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

Projects & Proposals
Committee

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Allen Kuncheria

Allen grew up in Chicago and attended Rice University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience and Cell Biology/Genetics under the BA/MD program in conjunction with Baylor College of Medicine. Currently, he is a fourth year medical student at Baylor. As an aspiring academic thoracic surgeon, he is interested in pursuing research related to thoracic oncology, lung transplant, and minimally invasive surgery. Outside of academics, he can be found bouldering at a climbing gym or hiking through national parks. He has been involved with the TSMA Projects/Proposals Committee for two years and is now excited to serve as a Co-Chair, where he looks forward to collaborating with fellow committee members and building meaningful partnerships beyond the organization.

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Thanh Vu

Thanh Phan Dat Vu is a 4th-year medical student at the American University of the Caribbean with a passion for cardiothoracic surgery and the aspiration to become a cardiac surgeon for his family. Born in Vietnam and raised in Massachusetts as a first-generation college and medical student, he co-founded the Cardiothoracic Interest Group at AUC, served as President of the Honor & Service Society, and distinguished himself as a teaching assistant, research presenter, and student leader. His commitment to service extends beyond the classroom, encompassing community health initiatives such as teaching undocumented children in the outskirts of Guayaquil, Ecuador, and participating in health screening projects in Sint Maarten, where he witnessed firsthand the life-changing impact of cardiac surgery in a 36-year-old ex–Tetralogy of Fallot patient now living a full life with two children.

A traveler to over 60 countries, avid chess and strategy game player, and multilingual learner, Thanh approaches every challenge with precision, adaptability, and a global perspective, and is honored to join TSMA’s Projects & Proposals Committee with the same dedication and teamwork he values in the operating room.

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Ahmad Tabatabaeishoorijeh

Ahmad Tabatabaeishoorijeh is a fourth-year medical student in the MD and Master of

Engineering program at Texas A&M School of Engineering Medicine. Trained in civil

engineering at UT Austin with high honors, he brings a systems mindset to cardiothoracic surgery. His research focuses on aortic disease and outcomes after TEVAR and valve interventions, with presentations at national meetings and publications in cardiothoracic and vascular surgery venues. He founded his institution’s Cardiothoracic Surgery Interest Group and helped establish third and fourth year cardiac surgery rotations while mentoring junior students. As a Projects and Proposals Committee Member, his interests include complex aortic surgery, outcomes research, surgical education, and device innovation.

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Riya Bhasin

Riya Bhasin is a second-year medical student at Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Joplin, Missouri. Originally from the Chicagoland area, she earned her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. During her undergraduate years, she completed an Anatomy Fellowship, where she developed a strong interest in cardiac anatomy and the surgical management of cardiovascular disease, particularly coronary artery disease.

Her passion for cardiothoracic surgery has continued to grow through her involvement in research focused on early and midterm outcomes in patients undergoing robotic cardiac surgery. Riya is inspired by the innovative, minimally invasive techniques that many cardiothoracic surgeons employ and aspires to become a skilled surgeon who advances patient care through such approaches.

At her medical school, Riya currently serves as the president of her campus chapter of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons – Medical Student Section (ACOS-MSS), and is an active member of the ACOS-MSS National Research Committee. Through these roles, she is committed to empowering medical students to pursue surgical careers through meaningful and creative learning opportunities.

Outside of academics, Riya enjoys exploring local coffee shops, running, practicing yoga, and traveling. She is excited to serve on TSMA’s Projects & Proposals Committee and looks forward to helping expand opportunities for student engagement and growth.

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Harrison Dean

Harrison, originally from Northwest Arkansas, is a third-year medical student at NYITCOM at Arkansas State who graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Biomedical Engineering. He recently completed a dedicated research year as an Academic Scholar with a concentration in Anatomy, where he led cadaveric dissections and mentored fellow medical students in anatomical sciences and academic development. In his free time, he enjoys the natural beauty of his home state, local coffee roasters, and playing pickleball, ping pong, and golf. With a long-standing interest in cardiovascular medicine and surgery, Harrison’s research spans biomedical engineering, anatomical imaging, cell and tissue culture, systematic reviews, and computational modeling. He has led research in congenital heart screening, cardiovascular education, and anatomical imaging using SPICE-CT and DICE-CT. His surgical interests focus on burnout in training, trauma survivability, and cardiothoracic surgery, including follow-up imaging barriers after aortic dissections. Through his leadership roles with the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons Medical Student Section (ACOS-MSS) and the Osteopathic Research Initiative for Growth and INnovation in Surgery (ORIGINS), Harrison is especially passionate about expanding access to research and mentorship opportunities for students at smaller institutions who may have limited resources. He remains committed to integrating engineering, education, and surgical advancement to promote medical innovation and mentorship, and he is excited to join the TSMA Projects and Proposals Committee to help create opportunities that support students interested in cardiothoracic surgery.

Ahmet Bilgili

Ahmet, a Jacksonville Beach native, is a Biomedical Engineering graduate of the University of Florida. Currently, he is a third-year medical student at the University of Florida College of Medicine, working toward becoming an academic cardiac surgeon. In addition to his dedication to medicine and research, he derives fulfillment from his love for fitness, regularly engaging in weight training and competing in ultra-endurance events. Ahmet is honored to contribute to TSMA's continued growth and success as the Projects and Proposals Co-Chair.