Introducing the new 2015 – 2016 editorial staff for the MSRJ! We are beyond excited for the upcoming academic year as we welcome 20+ new junior editors to the experienced MSRJ staff. The journal has been making incredible progress and we look forward to another productive year publishing impressive article submissions and supporting medical student research around the world!
2015-2016 Executive Editorial Board
Executive Editors
Kaitlyn Vitale, Executive Editor-in-Chief, is a fourth year medical student at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine. She completed a B.S. in Biological Sciences with a minor in Anthropology from the University of Notre Dame in 2012. She is planning on pursuing a career in Neurology, eventually becoming involved in academic medicine.
James Polega, Executive Editor, is a third year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. He received a B.S. in Biology from Saginaw Valley State University. Prior to entering medical school he was an active researcher in the fields of freshwater ecology and natural products chemistry. When not busy with school he enjoys spending time with his wife. He hopes to one day specialize in Hematology/Oncology and practice in his home state of Michigan.
Rama Salhi, Executive Editor, is a fourth year medical student Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine. She graduated from the University of Michigan in 2007 with a B.S. in Microbiology and Arabic studies. She went on to complete a master’s degree in Epidemiology from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in 2010. Currently she is considering pursuing a career in academic Emergency Medicine.
Senior Editors
Apoorva Aekka is a third year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies—Global Environment and Health. She hopes to pursue her interests in pediatrics and global health.
Toomas Arusoo is a third year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. Originally from Michigan, Toomas graduated from Grand Valley State University in 2011 with a B.S. in Biomedical Sciences and Loyola University Chicago in 2013 with a M.S. in Cell and Molecular Physiology. He is interested in pursuing a career in surgery
Andrew Benintende is currently a third year at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. He graduated from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor with a B.S. in Movement Science. Before entering medical school he taught high school science in Houston Independent School District. He is interested in specifically working with underserved populations both in the United States and abroad.
Tina Chaalan is a fourth year medical student at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine. She graduated with a B.S in Biological Sciences at the University of Michigan- Dearborn in 2012. She is interested in pursuing a career in Obstetrics and Gynecology. She has a strong interest in women’s health and hopes to become greatly involved in research and patient education in that area.
Alex Golec is a fourth year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. He completed a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor in 2011. He is interested in a career in internal medicine or one of its subspecialties.
Tyler Junttila is currently a third year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. He graduated from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor with a B.S. in Brain, Behavior and Cognitive Science. Prior to medical school he worked as a research assistant at the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center. He hopes to work with underserved populations in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and has a particular interest in neurology and ophthalmology.
Johnathan Kao is a fourth year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. He received his B.S. in Biochemistry and Cell Biology from the University of California, San Diego and his MPH in Environmental Health Sciences from the University of California, Berkeley. He is currently in the Leadership in Medicine for the Underserved program at MSU and is interested in pursuing a career in Internal Medicine.
Romina Kim is a fourth year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. She received her B.S. in Marine Biology and Spanish from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2006. She then joined Teach For America and taught multiple subjects to middle school students in South Central Los Angeles. She is currently considering a career in Emergency Medicine with the ultimate goal of practicing academic medicine.
Mike Klingler is a third year medical student at the College of Human Medicine of Michigan State University. He completed a B.S. in Biology at Penn State and a M.S. in Physiology at California State. He is interested in cardiothoracic surgery and conducted lung cancer research at the University of Pittsburgh and neurobiological research at California State.
Gina Matar is a third year medical student at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine. She completed a B.S. in Neuroscience with a minor in Music from the University of Michigan in 2013. She hopes to pursue a undetermined sub-speciality in pediatrics.
Jennifer Monacelli is a third year medical student at Michigan State’s College of Human Medicine. She has returned to the great state of Michigan after receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Integrative Biology and Physiology from the University of California, Los Angeles. She is considering a career in pediatrics with hopes to one day specialize in hematology/oncology. She looks forward to a career in academic medicine and bringing her enthusiasm to the field of research.
Masaki Nagamine is a third year medical student at Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine. After graduating from the University of California Davis with a B.S. in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, he helped establish auxiliary social service and education programs at the Willow Clinic in Sacramento; a free clinic for the homeless. He hopes to pursue a career in which he can provide extended medical care for the underserved and apply his specific interests in neurology and ophthalmology.
