MD-PhD Program Current Students

Bio: I am originally from Columbus, OH and earned my bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University. I chose to pursue MD-PhD training due to my desire to develop a knowledge base and skill set that would uniquely prepare me to contribute to the development and dissemination of more robust primary care mental health services. 
Clinical interests 
I plan to complete my medical residency in Pediatrics and ultimately work in pediatric primary care.
Research interests 
I completed my PhD in Child Clinical Psychology under the mentorship of Dr. Kristin Hawley. Research interests are broadly focused on improving the quality and accessibility of mental and behavioral health services for youth and families, particularly through increased delivery of integrated services in pediatric primary care. I received a National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual F31 Fellowship from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute for Child Health and Development (NICHD), which synthesized published research evidence from randomized clinical trials investigating how children are impacted when their parents receive needed treatment for mental and behavioral health problems.
Extracurricular activities/hobbies: As a medical student, I have been highly involved in Medzou, a student-run free health clinic for underinsured patients, including serving as Mental Health Chair, a case manager for medically complex patients, and a member of the Preventive Health Team. I have also served as treasurer of MU’s chapter of the American Physician Scientists Association. My hobbies include snowboarding and playing soccer, tennis, and disc golf.

Bio: I am originally from Austin, Texas, and completed my undergraduate studies at The Ohio State University. I chose to pursue an MD-PhD to integrate scientific research with clinical practice to improve patient care.
Clinical Interests 
I am interested in neurology, with a particular focus on neuromuscular and neurodegenerative diseases. I am drawn to this field because it allows me to connect scientific research with patient care to address diseases that currently have limited treatment options. 
Research Interests 
My research interests are in neuromuscular physiology and aging, with the goal of developing targeted therapeutic strategies. 
Extracurricular Activities/Hobbies 
Outside of academics and research, I enjoy hiking, watching movies, reading and spending time with family.

Bio: I grew up in Jefferson County, Missouri, just south of St. Louis, and completed my undergraduate studies in Physiology at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. My undergraduate research examined the effects of early-life stress on aggression and the impact of adverse childhood experiences. Following graduation, I spent two years at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in Bethesda, Maryland, as a post-baccalaureate IRTA under the direction of Dr. Betsy Murray, where I conducted research in cognitive neuroscience.
Clinical Interests
I am interested in pursuing a career that integrates clinical and procedural care, with particular focus on psychiatry and obstetrics and gynecology. I am especially drawn to clinical environments that support longitudinal patient relationships.
Research Interests
My research interests include treatment-resistant depression, mood disorders, adverse childhood experiences, and interventional psychiatry. I am particularly interested in understanding how early-life trauma influences neurobiological pathways and treatment outcomes across the lifespan, as well as in exploring novel therapeutic approaches.
Extracurricular Activities & Hobbies
Outside of medicine and research, I value community engagement and service. I share my home with two pit bull mixes and three cats and have spent time fostering dogs through local rescue efforts. I am also involved in advocacy related to housing insecurity, animal welfare, and trauma-informed care.

Bio: I’m from Belleville, IL and I studied Biomedical Sciences and Chemistry at Southeast Missouri State University. During college, I worked in a cardiac tissue mechanics lab and as an EKG technician, experiences that sparked my interest in combining research and clinical medicine.
Clinical & Research Interests: 
I’m interested in cardiothoracic surgery and the cardiopulmonary system, with research focused on cardiomyocyte calcium handling in right ventricular failure and pulmonary hypertension, as well as mechanisms of postoperative arrhythmias.
Extracurricular Activities/Hobbies: 
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my fiancée, exploring Columbia, and watching sports. I’m also the president of Playing 4 Hope, a nonprofit that partners with Mizzou student-athletes to deliver personalized gift baskets and host hospital visits for pediatric patients.

