Meet Our Pathology Residents & Fellows
Our Current Residents and Fellows
The Pathology Residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center prepares residents and fellows for careers in pathology and academic medicine. Learn more about our current residents and fellows below.
2023–2024 Residents and Fellows
Ritika Bhat
Ritika is a Pathologist from India and has completed her medical schooling at Smt. Kashibai Navale Medical College, India. She also earned a Master's degree in Clinical Research from the University of North Texas, Fort Worth, providing her with a distinguished background in clinical trials, specifically within the field of oncology. With a deep passion for deciphering the language of cells, she considers Pathology to be an art form. Beyond medicine, Ritika finds creative self-expression through poetry. She finds sheer joy in taking jungle safaris, fueled by her insatiable desire to spot majestic tigers in their natural habitat.
Jacqueline Chen
Jacqueline joins us from Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, where she worked with medical educators to design virtual patient cases. She maintains her long-time interest in gerontology through volunteer work and balances it all with leisure time hobbies of classical piano, baking, yoga, and visual arts (perhaps she will join the Art in Pathology Committee).
Avash Das
Avash completed his PhD in Biological Chemistry at UT Southwestern after obtaining his MBBS from Nilratan Sircar Medical College, India. His research explored the genetics and molecular mechanisms of inherited cardiomyopathies, cardiovascular and cardio-metabolic diseases, resulting in a significant body of published literature. He enjoys art museums, art history, and learning about the history of medicine, and finds relaxation through cooking.
Elliott Jiles
Elliott comes to us from Howard University, where he won many academic awards (including one in pathology, naturally). He has in recent years worked as an epidemiologist, investigating infectious disease outbreaks, with his work most recently focusing on COVID outbreaks in group settings. In his downtime, Elliott likes to spend time with his wife and son, relax with a book or a game, and can also be found enjoying weight training.
Ruben Oganesyan
Ruben is the MacGyver of pathology, pouring his considerable intellect and ingenuity, not to mention his engineering background, into developing new medical devices and technologies, often building on simple materials. He graduated at the top of his class from First Moscow State Medical University, holds several patents, and is a dedicated mentor to more junior trainees. Perhaps he will be interested in seeing the sub-basement for materials, bwahaha – we’ll send a search party to rescue you, Ruben.
Cristiana Pineda
Cristiana graduated with her MD from Georgetown University School of Medicine after completing her PhD in genetics at Yale University. Her graduate work utilized live-imaging to investigate how healthy tissue responds to the presence of mutant stem cells. During medical school, her research project examined the utility of pathogen-reduced platelets compared to conventional platelets in liver transplant patients. In her downtime, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children including playing games, exploring parks, and cooking.
Cleveland Ricketts
Cleveland has, since graduating summa cum laude from Escuela Latinamericana de Medicina, Cuba, worked as a medical officer in emergency medicine in Montego Bay, Jamaica, as well as getting a jump on experience in pathology through the study of autopsy findings and other facets of our field. He has shared his clinical expertise with the broader community through extensive mentoring and medical volunteer work, and in his free time likes to remodel buildings and cook.
Newsha Sajadi
Newsha graduated from Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine at New Mexico State University. He was actively involved in his school's pathology interest group, providing mentorship to aspiring pathologists and organizing interviews with practicing pathologists. In his leisure time, Newsha enjoys watching psychological horror films, playing backgammon, and rowing.
Ibidunni Bode-Sojobi
Ibidunni graduated from the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria, after which she was a productive academic microbiologist and the recipient of multiple teaching awards. She served as the sole infection control practitioner for a large hospital in Ottawa prior to joining BIDMC.
Brendan Camp
Brendan completed a DO/MPH from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine and Baylor. He has published and presented various research aimed at improving colorectal and lung cancer screening in underserved communities. He loves to share his passion for the intersectionality of public health and pathology — follow him on Twitter.
Emily Mejia
Emily earned her MD at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, where she was the president of the pathology interest group, a medical student mentor, and an active participant and leader in several community service projects. She is currently Social Co-Chair for the 2023-24 academic year. In her free time, Emily enjoys watching Netflix dramas, comedies, 90s sitcoms & reality TV, cooking new recipes, traveling, and exploring the Boston area.
