2026 UH-NEOMED Scholars recognized

Feb 2, 2026

2026 UH-NEOMED Scholars recognized

Photo: Dr. Dan Simon (left), Dr. Julie Aultman (fourth from right)  and Dr. John T. Langell (right) pose with the newly recognized UH-NEOMED Student Scholars.


Congratulations to the seven students and 30 faculty members who were honored as 2026 UH-NEOMED Faculty and Student Scholars during a special presentation on January 29 at NEOMED.

The honorees are recognized for their outstanding achievements and their commitment to representing the core values of both University Hospitals and NEOMED. Certificates of recognition were presented by NEOMED President John Langell, M.D. and Daniel Simon, M.D., president for academic and external affairs, and chief scientific officer, University Hospitals Health System.

STUDENT SCHOLARS

The Student Scholars are chosen for their outstanding commitment to the missions of University Hospitals and NEOMED. University Hospitals strives “To Heal. To Teach. To Discover.” NEOMED aims to “create transformational leaders and improve health.”

The 2026 UH-NEOMED Student Scholars are:

Mirjavid Aghayev, Ph.D. student, College of Graduate Studies

Andrea Alvarado, M.D., Ph.D. student, College of Graduate Studies

Andrew Fulk, Pharm.D., Ph.D. student, College of Graduate Studies

Jared Hinton, fourth-year medical student, College of Medicine

Zachary McCalla, Pharm.D., Ph.D. student, College of Graduate Studies

Zachary Oatley, third-year medical student, College of Medicine

Nada Warda, M.D., Ph.D. student, College of Graduate Studies

FACULTY SCHOLARS

The Faculty Scholars program recognizes outstanding NEOMED faculty who have demonstrated a commitment to at least two of the three domains of University Hospitals’ mission: “To Heal. To Teach. To Discover.”

The 2026 UH-NEOMED Faculty Scholars are:

Michael Appleman, M.S.Ed., assistant professor, Family & Community Medicine*

Kristin Baughman, Ph.D., professor, Family & Community Medicine

Natalie Bonfine, Ph.D., associate professor, Psychiatry

Rachel Bracken, Ph.D., associate professor, Family & Community Medicine*

Lisa Cooper, Ph.D., associate professor, Biomedical Sciences

Christine Dengler-Crish, Ph.D., associate professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences

Feng Dong, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor, Biomedical Sciences

Bernhard Fassl, M.D., professor, Center for Global Health Innovation

Jessica Ferrell, Ph.D., assistant professor, Biomedical Sciences

Rebecca Fischbein, Ph.D., associate professor, Family & Community Medicine

Nathaniel Flath, CAA, assistant professor, Medical Science in Anesthesia*

Sheila Fleming, Ph.D., associate professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences

Alex Galazyuk, Ph.D., professor, Biomedical Sciences

Stacey Gardner-Buckshaw, Ph.D., associate professor, Family & Community Medicine

Takhar Kasumov, Ph.D., associate professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences

Yong Lu, Ph.D., professor, Biomedical Sciences

Jeffrey Mellott, Ph.D., associate professor, Biomedical Sciences

Vahagn Ohanyan, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor, Biomedical Sciences

Moses Oyewumi, Ph.D., professor and chair, Pharmaceutical Sciences

Priya Raman, Ph.D., associate professor, Biomedical Sciences

Erin Reed, Ph.D., assistant professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences

Merri Rosen, Ph.D., associate professor, Biomedical Sciences

Fayez Safadi, Ph.D., professor, Biomedical Sciences

Margaret Sanders, M.A., LSW, associate professor, Family & Community Medicine

Brett Schofield, Ph.D., Distinguished University Professor, Biomedical Sciences

Matthew Smith, Ph.D., assistant professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences

Xinwen Wang, Ph.D., assistant professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences

Bradley Winters, Ph.D., assistant professor, Biomedical Sciences

Jesse Young, Ph.D., professor, Biomedical Sciences

Ping Zhang, M.D., Ph.D., professor and Watanakunakorn Chair, Biomedical Sciences

 

* First-time UH-NEOMED Faculty Scholar

Gallery

Two young people in business casual attire smile at the camera Dr. John T. Langell at podium addresses a group of seated guests while standing next to a UH-NEOMED banner Dr. Yong Lu poses with his scholars certificate while Dr. Dan SImon and Dr. John T. Langell look on Dr. Xinwen Wang poses with her scholars certificate while Dr. Dan Simon and Dr. John T. Langell look on Ph.D. student Mirjavid Aghayev poses with his scholar certificate while Dr. Dan Simon and  Dr. John T. Langell look on Medical student Zachary Oatley poses with his scholar certificae while Dr. Dan Simon and Dr. John T. Langell look on Members of the PharmSci department pose with their scholar certificates Nate Flath, Dr. Rachel Bracken and Mike Appleman pose with their scholar certificates Members of the Health Services research focus area pose with their certificates Members of the Kasumov lab Dr. Priya Raman and Ph.D. student Nada Warda members of the Smith lab