Current Fellows

Undergraduate School: Northwestern University      

Medical School: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine 

Residency: Indiana University

Why did you pursue a Peds Pulm fellowship?  I started medical school thinking I wanted to do neonatology, but quickly I realized I enjoyed more patient interaction and more longterm relationships with my patients. During my residency at Riley, I came to love learning about lung physiology, vent management, and helping premature babies thrive. I was also drawn to the balance of inpatient time, clinic, and procedures. I couldn't see myself doing anything else!

What do you like about the IU School of Medicine program? During my pulmonary rotations as a resident, I realized that our pulmonary department has amazing faculty that are both great teachers, as well as just fun people to work with. On top of that, our research opportunities have grown dramatically, and our faculty are doing amazing work, creating so many opportunities for fellows to participate. Finally, our leadership truly cares about fellow education, and advocates for our time to be used well. They quickly respond to feedback, and the program is constantly changing to provide us with the best education possible.

Research/QI interests? My clinical interests include treatment of infants with BPD, chronic trach/vent, and patients with aerodigestive disorders. My previous research has primarily used UTE MRI in patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia or bronchopulmonary dysplasia. During fellowship, I am exploring the inhibition of S-nitrosoglutathione reductase in the airway of patients with bronchopulmonary dysplasia as a possible intervention to help with airway malacia.

Future plans?  I hope to continue to specialize in BPD, chronic vent management, and aerodigestive disorders, depending on how my interests evolve during fellowship. I also plan to continue working in research, possibly as a physician scientist.

Hobbies/ Interests? I enjoy spending time with my husband and 2 kids, cooking, eating at whole-in-the-wall ethnic restaurants, crossfit, and serving in kids ministry at my church. I've recently started growing an herb garden as well!

What do you enjoy in Indianapolis? We love the restaurants and international grocery stores near Layfayette road, walking on the canal, exploring Garfield park, and living close to downtown. We also have an awesome children's museum and zoo!

Undergrad: Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (Peru)

Medical School: Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heridia (Peru)

Residency: Indiana University School of Medicine

Hometown: I am from Lima, Peru and came to Indy for my pediatric residency. 

Research interests: My interest in Cystic Fibrosis was one of the reasons I decided to become a pulmonologist. CF is a tremendous example of how research can truly impact the life of our patients. Physicians working alongside scientists from different fields have been able to understand, theorize and ultimately modify the disease course of CF. My work so far has revolved around meconium ileus and its correlation with disease severity. I am also currently involved in a project that utilizes Lung clearance index (LCI) measured by multiple breath washout as an alternative to assess pulmonary function in young patients with CF. 

Hobbies: I am an avid fan of Formula 1 racing. I also enjoy biking and spending time with my wife, dog and two cats! 

Why Peds Pulm?
My exposure to pulmonology was very limited before residency, however the pulmonary division and rotation at Riley are so robust that allowed me to get all the experience needed to really understand (and fall in love with) it. The pathophysiology of respiratory illnesses allows physicians to objectively assess the degree of care and support patients need. Understanding this really took my interest in the field to another level and made my decision to pursuit a career in pulmonology very easy.

Why IU/Riley?
Riley is such an impressive academic center. It provides all the tools a fellow need to become a successful pulmonologist including vast exposure to all the different types of pulmonary diseases, procedural experience, amazing research infrastructure and teaching opportunities. Also, working alongside my wonderful co-fellows, attendings and everyone within the pulmonary division gives me a joy I wouldn't change for anything. 

Undergraduate School: Texas State University

Medical School: American University of Antigua College of Medicine

Residency: Ascension St. Vincent Pediatric Residency program

Why did you pursue a Pediatric Pulmonary Fellowship? I realized so much of pediatric medicine involves the pulmonary system. I want to help and optimize every breath of a child, from their first breath when they are born and throughout all their childhood.

What do you like about the IU School of Medicine program?
Everyone in the IU system and even more so in the pediatric pulmonary/allergy and immunology group are amazing physicians, staff and even better people, so it's an honor to work in this system. Not to mention, this is a wonderful place to grow your clinical and research interests.

Research/QI interests?
I am interested in pulmonary hypertension, asthma and cystic fibrosis.

Future plans?
After fellowship, I would like to continue to cultivate my clinical and research interests as I am a junior faculty. I enjoy education and would like to give back to a medical school with teaching and further education.

Hobbies/ Interests?
Outside of work, I enjoy running, swimming, and various sports. I also enjoy reading philosophy and psychology.

