Current Residents

Ayatallah Ahmed

Medical School: Cairo University Faculty of Medicine, Cairo, Egypt

I’m originally from Egypt, one of the oldest civilizations that get to explore the brain anatomy via inserting a long hooked implement through the nostril, breaking the cribriform plate and removing the brain by the mummifiers. I graduated from Cairo University where I started teaching junior medical students neuro-anatomy on brain cadavers. At that point, I decided to pursue my career in neurology to explore more mysteries about the brain and solve cool puzzles.

After graduation, I participated in epilepsy research and I got to enjoy the brain mapping and focus localization. Connecticut is a natural beauty, and UConn has great faculty and a very supporting staff.

Other than being an intern, I enjoy outdoors activities specially zip lining, kayaking and hiking which you can really enjoy in Connecticut. In addition, spending quality time with close friends and family.

Victor Chan

Medical School: University of Queensland, Australia/Ochsner Health System, Louisiana

I was born and raised in San Francisco, California. I’m very proud to be a first generation college and medical school graduate in my immediate and extended family. My parents immigrated from southern China and moved to San Francisco where I grew up. I went to undergrad at Dominican University of California studying Chemistry and spent some time studying abroad at the University of Oxford studying human sciences and researching neural physiology and at Penn State Hershey researching Hydrogen Sulfide poisoning and pulmonary medicines. My medical school is the University of Queensland in Australia where I spent two preclinical years in the land down under and the last two in the Ochsner Health System in Louisiana! I’ve now travelled across the globe for my education and along the way, I’ve met some amazing people and learned so much about the world around me.

The reason why I love neurology is because of the intricacies of presentations that can have you scratching your head for answers and the investigative nature of neurology leading up to that “Ah-ha!” moment when it all becomes clear. Neurology is a constantly evolving field that is ripe for innovation and we get to live through it!

Fun Fact: I’ve backpacked across England, France, Italy, and ended up in Greece where I found myself being an emergency aid for Syrian refugees.

Hobbies: I love cooking cuisines around the world. I am a self proclaimed cookware enthusiast, woodworker, watercolor artist. I am also a masochist with Dark Souls games.

Bradley Garcia

Medical School: Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Scranton, PA

I was born and raised just outside of Philadelphia. I graduated from Ursinus College with a Bachelor of Science in health and exercise physiology. I attended medical school at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine where I discovered my passion for neurology. Neurology is an exciting field of medicine full of diagnostic complexities in which a thorough history and physical exam is critical to localizing neurological disease processes. I look forward to exploring and learning more about all the different neurological subspecialties during residency. I am grateful to be completing my neurological training at UConn as they have an excellent training program with specialists in both of my main interests in headache medicine and sports neurology.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy reading, cooking, baking, and spending time with friends and family. I grew up playing many sports and went on to both play and coach college lacrosse. I remain a big sports fan, and I enjoy rooting for my hometown Philly sports teams.

Stephanie Lontok

Medical School: San Beda University College of Medicine, Manila, Philippines

I was born and raised in the Philippines, a country with thousands of islands and beautiful beaches. I did my medical school there before moving to New Jersey. Neurology has always fascinated me. My aunt, who is a neurologist, initially sparked my interest in it. As I got more exposure in medical school and after, it just kept going and growing. I love the intricacies and mysteries of it.

I was a preliminary intern at UAB Montgomery Internal Medicine before matching at UConn as a neurology resident. I am truly fortunate to have met mentors who gave me the opportunity, who encouraged me, and whom I aspired to be. I wouldn’t be where I am right now without them. So when I found out I matched at UConn, I was thrilled. It’s a program that will challenge you for growth as well as support you. They have a big faculty, and you will find a mentor who fits you.

Outside of medicine, I have 2 furbabies that I adore. I enjoy cooking, traveling, biking, and hiking. My favorite hike so far in New England is Mt. Lafayette—Franconia Ridge Loop in New Hampshire. It’s a difficult hike, but it's worth the pain. I am planning to go back and do it again.

