Basic and Translational Biomedicine students

The Basic and Translational Biomedicine (BTB) Graduate Program is designed to educate and develop students into leading independent scientists, scholars, and innovators. The program offers exceptional training opportunities in the basic and applied health sciences with nationally and internationally recognized faculty across the following focus areas: Neurodegenerative Diseases; Heart and Blood Vessel Disease; Auditory Neuroscience; Musculoskeletal; Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.

Read below to learn more about our current students and the research they are engaging in.

Mirjavid Aghayev

I received my Bachelor’s degree in chemistry and Master’s degree in organic chemistry at Baku State University. After graduation I completed an internship at NEOMED, where I studied liver, blood proteins and metabolic changes in rodent models, using mass spectroscopy. Currently, I am pursuing my dissertation research under the direction of Dr. Takhar Kasumov studying the relationship between post-translation modifications and protein turnover in alcoholic liver disease (ALD).

Noah Aguirre, Pharm.D.

I am a PharmD who joined the BTB program to expand my passion for pharmacy into the field of research. Before earning my PharmD, I completed my prerequisites at Kent State University, where I volunteered in a biochemistry lab. During pharmacy school, I gained skills in drug discovery and development, utilizing in-vitro, in-vivo, and in-silico approaches. With the experience I acquired prior to joining the BTB program, I aim to further develop my skills to contribute to the field of health, whether in the pharmaceutical industry or academia.

Andrea Arias-Alvarado, M.D.

In 2021, I joined the BTB program to pursue my interests in metabolic research. I am currently working with Dr. Takhar Kasumov on determining the effects of diet on post-translational modifications of proteins and how they contribute to the pathophysiology of metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease through the use of high-resolution mass spectrometry techniques. Prior to joining the BTB program, I was a general physician in the Philippines, treating patients of all ages. Alarmed by the number of adult patients suffering from chronic preventable diseases, I was called to research and I am hoping to make future contributions to the mechanisms, diagnosis, and care of diet-induced conditions.

Bovinari Csubak

I attended the University of Toledo for three years studying biochemistry before receiving my Bachelor of Science in biology from Cleveland State University in December of 2023. I started as a research technician in Dr. Christine Crish’s lab in January of 2024 studying integrin expression within Alzheimer’s disease model mice. During my time there I discovered a passion for research and lab work under Dr. Crish’s guidance, and began to make the necessary steps towards earning my Ph.D. I entered the BTB program at NEOMED August of 2025, where I am now continuing my work studying the endogenous changes in protein expression within multiple Alzheimer’s disease mouse models. My goal during my time in the BTB program is to study the mechanisms behind how microtubule-associated protein tau develops into neurofibrillary tangles during neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Michael Disabato

I was born and raised in Northeast Ohio and have always had a passion for health care. I completed my undergraduate degree at John Carroll University in 2019, majoring in Biology. I went on to participate in part-time research at Cleveland State University studying macrophage-mediated inflammatory response while working as a medical scribe in primary care, sports medicine, and orthopedics. These experiences gave me the opportunity to observe both the basic science and clinical components of healthcare simultaneously. I then completed my masters in Global Health and Innovation at NEOMED in 2024 where I traveled to Western Kenya. After graduating, I worked as senior research assistant in Dr. Fayez Safadi’s lab contributing to various projects studying the role of osteoactivin/GPNMB and other related proteins in bone diseases. My combined experiences in research and healthcare inspired me to join the BTB program, where I aim to contribute to healthcare research and grow as a leader in the field.

Rebecca DiScipio

I received my Bachelor’s degree in neuroscience at Baldwin Wallace University in May of 2025 before joining the BTB program at NEOMED. During my undergraduate studies, I worked as a laboratory assistant for introductory biology and general chemistry. In my senior year, I was a teaching and research assistant for the Behavioral Neuroscience in association of working on research with that professor. Moving forward at NEOMED, I look forward to gaining more experience and contributing to advancements in diagnosis and etiology knowledge within healthcare research.

Yi Fritz, MBBS, MS, MBA, PMP

I completed my Bachelor of Medicine from Tongji University School of Medicine in Shanghai, China. I also hold a MBA from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, along with a Master of Science in Pharmacology from the University of Rochester, School of Medicine. Additionally, I am a certified Project Management Professional and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.

Currently, I serve as the Director for Research Strategy and Administration at University Hospital Cleveland Medical Center and as the Deputy Director for UH Health Services Research Center. Over the course of my career, I have gained extensive experience overseeing laboratory operations, managing complex projects and budgets in both industry and academia, and specializing in the financial and operational management of various federally and non-federally funded research initiatives.