Michael Ren
Michael earned his MD at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida. He was involved in mentoring high school students in resilience, and peer academic coaching. He greatly enjoyed his pathology elective rotation here at BIDMC.
Outside of medicine, Michael enjoys the outdoors in all its forms including hiking, cycling, skiing, and foraging. He also loves board games and discovering new movies.
Outside of medicine, Michael enjoys hiking, cycling, skiing, and camping. He also loves board games and discovering new restaurants.
Danielle Rinck
Danielle graduated from Saint Louis University School of Medicine, where she worked to nurture interest in pathology among high school students in the cadaver lab. She also enjoys applying her digital art skills to medicine, and her drawings are published in a medical textbook.
Siba Saker
Siba graduated from Wake Forest School of Medicine, where she had completed a year-long, focused training program in medical education. During her time there, she undertook substantial mentoring roles, was elected president of a Wake Forest learning community, and was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society. A lover of all things Pathology, Siba is excited to explore every nook and cranny of our fine field. Outside of medicine, she enjoys board games, outdoor lounging, cozy tea-time with friends, making and listening to music, and surrealist art.
Mohammed Wali
Mo graduated from the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, where he led the pathology interest group, was a student ambassador, researched the effect of COVID on postpartum mothers, and developed materials for teaching gender-affirming pronoun use in medical education. In his free time, Mo is a doting cat parent (of two), enjoys board games and exploring new cuisine options in the city.
Lisha Wang
Lisha received her MD from Shandong First Medical University and her PhD and pathology residency from Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center. She completed a post-doctoral research fellowship at the University of Michigan. She has co-authored over 50 publications on a wide range of cancer-related topics, and received the International Society of Urologic Pathology (ISUP) Stipend award.
Sehyo Yune
Sehyo earned her MD at Chung-Ang University and completed an internal medicine residency at Samsung Medical Center in Seoul, Korea. After earning her MPH/MBA at Johns Hopkins University, she worked at the World Health Organization, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Northeastern University and gained experience in various aspects of medicine and public health. As a CP-only resident at BIDMC, Sehyo is pursuing her interest in population health and quality of care by serving as the chairperson of the House Staff QI Council, and she will continue her training at BIDMC as a transfusion medicine fellow.
Feidi Chen
Feidi obtained her MD from Guangzhou Medical University (China), then went on to complete her PhD (University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston) and postdoctoral work (Washington University in St. Louis and Cleveland Clinic), studying the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. While amassing a truly impressive body of published work, she has also found time to pursue her love of toy collecting and her cat, Lola.
Samuel dos Reis Freire
Samuel completed his medical studies at the Universidade Federal do Ceará Faculdade de Medicina Fortaleza (Brazil), where he received a Science Without Borders scholarship to study abroad in Australia for a year and undertake research using complex systems to model hematopoietic stem cell migration. After medical school, he practiced as a family physician in rural Brazil. Get your paddles ready, because he also loves table tennis.
Ruth Gichinga
Ruth Gichinga comes to us from the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, where she amazingly continued to work as a registered nurse while excelling in her academic pursuits, volunteering in a variety of settings, researching the impact of immediate release of patient medical reports on web portals, and acting as a reviewer and senior editor of the Medical Student Research Journal.
Ashley Gochoco
Ashley Gochoco obtained her medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, and is proud to be carrying on a family tradition of a career in our fine field. She serves as the Secretary of CAP’s Residents Forum Executive Committee and has been academically productive with numerous publications in cutaneous lymphoma and other dermatologic disorders. A violinist, one of her favorite things to do in Boston is attending BSO concerts whenever she gets the chance.
Kirill Karlin
Kirill earned his MD at the University of Zurich. Before joining BIDMC for his pathology residency, he was involved in multiple startups. Kirill's strong interest lies in novel diagnostic ideas and venture creation, particularly in hematopathology. He recently completed an out-of-sequence fellowship in hematopathology at BWH, just across the street. Outside of work, Kirill enjoys spending time with his family including a curious and busy toddler, often venturing into nature on the weekends.
