Current Residents

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.

Hanyue Lu

Medical School: UConn

I was born in Shanghai and grew up in East Lyme, CT. I went to UConn for undergrad, medical school and now residency so I’m a triple husky! Neurology was my favorite rotation in medical school. I enjoyed learning about different neurological pathways and how the physical exam contributed to localizing the lesion. My current interests include clinical neurophysiology, headache, and general neurology. I was a dietitian prior to attending medical school, so I am hoping to unite nutrition and neurology in my future practice.

My other interests include knitting, reading, baking, and running. I also have a dog named Ellie who is the love of my life.

Jenna Cherasard

Medical School: Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education/ City University of New York (CUNY) School of Medicine

I am originally from Yonkers, New York, where I was raised and first started engaging in my love for science, health, and community. Through my participation in multiple community-led health-focused organizations and volunteerism endeavors, I knew that I wanted to be a doctor from my early years in high school. When considering this career, I was swayed by the fact that it provided me with the opportunity to do two things I love:

Learn about the human body and how we can intervene in the setting of pathology.
Engage with people from all different walks of life and witness their stories, especially with the acute changes that accompany illness.

I moved to NYC to attend my undergraduate and medical school education at the combined BS/MD program, Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education located in Harlem, New York at the City College of New York.

I'm grateful for the fact that during my medical school training, I was able to have multiple interactions with patients that had to a wide array of neurological conditions. It is because of this experience that I knew neurology was something that I wanted to pursue as a career.

My main interest in neurology includes vascular neurology with acute intervention in stroke, and the management of rehabilitation after stroke

When I am not at work and actively engaging in the privilege of taking care of my patients, I like to draw, paint, dance, sing, cook and play cozy games on my Nintendo switch. Additionally, I am the mom to a beautiful cat named Olive Oil who keeps me grounded and holds me accountable to making sure that I'm taking care of myself in addition to giving her enough attention (which of course, I eagerly comply with). I am so excited to start my career as a budding neurologist at the University of Connecticut.

Faranak Ebrahimian

Medical School: Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Iran

I’m Faranak, but you can call me Fari!

I’m originally from Iran. After medical school, I moved to the United States to pursue neuroscience research. Over the past few years, I worked as a postdoctoral associate in the NeuroPET Imaging Program at Yale School of Medicine, where I studied Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, and other neurodegenerative disorders using advanced PET imaging techniques. That experience deepened my fascination with the brain and reinforced my passion for caring for patients with neurological diseases.

I chose UConn because of its supportive culture, outstanding faculty, and strong commitment to resident education. From my very first interactions with the program, it felt like a place where I could grow both personally and professionally. During residency, I’m excited to explore all areas of neurology, with a particular interest in movement disorders and research.

Outside of medicine, I love spending time outdoors and enjoy kayaking, traveling, and camping. I’m excited to begin this next chapter at UConn and look forward to learning from my patients, mentors, and co-residents.

Chelsea Rutagengwa

Hello! I was born in Kigali, Rwanda, and I grew up in New England for most of my life. I first became interested in neurology in high school, during my anatomy and physiology class. I then studied Behavioral Neuroscience at Northeastern University. One of the most fascinating parts of the curriculum was learning about different neural circuits in the brain and how they are connected or related to each other. From there, I worked at a sensorineural hearing loss lab where we worked with mice and gerbil cochleae to observe how the synapses were affected by noise and aging. I went to medical school here at UConn Health, and I am excited to continue my educational journey here with my fellow residents. There are many facets of neurology that I find interesting, including stroke, neuroimmunology, seizure, and dementia, so I do not yet know what my subspecialty will be, but I can't wait to find out!

In my free time, I love spending time outdoors, listening to all different types of music, reading, and either drawing, sketching, or even painting. One of my favorite things to do is check out new cafes or food spots around the area, so if we ever meet, let me know what your favorite spot is!

Neha Sudarshan

Medical School: Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore, India

I was born and raised in Bangalore to a family of engineers, so when I announced I wanted to do medicine, the first response was a very confused "why?" The answer started at 14, when I was at an award ceremony and a poster for a Brain Museum pulled me into a room, I wasn't even supposed to be at. A few moments later, I was standing in front of an actual human brain, grey and curled like the roots of a tree, still somehow holding the memory of everything it once carried. I didn't move for a while.That feeling followed me into medical school, where most lectures raced past me until one on spinal tracts didn't. I sat at the edge of my seat, watching pathophysiology turn into a patient's actual signs and symptoms, and realized a good history and a few clinical exam maneuvers could guide you through the most complex puzzles. After medical school, I worked as a clinical research fellow studying neuromodulation in stroke recovery.

Outside the hospital, I'm chasing sunshine and trailheads, wandering farmers' markets for no reason, and yes - genuinely enjoying grocery shopping (beautifully stacked produce does something to me). I paint, run baking "experiments" with mixed success, find cleaning strangely therapeutic, and have recently, reluctantly, started running. Ask me about any of it, I'm always up for trying something new.

Shwetha Shenod

I was born in Trivandrum, Kerala, and spent much of my childhood between my ancestral town of Marangattupilly and Muscat, Oman, where I completed most of my schooling. I returned to India for medical school in Coimbatore, which is now my home away from home. Growing up across different places and cultures taught me to appreciate diverse perspectives and find a sense of home wherever I was.

During my internship, I discovered my calling to neurology while rotating through the Neurocritical Care Unit. Caring for patients with acute neurological conditions alongside my attending showed me the critical thinking, and compassion that defined the specialty, and I knew that neurology was the field I wanted to pursue.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy reading, especially historical and epic fantasy. *The Inheritance Cycle* first drew me into the genre, and *A Song of Ice and Fire* remains a favorite—though I am still waiting for the ending. I also enjoy playing chess, with far more enthusiasm than skill. Whenever I can, I love being outdoors and have explored several trails across the Western Ghats as a novice trekker.”

Marian Alinet Javier Saldaña

Medical School: Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE), Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

I’m born and raised in the Dominican Republic. During medical school at UNIBE, I underwent surgery for scoliosis while simultaneously completing my neurology block. Experiencing the healthcare system from the perspective of a patient while studying the nervous system from a medical perspective sparked my deep interest in neurology and gave me a unique appreciation for the field. This experience inspired me to pursue a career in neurology, with a particular interest in stroke and cerebrovascular disease.

Apart from my residency and medical interests, I enjoy staying active through running, weightlifting, and hiking. I also love reading and trying delicious foods from different cultures.

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