Our Residents

Residency Class 2025-2026

Resident Resident Information
Diana Ekechukwu, MD
PGY-4
Social Media Liaison
Medical School: Meharry Medical College
Undergraduate: University of Texas at Austin
Hometown: Dallas, Texas

As a Dallas native, I can honestly say Houston lives up to the hype. The opportunities here are truly unlimited, especially here at UT Houston. I am thrilled to be a part of such a welcoming and distinguished program, and I’m honored to be able to explore my passions within PM&R at TIRR. Whether new to the field or certain of your path, you will receive the support you need to excel in your professional career. Outside the hospital, I enjoy basking in Texas’ long and sunny days, traveling, exploring Houston’s art and live music scenes, and trying out new restaurants with my friends and fantastic co-residents (if you’re a foodie, welcome home!).

Lauren Haney Lauren Haney, MD
PGY-4
Administrative Chief Resident

Medical School: Long School of Medicine at UTHealth San Antonio
Undergraduate: UTSA (Go Runners!!!)
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas

As a diehard San Antonio girl, I way underestimated how much I would love Houston. I can’t imagine a more supportive, friendly program and I’m pumped to be part of the first all female class!! My Aussie mix Leela has been my partner in crime since college and I will definitely show you unsolicited pup pics if we meet. You can find me running around Htown most mornings before any human should be awake and I would love to incorporate female athlete health/running medicine into my future practice!

Aila Malik  Aila Malik, MBBS
PGY-4
Medical School: C.M.H. Lahore Medical College
Hometown: Long Prairie, Minnesota

I am beyond happy to be a part of the UT Houston PM&R family. No matter what your passion is, here you will be surrounded by teachers, mentors, and friends who will help you carve your path and are truly invested in your professional development. Although I have been in Houston for a relatively short while, the city already feels like home thanks to its southern charm and hospitality. Here you will come across people from all walks of life, vibrant museums and theaters, and a culinary scene which will give any food capital a run for its money. Also, Houston is a great place if you like sitting by the pool most of the year and working on your golf game year-round. When not on the golf course, I enjoy watching sports, especially tennis and basketball, going to concerts, and discovering new coffee shops.

Mara Martinez-Santori Mara Martínez-Santori, MD
PGY-4
Academic Chief Resident
Social Media Liaison

Medical School: Ponce Health Sciences University School of Medicine
Undergraduate: St. Bonaventure University
Hometown: Boquerón, Puerto Rico

As a Caribbean girl, coming to the warm weather of Texas for residency was one of my priorities. After doing an away rotation at TIRR, one of the best rehab hospitals in the US, and seeing for myself the amazing teaching culture of the UTH residency, the decision was obvious. Since moving to Space City, I enjoy getting together with my lovely co-residents (Team Girl Power) for food and pickleball, taking long walks at Hermann Park, going to outdoor concerts, movies and Astros games. I’m also a former collegiate tennis player, house plant enthusiast and a proud dog mom looking for any excuse to show off my pup, Yogi, to the Houstonian community.

Ryane Adams, MD
PGY-3
Medical School: McGovern Medical School at UTHealth
Undergraduate:  Xavier University of Louisiana
Hometown:  Houston, Texas

As a native Houstonian, it is an absolute honor to be able to train and serve the city where I grew up. Having the opportunity to train at UT Houston and rotate through some of the top hospitals in the country like Memorial Hermann, MD Anderson, and especially TIRR, is unmatched! I love this program for so many reasons, but mainly because of the people. All of leadership and residents are supportive, caring, and absolutely hilarious! I am immensely proud and excited to be able to be a part of such a distinguished program. In my free time I love to catch a sporting event, explore the city, enjoy a nice brunch with friends, and work on my podcast: The Balanced Grind!

Gregory Blazek, MD
PGY-3
Medical School: McGovern Medical School at UTHealth
Undergraduate:  Duke University
Hometown:  Coppell, Texas
Ovie Enaohwo, MD
PGY-3
Medical School: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
Undergraduate:  Rutgers University
Hometown:  Newark, New Jersey

Although I’m a New Jersey native, Houston has felt like home so far. The city is vibrant and full of culture, cool events to attend, an amazing food scene, and great weather year round. During my free time I enjoy exercising, going on hikes with my dog Nova, traveling, and trying the plethora of food and event spaces that Houston has to offer. I am thrilled to be starting my journey with the incredible support of the UT Houston PM&R family.

Alexa Ryder, MD, MBA
PGY-3
Associate Chief Resident of Wellness
Social Media Liaison

Medical School: McGovern Medical School at UTHealth
Undergraduate:  University of Texas at Austin
Hometown:  Phoenix, Arizona
Benjamin Ballard, MD
PGY-2
Medical School: McGovern Medical School at UTHealth
Undergraduate: University of Texas at Austin
Hometown:  Garland, Texas

Houston has been my home for a while now and I am thrilled to complete my training here! The people I met at TIRR as a medical student who provided advice and mentorship quickly became a family that I am now honored to work alongside. I couldn’t imagine training anywhere else. There are endless opportunities for trainees. I can explore all of my PM&R interests with no shortage of support, whether it be Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, MSK, pain medicine, or amputee medicine. When I am not in the hospital I spend my time playing golf, going on runs, and visiting family and friends.

Agam Jagota, DO
PGY-2
Medical School: Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate: University of Texas at Dallas
Hometown:  Plano, Texas

UT Houston was my true introduction into Physiatry. Not just the specialty itself, but also the people that make it possible. I have seen attendings regularly make sure residents were well supported, allowing residents guided and autonomous responsibilities. UT Houston provides residents with access to procedural and clinical training in top-tier training institutions, allowing residents the best opportunity to pursue expertise in any facet of physiatry (pun intended). Houston is a diverse, culturally rich city with plenty of things to do and incredible places to eat at, ensuring that time off will be well spent. Put all of this together and you have a training environment that you will always be thankful for.

Dianna Nguyen, DO, PhD
PGY-2
Medical School: Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate:  University of Texas at Arlington
Hometown:  Arlington, Texas
Derrick Williams, MD
PGY-2
Medical School: McGovern Medical School at UTHealth
Undergraduate: Baylor University
Hometown: Houston, Texas

TIRR is top tier! I’ve lived in Houston for most of my life and have grown to love not just the amazing food, but also the patient population I had the opportunity to serve in the Texas Medical Center as a medical student; so of course I had to stay. The unique combination of excellent training and the family-like culture makes UTH PM&R Residency an unparalleled experience. Besides being a resident, I also enjoy cooking, baking, plant care, playing any sport, and game nights!

Lauren Bagneris, MD, MPH
PGY-1
Medical School:
Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans
Undergraduate:
 Louisiana State University
Hometown:
New Orleans, Louisiana
Angela Ballesteros, MD
PGY-1
Medical School:
Texas Tech University School of Medicine
Undergraduate:
University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley
Hometown:
Mission, Texas
Eduardo Bauer, MD
PGY-1
Medical School:
Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guyaquil
Hometown:
Guayaquil, Ecuador
Utibe Utin, MD, MS
PGY-1
Medical School:
University of North Carolina School of Medicine
Undergraduate:
North Carolina Central University 
Hometown:
Durham, North Carolina