC RISE conference

Kudos to Gabriele (Gaby) Brown (’28) who was selected to attend the Association of American Medical Colleges’ RISE: Developing Future Leaders in Academic Medicine & Science conference in Washington, DC. The two-and-a-half-day leadership development conference is designed for students to develop tools to leverage their strengths, build teams, manage time and prioritize wellbeing. “RISE was an incredible personal growth opportunity and platform for relationship building among medical students throughout America. More than 50 medical schools were represented at the conference, and I now have a cohort of fellow M2 medical student leaders with whom I can share ideas and perspectives. “A major focus of the conference was on emotional intelligence skills and how to use our strengths to advocate for our communities. I am now committed to undertaking an ongoing inventory of my strengths in emotional intelligence and will share this experience and the skills I learned with my fellow students,” says Brown.

Members of CCLCM action group co-author book chapter

Congratulations to Kelly Bowen (’26); Jeffrey Shu (’26); Maeve Hopkins, MD, Assistant Professor of Ob/Gyn & Reproductive Biology; Tony Tizzano, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery; and Jason Lambrese, MD, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, who co-authored a chapter for this textbook, “Reimagining Medical Education: The Future of Health Equity and Social Justice, 1st Edition.” The team, members of the CCLCM Curriculum Review LGBTQ+ Action Group, prepared the chapter, titled “The ‘Add-A-Slide’ Approach: A Practical Solution for Integrating LGBTQ+ Health Topics into Undergraduate Medical Education.”