Lily Mahler
Lily completed her medical training at the UAB Heersink School of Medicine in Birmingham, Alabama. In addition to her research and medical education interests, she is also an avid painter. She has contributed multiple pieces to fundraiser auctions/medical humanities journals and is a member of the BIDMC Art in Pathology Committee, through which she collaborated with artist Shuli Sade to create a pathology-themed virtual reality exhibit in the new Klarman Building. Lily has served as a Social Chair, is currently a CP Chief Resident, and will be staying at BIDMC for breast fellowship in 2025.
Nandan Padmanabha
Nandan completed his medical school at Kasturba Medical College in Mangalore, India, where he dove into research on HPV immunization rates among medical students, the sensitivity and specificity of cytologic interpretation of CT-guided pancreatic aspirates, and the ameliorative effects of vitamin D in metabolic derangements. He also held leadership roles in multiple local and national medical societies. In his spare time, Nandan is active on PathTwitter and his favorite pastimes include cooking and travel. After finishing his AP/CP training, he will go on to do a hematopathology fellowship.
Xia Qian
Xia graduated with both an MD and PhD from Nanjing Medical University, where she studied molecular targets for cancer therapy. She has conducted post-doctoral research at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Washington University in St. Louis, focusing on cell signaling pathways implicated in the mechanisms of cancer metastasis. Xia joined us after completing her first-year training at Mt. Sinai. Outside of work, Xia enjoys jogging, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Danielle Stamer
Danielle comes to us from UMass Chan Medical School, where she built on her undergraduate biomedical engineering degree in tissue engineering to research hyperspectral imaging in burn evaluation, and where she published an educational case on classic seminoma of the testis. Danielle has a love of drawing, which she has shared through engagement with pediatric patients in the “Arts for Healing” program, and also enjoys running and biking. Her favorite loop is around Jamaica Pond.
Sierra Amaya
Sierra joined us from the Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine, where she was co-president of Pathos, the MUSC pathology interest group. She was invested in helping others through formal mentoring of both prospective and incoming medical students and participation in a non-profit clinic serving uninsured and underserved populations. Her undergraduate studies in microbiology and internship in public health will surely serve her well as she completes a medical microbiology fellowship next year here at BIDMC. In her downtime, she especially enjoys drawing/painting, reading, and spending time with her Corgi, Chowder.
Maureen Dean
Maureen joined us from the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she studied new technology to measure bone strength, bringing together her passion for athletics with her burgeoning medical career. In college, she ran competitively for Ohio University's division one cross country and track & field teams. She has continued to train through residency and leads a pathology run club! Next year she will be completing a fellowship in cytopathology at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.
Melissa Delio
Melissa completed her medical studies at the Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine and returned to her Boston roots to train with us. Melissa has an extensive teaching history covering topics such as osteopathic manipulative medicine, graduate-level histology, and physiology. Her research interests include endothelial cell dysfunction in atherosclerosis and the effects of IL-1beta and IL-6 on lipolysis and insulin signaling in human adipocytes. When relaxing, Melissa enjoys cooking, tennis, and kickboxing.
Matthew Hernandez (Medical Microbiology)
Matthew (Matt) Hernandez received his MD/PhD from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS) where his thesis work focused on understanding HIV evolution and viral-host interactions. Matt completed his CP-only training at ISMMS as part of the Physician-Scientist Track in Experimental Pathology (PSTEP). There, he was a chief resident, established multiple molecular microbiology assays for the Mount Sinai Health System, and investigated the arrival, spread, and evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in NYC and in South America. Besides viruses, Matt loves finding new restaurants and cocktail bars, playing tennis, and trying to turn his home into a jungle with his plants.
Christian Hirt
Christian Hirt studied Medicine at the University of Berne. Following initial clinical training in general surgery he obtained a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University Basel focusing on the tumor-immune microenvironment. He continued his scientific training with a postdoctoral fellowship at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and one at the ETH Zurich, working on translational oncology research projects. After finishing his AP/CP he will go on to do a hematopathology fellowship at Stanford.
