Class of 2029
PGY-1
Paul Nagao, MD
Born in DC, Paul spent part of his childhood in Japan before growing up in the U.S. He earned his MA (Honors) in International Relations from the University of St. Andrews, including a year abroad at the University of Hong Kong. He completed a post-baccalaureate program in premedical studies at Columbia University and worked at the Charlottesville Free Clinic before attending GW SMHS. At GW, he developed a strong interest in pathology, especially in genitourinary pathology and microbiology. His passion for the field was shaped by the mentorship and support of the GW pathology faculty, and he is excited by the field’s ongoing transformation through technology. Outside of work, Paul enjoys gardening, cooking, beekeeping, rowing, and spending time with his wife and their two young sons.
PGY-1
Mahrukh Mumtaz, MD
Mahrukh was born and raised in Pakistan. She attended King Edward Medical University in Lahore, Pakistan where she received her medical degree. After graduation, she worked as a Medical Officer in Pathology at the Aga Khan University, Pakistan. She later moved to the United States to pursue residency training in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology (AP/CP) at The George Washington University. Her academic interests include surgical pathology and hematopathology. In her spare time, Mahrukh enjoys spending time outdoors, writing and travelling.
PGY-1
Elshaimaa Abdelrahman, MD
Elshaimaa Adbelrahman, MD was born and raised in Egypt, where she earned her medical degree. She later relocated to the United States to continue her career in pathology, gaining experience in flow cytometry analysis and hematopathology. Before joining George Washington University, she worked at Rutgers University’s Cancer Institute of New Jersey as a pathologist assistant, where she contributed to research projects and tumor banking. She also spent time at Moffitt Cancer Center in Florida, gaining hands-on experience in surgical pathology and further contributing to research initiatives. Outside of pathology, Elshaimaa enjoys hiking and watching documentary films.
PGY-1
Saba Akram, MBBS, FCPS
Saba was born and raised in Pakistan. She earned her MBBS degree from Quaid-e-Azam Medical College and completed a five-year residency in Anatomic Pathology (FCPS) at Aga Khan University Hospital. She joined the residency program at The George Washington University to continue her training in anatomic and clinical pathology. Her academic interests include breast, gynecologic, and soft tissue pathology, as well as medical education. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, practicing meditation, and going on long walks.
Class of 2028
PGY-2
Sujitha Chougani, MD
Sujitha was born and raised in India. She obtained her doctoral degree from the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences in Kadapa, India, and finished her pathology residency at Osmania Medical College in India. Following this, she practiced pathology in India and Saudi Arabia for a few years. She is currently enrolled in the anatomic and clinical pathology residency program at The George Washington University, with aspirations to specialize in hematopathology and surgical pathology. During her free time, she enjoys watching comedy shows, cooking, dancing, and hanging out with her loved ones.
PGY-2
Narine Muselimyan LeFevre, MD
Narine Muselimyan LeFevre was born in the USSR/Georgia and raised in Russia. She earned her medical degree from Samara State Medical University. Later she pursued a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare at GWU School of Business and Administration. She worked as research scientist at The George Washington University focused on cardiac tissue engineering. Additionally, she contributed gastrointestinal cancer research focused on spatial transcriptomics. Her contributions to medical research have resulted in several published research articles in peer-reviewed journals. Her academic interests include cytopathology and molecular pathology. In his spare time, Narine enjoys cooking, spending time with family, traveling, gardening, playing golf. Narine is pursuing AP/CP.
PGY-2
Xingbang Zheng, MD
Xingbang Zheng was born and raised in Hefei, China. He attended the Peking University Health Science Center, where he received his doctorate degree. He then worked as an OB/GYN physician in China, primarily focusing on female infertility and reproductive surgery. His clinical research concentrated on subtle distal fallopian tube abnormalities and their relationship with endometriosis and infertility. In his free time, Xingbang enjoys swimming, visiting museums, and spending time with his family. Xingbang is currently pursuing AP/CP training.
