Sydney is an MD candidate at UABSOM, expected to graduate in May of 2023. She is from Jupiter, Florida, and went to the University of Florida (go Gators) where she received her bachelor's degree in Nutritional Sciences with a minor in Studio Art. She recently completed a TL1 research year through the Center of Clinical and Translational Sciences and obtained her MSPH. Her research focuses include Hidradenitis Suppurativa and pain management, racial disparities, and diversity and inclusion in Dermatology. She is an avid house plant collector and enjoys doodling and indoor cycling.

Sydney is a MRS liaison for Dermatology.

Email: sydneyaw@uab.edu

Kayla is an MD/MSPH candidate at the UAB Heersink School of Medicine and UAB School of Public Health expected to graduate in May 2024. She is from Huntsville and attended Auburn University, where she graduated with a degree in biomedical sciences and philanthropy/non-profit studies. Her research interests include health disparities, medical education, and disability medicine. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, painting, and teaching yoga.

Kayla is the MRS liaison for Otolaryngology.

Email: kfrey@uab.edu

Sheila Mallenahalli is an MS4 at UAB. She's applying to Emergency Medicine this fall! Her research has primarily been with Urology these past few years, looking at a lot of areas ranging from CKD to hypospadias. She also has some background in internal medicine research with cardiogenic shock and systemic lupus erythematosus. She will be overseeing the Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine fields for the Stewardship this year and is looking forward to meeting everyone!

Sheila is the MRS liaison for Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine.

Email: smalle4@uab.edu

Isabella Aldana is a fourth-year medical student at UABHSOM and is the Dermatology Liaison for the Medical Research Stewardship. She is from Birmingham, Alabama and graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Biomedical Sciences and a minor in French. Prior to medical school, Isabella was involved in research evaluating the impact of health disparities on college students. Her research endeavors have now expanded to include topics on community educational interventions, skin of color, and medical education. In her free time, she enjoys assembling charcuterie boards, traveling, and trying new restaurants.

Bella is a MRS liaison for Dermatology.

Email: ialdana@uab.edu

Pedram Maleknia is a MD candidate at the UAB School of Medicine and is expected to graduate in May 2024. He is from Huntsville, Alabama and graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in Biology and a Master’s in Business Administration. He has served as the President of the Neurosurgery Interest Group and Advancing Innovations in Medicine Interest Group. He is currently the President and Founder of the JUMP Program, which is an initiative aimed at helping patients with Spina Bifida transition from pediatric to adult care and a member of the UABHSOM Honor Council. In his free time, he enjoys staying active, cooking meals way too big for one, and spending time with family!

Fields of Interest: Neurosurgery, Neurology, Surgery, Global Surgery, Global Health Equity

Research Interests: Brain Tumors; Glioma; Pediatric Hydrocephalus; Augmented and Virtual Reality

Pedram is the MRS liaison for Neurosurgrey.

Email: pdmalek@uab.edu

Colin is the MRS liaison for Pediatric Surgery, Basic Science Research, and Surgical Oncology.

Email: chquinn@uab.edu

I'm a fourth year interested in dermatology. I grew up in Montgomery, Alabama. I went to UAB and received a bachelor’s in Neuroscience with a minor in chemistry. I love woodworking/carpentry, cooking, gaming, making artwork, and lifting. My interests in dermatology include disparities in underserved in populations, gender, and skin of color, neoplastic conditions, and medical education.

Jason is a MRS liaison for Dermatology

Email: jason96@uab.edu

Erin LaGrone is the research stewardship representative for general surgery. She is a second-year medical student and originally from Madison, AL. She is interested in dermatology, ENT, and general surgery. Her current work involves health disparities, health literacy, social determinants of health, and skin typing inclusivity. Her passions include Equal Access Birmingham, mentorship, and helping the less fortunate.

When she’s not studying in Volker Hall, she enjoys working out at the UAB Recreation Center, taking her puppy on walks, and spending time with her family. She loves to travel when on breaks!

Erin is the MRS liaison for General Surgery.

Email: elagrone@uab.edu

Faaiz Saad is a 3^rd year MD/MBA candidate at UAB Heersink and is the Radiology Liaison for the Medical Research Stewardship. He has extensive experience in research, ranging from wet lab research to retrospective chart reviews. Prior to medical school Faaiz was heavily involved in transplant nephrology and cardio-renal physiology research. While Faaiz is primarily interested in radiological research and helping connect medical students to radiology research opportunities, he has a passion for the intersection of social media and medicine. His latest research in social media characterizes the credentials of dermatologic content creators on social media. His research has been presented at the national and international level.

Faaiz is the MRS liaison for Radiology.

Email: faaiz20@uab.edu

Hunter is a MD candidate at the UAB Heersink School of Medicine and is expected to graduate in May 2024. He is from Birmingham, Alabama and graduated from the University of South Alabama with a degree in Biomedical Sciences. While at USA he was also a member of the baseball team. In his free time, he enjoys playing frisbee with his dog, cooking, and trying new restaurants.

Hunter is the MRS liaison for PM&R.

Email: hsoley@uab.edu

Karleigh is a MD candidate at the UAB Heersink School of Medicine and is expected to graduate in May 2024. She is from Trussville, AL and received a a BS in Exercise Science at the University of Alabama. She is currently working to obtain a Master’s Degree in Medical Education at the University of Cincinnati. Outside of medicine and medical education, she enjoys traveling, reading, and being with family and friends.

Karleigh is the MRS liaison for CT Surgery.

Email: krjohn@uab.edu

Matthew is a second year medical student at UAB Heersink School of Medicine and is expected to graduate in 2025. He is from Huntsville, Alabama and graduated from The University of Alabama with a degree in Chemical Engineering and a minor in Biology. He enjoys planning trips (and traveling itself), baking, and hanging out with his dog. He is interested in dermatology, particularly understanding how ultraviolet light affects the skin and immune system. He is also interested in the fields of medical education and public health.

Matthew is the MRS liaison for Medical Education. 

Email: mdean99@uab.edu

Om is a MD Candidate at the UAB School of Medicine, expected to graduate May 2024. He is from Homewood and attended UAB, studying Neuroscience with a minor in Chemistry as an undergraduate. Outside of medicine, he enjoys hiking, traveling, cooking, and watching college football.

Om is the MRS liaison for Otolaryngology, Ophthalmology, and Emergency Medicine.

Email: opatel@uab.edu

Thomas is a MD Candidate at the UAB School of Medicine, expected to graduate May 2024. He is originally from Huntsville, AL, and attended Vanderbilt University where he completed a B.A. in Medicine, Health, and Society and a minor in Biology. Thomas is planning to pursue a career in Urology. He enjoys podcasts, board/card games, and trivia nights.

Thomas is the MRS liaison for Urology.

Email: tkozar@uab.edu

Meagan Olivet is the research stewardship representative for anesthesiology. She is a third-year medical student and a Birmingham native with specialty interests including dermatology, anesthesiology, and internal medicine. She is passionate about education-based research with her scholarly activity project examining how medical students approach sun protection. Additionally, she has research experience in skin disorders, the impact of UV light on genetic expression in skin, and the impact of Step 1 moving to pass/fail on the anesthesiology residency selection process. She is passionate about mentorship, medical school admissions, and helping others navigate their journey through medicine.

When she’s not in the hospital she enjoys running on the Jemison trail, baking in her 1930s kitchen, and finding a table at a coffee shop to study.

Meagan is the MRS liaison for Anesthesiology.

Email: mkmandab@uab.edu