Lindsay Nelson
Joining us from the Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lindsay is passionate about global health. She has taken many global health service trips across the world, including Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Tanzania. She enjoys traveling, running, skiing and exploring the mountains in the Northeast. She is currently an AP chief resident. After completing her AP/CP residency, she will pursue a fellowship in forensic pathology at the New York Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Masa Peric (Gastrointestinal Pathology)
Masa obtained her MD degree from the University of Belgrade, and went on to complete her Anatomic Pathology training at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. During residency, she served as an AP Chief Resident, Social Chair, and on the CAP Residents Forum Executive Committee; she is CAP Foundation’s Junior Director. Masa is currently one of our Gastrointestinal/Liver Pathology fellows. She enjoys her hobbies of boxing, reading, and board games.
Lynette Viruet-Guzman
Lynette, holder of an MPH, obtained her MD from the Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine, Puerto Rico, where she received the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society Award and was the recipient of the Academic Excellence Scholarship. She also carried out many volunteer commitments in community healthcare and studied knowledge of intimate partner violence in the general Puerto Rican population. Her disparate talents include oboe, paddle-boarding, and American Sign Language.
Soumar Bouza (Breast Pathology)
Soumar graduated with her MD from Penn State Hershey and went on to complete her AP/CP training at Yale University. She is passionate about medical student and resident education and loves to spend her free time tending to her collection of indoor house plants.
Yevgen Chornenkyy (Gastrointestinal Pathology)
Yevgen obtained his MD degree from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and MSc degree from the University of Toronto. In his spare time he enjoys going to concerts, running, biking, hiking, and weight lifting.
Lee Cross (Hematopathology)
Lee is currently a Hematopathology Fellow, having completed his AP/CP residency at Brown University.
Yinan Hua (Cytopathology)
Yinan completed her AP/CP residency at Baylor Scott and White Health, Texas A&M School of Medicine. She holds a PhD degree in Biomedical Sciences from University of Wyoming. Yinan completed her postdoctoral training at National Institutes of Health. She is currently a cytopathology fellow. In her spare time, she enjoys tennis, table tennis, hiking, and board games.
Cana Tompkins (Breast Pathology)
Cana graduated with her MD from the University of New Mexico. She completed her AP/CP training with us and served as an AP chief resident. Cana is one of our breast pathology fellows and will go on to be our dermatopathology fellow next year.
Charitha Vadlamudi (Hematopathology)
Charitha is currently a Hematopathology fellow, having completed her AP/CP residency training at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and is AP/CP board certified.
Tiffany Yin (Cytopathology)
Tiffany graduated with her MD from the University of Queensland School of Medicine, Australia. She holds a master's degree in comparative pathology, and has been a chemist and researcher in both industry and academics. She completed her AP/CP training at BIDMC and is staying on as a cytopathology fellow.
Stephanie Conrad (Transfusion Medicine)
Stephanie is the current transfusion medicine fellow. She graduated from Saba University School of Medicine and went on to complete AP/CP residency training at Tufts Medical Center. She is currently AP/CP board certified.
Andrea Kirmaier (Medical Microbiology)
Andrea joined BIDMC as a Medical Microbiology Fellow after 15 years in academic research. As an evolutionary virologist, Andrea studied the interactions between retroviruses and their hosts, both at the genetic and the molecular levels.
From 2020-2022, Andrea built, implemented and managed a dedicated SARS-CoV-2 clinical lab at Boston College.
Simon Lamothe (Hematopathology)
Born in Canada and holder of a Masters in Molecular Genetics from the University of Montreal, Simon graduated with his MD from the University of Belgrade, where he founded the pathology student interest group. His background includes volunteering as an international educator and work as a researcher focusing on the role of cytokines in hematologic malignancies. Simon has served as Social chair, CP chief resident, and CAP Resident Forum representative. He is currently one of our Hematopathology Fellows.
Steven Schwartz (Neuropathology)
Steven completed his MD at the University of Illinois College of Medicine. The veteran of extensive graduate-level training in chemistry, he has in more recent years taken on projects analyzing usage patterns and storage needs of whole slide scanning. Steven has a passion for puzzles, and can carry on at least basic conversations in Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, and Hebrew. He has completed his AP/CP residency with us, and is currently in his second year of neuropathology fellowship.