Faculty & Staff News

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TUSM Faculty Appointed Secretary of HHS

Assistant Professor Kiame Mahaniah, MD, was appointed as Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services for Massachusetts. As a long-time faculty member at Tufts University School of Medicine, Dr. Mahaniah has mentored countless students and led with a deep commitment to equity and compassionate care.

Celebrating Excellence in Neonatal Research

Associate Professor Elizabeth Yen, MD, MA, has received the 2025 Advancement in Research Award by the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Section on Early Career Physicians (SOECP), in recognition of her outstanding contributions to neonatal medicine. This prestigious award will be presented at the 2025 AAP National Conference & Exhibition in Denver, Colorado, on September 27.

TUSM Professor Appointed to International Board

Professor A. Razzaque Ahmed, MD, was recently elected to serve as Executive Vice President of the Board of Directors of the International Society of Dermatology. This honor was bestowed by a gathering of Dr. Ahmed’s peers in June, at the International Congress of Dermatology in Rome.

New Vice Chair of Clinical Services at TM

Assistant Professor Cristina Montalvo, MD, has been appointed Vice Chair of Clinical Services for the Department of Psychiatry at Tufts Medicine. In this role, Dr. Montalvo will collaborate closely with teams across the health system to advance a unified, patient-centered model of psychiatric care. Her extensive clinical expertise, proven operational leadership, and unwavering commitment to health equity position her to help guide the department through a transformative period in behavioral health.

New Chief of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at TM

Associate Professor Neha Sharma, DO, has been appointed the new Chief of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Tufts Medicine. Since stepping into the interim role in October 2024, Dr. Sharma has demonstrated exceptional leadership, guiding the division through a time of transition with clarity, compassion, and vision. A dedicated clinician, educator, and advocate, Dr. Sharma brings a wealth of experience to this role.

Frontiers in Science and Distinction in Endocrinology Award

Professor Bess Dawson-Hughes, MD, was awarded the Frontiers in Science and Distinction in Endocrinology Award by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. The award is considered the AACE's highest honor and recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exemplary contributions to their profession or area of expertise.

New Director of Psychology at TM

Assistant Professor Alice Connors-Kellgren, PhD, has been appointed as the new Director of Psychology for the Department of Psychiatry at Tufts Medicine. A licensed psychologist and valued member of our department since 2019, Dr. Connors-Kellgren brings deep clinical expertise, a strong commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, and a proven track record of educational and programmatic leadership.

New Chief Medical Officer of Tufts Behavioral Health Hospital

Assistant Professor James Lech, MD, has been appointed Chief Medical Officer of the new Tufts Behavioral Health Hospital, opening November 4, 2025, in Malden. A seasoned leader in inpatient psychiatry, Dr. Lech brings a wealth of clinical experience and a thoughtful, patient-centered approach to this pivotal role. As CMO, he will provide strategic clinical leadership to launch and grow a 144-bed inpatient psychiatric hospital serving Malden and surrounding communities.

Amira Latif-Hernandez to join Tufts Neuroscience Department

Dr. Amira Latif-Hernandez will join the Department of Neuroscience at Tufts in 2026. Her research explores how brain circuits and molecules change in neurodegenerative diseases, with expertise in electrophysiology, Alzheimer’s models, and translational neuroscience. The department looks forward to the insight and collaboration she will bring to the community.

New Grant from KidneyCure

Assistant Professor Caroline Hsu, MD, MS, has been awarded a prestigious Transition to Independence Grant from the American Society of Nephrology. She is one of just 23 recipients nationwide to receive a KidneyCure grant this year. Her funded research project is titled “Peritoneal Dialysis in Hospitals and Skilled Nursing Facilities.

MMS Committee on Continuing Education Review

Professor Deeb N. Salem, MD, has been named Chair of the Massachusetts Medical Society’s Committee on Continuing Education Review. In this role, he’ll lead the review of educational programs for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ eligibility and risk management study, ensuring compliance with ACCME standards and alignment with MMS strategic goals.

Honoring a Global Expert in Infectious Diseases

Professor Honorine Ward, MD, has received the prestigious EISRE Award in Medicine from her alma mater, Vellore Christian Medical College. The award—recognizing Excellence in Service, Research, and Education—celebrates Dr. Ward’s extraordinary contributions to global health. A renowned expert in infectious diseases and a proud member of the Class of 1969, Dr. Ward’s groundbreaking research on intestinal parasites has had a profound impact on public health worldwide.

