Abha Athawale
Originally from Holliston, MA, Abha recently graduated Magna cum Laude from Wake Forest University where she received a BS in Health and Exercise Science. During her time at Wake Forest, Abha worked at the Behavioral Medicine Lab where she served as a behavioral coach and research assistant for a study focused on decreasing chronic pain in older adults by means of physical activity. Abha also volunteered at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital as a cancer strategist, acting as a liaison between patient and provider. Invested in children’s health, Abha hopes to be a pediatrician one day. During her gap year at Gastro Health, Abha is excited to interact with patients, learn new skills and be mentored by the Gastro Health physicians. In her free time Abha enjoys music, traveling, good food, gardening, and spending time with friends and family.
Leyla Ewald
Originally from Boston, Leyla joined Gastro Health after graduating Cum Laude from Harvard University this past Spring. At Harvard, she studied Biology with a secondary concentration in Global Health and Health Policy. She worked in the Giribet Lab all four of her undergraduate years, researching population genomics in coral reefs. She continued research in genetics at the Mount Sinai Precision Immunology Institute. At Harvard, she worked as a teaching assistant in Introductory Life Sciences, volunteered in a food lab, led group fitness classes, and was a backpacking leader of the First-Year Outdoor Program. With her time at Gastro Health, Leyla is especially looking forward to gaining patient-centered experience and learning more about the gut-mind connection. She plans to apply to medical school next year. In her free time, Leyla particularly enjoys baking, running, and hiking with her dog, Toby.
Anna Heintz
Originally from Wisconsin, Anna recently graduated from Wellesley College with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry with honors. During her time at Wellesley, she conducted research on proteins that have implications in medical drug delivery and disease treatment. Anna also worked as a research assistant at the VA Jamaica Plain to improve the quality of life for veterans with Parkinson’s disease and at the Perelman School of Medicine on patients with opioid overdose. A recipient of the Oprah Winfrey Award for Volunteerism, she also volunteered at StudentSphere mentoring young students in STEM and served as the President of Blue Cancer Society, an organization which educates the community about cancer risks and research. Anna developed a passion for creating a more patient-centered and equitable healthcare system through these various positions. She is hoping to take one gap year before attending medical school next year and is excited to work with patients as a medical assistant at Gastro Health. In her free time, she enjoys teaching spin classes, traveling, and reading.
Emely Loscalzo
Originally from Miami FL, Emely recently graduated from the Johns Hopkins University with multiple academic honors. At Hopkins, she majored in Behavioral Biology and the History of Science and Technology and worked on two different research projects, one in the basic sciences on signal processing and the other on the complications of corticosteroid use in patients with muscular dystrophy. Her work on corticosteroid use was presented at multiple national and international conferences. She also volunteered at the Esperanza Center, a clinic that serves the undocumented population of Baltimore with free healthcare. Emely has always been interested in nutrition and the gut microbiome and the role they play in health and disease. It was this interest which drew her to Gastro Health where she plans to spend two years shadowing the doctors, meeting the patients and learning more about GI, nutrition and the microbiome. Fluent in Spanish, Emely looks forward to refining her medical Spanish skills during her time at the practice. Consistent with her Argentine roots, Emely enjoys watching soccer games supporting her favorite teams: the Argentina National team and Boca Juniors. She also enjoys working out and exploring the city.