PGY-2
Christopher Yin, MD
Christopher Yin was born and raised in Elmhurst, Queens, NY. He attended Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine in Miami, FL where he earned his MD degree. During his medical education, he was involved in public health research, specifically overall survival in glioblastoma patients in Whites, Blacks, and Asian Pacific Islanders. He is currently interested in gastrointestinal pathology but is keeping his mind open. During his free time, Christopher enjoys coin collecting, creating artwork using 3D modeling software, investing in precious metals and stocks, learning how to play tennis, and going on nature walks. He is currently pursuing AP/CP training.
PGY-2
Natalia Zamalloa Masias, MD
Natalia was born in Washington D.C. and raised in Lima, Peru. She attended Universidad San Martin de Porres where she received her doctorate degree. She worked as a physician in a clinical trial for a COVID-19 vaccine in Lima, Peru. She then relocated to the United States to work as a post doctorate fellow at University of Florida where she gained experience in the surgical pathology Gross Room. Her academic interests are Gastrointestinal pathology and Bone and Soft tissue pathology. In her spare time Natalia likes going to a good restaurant, watching movies, hiking and spending time with her husband, Francisco and their two cats.
Class of 2027
PGY-3
Maher Ali, MD
Maher was born in and raised in Amman, Jordan. He attended Jordan University of Science and Technology, where he received his doctorate degree. After graduation, he completed two years of anatomic pathology residency at King Hussein Cancer Center in Jordan. He then relocated to the United States to start his combined anatomic and clinical pathology (AP/CP) training at The George Washington University. His academic interests include gastrointestinal and breast pathology. Outside of the hospital, he enjoys cooking, hiking, exploring new restaurants, and spending quality time with his family and friends.
PGY-3
Siham Hattab, MD
Siham was born and raised in Tissemsilt, Algeria. She attended the Algiers Faculty of Medicine - Benyoucef Benkhedda, where she earned her doctorate degree. She the relocated to the United States to pursue a Ph.D. in Microbiology at the University of Maine. After graduation, she began her training in anatomic and clinical pathology (AP/CP) at The George Washington University. Her academic interests include microbiology and molecular pathology. Beyond her professional pursuits, she enjoys caring for her plants, going on long walks, and spending time with friends and family.
Class of 2026
PGY-4
Abdelrahman Dabash, MD
Abdelrahman was born in Dakahliya, Egypt and raised in Al-Khobar, KSA. He attended the Faculty of Medicine at Cairo University where he received his doctorate degree. He worked as an NGS analyst for 2 years prior to coming to GWU. His academic interests include Gastrointestinal pathology, hematopathology, and molecular pathology. In his spare time, Abdelrahman enjoys playing soccer, swimming, outdoor activities, and writing Arabic calligraphy. Abdelrahman is pursuing AP/CP training.
PGY-4
Maryam Mehdipour Dalivand, MD
Maryam was born and raised in Rasht, Iran. She attended Guilan University of Medical Sciences where she received her doctorate degree. She participated in research for several years in different institutions. In her spare time, Maryam enjoys cooking, outdoor activities, yoga and spending time with family and friends. Maryam is pursuing AP/CP training.
PGY-4
Hayk Simonyan, MD
Hayk Simonyan was born and raised in Yerevan, Armenia. He attended Yerevan State Medical University after Mkhitar Heratsi where he received his doctorate degree. He did his research at The George Washington University. His studies were focused on transcription factor activation in the SFO-PVN axis that leads to cardio-metabolic changes mediated by obesity, oxidative stress, and angiotensin-II. One of his other projects included collaboration with the National Cancer Institute, working on alternative treatment for glioblastoma multiforme. His academic interests include surgical pathology and informatics. In his spare time, Hayk enjoys spending time with family, playing soccer, tennis, and skiing. Hayk is pursuing AP/CP training.
PGY-4
Katelyn Swanson, DO
Kate Swanson was born in Erie, PA and raised in Ramsey, IN. She was certified as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist during undergraduate studies in Indianapolis, IN. She attended Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine at Seton Hill where she received her doctorate degree. She completed a Transitional Year Internship at Walter Reed Military Medical Center, followed by 2 years as a General Medical Officer in the US Navy. Her academic interests are still broad. In her spare time, Kate enjoys hanging out with her husband Ben, gardening, hiking, baking, kayaking/canoeing, and being a Mom to her 2.5 year old son, Teddy. Kate is pursuing AP/CP training.