Bio: I am a first-generation college graduate from a rural and low–socioeconomic status background; these experiences have strongly shaped my commitment to equity in medicine and research. I chose to pursue the MD–PhD pathway to bridge clinical care with rigorous research, particularly to address gaps faced by underserved and marginalized populations. My training has been guided by a desire to not only care for patients, but also to generate evidence that meaningfully improves health systems, clinical practice, and patient experiences. As a physician-scientist, I aim to integrate community-engaged research with compassionate, patient-centered care.
Clinical Interests
My clinical interests have a strong emphasis on caring for people with complex psychosocial needs, including those affected by substance use disorders, dementia, and serious mental disorders. I am particularly drawn to mental health care because of its capacity to directly change and improve the daily lives of people, integrate behavioral health, end-of-life care, and preventive services. My background and training have reinforced the importance of meeting patients where they are and addressing both medical and social determinants of health.
Research Interests
My research interests encompass a handful of topics: substance use disorders, dementia, end-of-life care, and the use of health technologies (e.g., mobile applications, virtual reality, and EHR-based tools) to improve care delivery and patient outcomes. When I was eleven, my mother was seriously injured after being rear-ended by an intoxicated driver. This experience shaped my understanding of the broader impact of substance use on individuals and families. Over time, my early questions about the circumstances of the accident, the support available to the driver, and how such harm might be prevented evolved into a lasting academic and professional interest in alcohol and substance use, guiding both my research trajectory and my decision to pursue medicine. Currently, my PhD work is focused on developing new digital health interventions for alcohol use in heavy-drinking young adults (18-25 years old). 
Extracurricular Activities / Hobbies
I am deeply involved in mentorship, teaching, and advocacy. I mentor undergraduate and graduate students from disadvantaged and underrecognized backgrounds, as well as providing individualized academic support to graduate and medical students. I hold multiple leadership roles, encompassing service on trainee and student governance bodies such as MU’s Graduate Professional Council (GPC), as well as university-level committees including the Student Conduct Committee, Student Fee Review Committee (SFRC), and Student Organization Allocation Committee (SOAC). Further, I have chaired committees within national and international research organizations, including NAPCRG. I was tapped in 2025 for the Rollins Society, an organization that recognizes graduate and professional students who display exceptional leadership and service.
Outside of my academic and professional work, I am a very artistic person and enjoy painting and drawing as creative outlets. In addition, I am an avid video game enthusiast and value gaming as a way to relax and stay socially connected with friends.

Bio: I am from Clayton, Missouri. I am getting an MD-PhD degree to pursue a career in translational neuromuscular research.
Clinical Interests
I am interested in neuromuscular pathology, particularly the effects of aging on neuromuscular decline.
Research Interests
I am studying potential neuromodulatory therapeutics to ameliorate age-related weakness.
Extracurricular Activities/Hobbies
I enjoy playing basketball and pickleball.

Bio: I grew up in Portland, Oregon, where I first developed an interest in science and math during high school as a member of our Science Olympiad team. As an undergraduate student at the University of Washington, my wonderful research mentor encouraged me to think about my bench research and medical disease simultaneously. It was as an undergraduate student that I realized the need for physician scientists in medicine, and I began my journey as an MD/PhD.
Research Interests
I began my PhD in Shiyou Chen’s lab at the University of Missouri in 2021, where I developed a fascination with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). AAA is a serious cardiovascular condition where the largest blood vessel in the body, the aorta, stretches and inflames. Patients with AAA are at risk of rupture and bleeding out if AAA goes untreated. Despite the surgical advancements in AAA treatment, we still don’t fully understand what causes the disease nor do we have many medicines to prevent it. I am dedicated to better understanding the molecular mechanisms of AAA formation in the hopes of identifying novel drug therapies that might treat and even reverse the disease. 
Clinical Interests
I am interested in matching into Vascular Surgery, where I hope to learn more about the surgical and medical management options for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and have the opportunity to work directly with the patients my research might affect. 
Extracurricular Activities/Hobbies
I enjoy reading, playing piano, pampering my cats, and doing fiber crafts in my free time. Occasionally we find the time to go on road trips where I love hiking and exploring new museums!

Bio: I am from Waukee, IA and attended Simpson College where I graduated with a B.A. in Biochemistry. At Simpson, I was exposed to a diverse range of basic science research experiences which cultivated my interest in a research career. I then became interested in combining both medicine and research after participating in a summer MSTP research experience at the University of Iowa. After college, I expanded my research skillsets in calcium signaling and earned a M.S. from Des Moines University.
Clinical Interests
I developed a strong interest in the cardiovascular system in a medical physiology course as a master’s student and solidified this clinical interest during the preclinical phase of my medical education. My career goal is to become an academic physician scientist, and I plan to pursue a Physician Scientist Training Program in Internal Medicine/Cardiology.
Research Interests
The heart beats over 2 billion times throughout our lives. I am fascinated by the exquisite control and timing of calcium signaling that occurs at the subcellular level in heart cells in each of these beats. More broadly, I am interested in understanding how derangements in calcium signaling affect different biochemical pathways in heart cells in the contexts of aging, heart failure, and arrhythmias. Currently, my research focuses on understanding the role of the calcium permeable ion channel TRPV4 in aging and during ischemia-reperfusion injury, which can occur during a heart attack.
Extracurricular Activities
In my free time I enjoy golfing and hiking/running the wonderful trials around central Missouri. Additionally, I’m passionate about mentoring and participate in the American Physician Scientist Association Pre-medical mentoring program. I especially enjoy chatting with undergraduates and post-baccalaureate students about the application process and life/career as a future physician-scientist. I also enjoy various creative endeavors. Throughout my PhD I have participated in the Bionexus KC Science2Art program which auctions off art that has been created from scientific images, donating the proceeds to support STEAM education in the Kansas City Area. In 2024, I created an abstract piece called “Star TRiP”, generated from high resolution confocal images of TRPV4 localized to microtubule networks. A second version of this work is also currently on display as part of the “Joy of Discovery” sculpture at the Bond Life Sciences Center.