Amir Pakray is a third year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. In 2011 he graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelors degree in Human Biology, and in 2013 he graduated from Wayne State University with a Masters in Basic Medical Sciences. He has a passion for writing music and poetry along with a fervent interest in cognitive neuroscience. He is very interested in neurology and academic medicine.
Mahnoor Rehman is a third year medical student at Michigan State’s College of Human Medicine. She received her B.S. in Evolutionary Anthropology from the University of Michigan in 2013. Although she is still undecided, she is most interested in pursuing a career in either Internal Medicine or Neurology. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and watching foreign movies. She hopes to eventually work towards establishing a clinic for under-served women in rural Pakistan.
Garrett Roe is a third year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. He completed a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Neuroscience at the University of Michigan in 2013. He has previous research experience in Parkinson’s Disease which he completed while at the University of Michigan. He has special interests in neuroscience, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and sports medicine.
Ghadear Shukr is a fourth year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. She received her Bachelors of Science with a concentration in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Michigan in 2012. She is interested in pursuing a career in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Joginder Singh is a third year medical student at Michigan State University. He graduated with a B.S. in Biology from Saginaw Valley State University in 2013, and with a B.Sc. in Physical Therapy from University of Delhi in 1996. Joginder is Board certified as a clinical specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy. He is interested in pursuing a career in Orthopaedic Surgery or Radiology.
Tim Smith is a fourth year medical student at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine. He graduated with a B.S. in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2009. He is considering a career in surgery, has special interests in neuroscience, exercise physiology, ecological agriculture, and advocates for evidence-based medicine and scientific literacy.
Nadine Talia is a third year medical student at the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. She received her B.S. degree in Biology from the University of Michigan in 2011. She is interested in pursuing a career in Emergency Medicine.
William (B.G.) TenBrink is a third year medical student at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine. He graduated from Michigan State University in 2010 with a B.S. in Genomics and Molecular Genetics. Before entering medical school he received a Graduate Certificate in Bioinformatics, Proteomics, and Genomics from The University of Toledo in 2011 and a Graduate Certificate in Biomedical Science from Oakland University in 2012. After working as a medical scribe and a research associate in Detroit area Emergency Departments he hopes to pursue a career in Emergency Medicine and Critical Care.
Mey Yip is a fourth year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. She received her B.S. degree in Biochemistry from UCLA. Before entering medical school, she worked as a Clinical Research coordinator at the VA Palo Alto and wishes to continue research throughout her career. She is interested in Neonatology.
Junior Editors
Dexter Gregg is a second year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine from Plymouth, MI. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Michigan State University in 2014. During his time as an undergraduate at Michigan State, Dexter worked in a lab at the College of Engineering doing research of alternative biofuel production using genetically modified bacteria. He is interested in pursuing a career in Anesthesiology or Emergency Medicine.
Kyle Hildebrandt is a second year medical student at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine. He completed a B.S. in Biomedical Laboratory Science with an additional major in Human Biology. He is planning on pursuing a career in Surgery, with a special interest in Orthopedics.
Jessica Horton is a second year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. She graduated from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor with a Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience. In her free time she enjoys volunteering with children and she hopes to pursue a career in a Pediatrics subspecialty.
Danielle Levy is a second year medical student at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine. She received her B.S. in Chemistry with a concentration in Biochemistry and a Minor in Mathematics from Wayne State University in 2012. She has a passion for improvisational theater, but is serious when it comes to public health management and she hopes to further pursue her interests in pathology and pediatrics.
Elena Maxim is a second year medical student at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine. She completed a B.S. in Evolutionary Anthropology with a minor in Gender and Health from the University of Michigan in 2013. She is currently unsure of future career plans, but has a strong interest in Dermatology and Rheumatology.
Angela Miciura is a second year medical student at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine. She graduated from the University of Michigan in 2009 with a BS in Brain, Behavior, and Cognitive Sciences. After graduating, she worked as a preschool teacher in Ann Arbor until getting a full time clinical research position at UofM. Her projects focused on quality of life studies and interviews with Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury patients. She is interested in pursuing a career in some type of surgical specialty–as of right now, she likes neurosurgery or orthopedic surgery.
