Current Fellows

Sama Ilyas

Medical School: University of Florida
Residency: University of Florida
What you like to do for fun: I love to cook & bake and am constantly experimenting with new recipes! I love trying new food, and am currently enjoying eating my way around town. I’m a homebody and enjoy board games, reading, crochet & playing the cello! I also love to travel and have been lucky to visit some amazing destinations; my favorites have been Rome, Iceland, Banff & Maui!
What is your professional interest: I am currently open-minded about my future career. I am interested in medical education (which was a main area of research I was involved in).
Recent scholarship activities (publications, abstract, presentations):

Publications:
Ilyas, Sama; Murphy, Martina; Duff, Jennifer; Close, Julia (2021). “Satisfaction of General versus Specialized Continuity Clinic in Hematology Oncology Fellowship Training: A Survey.” Journal of Medical Education and Curricular Development.
Hirpa, Meron; Iqbal, Omar; Ali, Haider; Ilyas, Sama I.; Iqbal, Nabeel; Kar, Jeena A.; Splatt, Tiffany; Shortley, Brendan; and Hardt, Nancy (2016) “Addressing Health Disparities Among Homeless in Alachua County through Community-Based Participatory Research.,” Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice: Vol. 9: Iss. 2, Article 7.

Abstracts and Presentations:
llyas, Sama; Thaper, Arushi. “Diagnosis to Death in Two Weeks: A Sad Case of Richter’s Transformation.” Poster presentation at virtual ACP conference, 2021.
Ilyas, Sama; Thaper, Arushi. “Hepatic Hydrothorax – An Unfortunate Consequence of Decompensated Cirrhosis.” Poster presentation at virtual ACP conference, 2021.
Ilyas, Sama; Thompson, Blake. “A Case of Suspected Bupropion-induced Hepatotoxicity.” Poster presentation at virtual ACP conference, 2021. Presented at Internal Medicine Grand Rounds, April 16, 2020.
Ilyas, Sama; Patel, Aditi. “Langerhans or Non-Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis: A Challenging Diagnosis of Erdheim-Chester Disease.” Poster presentation at virtual ACP conference, 2021.
Ilyas, Sama and others. “Evaluation of the ASCVD dot phrase embedded in clinic note templates on statin prescribing practices.” Abstract accepted but poster deferred due to pandemic restrictions.
Ilyas, Sama; Minish, Jordan. “Clinical significance and implications of diagnosing neurosarcoidosis versus primary CNS lymphoma.” Poster presentation at virtual ACP conference, 2020.
Ilyas, Sama. “Satisfaction of general versus specialized continuity clinic in hematology oncology fellowship training: A survey.” Julia Close, MD. Poster presentation at ASCO. June 1, 2019. Chicago, IL.
Ilyas, Sama. “Intention vs action: barriers to screening for adverse childhood experiences in pediatric practice.” Melissa Bright, PhD. Poster presentation at the University of Florida College of Medicine Medical Student Research Day. February 27th 2017. Gainesville, FL. Poster presentation at the Pediatric Medical Student Research Forum. September 3rd, 2016. Orlando, FL.

Akanksha Sharma

Medical School: UT Southwestern Medical Center
Residency: UT Southwestern Medical Center
What you like to do for fun: dance, read, travel
What is your professional interest: solid tumor oncology

Medical School: Aga Khan University Medical School
Residency: Penn State University, Hershey PA / National University Singapore
What you like to do for fun: Basketball; swimming; traveling
What is your professional interest: Transplantation & cellular therapy; Adoptive T-cell transfer

Medical School: UTHealth Houston-McGovern Medical School
Residency: University of Central Florida-Gainesville
What you like to do for fun: Hiking, bicycling, going to coffee shops, trying new foods
What is your professional interest: Solid tumor oncology
Recent scholarship activities:

• Haider AA, Salabei JK, Hashmi M, Ismail Z, Zheng M, Iyer UG. Zieve Syndrome in a Patient With Hepatitis C. Cureus. 2022;14(5):e25412. doi:10.7759/cureus.25412.
• Haider AA, Pozo D, Alzghoul H, Iyer UG, Khuddus N. “Bing-Neel Syndrome, a Rare Neurological Complication of Waldenström Macroglobulinemia”. American College of Physicians – Florida Chapter, Annual Scientific Meeting. October 2022. (won award for Winner of Resident Clinical Vignette Poster Competition).