Matthew Mashayekhi

Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, Biddeford, ME

I was born and raised in Connecticut. My interest in Neurology began during medical school after the neuroanatomy block. Being introduced to how the nervous system was wired and the different ways pathology could present fascinated me. I took the opportunity to then help teach the neuroanatomy course for the year below me which really solidified my interest in Neurology as well as medical education. Within neurology, I have an interest in movement disorders at this time, however; I am eager to be exposed to the different sub-specialties there are.

In my free time, I enjoy repairing and modifying electronics, especially video games. I like going to flea markets and yard sales to find electronic or games to add to my collection.

Daniel Moreira

Medical School: Centro Universitario do Estado do Para (CESUPA), Belem, Brazil

I was born and raised in Brazil. I did my medical school at State University of Pará, in the north of Brazil. My passion for neurology started in medical school when I noticed how interesting and incredible neurological reasoning is. It is impressive how many details can be obtained by neurological examination with accurate topographic correlation, and how vital this approach is to reaching a final diagnosis. Clinical neurological examination remains our powerful tool that directs us in this challenging specialty.

Outside of medicine, the majority of my free time is dedicating to spending time with my family, trying use every resource available to mitigate the distance between United States and Brazil. I also enjoy reading different books, especially biographies of people that I truly admire; watching soccer and the great Brazilian teams playing; and expanding my collection of souvenirs from different places in the world when traveling.

Charanpreet Padam

Medical School: Government Medical College, Amritsar, India

Hi! I bounced around the East Coast until finally settling down in Connecticut. While growing up, I used to visit India often. I loved exploring my culture, the history, and, most of all, the food! When I graduated from high school, I knew I wanted to pursue my passion for medicine and desire to travel. So, I attended med school in India at GMC, Amritsar. If you ever visit Amritsar, don’t forget to try chole bhature with lassi and see the beautiful Golden Temple!

During my medical education in India, I discovered my interest in neurology. From witnessing Multiple Sclerosis, epilepsy, migraine, and stroke to Potts disease in my own family, I could apply neurology to people I care for. After returning to the United States, I focused on research in neuroinflammation, specifically correlations between the phenotypes and genotypes of MS patients. Such experiences further allowed me to understand the complex nature of neurological disorders as a challenge for neurologists and the hardships of being a patient. I hope to create a difference by advancing the field from research and by increasing efforts to raise awareness.

Apart from neurology, I enjoy Punjabi Music, corny Rom-Coms, hiking, board games, and anything sweet. I love spending time with my friends (both old and new here at UConn)! And, of course, I am absolutely obsessed with my fluffy golden retriever, Mowgli. I try to spend as much time as I can bugging him, as any typical dog mom would!

UConn is one close-knit family with devoted attendings who are always ready to teach. You always have the support and rigorous training you need to become a competent Neurologist. Plus, being located in Connecticut is truly the best of both worlds! You can enjoy city life in New York and Boston or the beautiful landscapes of New England.

Melisha Budhathoki

Medical School: University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT

Hi, my name is Melisha. I was born in Nepal but grew up mostly in CT. I did my undergraduate at Boston University. It was there that I first became interested in Neurology while engaging in Alzheimer’s Disease research. I attended medical school at University of Connecticut and I’m thrilled to also be doing my residency here! My subspecialty interests are broad and I’m looking forward to exploring all of them during residency. When I am not working I enjoy hiking/trekking, cooking, traveling and spending time with my friends.

James Costanzo

Medical School: University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT

I grew up in Ellington, CT (home to the largest dairy farm in the state) with my parents, twin sister, and several German Shorthaired Pointers. My family has strong ties to UConn as my parents and sister, along with many aunts, uncles, and cousins are alumni. They are all very proud that I have received my education from UConn. My interest in neurology began after taking high school biology and chemistry courses. This interest was further strengthened after my grandfather was diagnosed with ALS. I'm proud to practice neurology to honor his memory.

In my free time I enjoy watching films, following my favorite football team (Tottenham Hotspur), and spending time with my wife.

