The Department of Internal Medicine is pleased to introduce some of the faculty members who joined us in July and August 2023. We are happy to welcome them to the department.
Mohammad Ansari, MD – Clinical Assistant Professor
Dr. Mohammad Ansari joins the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology after completing his GI fellowship here. He received his MD from St. Louis University School of Medicine, followed by an internal medicine residency at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, where he also served as Chief Resident. Dr. Ansari’s current clinical focus is in general gastroenterology.
Erin Briggie, MD – Clinical Assistant Professor
Dr. Erin Briggie comes to the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism from her recent endocrine fellowship here. She received her MD from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, followed by an internal medicine residency at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Dr. Briggie’s clinical interests include general endocrinology of pituitary, thyroid, and diabetes disorders. Outside medicine, Dr. Briggie spends her time with her husband and son and enjoys reading and hiking.
Ravinder Reddy Gaddam, PhD – Research Assistant Professor
Dr. Ravinder Reddy Gaddam was recently appointed to the rank of Research Assistant Professor within the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, from his position as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Carver College of Medicine here. Dr. Gaddam earned his M.S. (Pharm.) Degree from the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research in Mohali, India, followed by a PhD from the University of Otago-Christchurch in New Zealand. His research interests focus on investigating microRNA’s role in cardiovascular diseases. His hobbies include playing tennis and cricket.
Pedro Hsieh, MD – Clinical Assistant Professor
Dr. Pedro Hsieh comes to the Division of Hematology, Oncology and Blood & Marrow Transplantation after 23 years in private practice as a hematologist. He received his MD from Sao Paulo University in Brazil, followed by an internal medicine residency there. In addition, Dr. Hsieh completed fellowships at the Blood Bank at the University of Sao Paolo and at the New York Blood Center. Dr. Hsieh’s research and clinical interests focus on platelet function. When he is not at work, he enjoys swimming and playing tennis.
Nagalakshmi Nagarajan, MD – Clinical Assistant Professor
Dr. Nagalakshmi Nagarajan joined the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine after completing her cardiovascular diseases fellowship here. Dr. Nagarajan received her MD from the University of Houston Health Science Center in Texas, and completed her internal medicine residency at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Her clinical and research includes include cardio-obstetrics and women’s cardiac health. She enjoys traveling, exercising, and spending time with her family and her dog, Cookie Monster, in her free time.
Edward Powers, MD – Clinical Assistant Professor
Dr. Edward Powers joins the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine from a clinical cardiac electrophysiology fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. He received an MBA from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, followed by an MD from Vanderbilt. He completed an internal medicine residency at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina, as well as a cardiovascular diseases fellowship at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Dr. Powers’ clinical and research interests include pacemaker/ICD infection and device extraction as well as ablation of complex arrhythmias. In his free time, he likes to take his family on bike rides for ice cream.
Sathvika Velur, MBBS – Clinical Assistant Professor
Dr. Sathvika Velur has joined the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism as a Clinical Assistant Professor after completing her endocrine fellowship here. She received her MBBS from Mimer Medical College, Latur, India, followed by internal medicine residencies at S.S.R. Hospital and Sri Venkateswara Hospital in Andhra Pradesh, India.
Michael Wendt, PhD – Associate Professor
Dr. Wendt is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from St. Norbert College in 2002. After completing his graduate studies at the Medical College of Wisconsin in 2008, Dr. Wendt became an American Cancer Society fellow with Dr. William Schiemann at the University of Colorado Cancer Center. In 2010 Dr. Wendt moved with the Schiemann Lab to Case Western Reserve University, where he received a K99/R00 transition award from the NCI. Dr. Wendt joined the faculty of Purdue University as an assistant professor in 2014. In 2016 Dr. Wendt was awarded the Research Scholar Grant from the American Cancer Society. In 2019 Dr. Wendt was promoted to associate professor with tenure. In 2022 Dr. Wendt become a Showalter Faculty Scholar in Life Sciences at Purdue University. Dr. Wendt is currently a standing member of the tumor evolution, heterogeneity, and metastasis (TEHM) study section for the NIH. Dr. Wendt was recruited to the University Iowa as the Arlene Holden Professor of Breast Cancer Research. His research focuses on understanding and pharmacological targeting of metastatic breast cancer. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids and playing the guitar. For more information about Dr. Wendt, his lab, and his research, see wendtlab.com or follow him on Twitter @WendtLab_cancer.