PGY-Is
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Name: Martin Clark, MD [he/him] College: BS, Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical School: George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences Bio: Martin earned his B.S. in Psychology from the Virginia Commonwealth University and recently graduated from the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Martin began his career as a mental health technician at Tucker Pavilion Psychiatric Hospital and enrolled in a post- baccalaureate pre-health sciences program while working full time at Tucker. Through his work with student interest groups and as a rehabilitation specialist and crisis intervention specialist on an Assertive Community Treatment in DC, he worked with adults experiencing homelessness and chronic mental illness. He has received awards and recognition for excellence in leadership in mental health delivery and organization both in the community and during medical school. Martin has shown steadfast commitment to providing mental health support for vulnerable patients and populations, and he hopes to continue his work in his future career. Clinical Interests: community psychiatry, assertive community treatment, addiction medicine, evolutionary psychiatry, and psychosomatic medicine Hobbies: Long distance backpacking (hiked 2,650 mile of the Pacific Crest Trail and 1,250 miles of the Appalachian Trail, Bicycle Touring: completed section of The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route from Canada to Montana, trail running, and electronic music production |
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Name: Darren Jackson II, MD [he/him] College: BS, Morgan State University Graduate Studies: MPH, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health Medical School: Georgetown University School of Medicine Bio: Darren completed his B.S. at Morgan State University and his M.P.H. at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. As the Wellness Coordinator for The Harlem Children’s Zone, he used his passion for child development to forge a more efficient and effective support system for kids of color living in Harlem. He continued his commitment to youth mentorship through his position as the senior program coordinator for the Envision National Youth Leadership Forum. In his role, he led a diverse staff of educators and managed the daily facilitation of a hands-on clinical curriculum for over 900 High School STEM students. Hobbies: Meditation (Books-Medications for Men Who Do Too Much, The Mind Illuminated, Mixed martial arts, Event Planning (RULES for Black Men, Public Health Theory of Change for Underserved Communities) |
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Name: Hira Mohyuddin, MD [she/her] College: BA, Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Virginia Medical School: George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences Bio: Hira graduated from the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. She earned her B.A. in Cognitive Neuroscience from the University of Virginia. Hira has been a member of a multidisciplinary team of medical students, residents and faculty for the past eleven years, during which time, she has participated in research projects, presented at national conferences and has multiple publications to her credit. She is passionate about advocacy and believes her experience as an intern for former senator and current Vice President Kamala Harris was instrumental in helping her realize that she is drawn towards advocating for underrepresented populations, for equity health access and delivery and for parity for mental health services. She has served as president for three student organizations (William H. Beaumont Medical Research Honor Society, Psychiatry Interest Group, Art in Medicine Club). Hira’s leadership in these roles speaks to service to her school and community in a variety of capacities. She has been inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society. Hobbies: She enjoys kickboxing and Tae Kwon Do. Hira is a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. She loves to read and travel around the world. |
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Name: Marisa Penn, MD [she/her] |
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Name: Vignesh Sadras, MD [he/him] College: BS, Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University Medical School: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Bio: Vignesh graduated from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He completed his B.S. in Biomedical Engineering at the Johns Hopkins University. Vignesh provided GED tutoring to people who were incarcerated and experiencing mental illness at the Baltimore City Detention Center through the Johns Hopkins University Jail Tutorial Project. Through his experience, he recognized his own biases and the truth of human dignity. He facilitated engagement with an East Baltimore community advocacy group to repair the historic and current injustices experienced by this community of color and it has impressed upon him his responsibility as a physician to advocate for social justice. Vignesh lead a 30-minute weekly meditation group for the entire East Baltimore Johns Hopkins community for participants to learn about, practice and reflect on approaches to Dharmic religions. Guiding this group has taught him how to create a safe and engaging learning environment, group facilitation skills and has deepened his own practice of meditation. Hobbies: He enjoys singing, especially spiritually oriented songs and Carnatic (South Indian Classical) music, appreciates books written by visionaries in spirituality and social justice (Swami Chinmayananda, Marisela Gomez, Bryan Stevenson) |