Pooja Jethwani

Medical School: B.J. Govt. Medical College, Pune, India

I was born and raised in Mumbai and completed my medical school in Pune. I have always been curious and during my time in med school, I found every single field very fascinating, however, neurology blew my mind (lol)! It has so many intricacies and details and yet so many unanswered questions. Every case seems like a mystery waiting to be solved! Therefore, I was naturally drawn to it. My current areas of interest are vascular neurology and neurocritical care but I want to explore all the subspecialties before I decide on my fellowship.

In my free time I love to travel, try out different cuisines, draw, and watch movies!

Ameya Kale

Medical School: Kasturba Medical College Manipal, Karnataka, India

I am from India. Born in the city of Hyderabad, in the state of Andhra Pradesh in South India, I grew up in New Delhi, in North India in a household full of medicine and music. Being raised by a tiger grandmom I was subjected to countless lessons in Indian Classical music and tennis, and a subliminal subconscious influence to medicine from my parents who were doctors themselves, all the while harboring the personal dream of being a pilot one day. It was much later that I realized that turbulence in the air was not my best friend.

When I landed up in medical school, I loved it. I realized that I was in the right place, and that I was very lucky to be there. Neurophysiology and neuroanatomy were personal favorites, and I lucidly remember sitting in class, 1 week into school, marveling at the physiology of the NMJ and the anatomy of the long tracts and how the pathophysiology correlated with the signs and symptoms of the diseases like myasthenia gravis and tabes dorsalis. It was fascinating to me how simple, ingeniously crafted clinical exam maneuvers could eke out so much detail about the disease. Choosing between Medicine and Neurology was hard, because I adored both. What made the difference was the quintessentially clinical nature of neurology - the history and physical exam are its unshakeable bedrock, and the fact that there is so much yet to be discovered. I am excited to explore its multiple facets but the parts of neurology that interest me the most right now are vascular neurology and neurocritical care.

Outside of medicine I enjoy hiking and exploring the outdoors, spending time with friends and subjecting them to the sounds of me playing guitar, read Terry Pratchett when I get the chance, or as a last resort, workout. I've recently found that I quite like cooking and cleaning, and that they are quite convenient hobbies to have.

I'm thrilled to have found a welcoming home here at UConn, filled with likeminded wonderfully nice people, and amazing clinical teachers and I'm excited to see what lies ahead.

“Today is a good day to try.” – Quasimodo, The Hunchback of Notre Dame

“Only in our dreams are we free. The rest of the time we need wages.” – Terry Pratchett, Wyrd Sisters

Melanie Orr

Medical School: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine

I am originally from New Jersey, where I have lived close to the beach for most of my life. I grew up spending almost all of my time outdoors and loved exploring the ocean, hiking, and being around wildlife. I developed an interest in brain back in my high school years, which eventually lead me to study neuroscience at my undergraduate university. From there, I explored many different clinical career paths within neuropsychology, addiction medicine, neurosurgery, and of course neurology! I received my medical training in the greater New York City area and quickly learned that my passion lies in developing longitudinal relationships with patients with a focus on patient education and advocacy. My current interests within neurology include movement disorders, cognitive neurology, and headache, but I continue to have an open mind as I advance through my training!

Outside of medicine, my hobbies include fitness, portrait art, animal fostering, and of course spending time with my wonderful support system!

Srinath Ramanan

Medical School: University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT

I was born in India and moved to Connecticut at a young age. After my schooling in West Haven and New Haven, I pursued biology while dancing my way through UConn undergrad and was captivated by human anatomy and physiology. I enjoyed learning about the intricacies of the body and the biochemical interactions of cellular dysfunction.

After undergrad, I coordinated clinical trials for 3 years at Yale’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Unit where I found my passion for neurology and clinical medicine. I carried this with me into medical school at UConn Health and am excited to watch it further unfold during my time here in residency. My interests within neurology include epilepsy, stroke, and neuromuscular disorders.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy painting, exercising, tennis, golf, and learning about astronomy!

Sumeyye Kus

Medical School: Istanbul Üniversitesi Cerrahpasa Tip Fakültesi, Turkiye

I was born and raised in Ankara, the capital of Turkey. I graduated from Istanbul University, located in Istanbul, the historic capital of ancient civilizations. Seeking to advance my medical career and broaden my horizons, I came to the United States for research and clinical rotations.

