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.
Prakash Doddapattar, MSc, PhD – Research Assistant Professor (8/6/20)
Dr. Prakash Doddapattar was recently appointed to the rank of Research Assistant Professor in the Division of Hematology, Oncology and Blood & Marrow Transplantation from his position as a Postdoctoral Research Scholar in Dr. Anil Chauhan’s research laboratory here at Iowa, after earning a Career Development Award from the American Heart Association. He received an MSc in Biotechnology from Karnatak University in Dharwad, India, and a PhD from the Medical University of Graz in Austria. Dr. Doddapattar’s research focuses on the basic mechanisms that contribute to the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases with special focus on atherosclerosis. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling, meditation, running, playing badminton and cricket.
Christopher Iverson, MD, MBA, MPH– Clinical Assistant Professor (8/31/20)
Dr. Christopher Iverson comes to the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, & Occupational Medicine as a Clinical Assistant Professor after completing his Occupational Medicine Residency at Iowa. Dr. Iverson received his MD at the Carver College of Medicine, along with an MBA from the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business. Dr. Iverson also earned an MPH degree from the University of Iowa’s College of Public Health. His clinical and research interests focus on employee health and electronic health record optimization. In his free time, Dr. Iverson enjoys rooting for the Hawkeyes and Fighting Irish, discovering new board games and television shows, spending time outdoors with his wife, and coming up with pun-derful jokes.
Quanhathai Kaewpoowat, MD – Clinical Assistant Professor (8/20/20)
Dr. Quanhathai Kaewpoowat has joined the Division of Infectious Diseases as a Clinical Assistant Professor from an infectious diseases specialist position at the Chiang Mai University in Thailand. Dr. Kaewpoowat received her MD from Chiang Mai University. She completed her Internal Medicine residency at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, New York, and an Infectious Diseases Fellowship at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in Houston. Dr. Kaewpoowat’s clinical and research interests include HIV prevention and treatment. When not at work, she enjoys cooking.
Fadi Niyazi, MBBS – Clinical Assistant Professor (7/1/20)
Dr. Fadi Niyazi joins the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology as a Clinical Assistant Professor after his GI fellowship here at Iowa. Dr. Niyazi earned his MBBS from the Jordan University of Science and Technology in Irbid, Jordan, followed by an Internal Medicine residency at Henry Ford Hospital–Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Dr. Niyazi’s clinical interests focus on General Gastroenterology and Inflammatory Bowel Disease. He is married and has two daughters. He enjoys traveling and spending time with his kids during his free time.
Soroush Samani, MD – Associate (5/1/20)
Dr. Samani joined the Division of General Internal Medicine as an Associate after completing a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Cardiac Nuclear Imaging at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Samani went to medical school at Ross University School of Medicine in Portsmouth, Dominica. He completed an Internal Medicine Internship at the University of Maryland followed by a medicine Residency at Michigan State University, where he also served a year as Chief Resident. Dr. Samani’s clinical interests focus on cardiovascular disease, and his research interests include coronary artery disease. Outside of work, Dr. Samani likes to spend time engaging in activities such as jogging, hiking, and playing sports.
Kevin Sanchez, MPH, MD – Associate (9/1/20)
Dr. Kevin Sanchez has joined the Division of General Internal Medicine as an Associate after completing his Internal Medicine residency here. Dr. Sanchez received an MPH from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, followed by an MD from the University of Nevada School of Medicine in Reno. Dr. Sanchez’s clinical and research interests include Hematology/Oncology, as well as Epidemiology. He enjoys hiking, traveling, and reading in his free time.
Fariba Tayyari, PhD – Research Assistant Professor (5/1/20)
Dr. Fariba Tayyari was recently appointed to the rank of Research Assistant Professor in the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, from her position as an Associate Research Scientist in the Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center here. Dr. Tayyari received an MS in Chemistry (Organic Chemistry) from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, followed by an PhD in Chemistry (Metabolomics) from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Dr. Tayyari’s research interests focus on metabolomics analytical method development and validation for identification and quantification of metabolites and their application in biological sciences. Outside the lab, she enjoys spending time with her daughter and reading books.
Yifeng Yang, MD – Associate (9/1/20)
Dr. Yifeng Yang joined the Division of General Internal Medicine as an Associate after completing his Internal Medicine Residency at the St. Vincent Medical Center, associated with Quinnipiac University School of Medicine in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Dr. Yang received his MD degree at the Peking University Health Science Center in Beijing. Dr. Yang’s clinical and research interests are in internal medicine. Outside of work, Dr. Yang likes outdoor exercises and enjoying happy hours with friends.
Hammad Zafar, MBBS – Associate (7/1/20)
Dr. Hammad Zafar joins the Division of General Internal Medicine as an Associate. He earned his medical degree at the Services Institute of Medical Sciences in Lahore, Pakistan, and completed his internal medicine residency at Florida Hospital Orlando. Dr. Zafar’s clinical interests include inpatient medicine, gastrointestinal medicine, and he enjoys cooking and working out in his spare time.