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Name: Aryan Tafreshi, MD [he/him] College: BA, Biological Sciences, Binghamton University Medical School: State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University Bio: Aryan earned his B.A. in Biological Sciences from the Binghamton University and will be soon graduating from the State University of New York Upstate Medical University. Early in the pandemic, Aryan teamed with a friend to develop a proposal and secure New York State grant money to develop what grew to be an up to 40K boxes-per-week food distribution program for immunocompromised New Yorkers unable to safely venture into public spaces. The experience not only honed skills in creative problem solving, teamwork and logistics, but also solidified the idea that service can act as a form of therapy and working with underserved communities is a passion of his. He is an active musician and recognizes the important role music and arts can play in mental health as it can be both an outlet and a way to connect with others shared experience. He is a mentor to a first-year medical student through Upstate’s MedMentor and he continues that strong relationship to this day. Hobbies: Sound Design, Music Production, Audio Engineering, Vocal Recording & Songwriting, Poetry, Electric Guitar, Math-rock, and Hip-Hop Music; Iranian/Persian Culture and Associated Festivals/Holidays; Reading Russian Literature, Fantasy and Sci-Fi (Haruki Murakami is his favorite author). |
PGY-IIs
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Name: Prudhvi Bandi, MD [he/him] College: BS, Psychology (Neuroscience Concentration), Boston College Medical School: Creighton University School of Medicine, Phoenix Regional Campus Bio: Prudhvi was born and raised in a rural village in Southern India. He completed his undergraduate coursework in Psychology (Neuroscience Concentration) at Boston College in Newton, Massachusetts, and then earned his medical degree from Creighton University School of Medicine Phoenix Regional Campus. During his medical education, he was active in service, research and leadership roles in the field of psychiatry. This included at the Andre House in Phoenix, and the Siena Francis House in Omaha, where he served meals to homeless populations. As a first-generation Indian American, he sees education, advocacy and normalization around mental health issues for people in his own cultural community and beyond as the primary drives of his pursuit in training in psychiatry. Hobbies: Hiking, kayaking, playing chess, playing and watching basketball, playing Super Smash Bro’s with his fiancé, and running his golden-doodle puppy’s Instagram page. He is a self- confessed foodie and is on the hunt for the world’s best breakfast burritos. |
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Name: Miglia Cornejo, DO [she/her] College: BS, Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University Medical School: A.T. Still University of Health Sciences, School of Osteopathic Medicine Bio: Miglia was born and raised in Rockaway, NJ. She received her undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from Northeastern University and her master’s from Boston University. She earned her medical degree from A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona. While in medical school, Miglia completed a Global Affairs summer internship at Jaseng Hospital in South Korea. As the first hospital’s first osteopathic student, Miglia introduced the practice of osteopathic medicine and manipulative techniques to Korean medical providers. Miglia has worked extensively with the Asian American community. She helped organize the first Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Summit in Boston as well as served on the planning committee for the annual Let’s Talk Conference hosted by the MGH Center for Cross-Cultural Wellness. Miglia also served as an ambassador for Together Empowering Asian Minds, an organization focused on de-stigmatizing mental health in the Asian American community. Hobbies: Group fitness and indoor cycling classes, drawing, painting, reading movie/show/book spoilers and playing Pokemon Go. |
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Name: Veda Ghodasara, MD [she/her] College: BS, Biology, The George Washington University Medical School: West Virginia University School of Medicine Bio: Veda is from Charleston, WV. She attended The George Washington University here in DC where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in biology, summa cum laude. She received the GWU Presidential Scholarship for Academic Excellence. After college, she worked as a research assistant, extern, learning assistant and front desk agent for Holiday Inn (which she continues to do!). She earned her medical degree from West Virginia University School of Medicine – Charleston. She has hosted many events including various fairs, festivals and show for school events, as well as fundraisers for organizations such as Make-A-Wish. She has recently volunteered at the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hobbies: Traveling, foodie, visiting amusement parks (has been to 7/10 of the tallest roller coasters in the world), watching the big four award shows every year and collecting the Time’s 100 most influential People each year |
