The Department of Internal Medicine is pleased to introduce some of the faculty members who joined us in July 2022. We are happy to welcome them to the department.

Divya Ashat, MBBS -Clinical Assistant Professor

Dr. Divya Ashat comes to the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology as a Clinical Assistant Professor after completing a fellowship in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. She attended medical school at Manipal University, India. She completed her Internal Medicine Residency and was a Chief Resident at Abington-Jefferson Health, Pennsylvania. Dr. Ashat completed her Gastroenterology and Hepatology fellowship here at the University of Iowa, where she also served as the Chief Fellow. Dr. Ashat’s clinical and research interests focus on patient engagement and assessment of patient-centered outcomes in IBD. Outside medicine, Dr. Ashat enjoys spending time with her family and dog.

Leslie Baehr, PhD – Associate

Dr. Leslie Baehr was recently appointed to the rank of Associate within the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, from her position as a Postdoctoral Research Scholar. She received her PhD in Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology from the University of California-Davis, followed by a postdoctoral scholarship in Muscle Physiology there. Dr. Baehr’s research interests center around understanding the molecular mechanisms responsible for muscle atrophy, with a specific focus on the E3 ubiquitin ligase MuRF1. In her spare time she enjoys running, traveling, and spending time with her two children.

Rintaro Hashimoto, MD, PhD – Clinical Assistant Professor

Dr. Rintaro Hashimoto joins the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology as a Clinical Assistant Professor. Dr. Hashimoto received his MD from Osaka University School of Medicine, and a PhD from Tohoku University School of Medicine in Sendai, Japan. He completed his residency at Kobe City Hospital in Kobe, Japan, a fellowship in Diagnostic Radiology at the National Cancer Center Central Hospital in Tokyo, a Gastroenterology Fellowship at Sendai Kousei Hospital, and an Advanced Endoscopy Fellowship at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center. His clinical and research interests include third space endoscopy. In his free time, Dr. Hashimoto enjoys spending time with his family.

Iiro Honkanen, MD – Associate

Dr. Iiro Honkanen joins the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension as an Associate after completing his Nephrology Fellowship here at University of Iowa Health Care. He received his MD from the University of Arizona, followed by Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Iowa. Dr. Honkanen’s clinical and research interests focus on Acute Kidney Injury and Renal Replacement Therapy in the ICU. In his spare time he likes playing soccer, hiking, and camping.

David Hughes, PhD – Research Assistant Professor

Dr. David Hughes was recently appointed to the rank of Research Assistant Professor within the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, from his position as a Postdoctoral Research Scholar. Dr. Hughes earned his PhD in muscle cellular physiology from the University of Bedfordshire in the United Kingdom, after which he held a post-doctoral scholar position at the University of California-Davis. His research investigates the molecular mechanisms of skeletal muscle plasticity, with a focus on protein degradation, stability and synthesis. His hobbies include camping, swimming, and soccer.

Takaaki Kobayashi, MD, MPH – Clinical Assistant Professor

Dr. Takaaki Kobayashi has joined the Division of Infectious Diseases as a Clinical Assistant Professor, after completing fellowships in Infectious Diseases with Clinical Epidemiology and VA Quality Scholars Program here. Dr. Kobayashi received his MD from Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan, and an MPH in Biostatistics from the University of Iowa College of Public Health. He completed an Internal Medicine Residency at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (Beth Israel) in New York. Dr. Kobayashi’s clinical and research interests focus on hospital-associated infections and COVID-19. He also serves as an associate hospital epidemiologist. In his spare time, he likes watching movies and running.

Kathleen Robinson, MD, PhD – Associate

Dr. Kathleen Robinson has joined the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism after completing her Endocrinology Fellowship here at UI Health Care. Dr. Robinson earned her MD/PhD through the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, followed by an Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Iowa. Her research examines weight stigma and how to reduce the stigma in healthcare, and her clinical interests include weight management and general endocrinology. She enjoys cooking, jogging, and spending time with her family in her spare time.

Peter Szachowicz, MD – Associate

Dr. Peter Szachowicz recently joined the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Occupational Medicine as an Associate. Dr. Szachowicz received his MD from Ross University School of Medicine, Portsmouth, Dominica, followed by a residency in Internal Medicine at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. He completed his fellowship in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, where he also served as Chief Fellow. His clinical and research interests focus on pulmonary immunology, respiratory infections, pulmonary fibrosis, and acute lung injury. In his free time, Dr. Szachowicz enjoys hiking, cycling, golf, skiing, jai alai, baking, fishing, cinema, and reading.