Lisa Movilla is a second year medical student at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine. She completed a B.S. in Neuroscience at the University of Michigan in 2010 and a M.A. in Medical Sciences at Boston University School of Medicine in 2013. She is hoping to pursue a career in Neurology and to remain actively involved in research.
Alejandra Munoz is a second year medical student at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine. She received her B.S. in Neuroscience from the University of Michigan. She has not ruled out any specialties yet but is currently interested in a Pediatrics sub-specialty.
Mark Novis is a second year medical student at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine. He received Bachelor of Science degrees in architecture and civil engineering and a Master of Architecture from Lawrence Technological University and a Master of Engineering from the University of Michigan. Mark is a registered professional engineer and helped manage the construction of the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s and St. John Providence Park hospitals. He is keeping an open mind regarding specialty, but finds gynecologic oncology and ophthalmology especially appealing.
Ryan Nowatzke is a second year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. In 2013 he graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in Physiology. He worked at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Ann Arbor as a Patient Care Technician on a cardiac PCU for 2013-2014 and is a licensed EMT. Ryan is interested in a career as an orthopedic surgeon.
Kristina Priessnitz is a second year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience and History of Art at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor in 2013. In her free time, she enjoys mentoring and tutoring children and their families through after-school programs and hospital volunteer. In the future, she hopes to pursue a career and research in Pediatrics.
Jessica Priestley is a second year medical student at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine. She earned her B.S. in Human Biology with a specialization in Bioethics, Humanities, and Society from Michigan State University in 2008 and her Ph.D. in Physiology from the Medical College of Wisconsin in 2014. She would like to remain in academic medicine and pursue a career in an internal medicine or pediatric sub-specialty.
Christian Roehmer is a second year medical student at Michigan State College of Human Medicine. He completed a B.A. in Finance at Michigan State University in 2013.
Cyle Rogotzke is a third year medical student at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine. He completed a B.A. in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Adrian College in 2013. His career plans are still undecided but is currently planning on pursuing something in the vast field of internal medicine.
Derek St. Louis is a second year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. Prior to medical school, he graduated with a B.S. in Human Biology from Michigan State University. He is undecided on a future specialty at this time.
Eric Swy is a second year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine from Traverse City, MI. He received his bachelors degree in Physiology from Michigan State University in 2013. Prior to starting medical school, he worked in Michigan State University’s Molecular and Cellular Imaging Laboratory developing nanoparticle contrast agents for use in MRI, CT and fluorescence imaging. He is interested in pursuing a career in Radiology.
Jonathan Weiss is a second year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. He completed his BS at the University of Michigan with a minor in Judaic Studies. He is planning on pursuing a career as an Oncologist.
Danny Yau is a second year medical student at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine. He received his B.S. in Microbial Biology from the University of California, Berkeley in 2010. Before moving to Michigan, he worked for Kaiser Permanente and helped develop the Pediatric Weight Management program for the South Sacramento area. He is now planning on a career in Emergency Medicine.
Amber Bard, Jason Sotzen, Marissa Urbano, Amanda Witte
Faculty Advisors
Founding Faculty Advisor
Dr. Clare Luz Ph.D. Assistant Professor, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University. Dr. Luz worked as a clinical social worker and consultant in long-term care settings prior to joining CHM as lead research director, then as faculty in Family Medicine, Geriatric Division. As a gerontologist, her primary research interests are on aspects of functional health and long-term care that have an impact on optimal aging for vulnerable older adults; specific topics focus on the direct care work force, delirium, falls, and the intersection of art and health. She has overseen multiple federally and state-funded grants and is module coordinator for CHM’s research methods course; Critical Appraisal and Analytic Medicine. Dr. Luz has been the MSRJ faculty advisor since its 2007 inception.
Faculty Advisor, Office of Research
Dr. Mark Trottier Ph.D. is the Student Research Director for the Grand Rapids campus of the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. Prior to joining CHM, he was a Research Assistant Professor in the Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Department at Michigan State University, studying the effects of stress, nutrition and obesity on the immune system. Dr. Trottier received a PhD in Molecular Virology from Purdue University, where he studied viral assembly mechanisms, and conducted postdoctoral work on virus infections of the central nervous system at both Evanston Hospital/Northwestern University in Evanston, IL and New York University in New York, NY.
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