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Name: Nina Govalla, MD [she/her] College: BS, Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Missouri Medical School: University of Missouri-Kansas City, School of Medicine Bio: Nina was born in Douala, the industrial capital of Cameroon. She completed her undergraduate course in Biological Sciences at Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Missouri. She then earned her medical degree from University of Missouri-Kansas City, School of Medicine. Throughout medical school, she worked as a Caregiver for elderly patients with dementia. She volunteered as a mentor to refugee youths in the Kansas City area. As an immigrant, she is primarily driven to improve mental health for people in her cultural community. She hopes to create an organization to promote mental health awareness in Cameroon. Nina completed her PGY-1 year of residency at the University of Arizona-Tucson Banner Health Psychiatry Program, after which she joined the GW Psychiatry Residency Program as a PGY-2. Hobbies: baking cheese, running her thrifting page, sewing, traveling and sampling desserts from all cultures, reading fiction novels, game nights with friends and family. |
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Name: James Lockhart, MD [he/him] College: BS, Psychology, Morehouse College Medical School: Howard University College of Medicine Bio: James hails from Chicago, IL. He completed his undergraduate coursework at Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA and earned his medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine. He was chosen by his peers for induction into the Gold Humanism Honor Society. Serving as president of Student Wellness at Howard, he was responsible for organizing and facilitating activities for his class. He also served as a liaison between students and the University Counseling Service. He is the first in his family to graduate from college. His interest in psychiatry is substance abuse recovery and prevention. Hobbies: Brazilian Jiujitsu. James and his daughters practice jiujitsu, just like his father practiced judo with him. |
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Name: Emily Rosen, MD [she/her] College: BS, Biology and Psychology, Knox College Medical School: University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School Bio: Emily is from Austin, Texas. She attended college at Knox College in Galesburg, IL where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Psychology, summa cum laude. After graduating, she studied Human Sciences abroad at the Oxford University in Oxford, England. She earned her medical degree from the University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School. Emily received A.C Walon Scholarship in Biology and was awarded the Presidential Scholarship (the highest available, awarded to 5 students per year). She has completed a Master of Science in Healthcare Transformation. She assumed a leadership role in reforming treatment at a substance use residential treatment center. She has served as a tutor in high school and college and as a facilitator for an interprofessional heathcare course during medical school. She mentored students earning their master’s degree and developed a seminar to teach religious leaders about PTSD. Hobbies: Yoga, hiking, biking, kayaking, rowing, competitive board games. She likes to read international fiction and travel memoirs and attends musicals. She also loves to travel and learn about other cultures. |
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Name: Marc Ruszaj, MD [he/him] College: BS, Biology and Psychology, Canisius College Medical School: Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Buffalo Bio: Marc is from Buffalo, NY. He attended Canisius College in Buffalo, NY where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Psychology, summa cum laude. He earned his medical degree from the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Buffalo. He was a member of the Gold Humanism Honor Society. During medical school, he has had significant involvement in community outreach program. Through his involvement in LGBTQ’s organizations, he has implemented initiatives at the level of his school’s free medical clinic, the medical school, and the regional health care system. Mark was the team captain of his collegiate swim team in addition to his role on an interdisciplinary team at the Lighthouse Free Medical Clinic. Hobbies: Long distance swimming (has been swimming since the age of 3!), hiking, listening to podcasts, paint by numbers, playing and going on walks with his dog, attending buffalo bills games and has recently taken up tennis. |
PGY-IIIs
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Name: Alexander Beard, MD [he/him] College: BS, Microbiology, University of South Florida Medical School: University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Bio: Alex grew up near Tampa, Florida and earned a B.S. in Microbiology from the University of South Florida. He also completed medical school at that same university. While in medical school, he was involved in a student-run free clinic as well as medical aid trips to Haiti and Nicaragua. In medical school, he participated in clinical observerships in Germany, Ecuador, and China. He was also involved in research in esketamine being used for treatment-resistant depression. Clinical interests: global mental health, cultural psychiatry, consultation-liaison psychiatry, sleep psychiatry, psycho-oncology, and forensic psychiatry Hobbies: Hiking, video games, board games, travel |
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Name: Lisa Eitches, MD [she/her] College: BA, English and French Studies, Wesleyan University Medical School: Sidney Kimmel Medical School at Thomas Jefferson University Bio: Lisa graduated from the Sidney Kimmel Medical School at Thomas Jefferson University. She received her B.A. in English and French Studies from Wesleyan University. She spent multiple summers volunteering as an English teacher in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Her professional experiences also include her work as a special events director and a copywriter. During medical school, she has served as the Student Wellness Chair of Psychiatry Society as well as the Vice President of Integrative Medicine Society. Clinical Interests: Women’s mental health, addiction, forensics |