What do you enjoy in Indianapolis?
I was lucky enough to have my residency in Indianapolis so I still have many friends here so hanging out with them. I also enjoy the atmosphere and local festivals, fairs, or events.

Undergraduate School: Manchester University

Medical School: Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Residency: University of Florida College of Medicine- Jacksonville

Why did you pursue a Pediatric Pulmonary fellowship? I was originally drawn to the specialty because my nephew was born with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. I found that I enjoyed pulmonology physiology the most and found I connected with the patient populations the most.

What do you like about the IU School of Medicine program? I found this program to be the most welcoming and engaging during interview season and prior alumni had spoken highly of the experience they gained while in fellowship and that they felt prepared to be confident Pediatric Pulmonology attendings in the community.

Research/QI interests? Improving antenatal Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia detection and postnatal clinical outcomes in this population

Future plans? I look forward to honing my clinical and procedural skills in Fellowship and continuing my clinical career in Indiana.

Hobbies/ Interests? Avid board game player, fluent in Disney/Friends/Office quotes and enjoy spending any spare time with my husband, dog and family/friends

What do you enjoy in Indianapolis? I enjoy being close to my family, Mass Ave, and Metazoa Brewing Company.

Undergraduate School: University of Florida

Medical School: The Ohio State University College of Medicine

Residency: Indiana University, Riley Children's Hospital

Why did you pursue a Pulmonary fellowship? I always knew that I wanted to be a pediatrician, but I discovered through my training that I wanted to specialize in pulmonary! I enjoy the diversity that a career in pulmonary has to offer including multiple sub-specialties as well as balancing outpatient clinic, inpatient service, and bronchoscopy. I enjoy fostering long term relationships with patients and their families and being able to watch them improve and grow!

What do you like about the IU School of Medicine program? Throughout my residency here, I was able to work with the amazing pulmonary fellows, staff, nursing, and program team. Their dedication to their patients and education was inspiring! The program also has a wide breadth of interests of each staff, vast research opportunities, and the ability to care for children of the entire state of Indiana (and often children of other states as well). I have also always enjoyed teaching, and even thought I would pursue elementary education until I was in high school and discovered my love for science/medicine. IU has one of the largest medical schools in the country, so being part of this fellowship program allows for me to continue to partake in medical student education and play a role in training future doctors!

Research/QI interests? Cystic Fibrosis, Asthma, and Medical Education

Future plans? I plan to continue fostering my clinical and research skills in fellowship to be able to serve my community and provide great care as an attending physician. I also hope to work in medical education in some capacity either within a medical school, residency, or fellowship program!

Hobbies/ Interests? I enjoy spending time with my fiancé and our mini-goldendoodle (Archie), my weekly trivia night with friends, exercising, reading for fun, traveling home to Florida to see my family, baking (always inspired by cooking shows to try new recipes), and binge watching my favorite TV shows.

What do you enjoy in Indianapolis? I love trying new restaurants! Some of my favorites are Livery, Union 50, Divvy, and Patachou. I grew up in Florida, so I have also truly enjoyed being able to experience all the fun of actually having 4 seasons! Indianapolis has many state parks and accessible running paths that I love exploring with our dog!

Undergraduate School: Boston College
Medical School: University of Louisville School of Medicine
Residency: Indiana University School of Medicine

Why did you pursue a Pulmonology fellowship? Respiratory problems are very common in kids - asthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood! I like pediatric pulmonology because we have the opportunity to care for patients in the clinic and in the hospital, we get to do bronchoscopies as part of that care, and there are lots of research opportunities.

What do you like about the IU School of Medicine program? Fellows in our program get to perform lots of bronchoscopies and are very well-trained by the end of fellowship. We have extremely friendly and supportive faculty who treat us like early-career attendings. I am also part of our Morris Green Physician Scientist program that provides extra funding and training to residents and fellows who are interested in research.

Research/QI interests? I am doing research on an NIH T32 grant looking at the overlap between primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) and asthma, including prospectively having patients do pulmonary function tests and studying their genotypes. I plan to expand the project to do in vitro and in vivo studies as well.

Future plans? I am pursuing a career as a physician-scientist.

Hobbies/ Interests? I play the drums, like to play pickleball, and love grilling out when the weather is nice.

What do you enjoy in Indianapolis? Biking and walking the Monon Trail, going to concerts at some of our great venues like Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park, cheering on the Fever and the Pacers, and exploring the city's museums (especially the Newfields museum and gardens).