In 2025, I joined the BTB program at NEOMED to pursue my interest in Maternal and Child Health research.  Deeply concerned by the high rates of maternal mortality and morbidity in the US, particularly in Northeast Ohio, I aim to leverage my combined expertise in research, operations, healthcare, finance and strategic planning to design innovative solution(s) that improve maternal health outcomes for families in Northeast Ohio (Healthy Mother, Healthy Baby).

Andrew Fulk, Pharm.D.

I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Ohio State University prior to attaining a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from NEOMED in 2022. As a student of the College of Graduate Studies through the BTB PharmD/PhD program, I work in the labs of both Dr. Moses Oyewumi and Dr. Matthew A. Smith focusing on drug delivery systems (DDSs) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), respectively. My PhD work entails studying the effects of TBI upon non-image-forming (NIF) visual pathways in the brain and the how DDSs can be utilized to observe and characterize possible mechanistic changes in these pathways.

Trae Hillyer

I attended the University of Mount Union prior to NEOMED, where I studied biology and chemistry. My research at NEOMED focuses on the development of novel antimicrobial compounds, specifically for MRSA and N. gonorrhoeae. I work to integrate unique mechanisms of action that allow for longer clinical efficacy by avoiding standard resistance adaptations. Outside of NEOMED, I am an Adjunct Professor at Fortis College, where I teach Anatomy & Physiology and Microbiology.

Trinity Kronk

I am a Pittsburgh native and current M.D./Ph.D. student at Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED). I completed my undergraduate degree at Emory University, majoring in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology with a minor in Dance and Movement Studies. With aspirations of becoming a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon and physician-scientist, my primary research interests center around musculoskeletal research. Under the mentorship of Dr. Fayez Safadi, I am investigating the therapeutic potential of osteoactivin/GPNMB in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Beyond the laboratory, I am deeply committed to academic leadership and innovation. I founded and served as the inaugural Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Medical Sciences at NEOMED, and served as co-president of NEOvations Bench-to-Bedside. I currently serve as co-founder and co-president of the Dual Degree Society and am a student member of the NEOMED Board of Trustees.

Zachary McCalla, Pharm.D.

I completed my undergraduate studies at Kent State University, and then went on to receive my Doctor of Pharmacy degree from NEOMED in May of 2024. I continued my education in the BTB program at NEOMED the following semester. I have experience studying pharmacogenomics in Dr. Wangs lab in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and my goal is to pursue a career in this field of research. I aim to utilize my combined clinical and research knowledge to improve outcomes in the fields of targeted and personalized medicine.”

Nicholas Osborne, M.A.

I am an M.D./Ph.D candidate in Dr. Jessica Ferrell’s lab at NEOMED. I entered the program through NEOMED’s former 6-year B.S./M.D. pathway, earning my B.S. in Biology from Youngstown State University. In 2024, I also completed an M.A. in Medical Ethics and Humanities at NEOMED.

My research focuses on the function and regulation of the cytochrome P450 fatty acid ω-hydroxylase enzyme, CYP4V2. Beyond my academic work, I have served as a director for the national medical student LGBTQ+ non-profit, the Medical Student Pride Alliance (MSPA), and as a student representative on the NEOMED College of Graduate Studies Graduate Faculty Council.

I plan to apply for pathology residency in Fall 2025 and look forward to pursuing a career as a physician-scientist.

Lauren Pham

I completed my undergraduate studies at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, where I received both a Bachelor’s degree in neuroscience and a Bachelor’s degree in psychology. During my time there, I gained research experience with behavioral neuroscience and neurodegenerative diseases. I joined the BTB program in 2025 to earn my Ph.D. and complete research related to neurodegeneration and neurotrauma. I hope to help delineate some of these disease processes both during my time at NEOMED and as a long-term career goal.

JENNA PUMNEO

I received my Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science from the University of Akron. In 2025, I began the Basic and Translational Biomedicine graduate program at Northeast Ohio Medical University. My research focuses on musculoskeletal anatomy and anatomy education. Alongside my research, I serve as an anatomy teaching assistant for both the College of Medicine and the Master in Foundations of Medicine program. In this role, I assist with cadaver-based instruction, develop educational resources, and strive to inspire curiosity, confidence, and a lasting appreciation for the human body among future healthcare professionals.

Gabrielle Robinson

I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University. I am currently studying a trafficking protein that is linked to intellectual disabilities and musculoskeletal deformities, in the lab of Dr. Fayez Safadi as part of the Musculoskeletal Research Focus Group. I hope to better understand the link between bone morphology and this protein of interest. I currently serve as a peer reviewer for the NEOMED Journal of Medical Sciences, the College of Graduate Studies representative for the NEOMED Wellness Committee, and a member of the Student Cohort of The American Society of Bone and Mineral Research.