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Name: Krista Koskinen, MD [she/her] Medical School: School of Medicine at Uppsala University Bio: Krista grew up in Finland and studied medicine at Uppsala University in Sweden. During her medical studies she spent seven months in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Vietnam completing clinical rotations and participating in community-based mental health projects. After graduation, Krista worked as a physician in several medical and psychiatric emergency departments as well as psychiatric outpatient clinics with immigrant and refugee populations. Besides the residency training at GW, Krista is currently completing her psychoanalytic training at the Institute of Contemporary Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis in DC. Krista is fluent in English, Finnish, Swedish, French, and Spanish. Clinical Interests: Global Mental Health, Cross-Cultural Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis. |
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Name: Jonathan Liu, MD, MPH [he/him] College: BS, Exercise and Sport Science, University of Utah Graduate School: MPH, Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health Medical School: Creighton University School of Medicine Bio: Jonathan grew up in Sandy, Utah and completed his undergraduate degree in Exercise and Sport Science at the University of Utah. He earned his Master of Public Health in Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology at the University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health before graduating from Creighton University School of Medicine. His areas of interest include health equity, social justice, humanism in medicine, and resiliency. Clinical Interests: Consult/Liaison psychiatry, adult outpatient psychiatry, cultural psychiatry Hobbies: Soccer, hiking, concerts, travel, yoga |
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Name: Tina Safavi, MD [she/her] College: BS, Biology, James Madison University Graduate School: Biomedical Science Policy and Advocacy, Georgetown University Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine Bio: Tina graduated from the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine. She earned her B.S. in Biology from James Madison University and her M.S. in Biomedical Science Policy and Advocacy from Georgetown University. In the Richmond community, she founded a youth awareness campaign to educate and promote safe sexual health practices. In addition, she has served as a consultant for PAHO/WHO and interned with the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy. Clinical Interests: Global mental health, public health |
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Name: Melanie Tam, MD [she/her] College: BS, Biological Sciences, Cornell University Graduate School: MS, Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Medical School: Wake Forest School of Medicine Bio: Melanie is a graduate of the Wake Forest School of Medicine. She completed her undergraduate education at Cornell University, where she majored in Biological Sciences with a minor in Global Health. She also received a Master of Science in Global Health and Population from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. She has been involved in research throughout graduate and medical school pertaining to cognition and cancer treatment, HIV/AIDS, food insecurity, retention in care, and treatment adherence. Clinical Interests: Child and adolescent psychiatry, global mental health, and cross-cultural psychiatry Hobbies: Cooking food, eating food, and watching shows about other people cooking/eating food |
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Name: Roe Zelasko, MD [they/them] College: BA, Playwriting, University at Buffalo Medical School: Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at University at Buffalo Bio: Roe was born, raised, and will talk to you extensively about Buffalo, NY. They went to the University at Buffalo for undergrad where they studied playwriting and afterwards moved to New York City to pursue this further (and also to pursue hourly wage jobs that paid the bills during this time). From there they served in the Peace Corps in Benin, West Africa for two years and have worked on various projects in childhood malnutrition and other community initiative around West Africa since then. After all that, they found some time to go to medical school at the University at Buffalo. Clinical Interests: Global Mental Health, community-based treatment of first episode psychosis, mental healthcare for transgender individuals, also probably something that I’m not even aware of yet Hobbies: Theatre, trying my best to get involved in community activism, sleeping |
PGY-IVs
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Name: Danya P. Anouti, MD [she/her] College: BS, Animal Physiology & Behavior; BA, Global Studies, Arizona State University Medical School: George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences Bio: Danya graduated from the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences in 2019 where she pursued additional coursework in Integrative Medicine and Psychiatry. She received her double degree from Arizona State University completing a B.S. in Animal Physiology and Behavior and a B.A. in Global Studies graduating summa cum laude. Prior to starting medical school, Danya served in Teach For America and AmeriCorps as a high school science teacher in Prince George’s County Public Schools. Danya has an extensive background in research with a focus on behavioral neuroscience research with publications in journals such as Neurobiology of Learning and Memory and Stress. In medical school, she conducted additional research focusing on obesity funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases at the Johns Hopkins University. In addition to research and community service, Danya is interested in education. Currently, she serves as Education Committee Co-Chair. In addition, in collaboration with the Department of Neurology, she started the Interest Group in Neuropsychiatry. Clinical Interests: The intersection between psychiatry and medicine as well as law Hobbies: Outside of medicine, Danya is passionate about fitness. She worked as a personal trainer and group exercise instructor for several years. Also, she has competed in the sport of Strongman and won the Maryland’s Strongest Woman Competition in 2017 and 2018. |