Samantha Neuman
Originally from Wayland, MA, Samantha Neuman graduated with honors from Lehigh University with a bachelor’s in Biological Sciences and a minor in Health, Medicine, and Society. While at Lehigh, Samantha was a patient care partner at Lehigh Valley Health Network and was involved in research on traumatic brain injury biomarkers and treatments. During college, Samantha also had an internship at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, where she managed programs in support of research. She plans to take a few years off before applying to physician assistant school. During her time at GBGI, Samantha looks forward to gaining more patient care as a Gap Year Medical Assistant. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, exercising, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
Jay Patel
Jay Patel just graduated from Northwestern University with a BA in Biological Sciences and Political Science. At graduation, he was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa honor society, received Magna Cum Laude distinction, and was chosen as the student marshal on behalf of the biological sciences department. During his time at Northwestern, he conducted research at the Feinberg School of Medicine Infectious Disease Department where he studied a toxin made by the bacteria Vibrio vulnificus. He also worked with the Arizona Burn Center to help improve care and prevent readmissions. Apart from research, Jay spent time volunteering with the Special Olympics, tutoring high schoolers, and working as a teaching assistant. Outside of work, you can find Jay playing soccer, running, or watching sports. At Gastro Health, Jay will be doing double duty as our clinical research coordinator while also sharpening his patient care skills prior to medical school. In the future, he hopes to continue his journey in academic medicine and ultimately become a surgeon specializing in burn care.
Gabriella Puchall
Gabriella recently graduated with highest honors from Lehigh University with a B.S. in Behavioral Neuroscience and was inducted into the Lehigh Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. While at Lehigh, Gabriella was involved in research in psychology and Organometallic Chemistry. Her research in psychology focused on where individuals obtain their healthcare information, and how this affects their perception of worldwide diseases. For her chemistry research, she received the 2022 Undergraduate Research Award from the American Chemical Society. Outside the classroom, Gabriella served as a mentor for other Lehigh students going through the Pre-med process and worked with the Women’s network. Gabriella also served as an emergency medical technician for Lehigh University Emergency Medical Services and volunteered at the Miller-Keystone Blood Donation Center. Gabriella is applying to medical school this year and hopes to matriculate in the fall of 2024. While at Gastro Health, Gabriella is looking forward to gaining clinical experience while working with patients. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, skiing, playing piano, and spending time with family and friends.
Eliza Valente
Eliza graduated from UMass Amherst Commonwealth Honors College with a B.S in Disease Prevention. As an undergraduate she served as supervisor of the Boltwood Project, an organization that aims to promote inclusion for children and adults with varying developmental and intellectual disabilities. She also served as Vice President of Philanthropy of the Student Alumni Association. Additionally, Eliza conducted research and completed a thesis studying health disparities in chronic disease care. She also worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant in a Dementia Care Center. Eliza plans to pursue a career as a Physician Assistant, concentrating on public health and working to provide equitable healthcare for all. Eliza is excited to be a part of the gap year program, welcomes the opportunity to learn from the providers and staff of Gastro Health, and to gain clinical experience in the gastroenterology field. In her free time, she likes to read, exercise, cook, and spend time with family and friends.
Malia Burden
Malia Burden is from Golf, Illinois, a suburb north of the city of Chicago. She recently graduated from Boston College in May 2021 with a Bachelor’s of Science in biology. At Boston College, Malia was a member of the Public Health Club, where she had an internship working for the Eradicate Childhood Obesity Foundation. She also enjoyed being a mentor for underclassmen with the women-in-STEM group. Malia is excited to gain clinical experience, work directly with patients, and learn from her fellow colleagues at GBGI. She wants to use her biology degree to pursue a career that fulfills her passion to help others. Thus, after two years at GBGI, Malia plans to attend Physician Assistant school. In her free time, she enjoys exercise, spending time with friends and family, and watching the Chicago Bears.
Karissa Dipierro
Karissa is from Patterson, NY. She graduated with honors from Cornell University in 2022, where she received a Bachelor of Science in biological sciences with a concentration in microbiology and a minor in nutrition and health. During her time at Cornell, she was involved in research on the folate-dependent de novo synthesis of thymine. She also conducted research at Weill Cornell on groupthink in medical teams. She held leadership positions in her school’s chapter of the Food Recovery Network and the Cornell Center for Health Equity Undergraduate Chapter, both of which are committed to addressing food insecurity and other social determinants of health. Karissa developed a passion for direct patient care while working as a hospital aide at Cayuga Medical Center. Her interest in gastroenterology stems from her interest in the gut microbiome and her belief in the importance of all aspects of nutrition in health, from food insecurity to digestion. She plans to take two gap years before applying to medical school and hopes to pursue a career in either gastroenterology or general internal medicine. At GBGI, Karissa is excited to work one-on-one with patients and learn more about what it means to practice medicine. In her free time, she enjoys roller skating, crocheting, and going to concerts.