My fascination with neurology began with the intricacies of the neurological system and the correlation between neurological examinations and imaging findings during medical school. The intellectual depth of the field, coupled with its dynamic nature and receptiveness to innovation and research, has greatly fueled my passion.

Outside of medicine, I love cooking and baking. I enjoy experimenting with new flavors and combining different recipes. Additionally, spending time in nature and cycling with my husband are among my favorite activities, and Connecticut, with its scenic beauty, has become our beloved home. I am very excited for my residency journey at the University of Connecticut.

Mohammed Mansour

Medical School: College of Human Medicine, Benha University, Egypt

I was born and raised in Egypt, a country known for its love of science and medicine since the time of the pharaohs. I went to medical school in a city called Banha, which is well known for its production of honey, and I truly enjoyed my time there. My interest in neurology was ignited during my 5th year of medical school after amazing lectures by the chair of the internal medicine department at that time. I could really appreciate the beauty of the science behind localization and medical decision-making. In addition, I find it important to give this patient population great clinical care. I was lucky enough to be accepted into an epilepsy post-doctoral research fellowship, where I enjoyed learning more about the intricacies of the brain. I am happy to be taking care of the most precious organ in the body, at least according to the cerebral hemispheres.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy playing soccer, reading, and watching anime.

Christian Mouchati

Medical School: Lebanese University Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanon

I was born and raised in Lebanon. After graduating from medical school, I moved to the United States and worked as a research fellow. I am fascinated by the beauty and complexity of the human body, especially the brain. I was intrigued by Neurology, and I fell in love with unraveling its mystery diagnoses. In addition to practicing General Neurology, I am interested in Neurophysiology, Cognitive Neurology, and Sports Medicine.

I enjoy meeting people from around the world and getting to know their culture, traveling, reading, watching movies and any type of outdoor activity.

Fatemeh Najmivarzaneh

Medical School: Islamic Azad University Tehran Faculty of Medicine, Tehran, Iran

I was born and raised in Tehran, Iran, and graduated from Tehran Medical Sciences of Azad University. I became fascinated with neurology when, on the first day of my neurology externship, I observed my attending administer antiepileptic medication to a patient with status epilepticus.

The patient's remarkable recovery with the medication and the changes in the patient’s quality of life had a profound effect on me and inspired me to become a neurologist. By the end of my clinical rotation, I was convinced that no other specialty would be as fulfilling or rewarding to me as neurology.

My academic interests are in movement disorders, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy traveling, bike riding, and playing with my three-year-old daughter.

Diego Ojeda

Medical School: Universidad San Francisco de Quito, School of Medicine, Quito, Ecuador.

I was born and raised in Ecuador. I studied medicine for six years, followed by a postdoctoral research fellowship of one and a half years at the University of Iowa. During my training, I discovered a profound passion for neurology, thanks to my Neurology professor, who was my first mentor and encouraged me to pursue a career in this field. At the University of Iowa, I conducted research on non-invasive imaging biomarkers to predict intracranial aneurysm rupture risk and investigated neurointerventional procedural outcomes using various devices. I am honored to be training at UConn, where they offer an excellent program with outstanding staff physicians and an exceptional resident support system.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy reading, spending time with friends and family, and playing soccer. I am also an avid sports enthusiast.

Rim Rafeh

Medical School: American University of Beirut Faculty of Medicine, Lebanon

I was born in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and spent the first 16 years of my life there. I moved to Beirut, Lebanon, at 16, where I studied Biology and minored in Philosophy. I loved science and building an empirical framework through which to understand the world. I was drawn to neurology because of how incredible it is to map behavioral functions that we seem to do automatically to specific brain networks. It is almost reductionistic, but not quite. Localizing a neurological deficit to one specific region in the brain still fascinates me years after examining my first patient. After medical school, I pursued a master’s degree in neuroscience at University College London and then moved to Boston to study aging and Alzheimer’s disease at Mass General Hospital.

