Current Residents

Alexa Andre, MD

Medical School: University of Washington School of Medicine
Track: AP/CP
Bio / Interests:
I grew up in Wenatchee WA, lived in Rhode Island for a while, and am excited to be living in Seattle now! In my free time you can find me reading in my red arm chair (mostly fantasy, sometimes historical biographies), roughhousing with my dogs (Auri and Kal), or baking (bread/cinnamon rolls/cookies). I feel lucky to be at UW, training alongside my amazing co-residents.

Akeem Giles, MD

Medical School: University of Illinois College of Medicine
Track: AP/CP
Bio / Interests:
I watch a lot of TV to relax (House of Dragon, Bob's Burgers). Also love Korean BBQ, house music, and candle making.

Emily Helm, MD, PhD

Medical School: University of Florida College of Medicine
Track: CP-Only
Bio / Interests:
I was raised in Florida, moved to Pennsylvania for college, returned to Florida for my MD/PhD training, and am now excited to be in the PNW for residency. In my free time, I enjoy watching softball and exploring the outdoors with my dog, Haku.

Yvonne Lam, DO

Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
Track: AP/CP
Bio / Interests:
I love spending time with my friends and family! I enjoy running, shopping/thrifting, metal music, and trying out new food in Seattle with my partner.

Sophia Liang, MD, MS

Medical School: Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine
Track: AP/CP
Bio / Interests:

• Where I grew up: Logan, UT; Taipei, Taiwan; Fresno, CA
• Places I passed through on my way to residency: Providence, RI; San Francisco, CA; Seattle, WA; Pasadena, CA
• What I’m doing when not at work: swimming, biking, reading (especially science fiction), playing video games, making nail polish, cycling through special interests

Jennifer "Jen" Merk, MD

Medical School: University of Washington School of Medicine
Track: AP/NP
Bio / Interests:
I grew up in Iowa on a farm, lived in Minnesota, Georgia and for the last decade in Washington. I love crafting of all kinds, with my most recent obsession being embroidery. I love the outdoors and spend time with my husband blueberry picking, hiking and skiing. I dream someday of having a horse and will be my first purchase when I'm an attending. 😊

Stephne "Steph" Rasiah, MD

Medical School: University of Toledo College of Medicine
Track: AP/CP
Bio / Interests:
I have lived in four different countries but most strongly identify as a midwestern Ohio gal! In my free time, I like to read fantasy novels, play video games, and photograph/forage mushrooms. I have always wanted to move to the PNW and have been living my dreams of exploring Washington's wilderness with my husband.

Jasmine Wang, MD

Medical School: National Taiwan University College of Medicine
Track: AP-Only
Bio / Interests:
I graduated from medical school in Taiwan and completed my postdoctoral research in Los Angeles. I’m excited to join the UW Pathology family! In my free time, I enjoy stretching, dancing jazz and ballet, watching animal videos, and traveling.

Usman Baguda, MBBS

Medical School: Bayero University Faculty of Medicine
Track: AP-Only
Bio / Interests:
I enjoy watching football (soccer), playing tennis and traveling. I also like hiking and attending scientific conferences, which serve as a great avenue to meet new people.

Lin "Kim" Chung, MBBS

Medical School: King's College London GKT School of Medicine
Track: AP/NP
Bio / Interests:
I am a Sherlockian, cat lady (you'll find many of us are), new mum, and foodie. Originally born in Taiwan, I then spent some years in LA, London, and the Bay Area before moving to Seattle. Outside of medicine, I am a competitive fencer and enjoy picking up new sports. I love our resident cohort and the city - you can always find someone to try something new here!

Favorite activities in Seattle: Touring Lake Washington on a boat and oyster hunting in Bainbridge island.

Katharine Crawford, MD, PhD

Medical School: University of Washington School of Medicine
Track: CP-Only
Bio / Interests:
I've been in Seattle since 2015 and am so glad to be staying for residency. I'm interested in virology, informatics, and molecular microbiology and couldn't think of a better place to train than UW. Outside of science and medicine, I enjoy hiking, running, and playing ultimate frisbee.

Maria Nelson, MD, PhD

Medical School: University of Washington School of Medicine
Track: AP/CP
Bio / Interests:
I'm originally from central Illinois, took a brief (6 yr) detour to NYC, but have been living in Seattle for 10 years now! Outside of work, I enjoy hiking, listening to audio books while bike commuting, cross-stitching, watching dry British humor, and attempting to keep my plants alive.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to continue living in Seattle and working in the amazing UW Pathology department!

Gregory Olson, MD, PhD

Medical School: University of Washington School of Medicine
Track: AP/CP
Bio / Interests:
I grew up outside of Philadelphia and moved north to Providence and then to Boston before taking a hard left turn and coming to Seattle for the MSTP program in 2014. I love backpacking, ultimate frisbee, reading, and board games but most of my time these days is spent running around and playing with my two kids. I particularly enjoy exploring the various awesome parks around the city, the islands around the sound, and the mountains around the area.

Sasha Ortiz, MD

Medical School: University Central Del Caribe Escuela De Medicina
Track: AP/CP
Bio / Interests:
I was born and raised in Puerto Rico which makes me 100% Boricua! I appreciate a good true crime documentary any day, and can be found spending time with my 4 pets or listening to my records. Oh, and I just got into football, GO HUSKIES!

