Mentorship Committee
Allison is from Virginia and attended the University of Virginia where she majored in Environmental Science. She then completed a Master’s degree in Clinical Research Organization and Management at Drexel University. Before attending medical school, she worked as a Clinical Trial Manager overseeing all clinical operations for two global Phase I clinical trials. Allison began conducting research in congenital cardiac surgery at Children’s National Medical Center while in high school. She is interested in ECMO, improving cardiovascular health inequities, and expanding opportunities for students who do not have cardiothoracic surgery programs at their home academic institutions. When she’s not studying, Allison loves to spend time with her family and two dogs, trying local coffee shops, and knitting. She’s excited to continue to serve on the TSMA leadership council and champion successful mentorship initiatives!
Committee Chair
Allison Weiderhold
Committee Members
Alessandra Bassani
Victoria Hart
Hecong Qin
Amartya Dave
Alessandra is a current MS2 at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. She grew up in New Fairfield, CT, and went to UConn for undergrad as a member of the Honors Program. During her time at UConn, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cell Biology and a Bachelor of Arts in Italian Literary and Cultural Studies allowing her to pursue her interests in both the sciences and foreign languages. She decided to go directly to medical school following her undergraduate studies due to her desire to become a physician at a young age. Through her experiences in the human anatomy lab and shadowing in the OR, she fell in love with the intricacies of the heart. She founded the Cardiothoracic Surgery Interest Group at UConn SOM and is an aspiring cardiothoracic surgeon. Outside of her studies, she can be found cheering on UConn, especially as the 2x National Champs, spending time with her family and friends, playing soccer, and going on walks. She is excited to be a member of TSMA as a Mentorship Committee Member and looks forward to promoting cardiothoracic surgery to medical students nationwide!
Victoria was born and raised in central Texas and attended Tulane University in New Orleans where she majored in Neuroscience. She is currently a third year medical student at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. She is passionate about improving access to medical care for rural populations like her hometown. She is an aspiring cardiothoracic surgeon and is particularly interested in the management of congenital cardiac disease. Outside of school, she enjoys baking and spending time with family and friends. She looks forward to working on the mentorship committee to help medical students learn and grow their professional networks, especially first generation students like herself.
Hecong is a third-year medical student at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. An aspiring physician-scientist, he completed his Ph.D. in Bioengineering at UC Berkeley-UCSF. He is passionate about cardiothoracic surgery because of the technical complexity and dedication required to deliver excellent care for patients, as well as the opportunity for scientific innovations. He is excited to continue to serve on the mentorship committee to build the faculty/resident mentor network, promote peer mentorship among students, and make cardiothoracic surgery more accessible to all inspired trainees.
Amartya is originally from Aurora, IL, and attended the University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign where he earned his degree in bioengineering. Currently, Amartya is a second-year student at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine and is an aspiring cardiac surgeon. Amartya was recently named a 2023 AATS Summer Intern Scholar
through which he will continue his ongoing research in Dr. Elaine Tseng’s cardiac biomechanics lab on ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms. Guided by his engineering experience, Amartya is
also a part of UCSF Surgical Innovations through which he aims to support the development and
adoption of new technologies at his institution. Outside of school, you can find Amartya playing volleyball, trying new food, or sight-reading music on his viola. He is very excited and honored to be working with a group of talented peers to support TSMA’s mission to encourage and guide
students toward rewarding careers in cardiothoracic surgery.