Outside of neurology, I enjoy kickboxing, reading, writing, fine arts, and hosting gatherings for my co-residents and friends. Luckily, I am still pursuing my hobbies and interests as a resident, and I am also enriching my experiences by sharing interests with the amazing, diverse community of UConn.

Jadzia Wray

Medical School: St. George’s University of Medicine, Grenada

I was born and raised in Long Island New York, but my background is Jamaican and Guyanese. My father is an emergency medicine physician and his passion and drive for medicine encouraged me to follow in his footsteps from a young age. I attended Hofstra University and majored in Neuroscience. This led me to complete my thesis in the field of Neuropsychology. During my senior year, I worked as a scribe, and the experience further solidified my love for medicine.

I recognized my love for neurology specifically during medical school through my Neurology lectures and Internal Medicine clinical rotation, where I spent hours each week in the neurology clinic. I also spent time seeing various neurology patients throughout my other rotations and had the opportunity to experience what I felt was a comprehensive introduction to neurology. I felt challenged and enjoyed listening to neurology lectures and conversations. I realized that I’d be happiest and find the most joy and fulfillment in the field of Neurology.

Outside of medicine, I have a lot of passions. My favorite thing to do is sing. I trained classically throughout college and prior and I also have played the piano for 20+ years. Music is my passion and I love many genres especially gospel, contemporary christian, classical, and jazz. Besides music, I love nature, rock climbing, zip lining, horse back riding, and the beach. I also love animals and have multiple pets. I currently have 2 cats and an aquarium and I once owned a hedgehog, turtle, and bird.

I am very grateful to be part of the UConn Neurology Program!

Sema Akkus

Medical School: Istanbul Universitesi, Cerrahpasa Tip Fakultesi, Turkiye

I was born in a small city in Turkey and spent my childhood in Izmir, a fascinating city where the Aegean Sea meets lush green nature, and which has been home to many civilizations throughout history. I moved to Istanbul for medical school, where my interest in neurology first took root. There, I was fortunate to find incredible mentors in the field and became actively involved in multiple research projects. During medical school, I also played ice hockey for my university’s team, which was a great outlet and taught me the value of teamwork and resilience.

After graduating, I moved to the United States and worked as a research coordinator at one of the largest neuromodulation centers in the world. This experience deepened my understanding of circuit-based therapeutics and further fueled my passion for uncovering the mechanisms behind movement disorders and bringing hope to patients through innovative treatments.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy staying active and spending time outdoors. I continue to love ice skating, horseback riding, water sports, dancing, traveling, and exploring different cuisines.

Abdel Rahman Alkasabrah

Medical School: Jordan University of Science and Technology

I grew up in the beautiful city of Abu Dhabi, UAE, before moving to Jordan, my home country, to attend medical school. I absolutely loved my neurology rotation during my fifth year. Almost every patient made me feel like I had no idea what I was going to do next… and somehow, that was kind of fun. I loved the challenge and the mystery. I am particularly interested in the Vascular and Neurocritical field.

Outside of medicine, you’ll probably find me drinking coffee, losing at chess, running, or binge-watching TV series (open to recommendations , as long as it doesn’t take the director ten seasons to wrap up the plot).

Aditi Lakhshmi Anam

Medical School: UConn School of Medicine

I was born and raised in Connecticut and spent most of my childhood in West Hartford. I went to UConn for my undergraduate education and got my BS in Biological Sciences with a minor in Psychology. My interest in neurology started in high school when I attended a neuroscience research summer camp and it continued in college as I worked in a behavioral neuroscience lab exploring the function of place cells in the hippocampus. Once I got to medical school I tried to explore other paths but ended up loving my neurology rotation so much that I knew it was the field for me. I am most interested in neuroimmunology and MS but am open to exploring all that neurology has to offer during my residency training!

In my free time I enjoy spending time with my cat Finn, grabbing treats from local cafes and ice cream shops, vintage shopping, and attending concerts or other live music events.

Somer Bucholz

Medical School: St. George’s University, Grenada

Originally from North Dakota, I grew up spending summers at my family’s lake cabin in Minnesota, where you could always find me on the water enjoying long summer days. From an early age, I developed a deep love for sports and was fortunate to compete on successful basketball and volleyball teams throughout my youth. That passion eventually evolved into a coaching role, where I started and ran my own volleyball program. This experience taught me invaluable lessons in leadership, teamwork, and discipline.