Medical School: Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital
Residency: St. Vincent Hospital, Worcester, MA
Fellowship: Hospice & Palliative Medicine – McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston

Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Auburn Campus
Residency: University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston

Kok Hoe Chan (Delcos), MD, Chief Fellow

Medical School: Perdana University Graduate School of Medicine
Residency: New York Medical College at Saint Michael’s Medical Center
What you like to do for fun: traveling, badminton, outdoor adventurous activities (biking, trekking, kayaking, hiking)
What is your professional interest: Hematology: Sickle cell disease; Oncology: gastrointestinal cancer
Research interest: My research interest is on the molecular profiling and genomic/epigenomic landscapes of gastrointestinal cancer. I have a particular interest in dissecting the complex molecular landscapes of gastrointestinal cancers to facilitate the screening, detection, and personalized treatment with targeted therapy. I’m also interested in qualitative research – exploring the perception and acceptance of patients on new diagnostic test and treatment.
Where are they now: GI/GU Medical Oncologist at CAMC Medical Center / Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of West Virginia School of Medicine

Medical School: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
Residency: Albert Einstein College of Medicine — Montefiore Medical Center
What you like to do for fun: I love spending time with my family exploring new restaurants, museums, parks, and zoos
What is your professional interest: GI and Thoracic Oncology
Where are they now: community medical oncologist

Arthi Sridhar, MD

Medical School: MS Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore, India
Residency: University of Massachusetts Medical School — Baystate, Springfield, Massachusetts
What you like to do for fun: I enjoy travelling and exploring different cultures and cuisines. I try to travel someplace new every year. I love the outdoors and love spending my free time with friends and family.
What is your professional interest: I am interested in pursuing a career in thoracic oncology and sickle cell disease. My interests also include socioeconomic disparities in oncologic care and I am very passionate about medical education.
Recent scholarship activities (publications, abstract, presentations):

Publications:
Frances Cervoni-Curet, Arthi Sridhar, Wei Yang, Binoy Yohannan, Julie Rowe, Jessica Jones, Neha Maithel, Adan Rios, Anneliese Gonzalez. Coordinating Care in Oncologic Emergencies: A Quality Improvement Project [abstract]. 2021 Internal Medicine Quality Fair

Ijele Adimora, Akshitha Yarrabothula, Jordan Thomas, Shelby Irwin, Jeffrey Chen, Arthi Sridhar and Modupe Idowu. Evaluating Physician Confidence in Identifying and Treating Acute Vaso-Occlusive Crises in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease [abstract]. 2021 Internal Medicine Quality Fair

Arthi Sridhar, B.M. Sunil Kumar, Aarathi Rau, A.T.K Rau. A correlation of platelet counts with D-dimer levels as an indicator for component therapy in children with Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever. Indian Journal of Hematology and Blood Transfusion (April-June 2017) 33(2): 222-227

Martin J. Willemink, Bram F. Coolen, Hadrien Dyvorne, Philip M. Robson, Ilda Bander, Seigo Ishino, Arthi Sridhar, Alison Pruzan, Bei Zhang, Priti Balchandani, Venkatesh Mani, Gustav J. Strijkers, Aart J. Nederveen, Tim Leiner, Zahi A. Fayad, Willem J.M. Mulder, Claudia Calcagno. Ultra-high resolution magnetic resonance imaging of the rabbit atherosclerotic vessel wall at clinical 7T. Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, in press

Arthi Sridhar MD, S. Samanani. A Rare Case of Debilitating Polyneuropathy in MGUS. Journal of American Geriatrics Society. May 2019

Arthi Sridhar MD, S. Samanani, W. Colon-Cartagena. There is No Fear if you PAP Smear. Journal of American Geriatrics Society. May 2018.

