Leadership Team | Thoracic Surgery Medical Students Association

Our Executive Board

Gianna D'Afflisio

Gianna grew up in Ocean County, NJ and attended Eastern University where she majored in Biochemistry and minored in Astronomy with a concentration in Philosophy & Ethics. She then spent a year at NYU working in clinical research for Alzheimer’s Disease, which sparked her passion for person-centered care. After finishing her third year of medical school at Pennsylvania State University, she is now spending two years at Boston Children’s Hospital as a Sarnoff Cardiovascular Research Fellow, investigating innovations in heart transplantation for congenital heart disease. She is an aspiring cardiac surgeon who has been blessed with wonderful mentors. Working together with the incredible TSMA team, she hopes to increase access to this kind of mentorship and other integral resources for all students, especially those without home programs. Outside of school, she enjoys playing/coaching basketball, belting musical soundtracks, and experimenting with different shapes of homemade pasta.

Adham Ahmed

Adham was born in Alexandria, Egypt and moved to New York City when he was three years old. As part of the Sophie Davis combined B.S. MD program, he earned his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biomedical Sciences at the City College of New York. Currently, he is a rising second year student at the CUNY School of Medicine. Adham aspires to practice in an academic institution, where he can balance both clinical responsibilities, while also engaging in outcomes-based research in the adult cardiac field. His research interests currently include meta-analytical projects assessing the efficacy of cardiac interventions in high-risk populations. When he is not in school, Adham enjoys boxing training and finding new ways to brew a good cup of coffee. He is humbled and excited to serve as the TSMA Vice President this year and hopes to contribute to more incredible events!

Nina Uzoigwe

Nina Uzoigwe was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY and is a 4th year MD/PhD student within the NIH Medical Scientist Training Program at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. She graduated from Harvard University as a John Harvard Scholar and concentrated in Bioengineering with a Secondary in Global Health and Health Policy. Her senior thesis, which won the Thomas T. Hoopes Prize (an award which recognizes outstanding scholarly work or research by students selected by a committee of faculty from Harvard University’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences) examined pulmonary valve replacement in neonates with congenital heart defects at Boston Children’s Hospital. Now, as a MD/PhD candidate, she is investigating cardio-immunology and is extremely passionate about cardiothoracic surgery, global health equity, and improving health systems. She aims to use her education and training as a surgeon-scientist to expand research, clinical, and social sectors to address the burden of cardiovascular disease, especially in marginalized communities. Outside of school, she could be found leading a URiM physician scientist outreach program named RISE UP for high school students in NYC as well as dancing, weightlifting, and spending time with family and friends. With such an inspiring team, she is honored and thrilled to serve on TSMA’s Executive Council as the Executive Board Secretary and play a crucial part in uplifting the next generation of CT surgeons.

Sami Xu

Sami is from Naperville, IL and attended Case Western Reserve University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. Currently, she is a rising MS3 at Case spending her second research year at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center as a Stanley J. Sarnoff Cardiovascular Research Fellow investigating aortic disease research. She is an aspiring surgeon-scientist and is passionate about working at the intersection of public health and medicine. Outside of school she enjoys garden-to-table cooking, hiking, and writing poems. In her second year on TSMA’s leadership team, she is excited to work with the new board to further TSMA’s mission. She is grateful to have worked with such an inspiring founding team and thanks to the Advisory Board for their constant support of TSMA!

Past Presidents

2023-2024 John Treffalls, MD

2022-2023 Lena Trager, MD (Co-Founder)

2020-2022 EdgarAranda-Michel, PhD (Co-Founder)