If you have questions or comments regarding the society, please feel free to email at any time we'd love to hear from you.
Ari Brooks, MD - Faculty Advisor
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Prateek Sharma - President
Prateek Sharma is a 7th year MD/PhD student pursuing a career as a surgeon-scientist. Originally from Michigan, he graduated from the University of Michigan with a BS in Cellular and Molecular Biology and a minor in Applied Statistics. At Penn, he has served on the Penn Global Surgery Group and Oncology Interest Group leadership boards, as an inaugural student fellow for the Penn Health-Tech program, and worked as a Lead Personal Patient Navigator for the Center for Surgical Health. He recently completed a PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology, studying the intersection between metabolism, diabetes, and the gut microbiome. In his free time, Prateek enjoys rock climbing, cooking, and urban photography. Prateek can be reached at prateek.sharma@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
Rohin Maganti - President-Elect
Rohin Maganti is a fifth year MD/PhD student at Penn hoping to pursue a career as a pediatric surgeon-scientist and is serving as President-Elect of Agnew this year. He is originally from Dallas, Texas and received his B.S.E in Biomedical Engineering from Duke University. For his thesis work, Rohin is working on the rational design of targeted lipid nanoparticles for the development of novel adult and fetal gene therapies. At Perelman, he has enjoyed serving on the class board and wellness committee, diversity and inclusion committee, pediatric society board, and as one of the lead anatomy TAs. In his free time, he enjoys climbing, traveling, cooking, and playing and watching basketball. Rohin can be reached at rohin.maganti@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
Therese Murphy - Vice President
Therese Murphy is an MD/MBE candidate at the Perelman School of Medicine, currently serving as a Clinical Transformation Fellow at Penn’s Center for Health Care Transformation and Innovation (CHTI). She earned her BSN from Xavier University and worked as a critical care nurse before returning to medical school. At Penn, she has coordinated patient care at United Community Clinic, served on the board of the Association of Women Surgeons, and contributed to the Committee on Admissions. Therese is passionate about mentorship, equity, and expanding access within the field of surgery, and she plans to pursue a career in general surgery. In her free time, she enjoys running along the Schuylkill River, practicing yoga, and drinking every iced latte Philadelphia has to offer. She can be contacted at therese.murphy@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
Sarah Barnett - Education Co-Chair
Sarah Barnett is a 4th year MD student pursuing a career in plastic and reconstructive surgery. Originally from New York, she graduated from Dartmouth College with a BA in Neuroscience and Hispanic Studies. At Penn, she also serves as the co-president of the Plastic Surgery Interest Group, the Association of Women Surgeons, and the Penn Graduate Boxing Club. Her diverse research interests include pediatric craniofacial clinical outcomes, novel approaches and access to female genital cutting reconstruction, and the use of virtual surgical planning in facial feminization surgery. In her free time, Sarah enjoys boxing, rollerblading along the Schuylkill, and working on her paint-by-numbers in the park. She can be reached at sarah.barnett@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
Michaela Asher - Education Co-Chair
Michaela Asher is a 4th year medical student pursuing a career in cardiac surgery. She grew up in Phoenix Arizona and graduated from Arizona State University with degrees in biology and global health. After undergrad, she attended the University of Cambridge for her masters in the history and sociology of science and medicine. During medical school, Michaela has been involved with medical education through course reps and house council. She has also been involved with the center for surgical health as a lead PPN. Her research interests include cardiac transplantation and mechanical circulatory support, and in her free time, she enjoys road biking, running, and tennis. Michaela can be reached at michaela.asher@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
Chau Phung - Education Co-Chair
Chau Phung is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Pennsylvania with an interest in pursuing a career in Otolaryngology. Originally from Vietnam, she earned her BA in Neuroscience from the University of Texas at Austin. At Penn, she has served as Vice President of the ENT Interest Group and as a member of the executive board for the Association of Women Surgeons. Outside of medicine, she enjoys walking her dog, Noodle, and cooking Vietnamese cuisine. She can be reached at chau.phung@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