Honoring a Lifetime of Impact

Associate Professor Jeff Sobell, MD, FAAD, has been selected to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Psoriasis Foundation. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of dermatology and his dedication to improving the lives of patients with psoriasis, Dr. Sobell will be honored as the 2026 Provider Honoree at the Foundation’s inaugural New England Soirée, taking place on September 18 at the Newbury Hotel in Boston.

Research News

Deciphering the Brain-Gut Connection

Assistant Professor Kevin Bonham, PhD, is a computational microbiologist who is using machine learning to unlock the relationship between the gut microbiome and brain development in infants and toddlers.

Breakthrough Strategy to Reprogram Prostate Cancer

Associate Professor Paul Mathew, MD, has dedicated his career to unraveling the molecular mechanisms that drive prostate cancer. Now, in a recently published study, Dr. Mathew and his team have introduced a novel bispecific antibody that targets two receptors that fuel the aggressiveness of prostate tumors but also help them hide from the immune system.

Qualitative Research in Medical Education

A new article by Dean of Admissions Amy Lee, MD, offers a valuable roadmap for researchers navigating the complexities of qualitative inquiry in medical education. The paper outlines five foundational approaches—case study, ethnography, grounded theory, narrative inquiry, and phenomenology—and provides practical guidance on data collection techniques, methodological rigor, and manuscript preparation. With a focus on both the strengths and challenges of qualitative methods, the work serves as a resource for educators and scholars seeking to deepen their understanding and application of qualitative research in medical training environments.

Making Antibiotics More Potent Against Drug-Resistant Bacteria

Professors Ralph Isberg, Joan Mecsas, and Bree Aldridge, along with fellow researchers from Tufts and other institutions including MIT and the Broad Institute, authored “Large-scale combination screens reveal small-molecule sensitization of antibiotic-resistant gram-negative ESKAPE pathogens” in PNAS.

New Insights into Cognitive Functioning

Assistant Professor Soohyun Park, PhD, presented at the 2025 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference on the impact of genetics and adverse childhood experiences on cognitive functioning in later life in a historically understudied population. These findings have broad implications for prevention and treatment for all of us.

Advancing Newborn Medicine

Assistant Professor Brooke Krbec, DO, MS, presented her research at the 2025 Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society in Copenhagen, Denmark. Her abstract, titled “Multimodal non-contact sending of respiration and movement in neonates,” was selected for oral presentation and forthcoming publication, highlighting innovative approaches in neonatal care.

Human Brain Literally Emits Light Through Your Skull

Collaborative research involving TUSM affiliate Mattia Bonzanni and Allen Discovery Center researchers Nicolas Rouleau and Nirosha J. Murugan have uncovered a novel dimension of brain activity: ultraweak photon emissions (UPEs), or faint light signals emitted by the brain. These emissions, which arise from metabolic processes and respond to neurotransmitters and stimuli, may offer a new, non-invasive window into brain function.

Recent Events

2025 GSBS Relays

On Friday, July 11, the Graduate Student Council once again brought our community together for one of Tufts Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences’ most beloved traditions—the annual GSBS Relays! Every summer this event brings together students, faculty, postdocs, summer trainees, and staff for an afternoon of athletic challenges, all in support of the GSC Student Enrichment Fund, which helps students attend national and international scientific meetings.

TUSM-Spelman Program

In June, TUSM welcomed Spelman College students for the second annual TUSM-Spelman Enrichment Program. This inspiring collaboration gave Spelman juniors and seniors a firsthand look at graduate and medical education through mentorship, research exposure, and networking with faculty, students, and alumni.

McKusick Lecture

On Wednesday, July 23, TUSM and MaineHealth Maine Medical Center hosted the 17th Annual Victor A. McKusick, MD Lecture and welcomed the Maine Track Program Class of 2029. Speakers included Dean Helen Boucher, Academic Dean Douglas Sawyer, Professor Linda Chaudron, and keynote speaker Professor Emeritus Peter Bates—who, alongside the late Dean Harris Berman, was instrumental in launching the Maine Track Program in 2008.

MD Orientation

Orientation for the MD Class of 2029 began on Tuesday, July 29, marking the start of an exciting four-day journey. Throughout the week, our newest medical students are introduced to the many offices and departments that support their education and growth. The program also offers valuable opportunities for students to connect with one another and begin building a strong sense of community.

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