Miljan Terzic, Pharm.D.

I received my Bachelors of Science in Biology from Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio. During my time there, I became very interested in pharmaceutics. I started my journey at NEOMED in 2018 pursuing a Doctorate of Pharmacy. Upon completion of the PharmD in 2022, I decided to further my education and matriculated into the College of Graduate Studies to work towards a PhD under the guidance of Dr. Samuel Crish in the Neurodegeneration and Aging Research Focus Group. My PhD work consists of characterizing glial/neuroinflammatory changes in glaucomatous pathology and how these changes contribute to weakening the neurons that allow us to see. After graduation, I hope to build a career that allows me to utilize the clinical and basic research skillsets from both of my degrees and to continue teaching in higher healthcare education in some capacity.

Nada Warda

I received my MD degree from Alexandria Faculty of Medicine in 2021. Following graduation, I worked for two years as a general practitioner while also serving as an instructor in the Department of Anatomy and Embryology, where I discovered my passion for teaching and musculoskeletal research. In September 2024, I joined the Department of Biomedical Sciences at NEOMED to pursue research in bone and cartilage biology. My primary research focus is osteoarthritis, and in 2025 I joined Dr. Mohammad Yunus Ansari’s lab to continue exploring the molecular mechanisms underlying this disease. My long-term goal is to bridge my clinical background with basic science research to contribute to improved therapies for musculoskeletal disorders

Alumni

Ph.D.

Laila Almassri, Ph.D., M.A.
Doctoral Advisor: Jeffrey Mellott, Ph.D.
Post-graduation/current position: Publication Specialist at Praxis Precision Medicines, Inc.; Adjunct Professor at Lake Forest College

Zaid Batayneh, Ph.D., Pharm.D.
Doctoral Advisor: Yanqaio Zhang, M.D., Ph.D. & Yoon-Kwang Lee, Ph.D.
Post-graduation/current position: Clinical Interventions Officer at AnewHealth

Katie Bretland, Ph.D.
Doctoral Advisor: Christine Dengler-Crish, Ph.D.
Post-graduation/current position: Medical Writer at Lumanity

Ernesto Solorzano-Zepeda, Ph.D.
Doctoral Advisor: Fayez Safadi, Ph.D.
Post-graduation/current position:  Trailhead Biosystems (Beachwood, OH)

Cody Juguilon, Ph.D.
Doctoral Advisor: Liya Yin M.D., Ph.D.
Post-graduation/current position:  Post-Doctoral Fellow at Stanford Medicine

Brianna Gaurino, Ph.D.
Doctoral Advisor: Charles Thodeti, Ph.D.
Post-graduation/current position: Post-Doctoral Fellow at Brown University; Post-Doctoral Fellow at Harvard Medical School/Boston Children’s Hospital

Assraa Hassan Jassim, B.Pharm., Ph.D.
Doctoral Advisor: Denise Inman, Ph.D.
Post-graduation/current position: Post-Doctoral Fellow at University of Pennsylvania; Faculty at University of Texas.

Daniel Wehrung, Ph.D.
Doctoral Advisor: Moses Oyewumi, Ph.D.
Post-graduation/current position: Manager, Research & Development Formulation at American Regent Pharmaceutical

Matthew Smith, M.S., Ph.D.
Doctoral Advisor: Samuel Crish, Ph.D.
Post-graduation/current position: Assistant Professor at NEOMED; Research Scientist at Akron Children’s Hospital

Dual-Degree(M.D.-Ph.D.; Pharm.D.-Ph.d.)

Tori Czech, Pharm.D., Ph.D.
Doctoral Advisor: Moses Oyewumi, Ph.D.
Post-graduation/current position: Associate Medical Science Liaison – Migraine at AbbVie

Daniel Dellostritto, M.D., Ph.D.
Doctoral Advisor: Ian Bratz, Ph.D.
Post-graduation/current position: General Surgery Resident at Abrazo Health (Glendale, AZ)

Suzanna Logan, M.D., Ph.D.
Doctoral Advisor: William Chilian, Ph.D.
Post-graduation/current position: General, Pediatric and Soft Tissue Pathologist at Mayo Clinic

Master of Science

Naseem Amirmokhtari, M.S.
Contracts Officer at The Ohio State University (Office of Innovation and Economic Development)

Devan Richardson, M.S.
Director Of Operations at Modern Hearing Solutions and Choice Hearing Center

Shelbie Burchfield, M.S., M.P.H.
Research Coordinator at Florida International University

Paul Lin, M.S.
Client System Administrator at AGovX LLC

Matthew Kohl, M.S., Ph.D.
Henan University (China)