Sanjena Venkatesh - Mentorship Co-Chair
Sunny Venkatesh is a 4th year medical student applying into ENT. Originally from Houston, she graduated from Dartmouth with degrees in Economics and Quantitative Social Sciences. At Penn, she is involved with the ENT Interest Group, Medical Education Club, and Center for Surgical Health. She also completed a dedicated research year in rhinology, investigating olfactory outcomes in endoscopic skull base surgery. In her free time, Sunny enjoys running, playing tennis, and hunting for the best chai in town. She can be reached at sanjena.venkatesh@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
Kirin Naidu - Mentorship Co-Chair
Kirin Naidu is a fourth-year medical student currently taking a research year as a CHOP Craniofacial Research Fellow. Originally from Lancaster, PA, she earned a BSE in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and an MPhil in Bioscience Enterprise from the University of Cambridge, a program focused on the intersection of business and biotechnology. She hopes to combine these disciplines in her future practice through innovation in surgery. She serves as Mentorship Chair for the Plastic Surgery Interest Group and has served on the boards of the Penn Global Surgery Group and Penn Music and Medicine, through which she helped bring live music to patients as a form of therapeutic engagement. In her free time, she enjoys playing pickleball and spending time outdoors. Kirin can be reached at kirin.naidu@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
Justin Greisz - Mentorship Co-Chair
Justin Greisz is a 5th year MD/MSHP student pursuing a career in general surgery. Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Justin attended the University of Texas at Dallas where he earned a BS in Biology with a minor in History. At Penn he has been involved with the Student National Medical Association as treasurer, served as head editor for the UpLIFT medical school admissions guide, held several medical student governance positions, and has been involved in medical education including serving as a TA for Doctoring I and head TA for anatomy. He is currently completing a Master of Science in Health Policy Research and focusing on improving surgical access for oncologic patients. In his free time, Justin enjoys baking, exploring the city’s restaurants, and playing board games. He can be reached at justin.greisz@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
Keshav Shah - Research Co-Chair
Keshav Shah is a fourth-year medical student applying into ENT. Originally, from Tampa, he graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a BS in Molecular & Cellular Biology and a BA in Mathematics. At Penn, he serves as the co-President of the ENT Interest Group and Lead Block TA for Anatomy (Head and Neck), and he has served as the co-Director of the Penn Global Surgery Group, co-Chair of the Cornfeld Pediatric Society, and a Personal Patient Navigator for the Center for Surgical Health. Keshav’s research interests primarily lie in the intersection of global surgery and clinical outcomes research. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, watching football, karaoke, and playing chess. Keshav can be reached at keshav.shah@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
Mackenzie Castellanos - Research Co-Chair
Mackenzie Castellanos is a CDYO student from Indiana who is interested in Neurosurgery and is one of this year’s Research Committee Co-Chairs. She has also been on the board of the Penn Global Surgery Group, Langfitt Neurosurgical Society, Association of Women Surgeons, and the Women in Neurosurgery Medical Student Committee. She is currently pursuing a Masters in Translational Research, with her research project focused on developing 3D neural tissue models to advance brain repair strategies. In her free time, she enjoys running, playing soccer, and exploring new restaurants around Philly. Mackenzie can be reached at mackenzie.castellanos@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
Lancelot Herpin - Community Outreach Chair
Lancelot Herpin is a 5th year MD/MSTR student pursuing a career in otorhinolaryngology. Originally from New Jersey, he graduated from Cornell University with a BA in Biology and Chemistry. At Penn, he has served on the Penn Global Surgery Group and Penn ENT Interest Group leadership boards, served as co-president of the Penn Gold Humanism Honor Society, and worked as one of the ENT Lead Personal Patient Navigator for the Center for Surgical Health. He is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Translational Research, focusing on bitter taste receptors and their role in sinonasal inflammatory diseases such as chronic rhinosinusitis. In his free time, Lancelot enjoys cooking, baking, training Brazilian Jiujitsu, and going to live music events. Lancelot can be reached at lancelot.herpin@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.