Before beginning medical school at St. George’s University in Grenada, I found myself continually drawn to the field of neurology. I’ve always been fascinated by the brain’s central role in shaping our cognition, creativity, memory, and daily lives. During my first year of medical school, I was invited to shadow a sports neurologist here at the University of Connecticut. This experience was truly transformative, as I was able to envision a career that combined my love for sports within the field of neurology!

Ever since then, it has been my dream to continue my medical career at UConn, where I hope to create meaningful relationships with future patients based on trust and medical expertise.

Melissa M. Cabrera Ruiz

Medical School: University of Puerto Rico, San Juan

Hi! I’m Melissa M. Cabrera Ruiz, and I was born and raised in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. I studied Biology at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus, where I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the Neurobiology and Physiology REU Program at UConn Health, under the mentorship of Dr. Daniel Mulkey. It was there that my fascination with the brain truly began. I was captivated by how powerful and intricate our own internal "supercomputer" is—and I knew I wanted to learn everything I could about it.

I went on to pursue my medical degree at the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, where my passion for neurology only deepened. Even before medical school, I had a strong hunch that neurology was where I belonged, but I still kept an open mind and explored every specialty with genuine curiosity. I’ll never forget the first time I picked up a reflex hammer—it felt like Captain America lifting Thor’s hammer in Avengers: Endgame. It just clicked. In that moment, I realized I had found my calling. What draws me most to Neurology is the way it challenges you to think critically—it’s like solving a complex puzzle. Each symptom, reflex, and clinical clue is a piece, and as a neurologist, you get to put them together to reveal the bigger picture. There’s nothing more rewarding than that. My current subspecialty interest in neurology is epilepsy, although I am still open to new experiences.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy getting lost in the world of cinema and books, specifically Harry Potter, LOTR, Marvel, The Hunger Games, Percy Jackson and The Summer I Turned Pretty (Team Conrad always.) I love musicals, especially Les Mis and Wicked. F1 and anime are newfound interests, ready to see what awaits me there!

“It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be. -Albus Dumbledore”
“If my life is going to mean anything, I have to live myself. -Percy Jackson”
"Everyone deserves the chance to fly. -Wicked"

Zenia Aadil Elavia

Medical School: Dr. D.Y. Patil, Medical College, Pune, India

I was born in Mumbai, India but raised in Dubai, United Arab Emirates where I also did my schooling and learned Arabic as a third language. After high school, I moved back to India to pursue medicine.

During my final year of medical school, I discovered my passion for neurology. I was drawn to the field that demands a thoughtful, investigative approach—like solving a puzzle—while also offering the opportunity to form meaningful connections with patients as they navigate complex diagnoses. Fields of particular interest are Movement disorders and Neuro-immunology, but I look forward to immersing myself in the full breadth and depth of neurology during my training at UConn.

Outside of medicine, I find joy and balance through creative expression. I love indulging in art—whether it's drawing, painting, sketching, or designing posters. Writing is another passion of mine; I enjoy penning down poetry.

Two quotes that deeply resonate with me are:
“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” – Tim Notke
“Success isn’t always about greatness. It’s about consistency.

Yasser Fadlallah

Medical School: American University of Beirut, Lebanon

I was born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon, where my early fascination with life sciences led me to pursue a degree in Biology at the American University of Beirut (AUB). This passion continued into medical school at AUB’s Faculty of Medicine, where I discovered my deep interest in Neurology. I was especially captivated by neuroanatomy and how its principles could be applied to understand and help diagnose complex neurological conditions and presentations. This localization approach was key in introducing me to the beauty of being a neurologist and also being someone who values education. After completing medical school, I moved to the United States to pursue a research fellowship in multiple sclerosis at Johns Hopkins University, an area in neurology which I'm very interested in.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy playing and watching soccer, hiking, reading, trying new cuisines, and collecting soccer jerseys.

Graduate Medical Education

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