Bio: I am originally from Long Island, NY. I received a combined Bachelors and Master of Science degree in chemistry from Queens College. I am driven by a mission to translate complex bench research into bedside neurosurgical care. My research integrates “big data” from multi-omics with AI to better understand and treat brain injuries. When off the clock, you’ll find me on the water fishing and kayaking, at the gym, or catching a football game with my partner.
Research Interests
Traumatic brain injury, Neurovascular disorders, Systems biology, Multi-omics, Deep learning.

Bio: Hometown: Overland Park, KS
Undergraduate: University of Kansas
Clinical/Research Interests:
After significant research experience in undergrad, I developed a passion for investigating the overlap between bench research and clinical application. I am currently interested in pursuing research in the field of cancer immunotherapy and will be investigating immunomodulatory therapies as a student in the laboratory of Haval Shirwan. I hope to utilize this training to pursue a career in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology as a physician scientist.
Extracurricular activities/hobbies:
Outside of the lab and classroom, I enjoy soccer and running, and you can probably spot me running on one of Columbia’s many beautiful trails! The food scene in Columbia is also spectacular, so I enjoy trying new cuisines with my friends when I have free time!

Bio: I am an MD/PhD student in the Tom and Anne Smith MD-PhD Program at the University of Missouri School of Medicine. I earned dual bachelor’s degrees in biomedical engineering and Applied Mathematics and Statistics from Stony Brook University and a master’s degree in biomedical science with a focus in Neuroscience from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. After more than a decade of experience in clinical and neuroimaging research in addiction and psychiatric disorders, I pursued physician-scientist training to bridge mechanistic neuroscience with patient-centered clinical care.
Clinical interests
I am broadly interested in anesthesiology, neurology, and psychiatry. I am drawn to these fields for their shared emphasis on brain function, cognition, and behavior, particularly in medically complex and high-stress settings. My clinical interests center on caring for patients with substance use disorders and neuropsychiatric comorbidities, and on understanding how stress, affect, and chronic substance use influence treatment response and recovery. I aim to integrate clinical practice with translational neuroscience to improve patient outcomes.
Research interests
My research focuses on the neurobiology of addiction, affect regulation, and cognitive control using multimodal human neuroscience approaches. My prior work integrates fMRI, structural and white matter imaging, behavioral paradigms, and clinical phenotyping to study frontostriatal and corticolimbic circuits underlying craving and inhibitory control. During my doctoral training, I am expanding this work to examine how substance use and affective traits interact with perioperative stress, anesthetic exposure, and clinical outcomes, with the goal of informing personalized interventions.
Extracurricular activities/hobbies
Outside of academics, I can be found with a good book, or playing tennis, hiking, or camping.

Bio: I am an M3 student in the MD/PhD program at University of Missouri-Columbia. I am originally from the Saint Louis area. I decided to pursue an MD/PhD degree after several years of research during my undergraduate education and discovering the unique opportunity to blend cutting-edge research with clinical care for patients. I will be completing my PhD in biological engineering and focusing my research on materials science and its applications in clinical sciences.
Clinical Interests
I plan to pursue a career in obstetrics and gynecology, and I am extremely passionate about bridging the gap in clinical research for female medical care. I am also passionate about bridging the knowledge gaps of patients as it pertains to reproductive health and providing equitable care to rural populations in Missouri.
Research Interests
I am passionate about materials science and developing methods for targeted chemotherapy distribution and regenerative medicine as it applies to female reproductive care.
Extracurricular activities/hobbies
When I am not researching or working in the clinic, I can be found on some of Columbia's hiking trails or creating freshly baked sweet treats at home. I also enjoy serving at MedZou, the student run free clinic associated with Mizzou Medical School, and participating in the OBGYN Interest Group.