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Name: Nicholas Mahan, MD [he/him] College: BS, Biological Sciences & Applied Mathematics, University of Notre Dame Medical School: University of Kansas School of Medicine Bio: Nicholas Mahan is a graduate of the University of Kansas School of Medicine. He grew up in Seattle, Washington, and moved to the midwest to complete his undergraduate degree at the University of Notre Dame. Nick is thrilled to be part of the GWU Psychiatry Residency Training Program class of 2023. His clinical interests include sleep medicine, psychosomatic medicine, healthcare informatics, telepsychiatry, as well as general adult and geriatric outpatient psychiatry. Clinical Interests: Sleep medicine, psychosomatic medicine, healthcare informatics, telepsychiatry, as well as general adult and geriatric outpatient psychiatry. Hobbies: In his free time, Nick enjoys swimming, cooking/eating, and a good audiobook. |
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Name: Shayna Popkin, DO [she/her] College: BS, Biology with a concentration in molecular cell physiology, Monmouth University Medical School: Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine Bio: Shayna Popkin is currently a Chief Psychiatry Resident at The George Washington University. She grew up in Montgomery County, Maryland. She went to Monmouth University in New Jersey for her undergraduate degree and then went to Medical School at Rocky Vista University in Denver, Colorado. She found her passion in the science of neurobiology mixed with the complexity and unique qualities of each human being. Growing up in a family of law enforcement led her to develop a passion for Forensic Psychiatry. Upon graduation from residency, she will be a Forensic Psychiatry Fellow at Brown University and plans to have a career focused on the intersection of law, psychiatry, ethics and public health policy. Clinical Interests: Forensic Psychiatry, Sports Psychiatry, Crisis Management Hobbies: Dogs, naps, the weather, pizza, sports |
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Name: Emily Schutzenhofer, MD [she/her] College: BS, Chemistry with a specialization in Biochemistry & Global Development Studies with a concentration on Global Public Health, University of Virginia Medical School: University of Virginia School of Medicine Bio: Emily Schutzenhofer is currently serving as Chief Resident within the GW Psychiatry Residency Program. Concurrently with residency, she is completing studies for an MPH in Health Promotion at the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health, and she conducts research oriented toward program implementation within the GW Global Mental Health EQUITY lab. She is also active in local organized psychiatry and in advocacy organizations such as the Climate Psychiatry Alliance, with which she is raising awareness about climate change and its impacts on mental health. Emily graduated from the University of Virginia School of Medicine, where she also completed her BS in Chemistry and Global Development Studies. Both in her undergraduate career and in medical school, she served in numerous leadership positions (President of National Leadership Council for the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Medical Student Coordinator of UVA Latino Health Initiative, Chair of the Medical Society of Virginia (MSV) Medical Student Section Community Outreach Committee, Chapter President of AMA/Medical Society of Virginia, President of Women in Medicine Initiatives, President of the Psychiatry Interest Group, etc.). She was also elected by her peers into the Gold Humanism Honor Society. As a UVA Medical Design student fellow, she studied and practiced Human-Centered Design (Design Thinking) in the settings of global/community health and hospital quality improvement. Clinical Interests: Global mental health, cross-cultural psychiatry, working with the community, consultation-liaison psychiatry and integrated mental health Hobbies: Cycling the bike trails around DC, hiking the mountains of Virginia, playing piano, traveling |
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Name: Rajdeep Singh, MD [he/him] College: BS, Biology, Howard University Medical School: Howard University College of Medicine Bio: Rajdeep is a graduate of the Howard University College of Medicine, and also completed his BS in Biology there. In medical school, he served in many leadership roles, including Treasurer of Psychiatry Student Interest Group and Liaison to American Psychiatric Association, Student Council’s Chair of Activities and Fundraising, and mentor in Student National Medical Association. In addition, Rajdeep has always been passionate about serving his community and has sought opportunities as a camp head counselor, Punjabi school teacher, and co-founder of the Sikh Physician Network. Clinical Interests: Psychiatry and religion, cultural/global psychiatry Hobbies: Traveling, exercising (playing sports and working out), singing, photography, trying new food spots |