Medical Student Leadership
4 Executive Board Members
9 Committee Chairs
26 Committee Members

Education Committee

Andrew Morse

Andrew is originally from northern Iowa and attended the University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where he majored in chemistry and materials science. Currently, he is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Texas Houston McGovern Medical School. His research activities during medical school have included the development of an open-hybrid technique for stenting recurrent coarctation of the aorta in patients with complex single ventricles and the assessment of perioperative ECMO outcomes in pediatric and congenital heart patients. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and foster dogs exploring the Houston area’s restaurants and hiking trails. As Co-Chair of the Education Committee, Andrew can’t wait to work with his amazing and talented colleagues to help share the excitement of cardiothoracic surgery.

Cameran Jones

Cameran Jones is a third-year medical student at the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Medicine with leadership roles in Student Organ Donation Advocates (SODA) and the Thoracic Surgery Interest Group. Formerly a clinical research coordinator in cardiology at Washington University School of Medicine, she developed a strong interest in research and medical education that has guided her academic path. She has been a TL1 Clinical Research Scholar in cardiothoracic surgery at Washington University, focusing on aortic and valvular clinical outcomes, and has contributed to pediatric cardiothoracic research on dilated cardiomyopathy, mechanical support, and transplantation, including the development of surgical education videos. Outside of medicine, she is active with Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) and the RMHC Young Professionals Group, and enjoys spending time with her German Shepherd, Brecker, exploring Kansas City’s food scene, and creating recipes for a future cookbook.

Clayton Agler

Clayton Agler is a current 4th year medical student at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. He completed his undergraduate education at Lawrence University in Appleton, WI where he was a biochemistry major and competed on the baseball team as a student-athlete. Clayton grew up in rural Ohio where he was an EMT prior to entering medical school.

Clayton has an interest in adult cardiothoracic surgery, and he is excited to serve on the education committee to help educate and enable the next generation of cardiothoracic surgeons to succeed.

Megan Clemens

Megan is a third-year medical student at Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, the easternmost city in North America. She completed a BSc in Biology and Psychology and an MSc in Health Studies at Queen’s University, where her research focused on active transportation and its role in daily physical activity. Her interests have since evolved to include the role of lifestyle interventions in secondary prevention of cardiac disease.

Megan is pursuing a career in cardiac surgery and is the founder of her school’s Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Surgery Interest Group. She is also a teaching assistant in the anatomy labs and contributes to research in medical education and knowledge translation. Outside of medicine, she enjoys hiking the East Coast Trail, fostering SPCA kittens, and advocating for pedestrian infrastructure in St. John’s. She is excited to contribute to the TMSA Education Committee this year.

Matthan Tharakan

I am a second-year medical student at the University of Oklahoma, originally from India and raised in Oklahoma. I currently serve in a senior executive role for our surgical subspecialty interest group, where I help lead efforts to expand mentorship, clinical exposure, and professional development for

students interested in surgery. I’ve had the opportunity to attend the AATS Annual Meeting and am currently involved in congenital cardiac surgery research.

Before medical school, I was a Division I tennis player and worked across a range of healthcare settings. I’m particularly drawn to the complexity of cardiac surgery and the collaborative care it demands, as well as the opportunity it offers to improve lives through innovation and long-term patient relationships. I’m excited to continue growing within the surgical community and to support my peers as we pursue this path together.

Emmanuel Odekunle

Emmanuel was born in Nigeria and has called New Jersey home for over a decade. He is currently completing a Sarnoff Cardiovascular Research Fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he is conducting clinical and translational research. His work focuses on surgical outcomes and innovative approaches to heart preservation, transplantation, and mechanical circulatory support. With a strong interest in cardiothoracic surgery, Emmanuel is passionate about expanding access to research and mentorship opportunities for students, especially those without home programs. Outside of medicine, Emmanuel is a former collegiate dance team captain, an advocate for creative expression, and is always on the hunt for the next great playlist. He is excited to work alongside the rest of the TSMA leadership to continue building an inclusive and inspiring community for students interested in cardiothoracic surgery.