Elizabeth Flagg
Elizabeth Flagg is from Wayland, MA. She is a recent graduate of Boston University, where she studied biomedical engineering. During her time at GBGI, she most enjoyed the opportunity to work with patients one-on-one while conducting Fibroscans and pill capsule endoscopies, which helped her gain confidence in a clinical setting. Furthermore, she appreciated the opportunity to improve her Spanish while working with many Spanish speaking patients. In addition to leading several clinical research studies at GBGI, she is also engaged in a computational research project investigating the textural features associated with immunotherapy in brain tumors. Elizabeth will be attending the NYU Grossman School of Medicine starting in Fall 2021, and she is interested in pursuing general surgery or radiation oncology. In her free time, she enjoys attending barre classes, spending time with friends and family, and working on her portrait photography business.
Arielle Friedman
Arielle graduated from UC San Diego in June 2020 with a bachelor’s in Neuroscience and Physiology and a minor in Psychology. Her fascination with the brain led her to pursue neurodegenerative disease research, and she spent several summers investigating Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, she volunteered as a coach at the Rock Steady Boxing Gym, a nonprofit organization that provides a non-contact, boxing based fitness curriculum to individuals with Parkinson’s disease. During her time at GBGI, Arielle enjoyed working one-on-one with patients while conducting Fibroscans, as well as assisting doctors with hemorrhoid banding procedures because she appreciated being able to witness the various ways in which doctors provide support to their patients during uncomfortable moments. Arielle plans to take a few gap years before attending medical school and would love to pursue neurology, plastic surgery, or psychiatry. In her free time, she enjoys playing with her cat, painting, learning the piano, and rock climbing.
Sam Kang
Sam was born in South Korea before moving to Toronto, Canada at the age of one. He is a recent graduate from Boston University with a bachelor’s in Biology and Psychology. He will be joining the GBGI family this summer and looks forward to interacting with patients one-on-one, while gaining more clinical experience and confidence. Throughout his time in college, he was involved with Boston University’s Global Medical Brigade chapter and participated in medical service trips to Honduras. Sam is also passionate about working with children and continues to volunteer for Boston Partners in Education and Horizons for Homeless Children, where he tutors and interacts with elementary school students. He plans on taking a few gap years before applying to medical school and hopes to pursue a career in ophthalmology, general surgery, or pediatrics. Outside of work, Sam enjoys cooking, exercise, painting, and watching sports.
Eric Levine
Eric Levine is from Sherborn, MA. He is a recent graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he was a member of the Commonwealth Honors College and received a B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. During his time at UMass, Eric was involved in molecular genetics research that focused on uncovering the functions in certain genes associated with cancer and other diseases. During his college years Eric interned at a cancer genomics company where he focused on next generation sequencing and targeted therapies for cancer patients. His interest in the field of medicine stems from a long list of injuries growing up and the admiration he had for all the doctors that helped him get back to 100%. He hopes to be able to provide the same comfort and level of care for future patients that he once received. Outside of work you will find Eric playing a variety of sports with his friends, or at a sporting event at Fenway, the Garden, or Gillete supporting the Boston sports teams.