Olivia "Ollie" Vargas, MD, MPH

Medical School: Washington State University Elson S Floyd College of Medicine
Track: AP/CP
Bio / Interests:
I enjoy napping, eating cake, competing with myself on the Peloton bike, spoiling my cats and following animal weight loss journeys on social media. After a long day, I enjoy watching mindless reality TV or reading a good book.

I was born and raised in Seattle and feel fortunate to be part of the UW pathology residency and help serve the community that I grew up in.

Hannah Xavier, MD, MS

Medical School: St. George's University School of Medicine
Track: AP/CP
Bio / Interests:
I was born and raised in rural central California. Having moved to New York for my master's studies, then the Caribbean for medical school, and back to New York for clinicals, I am excited to return to the west coast! Outside of work, I enjoy backcountry backpacking, crocheting, collecting oddities/antiques, video games (as a completionist), and most importantly my pet cat, Piper.

Catherine Chen, MD

Medical School: Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine
Track: AP/CP
Bio / Interests:
Crafting: I enjoy making wire-wrapped jewelry and paper crafts.
Pen-paling: I like to surprise friends with handwritten letters and small personalized gifts.
Thrift shopping: I enjoy walking from store to store hunting for vintage clothing. I often draw design inspiration from items that I find.

Lucy Evans, MD, PhD

Medical School: University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine (MD, PhD)
Track: AP/NP
Bio/Interests:
I am an extreme puzzler. My most recent was an entirely white 1000 piece puzzle. I have a 20 year tradition of stress baking during deadlines. My staple is a sugar cookie that is loved for taste, but also the extensive decoration. Most favored are the lobster, mermaid, dinosaur, giraffe, & sheriff. I am an oddity & bone collector with a collection of vintage medical supplies, text books, art, & specimens, such as coyote teeth, insect wings, medical illustrations, & knitted rendition of a mouse necropsy

Alex “Aleks” Penev, MD, PhD

Medical School: New York University Grossman School of Medicine (MD, PhD)
Track: AP/NP
Bio/Interests:

In my spare time I enjoy running, cooking, playing with my dog and snowboarding.

Suhhyun “Sarah” Kim, DO, PhD

Medical School: University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth - Texas COM (DO, PhD)
Track: AP/CP
Bio/Interests:

Having spent my younger years in Vancouver, I am so happy to be back in the PNW! I spend the majority of my free time with my rescue dog, Maya. We love going on extra-long walks and sitting in the park to watch the sunset. I also enjoy cooking a variety of Korean cuisine and making yogurt during the weekends.

Tara Krishnan, MD

Medical School: University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine
Track: AP/CP
Bio/Interests:
I was born and raised in Illinois and ended up in Kansas City for medical school. Moving to Seattle and meeting the people here have been so much fun. I dabble in a variety of hobbies including, but not limited to: Exploring: coffeeshops, public transport, dynamic food, sunny breweries, exquisite culture, live music, art festivals, hiking, biking, long walks around Green Lake, and anything else I can squeeze out of the Pacific Northwest as a Midwest transplant. Cooking: preserved lemons, rhubarb jam, candied tomatoes, fresh yogurt, windowsill-grown basil, baked cookies/cake/pie/muffins/bread, wintery soups in the summer & herby salads in the winter... the list is endless!

Maria “Paz” Gray, MD

Medical School: Universidad del Azuay Facultad de Medicina, Ecuador
Track: AP/CP
Bio/Interests:
I like playing any type of sport, even the ones I’m not good at! I like singing with my brother in open mics - specially Shakira’s music. I enjoy watching crime documentaries and How I Met You Mother. I love my mom’s chumales, bread, chocolate, melon, watermelon, and Chick-fil-A ! Family always comes first. SPREAD LOVE! Proud cuencana!

Carol Rizkalla, M.B.B.Ch.B

Medical School: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland School of Medicine, Ireland
Track: AP/CP
Bio/Interests:
Hello! I was born in Egypt and immigrated to Calgary, Canada when I was 7 years old- after high school, I decided to pursue medicine in Dublin, Ireland- 6 years later, here I am in Seattle! I am super excited to be starting my pathology residency; I truly think we are medicine's best-kept secret! Everyone here in Seattle thrives off the outdoors (hiking, biking, and climbing are all really big here); on top of those, I love exploring the different neighborhoods within the city; they each have a unique style and flare- the food scene is also endless.

Kenneth Chen, DO, PhD

Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Track: AP/CP
Bio / Interests:

Jamie Garrett, MD

Medical School:  University of Washington School of Medicine
Track: AP/CP
Bio / Interests:

I enjoy crafting, such as painting and quilting. I used to swim competitively and continue to swim recreationally. I love to watch movies and spend time at home. Recently I have gotten into horticulture and indoor plants.

Ariana Pape, MD

Medical School:  Eastern Virginia Medical School
Track: AP/CP
Bio / Interests:

Reading fantasy novels, mythology, knitting/quilting, taekwondo, video games/board games

Leonid Yermakov, MD, PhD

Medical School:  Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine (MD, PhD)
Track: AP/CP
Bio / Interests:

Board games (Catan, Ticket to Ride), reading (fantasy and classic Russian novels), hiking and exploring national parks, scuba diving.

Matthew Hogan, MD

Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Track: AP/CP 
Bio / Interests: 

• Outdoor wilderness activities (hiking, kayaking, camping, rock climbing, bird watching, tidepooling)
• Music (piano, guitar, drums, kalimba, Native American flute)
• Salsa/swing dancing
• Learning foreign languages
• Experimenting with recipes from world cuisines