Over the coming weeks, the Department of Internal Medicine will introduce faculty members who joined us in 2020 (start dates in parentheses). We are pleased to welcome them to the department.
Bhagirath Chaurasia, PhD – Assistant Professor (6-30-20)
Dr. Bhagirath Chaurasia joins the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism as an Assistant Professor from a faculty position at The University of Utah in Salt Lake City. Dr. Chaurasia received his MSc in Molecular Biology from the University of Skövde in Sweden, and a PhD in Genetics from the University of Cologne in Germany. His research focuses on understanding how lipid metabolite ceramides impair nutrient sensing. Outside of the lab, Dr. Chaurasia enjoys reading, running, hiking, and spending time with his family.
Jad El Masri, MD – Clinical Assistant Professor (7-1-20)
Dr. Jad El Masri joins the Division of Hematology, Oncology and Blood & Marrow Transplantation as a Clinical Assistant Professor, having completed his Hematology and Medical Oncology fellowship here at UI Hospitals & Clinics, along with a Certificate in Translational and Clinical Investigation from the UI College of Public Health. He received his MD from American University in Beirut, Lebanon, and completed his Internal Medicine residency here at Iowa. Dr. El Masri’s clinical and research interests include lung cancer and immunotherapy. In his spare time he enjoys outdoor activities, spending time with friends, and traveling when COVID allows it.
Elias Hanna, MD – Clinical Associate Professor (8-13-20)
Dr. Elias Hanna joined the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine as a Clinical Associate Professor from his position as an interventional cardiologist at Louisiana State University, where he also served as Director of the Curriculum for the General Cardiology and Interventional Fellowships. Dr. Hanna received his MD from Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon. Following internship from Beirut, he completed residency in Internal Medicine at University of Kentucky, a Cardiovascular Disease fellowship at Louisiana State University School of Medicine and Interventional Cardiology at Oklahoma University. Dr. Hanna will have clinics at UIHC main campus, Iowa River Landing, Outreach locations, and the VA Medical Center, focusing on the treatment of patients with atherosclerotic heart disease and peripheral vascular disease. He will perform diagnostic and interventional procedures in the cardiac catheterization lab, round in CVICU, inpatient teaching service and cardiology consult service. In his free time, Dr. Hanna enjoys traveling, reading, and running.
Asad Javed, MBBS – Clinical Assistant Professor (7-27-20)
Dr. Asad Javed, Clinical Assistant Professor, comes to the Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Blood & Marrow Transplantation from an Advanced Fellowship in Melanoma and Cancer Immunotherapy at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He received his MBBS from the Aga Khan University in Karachi, Pakistan, and completed an Internal Medicine residency at Temple University in Philadelphia. Dr. Javed also completed a Hematology and Medical Oncology fellowship at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, followed by a Hematologist/Medical Oncologist position at Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Healthcare in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Dr. Javed’s research focuses on uveal melanoma and cancer immunotherapy. His clinical interests include melanoma and clinical teaching. Outside of work, Dr. Javed enjoys running, hiking, and cricket.
Ruchi Sharma, MBBS, MS, MRCS – Associate (7-1-20)
Dr. Ruchi Sharma joins the Division of General Internal Medicine as an Associate from her position as a staff physician at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. She received her MBBS from Seth G.S. Medical College, Mumbai, India, followed by an MS in General Surgery at the LTM General Hospital there. Dr. Sharma worked at King’s College Hospital, London, as a clinical research fellow where she carried out research in liver transplant immunology. She then completed Internal Medicine residency at the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Sharma’s clinical and research interests focus on hepatology and transplant hepatology. Her hobbies include spending time with her kids, reading, traveling, and music.
Michael Viray, MD – Clinical Assistant Professor (8-31-20)
Dr. Michael Viray joins the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine as a Clinical Assistant Professor after completing an Advanced Heart Failure & Transplant Cardiology Fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Dr. Viray received a BSN and an MD from University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine & Surgery in Manila, Philippines. He then completed residency in Internal Medicine at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport, Connecticut, followed by an Advanced Heart Failure and General Cardiology Fellowship at the Einstein Heart & Vascular Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was also the Chief Fellow. Dr. Viray will have clinics at UIHC main campus, Iowa River Landing, Outreach locations and VA Medical Center, centering on the treatment of patients with heart failure, mechanical circulatory support, cardiac transplantation, and pulmonary arterial hypertension. He will also round on the Cardiomyopathy Treatment Program consultation service. In his free time, Dr. Viray enjoys playing tennis, hiking, and nature photography.
One comment on “New Faculty Additions – 2020”