Fellows
Current Fellows
Class of 2028
Ako Adams Ako, MBBS, MPH
Hometown: Makurdi, Nigeria
Medical School: Ahmadu Bello University Faculty of Medicine, Zaria
Residency Program: Children’s Hospital at Montefiore
Interests: Exploring risk factors and outcomes of pulmonary and cardiac diseases of prematurity
Caitlyn Arno, MD
Hometown: Louisville KY, Bourbonnais IL
Medical School: University of Kentucky, COM
Residency Program: University of Virginia
Interests: Neurodevelopmental outcomes, Advocacy, Health equity, Postpartum mental health of caregivers in the NICU
Rima Aljundi, MD, MPH, IBCLC
Hometown: Amman Jordan, Boston MA, Clarkston MI
Medical School: University of Jordan
Residency Program: Children’s Hospital of Michigan
Interests: Neurodevelopmental outcomes, human milk nutrition, breastfeeding, medical education and health disparities
Laila Khalid, MBBS
Hometown: Lahore Pakistan and Toronto ON
Medical School: CMH Lahore Medical College & Institute of Dentistry, Pakistan
Residency Program: Nassau University Medical Center
Interests: Neonatal Pulse oximetry warning system (POWS), Neuro-Critical Care, Neonatal Resuscitation
Class of 2027
Kristin A. Lambert, MD, PhD
Hometown: Bethlehem, PA
Medical School: Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine
Residency: Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
Research Interests: Maternal-fetal interface immunology, neonatal opioid exposure and effects on the immune system, breast milk nutrition
Shreya Patel, DO
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Memorial Health University Medical Center/Mercer SOM Pediatric Residency Program, Savannah, GA
Research Interests: Neonatal renal development and hypertension, nutrition and growth, palliative care, and neonatal outcomes
Kayla M. