Current Research Fellows 2022-2023 Under Dr. Shah

Krishna grew up in Las Vegas, NV. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Human Biology with minors in Neuroscience and Business Finance from the University of Southern California in 2021. Following graduation, Krishna matriculated in the MD, MBA dual-degree program at the Tufts University School of Medicine and the Heller School at Brandeis University. Krishna’s research experience began in Alzheimer’s Disease immunotherapy at Cedars-Sinai, in which he worked to elucidate the biomarkers of AD in the retina. Concomitantly, Krishna worked in the spine surgery department at Keck Hospital and has extensive research experience in the efficacy of minimally invasive spine surgery techniques. Most recently, he has worked in the division of Sports Medicine Orthopedic Surgery at Tufts Medical Center, and looks to expand his experience in the field at NESEC. Krishna spends his spare time in the kitchen as a self-proclaimed chef, in the CrossFit gym, and as a diehard NFL and NBA fan. 

***Tufts University School of Medicine Harold Williams, M.D. Summer Research Fellowship Award Recipient***

Currently: Tufts University School of Medicine MS1 

Email: Krishna.Mandalia@tufts.edu

Cole grew up in Bronxville, NY. He graduated from The University of Virginia in 2019 with a degree in Biology and received a Master's in Medical Sciences from Boston University in 2021. He is currently a student at Tufts University School of Medicine and is expected to graduate in 2025. Cole enjoys spending time in Jackson Hole WY where his parents now live year-round.  

 Currently: Tufts University School of Medicine MS1 Email: James.parzick@tufts.edu 

Eliot grew up in Andover, MA and spent his summers in southern Maine. He graduated from Tufts University in 2021 with degrees in Biochemistry and German Language and Literature. Eliot is currently a first-year student at Tufts University School of Medicine. In his free time Eliot enjoys surfing, socializing with friends, and traveling.   

Currently: Tufts School of Medicine MS1 

Email: Eliot.zaeder@tufts.edu 

Dikran “Raffi” Balian grew up in Princeton NJ, then attended Boston University and graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Human Physiology and a minor in Philosophy in 2021. Raffi then matriculated into Tufts University School of Medicine and is now in the class of 2025. In undergrad he completed research in diabetes pharmacology, as well as a study concerning Tuberculosis and Armenia from which he received a grant from the WHO to continue TB research in Armenia. Raffi enjoys lifting at the gym, playing basketball with his friends, cooking, and spending time with friends and family..   

Currently: Tufts School of Medicine MS1 

Email: Dikran.Balian@tufts.edu 

 Albert grew up in Natick, MA. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry with a second major in Psychology from Tufts University in 2020. During his undergraduate studies, he investigated the role of microglial proteins in the neural development of newborns at Boston Children’s as well as designed and synthesized several peptide hormone therapeutics in the Chemistry Department at Tufts. He’s also worked as an EMT, volunteering at events like the Boston Marathon, as well as being employed at Fenway with the Red Sox. Albert spends his spare time growing his family of plants, vibing to the latest hip-hop/rap, as well as seasonally decimating his competition at fantasy football. 

***Tufts University School of Medicine Harold Williams, M.D. Summer Research Fellowship Award Recipient***

Currently: Tufts School of Medicine MS1

 Email: Albert.Mousad@tufts.edu 

Chibuzo grew up in Brockton, MA. He received his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2015, where he was the recipient of the university’s 21st Century Leaders Award. He then went on to work as a registered nurse at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, working in both medical surgical and psychiatric units. While working as a nurse, he completed his post-baccalaureate pre-med coursework through Harvard Extension School, and subsequently matriculated to medical school at Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia in July of 2020. In his free time, Chibuzo enjoys mentoring students, listening to and playing jazz (trumpet and tenor saxophone), and rooting for Boston sports teams. 

Currently: Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University MS1

Email: anenechibuzo@hotmail.com

Stephen was raised in Greenwich, CT. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology from Yale University in 2017. At Yale, Stephen was a NROTC midshipman, an avid intramural athlete, and a member of a fraternity. Following graduation, he worked for three years in life sciences consulting at ClearView Healthcare Partners. Stephen began medical school in July 2020 at Tufts University. Stephen enjoys skiing, golfing, playing basketball, creative cooking and exploring the city. He is a lifelong New England sports fan and also spends his time working as a volunteer vaccinator through GOTVax, administering COVID-19 vaccines in the Greater Boston Area.

Currently: Tufts School of Medicine MS1

Email:  Stephen.Le_Breton@tufts.edu

Bryan grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry with a minor in Material Science and Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2019. After graduating, he spent a year as a medical scribe and became a licensed personal trainer. In his free time, Bryan enjoys weightlifting, going for runs, and learning to cook.

Currently: Tufts School of Medicine MS1

Email:  Bryan.Jenkin@tufts.edu

Sonia grew up in Boylston, MA. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Evolutionary Anthropology with a minor in Biology from Duke University in 2016. At Duke, Sonia worked for the Duke Football team as a student athletic trainer and studied biomechanics research in the Animal Locomotion Laboratory. She then received her Master of Science degree in Biomedical Sciences from Tufts University in 2019. Sonia spends her spare time rooting for Boston sports teams, skiing new mountains, and boxing at local gyms.

 Tufts University College of Medicine 

Email: sonia.lee@tufts.edu 

Yuqing grew up in Chapel Hill, NC. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Biology with a second major in Healthcare Management at Washington University in St. Louis in 2018. At WashU, she danced in cultural performances and competed at urban dance competitions with WashU Hip Hop Union. She worked as a medical assistant in St. Louis before starting medical school at Tufts University in 2019. In her free time, she loves going to dance workshops by local artists, taking class at the Boston Ballet School, and cooking new recipes. 

Tufts University College of Medicine

Email: Yuqing.Chen@tufts.edu

 Alex was born and raised in New York City. He attended Bowdoin College and graduated in 2016 with a BA in Biochemistry and a German minor. After graduating from Bowdoin, he spent two and half years at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, where he investigated biochemical pathways that contributed to burning of fat and bone remodeling. In his free time, Alex is an avid skier, plays Ultimate Frisbee for a local club team, and enjoys trying new board games with his friends. 

Currently: Tufts School of Medicine MS1

Email:  Alexander.Roche@tufts.edu

 Olivia grew up in Dover, MA. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Biology with a minor in Sociology from Dartmouth College in 2017. At Dartmouth, Olivia was a four-year D1 varsity athlete on the Women’s Rowing Team and a member of a sorority. She then spent two years working at New England Baptist Hospital both as a nursing assistant and as a clinical research fellow. Olivia began her first year of medical school this past August at Albany Medical College and has been enjoying adjusting to her new busy lifestyle in Albany. 

Currently: Albany Medical College MS1

Email:  oliviabono@gmail.com