The Department of Internal Medicine is pleased to introduce some of the faculty members who joined us in June, July, and August (start dates in parentheses). We are happy to welcome them to the department.
Munish Ashat, MBBS – Clinical Assistant Professor (7/1/21)
Dr. Munish Ashat comes to the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology as a Clinical Assistant Professor after completing an Advance Endoscopy Fellowship at Indiana University in Indianapolis. He received his MBBS from Government Medical College & Hospital in Chandigarh, India, followed by a post-doctoral research fellowship in gastroenterology at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut. Dr. Ashat completed an Internal Medicine Residency at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County in Chicago, followed by a Gastroenterology and Hepatology fellowship here at the University of Iowa. Dr. Ashat’s clinical and research interests focus on diagnosis and management of pancreaticobiliary conditions. Outside medicine, Dr. Ashat enjoys traveling and spending time at home with his family.
Elizabeth Bowen, MD – Clinical Assistant Professor (8/1/21)
Dr. Elizabeth Bowen has joined the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism as a Clinical Assistant Professor, after completing her Endocrine fellowship here at UIHC. She received her MD from the Carver College of Medicine, followed by an Internal Medicine Residency here. Dr. Bowen’s clinical interests include endocrine disorders in pregnancy. In her spare time she likes to hang out with her family.
Prajwal Dhakal, MBBS – Clinical Assistant Professor (7/30/21)
Dr. Prajwal Dhakal joins the Division of Hematology, Oncology and Blood & Marrow Transplantation as a Clinical Assistant Professor, having completed his Hematology-Oncology Fellowship at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. He received his MBBS from Tribhuvan University in Nepal, followed by an Internal Medicine Residency at Michigan State University in East Lansing. Dr. Dhakal’s clinical and research interests include acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome, with special focus on new targeted therapies for relapsed/refractory disease. In his free time, Dr. Dhakal enjoys traveling, and playing tennis and golf.
Naomi Fei, MD, MS – Clinical Assistant Professor (7/31/21)
Dr. Naomi Fei comes to the Division of Hematology, Oncology and Blood & Marrow Transplantation as a Clinical Assistant Professor, after completing her Hematology-Oncology Fellowship at West Virginia University Hospital in Morgantown. She received her MD from Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Michigan, followed by Internal Medicine Residency at West Virginia University, with an MS in Clinical and Translational Science also completed there. Dr. Fei’s clinical and research interests focus on pancreatic cancer. In her spare time she likes to play with her two golden retrievers and try new restaurants.
Jacob Hodges, MD – Clinical Assistant Professor (7/1/21)
Dr. Jacob Hodges comes to the Division of Infectious Diseases from his previous position at the Mowery Clinic in Salina, Kansas. Dr. Hodges received his MD from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Kansas City, Kansas, followed by a residency in Internal Medicine at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and an Infectious Disease fellowship here. His clinical interests focus on general infectious disease. Outside of the clinic, Dr. Hodges enjoys exploring the parks and other amenities the area has to offer with his family, playing the trombone in musical groups, and riding his bicycle.
Aaron Miller, PhD – Research Assistant Professor (6/1/21)
Dr. Aaron Miller has joined the Division of Infectious Diseases as a Research Assistant Professor from his recent faculty position in the Department of Epidemiology at the University’s College of Public Health. Dr. Miller earned his PhD in Pharmaceutical Socioeconomics from the UI College of Pharmacy. His research involves the application of data science techniques along with large and novel data sources, including mobile devices, to the study of infectious diseases. In particular, he is interested in modelling health care associated infections, infectious disease outbreaks, and identifying diagnostic errors or missed diagnostic opportunities. He enjoys camping, kayaking, and cooking in his spare time.
Manasa Nayak, PhD – Research Assistant Professor (7/1/21)
Dr. Manasa Nayak was recently appointed to the rank of Research Assistant Professor within the Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Blood & Marrow Transplantation, from his position as a Postdoctoral Research Scholar. Dr. Nayak earned his PhD from Banaras Hindu University in Uttar Pradesh, India, after which he held a post-doctoral position at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in Tyler. His research interests investigate the role of metabolic enzymes, which includes pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK) and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), in regulating platelet function, arterial and venous thrombosis. He has the expertise of using the state-of-the-art technique intravital imaging to study the in vivo live thrombus formation within blood vessels after FeCl3 or laser injury. He uses different mouse models of arterial and deep vein thrombosis (DVT), various molecular techniques and transgenic mice to investigate the role of metabolic enzymes and metabolites in platelet activation and thrombosis. Dr. Nayak’s primary aim is to develop the new targets to combat thrombosis without significantly affecting hemostasis, may improve long-term outcome in patients at risk. His hobbies include playing badminton and swimming.
Amie Ogunsakin, MD – Clinical Assistant Professor (7/12/21)
Dr. Amie Ogunsakin joined the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism as a Clinical Assistant Professor from her previous faculty position at the University of Florida in Gainesville. Dr. Ogunsakin received her MD from the University of Ilorin College of Health Sciences in Nigeria, followed by a residency in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. She subsequently completed an endocrinology fellowship at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, in Memphis. Dr. Ogunsakin’s clinical interests include obesity, diabetes, and transgender medicine. Her research interests include diabetes mellitus and health care disparities. Outside of work, Dr. Ogunsakin enjoys traveling and enjoying nature.
Yacoub Sallam, MD – Associate (7/1/21)
Dr. Yacoub Sallam joins the Division of General Internal Medicine having just completed his residency at Cleveland Clinic – Fairview Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. He received his MD from the University of Jordan Faculty of Medicine in Amman, followed by an Internal Medicine Residency at Cleveland Clinic/Fairview Hospital in Cleveland. Dr. Sallam ’s research and clinical interests focus on infectious disease and quality improvement. In his spare time, Dr. Sallam enjoys playing video games and making videos with his cat.
Jennifer Streeter, MD, PhD – Associate (7/1/21)
Dr. Jennifer Streeter recently joined the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine as an Associate. Dr. Streeter received her MD from the Carver College of Medicine MSTP program and her PhD in Anatomy and Cell Biology from the University of Iowa. She completed residency in Internal Medicine and fellowship in Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. As a UIHC faculty member, Dr. Streeter will work in the adult cath lab and continue basic science research under the mentorship of Dr. Dale Abel. Her research focuses on studying the role of mitochondrial proteins in the pathogenesis of diabetes and obesity. In her free time, Dr. Streeter and her husband, Jason, are the parents of three amazing children, Evelyn, Ivan and Alex. In their free time, they enjoy camping, fishing, boating, and traveling to destinations where they can be surrounded by nature.
Nanmeng Yu, MD, PhD – Associate (7/1/21)
Dr. Nanmeng Yu has joined the Division of Hematology, Oncology and Blood & Marrow Transplantation as an Associate. Dr. Yu received a PhD in Biochemistry, as well as her MD degree, from Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston Salem, North Carolina. She completed an Internal Medicine residency, followed by a Fellowship in Hematology and Medical Oncology at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Dr. Yu’s clinical and research interests focus on malignant hematology and anti-tumor immunity. In her spare time, she likes to try her hand at baking and spending time with her husband, Gary, and their dog, Sammy.