Bio: Hometown: Chesterfield, MO
Undergraduate: University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Why MD/PhD: I decided to pursue an MD/PhD because I loved my experience working in a chemistry research lab during undergrad, and I was also intrigued by working in the medical field. The MD/PhD program felt like the ideal opportunity to develop my skills as both a scientist and a clinician.
Clinical Interests
I wish to pursue a career in a surgical field because I enjoy working with my hands and believe a surgical specialty best suits my skill set. I am particularly interested in Orthopedic Surgery, as I have enjoyed my time shadowing in the department, and I love sports, so I hope to become an orthopedic surgeon with a focus on sports medicine in the future.
Research Interests
I am interested in pursuing research in immunology with a focus on immunomodulation for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and solid organ transplant tolerance. As a student in the Shirwan/Yolcu lab, I aim to develop my skills as an immunologist and surgeon and hope to translate this work into my clinical practice.
Extracurricular Activities/Hobbies
In my free time, I enjoy cooking, traveling, spending time with friends, and staying active. As mentioned before, I love sports, so I try to play or attend as many sporting events as possible. Recently, I have taken up volleyball and weightlifting, both of which have been great stress relievers during the school year.

Bio: I’m from northern Minnesota, more recently St. Louis, and I have completed undergraduate and PhD studies in Biological Engineering. While I have wanted to become a physician for as long as I can remember, my passion for engineering and problem-solving drew me to the MD-PhD pathway, allowing me to meld engineering approaches with translational research and clinical care.
Clinical Interests
My clinical interests lie in Hematology/Oncology and Gastroenterology. Growing up with inflammatory bowel disease shaped my early experiences with medicine, many of which were formative and left a lasting impact on my life. These experiences motivate me to become the physician I once wished I had - one that listens, builds and maintains trust, and partners with patients to navigate chronic, complex disease.
Research Interests
My research interests focus on immunoengineering and innovative approaches to target and treat cancer. While in M3, I remain actively involved in research focused on the design of targeted delivery systems that leverage peptides, antibodies, or nucleic acids to deliver therapeutic drugs, biomolecules, or nanoparticles.
Extracurricular Activities/Hobbies
Outside of the hospital, I enjoy playing guitar, exploring new coffee shops, baking sourdough, bagels, and pizza, and spending time with family and friends. I also enjoy mentoring younger students in my research lab and collaborating on research experiments.

Bio: I was born in Tampa, Florida and grew up in Syria before returning to the United States. My undergraduate institution is the University of Missouri. I pursued a combined MD-PhD training to learn how to combine patient care with translational research. 
Clinical Interests
I am interested in clinical fields that involve hands-on patient care, opportunities to connect clinical questions with research, and long-term patient relationships. 
Research Interests
My research interests include understanding disease mechanisms at the cellular and molecular levels. 
Extracurricular Activities/Hobbies
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family, hiking, and traveling.

Bio: I am currently a 7th year candidate in the Tom and Anne Smith MD-PhD program. I was raised in St. Charles, Missouri and obtained my BS in Biochemistry from the University of Missouri in 2015. I joined the MD-PhD program in 2019 as I am passionate about understanding and bridging the knowledge gaps between the fields of medicine and science.
Clinical interests
I am interested in pursuing a career in academic medicine with a clinical focus in pediatric oncology.
Research interests
My graduate work largely focused on the development and molecular engineering of cancer therapeutics using oligonucleotide technologies and on identifying new therapeutic targets for the field of immuno-oncology. I plan to continue working in these fields at the next level of training.
Extracurricular activities/hobbies
I enjoy spending time with my growing family and friends, playing the guitar, and indulging in recreational and professional sports.

Bio: I grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. Throughout my years in school, I have always been interested in the science behind why things work. Some of the most complex mechanisms exist in the human body which is why I decided to pursue an MD-PhD degree. I am interested in both the science and clinical aspects of medicine and hope the training I receive will make me a successful physician-scientist in the future.
Clinical Interests
My current clinical interests are currently open, but I would like to pursue a surgical field because of the hands-on aspect. Additionally, surgical fields are constantly changing with research closely involved in improving techniques and finding less-invasive alternatives such as drug-based interventions.
Research Interests
My current research interest is neuroimmunology. The nervous system has a unique immune environment and understanding how it works can potentially lead to better treatments for a multitude of diseases. I have previously studied microglia and want to understand its interactions with other cell types.
Extracurricular activities/hobbies
I enjoy going to the gym. I also like to play multiple sports with archery and tennis being my favorites. When I’m at home, I dabble with woodworking.