M. Emmich, P. Bhardwaj, J. Clark, Arthi Sridhar. Retrospective Study of the Evaluation and Management of Febrile Neutropenia in Cancer Patients in a tertiary Care Center. J. Clin Oncol 2020.38.15_suppl.e.19100

Presentations:
Arthi Sridhar, S. Atallah­ Yunes, S. Samanani. A Rare Case of Debilitating Polyneuropathy in MGUS. American Geriatrics Society (AGS). Portland, Oregan. May 3-5, 2019

Arthi Sridhar, Megan Emmich, Barbara Greco. Elusive Diagnosis: A rare case of Polyarteritis nodosa. American College of Physicians’ (ACP National). Philadelphia. April 12, 2019

Arthi Sridhar, S. Samanani, W. Colon-Cartagena. There is No Fear if you PAP Smear. American Geriatrics Society. Orlando, Florida. May 3-5, 2018

Arthi Sridhar, Alison Pruzan, Chris Faries, Raphael Soler, Zahi Fayad, Srijkers Gustav, Claudia Calcagno (April, 2017). The systematic evaluation of endothelial permeability in the aortic root of atherosclerotic mice (review) Poster.7th Annual TMII Symposium; New York, New York April 2017

Arthi Sridhar, Chandravathi Loke. A Rare Case of Iatrogenic chemotherapy induced Wernicke’s Encephalopathy: time to broaden our differential. UMMS – Baystate Research and Education Day 2019. Springfield, MA. May 15, 2019.

Arthi Sridhar, Megan Emmich, Barbara Greco. Elusive Diagnosis: A rare case of Polyarteritis nodosa. ACP Massachusetts Chapter 2018. Waltham, Massachusetts. October 20, 2018.

Arthi Sridhar, Barbara Greco. Elusive Diagnosis: A rare case of Polyarteritis nodosa. Medical Grand Rounds, UMMS – Baystate. Springfield, Massachusetts

Where are they now: UT Southwestern Medical Cencer

Binoy Yohannan, MD

Medical School: Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Institute
Residency: Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, Dallas
What you like to do for fun: I love vegetable gardening and cooking. Also, I enjoy travelling and spending time with family
What is your professional interest: I’m interested in hematologic malignancies, particularly acute leukemias.
Recent scholarship activities (publications, abstract, presentations):
Frances Cervoni-Curet, Arthi Sridhar, Wei Yang, Binoy Yohannan, Julie Rowe, Jessica Jones, Neha Maithel, Adan Rios, Anneliese Gonzalez. Coordinating Care in Oncologic Emergencies: A Quality Improvement Project [abstract]. 2021 Internal Medicine Quality Fair

Yohannan B, Feldman M. (2018). Prostate cancer metastatic to the planum sphenoidale presenting as sequential bilateral vision loss. Case Rep Int Med 5(4), 5.doi:10.5430/crim.v5n4p5

Yohannan B, McIntyre K, Feldman M. (2018). Severe folate deficiency anemia associated with the use of a PARP inhibitor (olaparib) in a patient with fallopian tube cancer. Case Rep Int Med 6(1), 1.doi:10.5430/crim. v6n1p1

Yohannan B, Feldman M. Fatal Balamuthia mandrillaris encephalitis. Case Rep Infect Dis 2019. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/9315756.

Yohannan B, Luu DCN Feldman M. (2019). Entecavir – associated thrombocytopenia: a case report and review of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of a rare but reversible cause of thrombocytopenia. Case Rep Hematol 2019, 1–4.doi:10.1155/2019/4319148.