Zoe Lockhart
Zoe graduated from University of Chicago in 2022 with a degree in the History and Philosophy of Science and Medicine. Throughout her time in college, she received two grants to work in an immunology lab at the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, where she studied vaccine development and trained immunity. Alongside this research, she also volunteered as a clinical research assistant for the Comprehensive Care Program, a program which aims to improve quality of care for patients at University of Chicago Medicine. After her junior year in college, she participated in a summer internship at Northwestern Medicine where she shadowed physicians and worked on a clinical research project studying colorectal cancers and Lynch syndrome. While her passion for medicine stems from an innate desire to help others, these experiences furthered her interest in the profession. Zoe is currently in the process of applying to medical school and plans to matriculate in the fall of 2023. In the meantime, she looks forward to gaining more patient care and clinical research experience as a Gap Year Medical Assistant at GBGI. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, playing ultimate frisbee, and baking.
Kathryn McGaughey
Kathryn McGaughey is from Stone Mountain, Georgia, right outside of Atlanta. She recently graduated from Georgia Tech with a bachelor in Biochemistry and minors in Mathematics and Biology. While at GT, Kathryn was a teaching assistant and an Emergency Department scribe and was involved with research looking into the genomics of Sickle Cell Anemia. During college, Kathryn also had an internship with NIH in the Laboratory of Lymphoma where she studied the effects of the COVID vaccine on patients with lymphoma. She hopes to attend medical school next year and is excited to gain clinical experience and work directly with patients at GBGI! In her free time, Kathryn enjoys yoga, hiking, cooking, playing with her cat and spending time with friends.
Darby Melia
Darby is a 2021 graduate of Brown University, where she concentrated in biology. She was a teaching assistant in the Biomaterials course, where she pursued her interest in the interface of engineering, biology, and medicine. While at Brown, Darby gained experience in pediatric medicine and trauma care. She is a Research Assistant in the Hasbro Children’s Hospital Eating Disorder Program. She volunteered in the Emergency Department at Hasbro Children’s Hospital and at the Aubin Child Protection Center in Providence, where she supported children and families in child abuse investigations. After her freshman year at Brown, Darby obtained her EMT certification. During her sophomore summer, Darby shadowed medical providers affiliated with Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where she developed an interest in gastroenterology. With each experience working in health care, Darby’s interest in pursuing a career in medicine has grown and she is eager to gain more clinical experience working with adult patients at GBGI as a medical assistant in the gap year program. Additionally, Darby was a student-athlete at Brown. She played Division I ice hockey for four years, was a finalist for the ECAC Student-Athlete of the Year and was selected to the Academic All-Ivy Team. In her free time, Darby enjoys traveling, hiking, and good food with family and friends.
Fiona Morrison
Fiona Morrison was born in San Jose, Costa Rica where she lived for 11 years before moving to Geneva, Switzerland. She graduated with honors from Cornell University in June 2020 where she majored in Animal Science. Although she has always been passionate about surgery, her focus shifted from animal to human medicine the summer before her senior year, after having had the opportunity to shadow the trauma surgery team at The Central Maine Medical Center. Fiona joined the GBGI family as a gap year medical assistant and was given the opportunity to branch out and do lab work in the pathology lab as well. She particularly enjoyed one-on-one interaction with the patients, learning a plethora of new lab procedures and processing tissue in the lab. Fiona hopes to attend medical school next year to pursue a career in cardiothoracic or general surgery. In her free time, she enjoys exercise, baking and spending time with her friends and family.
Caitlin Read
Caitlin Read is from Hingham, MA. Caitlin graduated from the University of Maryland with a BS in biology and spent her first gap year as a lead scribe in Baltimore, MD. After returning to Massachusetts, she joined the GBGI practice as a gap year medical assistant to gain more clinical experience in a new environment. During her time at GBGI, she enjoyed the opportunity to gain clinical skills by working more independently with patients one-on-one, as well as learning new lab techniques and procedures. Caitlin will begin attending USF Morsani College of Medicine in the Fall of 2021 and is interested in pursuing a residency in OB/GYN or general surgery. Outside of work she enjoys walking her dog, running, and working on her food blog.
Abha Athawale
