Current Infectious Disease Fellows

Infectious Disease Fellows

Garg, Nikita, MBBS

Medical School:
RAK College of Medical Sciences
Residency:
SUNY Upstate Medical University
Hometown:
Mumbai, India

Academic/Clinical Interests:
General Infectious Disease, Antimicrobial stewardship, HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis

General Interests/Hobbies:
Watching documentaries, Travelling and exploring, Theme parks.

Why UTMB?
UTMB has a diverse and vibrant community of students, residents, fellow, faculty and staff. Our Infectious Diseases faculty and researchers engage in various medical and scientific disciplines. We have the opportunity to design our learning experience with multiple electives both in-house and external rotations. Galveston, Texas is a beautiful cozy city with great outdoor and indoor activities. It has a strong sense of community and a slower pace of life which helps with the fast-paced work environment. It has a vibrant cultural scene with museums, festivals, an art district, and historical sites. Some great bars and restaurants.

Saad, Baraa, MD

Medical School:
University of Jordan Faculty of Medicine
Residency:
University of Missouri-Columbia Program
Hometown:
Jarash, Jordan

Academic/Clinical Interests:
Arthropod-borne infections, medical education

General Interests/Hobbies:
Cooking, hiking, soccer, martial arts.

Why UTMB?
What not to like about UTMB? First, its diverse patient population which includes an academic center, a community hospital and most importantly, it serves the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). This mix not only means comprehensive training in infectious diseases but also a chance to interact with a wide variety of patients. Also, I really liked that the program has a strong focus on global health and tropical medicine – which aligns with my own professional interests. When I went for my interview, everyone was so friendly and welcoming that I instantly felt like this was where I wanted to work and train. The proximity to Houston is another big plus – there’s so much cultural diversity and loads of things to do and eat.

Tariq, Shafaq, MBBS

Medical School:
Dow University, Karachi, Pakistan
Residency:
Abington Memorial Hospital, Abington, PA
Hometown:
Dallas, Texas

Academic/Clinical Interests:
Opportunistic Infections, HIV management

General Interests/Hobbies:
Soccer, ultra marathon training, swimming, baking, cats.

Why UTMB?
I chose UTMB's Infectious Disease program because they offer a wide range of interesting cases and it is an excellent place to develop a broad skill set and gain experience in diagnosing and treating different infections. The faculty members are fantastic, and the research opportunities are top-notch. Galveston itself is a wonderful island and has the feel for a very laid-back island lifestyle.

Infectious Disease Fellows

Stanton, Daniel MD

Medical school:
University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX
Residency;
University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX
Hometown:
Forney, TX (outside Dallas)

Academic/Clinical Interests:
Medical Education, HIV care, Biocontainment Care Unit

General Interests/Hobbies:
Board games, Science Fiction/Fantasy books, my various pets (4 cats, 2 dogs, a snake and a mouse currently)

Why UTMB?
This place has it all in the ID world- brilliant and enthusiastic faculty, roots in tropical medicine, a beautiful 11 story hospital with one of only 12 fully functioning biocontainment units in the US, a massive diversity of cases from the prison hospital, the cruise ships, and the large swath of the Texas coastline we serve. Vibrio to TB to Typhus to Histo. I have been here since medical school and still haven't had my fill!

Covington, Andrea MD

Medical School:
University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Oklahoma City, OK
Residency:
UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
Hometown: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Academic/Clinical Interests:
Emerging infectious diseases, Biodefense, Diagnostics in resource poor settings, Highly infectious pathogens

General Interests/Hobbies:
Travel, Scuba diving, Family

Why UTMB?
I’ve been familiar with the infectious disease program at UTMB since before medical school. I worked with Lassa Fever in West Africa after I obtained my MSPH at Tulane, and we worked with Dr. Tom Geisbert at the GNL and was in awe of him…I mean, he works with aerosolized Ebola for a living. When I was looking at programs, I knew UTMB was the right fit. What I didn’t know about UTMB before I ranked it as my first choice was how large the facility is and how widespread it’s catchment area was. The TDC Hospital is an EXTRAORDINARY asset to my education, I cannot stress enough how much this boosts my knowledge base. There is no shortage of diversity in cases, presentations, or opportunities. Outside of clinical and research opportunities, the mental health of the department was an essential feature in my program of choice. The sense of comradery I felt during my interview was very much real. I actually look forward to Wednesday case conference where I get to watch a bunch of passionate geniuses bicker about the nuances of everything ID. I’m extremely happy with my decision to come here.

Tharmendira, Sivagowri MD

Medical school:
The University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka
Residency:
UT Austin Dell Medical School
Hometown:
Sri Lanka

Academic/Clinical Interests:
I'm particularly interested in antibiotic stewardship, believing that the proper antibiotic treatment can change the world

General Interests/Hobbies:
Cooking, Classical Dancing, Playing veena

Why UTMB?
UTMB's Infectious Disease program is ideal for work-life balance and family life, making it feel like a second home, reminiscent of my coastal upbringing in Sri Lanka.

Infectious Disease Fellows

Contreras, German

Undergraduate: Agustiniano, City Bogota-Colombia.

Medical School: Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogota-Colombia

Residency: UTHealth-Houston Internal Medicine Physician Scientist Track, Houston, Texas

Clinical Fellowship: UTHealth-Houston Infectious Diseases Physician Scientist Track, Houston, Texas

Research Fellowship: T32 Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Brach at Galveston, Texas

Hometown: Bogota-Colombia

Academic/Clinical Interests:

My main academic interests are infectious in immunocompromised host and bioinformatics. I am working in how to use electronic health records data to improve the management of blood stream infections in solid organ transplant recipients.

General Interests/Hobbies:

I love baking, especially bread and pastries. I am also an avid cyclist and Texas has great locations for spectacular rides.

Why UTMB?

The T32 Infectious Diseases Fellowship at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston offers me an exceptional opportunity for clinical and research training in infectious diseases. The fellowship allows me to engage in rigorous scientific study and hands-on clinical experience in a world-renowned institution. The program’s comprehensive approach ensures a deep understanding of both common and rare infectious diseases, preparing me for a career in academic medicine and public health. The program also encourages collaborative research, leadership skills, and a lifelong commitment to learning and innovation in the field of infectious diseases. This fellowship program is a great way for medical professionals to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to stay ahead of emerging infectious diseases. This training will enable fellows to be prepared for any future health threats that may arise, as well as benefit their patients by providing better treatment options. By participating in this program, fellows will gain greater awareness of the importance of preventive care and early detection.

Infectious Disease

Fellows

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