Yohannan B Feldman M. (2019). Orbital ecthyma gangrenosum in multiple myeloma. Baylor University Medical Center Proc, 1–3.doi:10.1080/08998280.2019.1641059

Yohannan B Feldman M. (2020). A non pediatric extraosseous Ewing sarcoma of the pancreas: differential diagnosis and therapeutic strategies. Case Rep Oncol Medi, 2020, 1–4.doi:10.1155/2020/2792750

Where are they now: Assistant Professor of Medicine, Hematology, Oncology, & Transplantation at the University of Minnesota Medical School

Frances Cervoni-Curet, MD

Medical School: Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce Puerto Rico
Residency: Internal Medicine Residency at McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
What you like to do for fun: I love to be with my family. We enjoy museums, concerts, and traveling.
What is your professional interest: malignant hematology, cellular therapies, and bone marrow transplantation
Recent scholarship activities (publications, abstract, presentations):

Peer reviewed publications:
Frances Cervoni-Curet, Arthi Sridhar, Wei Yang, Binoy Yohannan, Julie Rowe, Jessica Jones, Neha Maithel, Adan Rios, Anneliese Gonzalez. Coordinating Care in Oncologic Emergencies: A Quality Improvement Project [abstract]. 2021 Internal Medicine Quality Fair

Yang W, Cervoni-Curet F, Rowe J, Gonzalez A, Jones J. Improvement of supportive medicine education in oncological patients to lower cancer therapy related complications and hospitalizations –a quality improvement initiative in cancer care. 2020 McGovern Medical School Annual Internal Medicine Quality Fair (3rd place winner); September 2020.

Balanescu DV, Monlezun DJ, Donisan T, et al. A Cancer Paradox: Machine-Learning Backed Propensity-Score Analysis of Coronary Angiography Findings in Cardio-Oncology. J Invasive Cardiol. 2019;31(1):21-26.

Stuelten CH, Cervoni-Curet FN, Busch JI, et al. SDF-1α mediates wound-promoted tumor growth in a syngeneic orthotopic mouse model of breast cancer. PLoS One. 2013;8(4):e60919. Published 2013 Apr 11. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0060919

Yu X, Erzinger MM, Pietsch KE, et al. Up-regulation of human prostaglandin reductase 1 improves the efficacy of hydroxymethylacylfulvene, an antitumor chemotherapeutic agent. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2012;343(2):426-433. doi:10.1124/jpet.112.195768

Abstracts:
Adan Rios, Gregg Rekoff, Frances Cervoni-Curet, Wei Yang, Brian Dinh, Lei Chen, Amer Wahed, Nghia D. Nguyen. Dasatinib plus chemotherapy in core binding factor leukemia: A case study. Presented at: SOHO 2020.

Where are they now: Lymphoma/Myeloma Fellow at MD Anderson Cancer Center

Wei Yang, MD

Medical School: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Miami, FL
Residency: Internal Medicine Residency at McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
What you like to do for fun: I’m a big techie! I have a few programming projects going on right now including one to make an app to help my fiancé learn Chinese. I also recently acquired a drone, so I’ve been getting into drone photography and videography.
What is your professional interest: Solid organ malignancies, application of artificial intelligence in oncology, medical computer vision
Recent scholarship activities (publications, abstract, presentations):
Frances Cervoni-Curet, Arthi Sridhar, Wei Yang, Binoy Yohannan, Julie Rowe, Jessica Jones, Neha Maithel, Adan Rios, Anneliese Gonzalez. Coordinating Care in Oncologic Emergencies: A Quality Improvement Project [abstract]. 2021 Internal Medicine Quality Fair.

Yang W, Cervoni-Curet F, Rowe J, Gonzalez A, Jones J. Improvement of supportive medicine education in oncological patients to lower cancer therapy related complications and hospitalizations –a quality improvement initiative in cancer care. 2020 McGovern Medical School Annual Internal Medicine Quality Fair (3rd place winner); September 2020.

Abstract presented at AACR 2020: Advanced lung cancer index at diagnosis is a predicative factor in immunotherapy recipients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer.

Abstract accepted for ASCO 2020: To Biopsy or To Not Biopsy, That is the Question: A Single-Center Retrospective Analysis of Outcomes of Liver Biopsy with Hepatocellular Carcinoma and other liver diseases.

Where are they now: community hematologist/oncologist for CompHealth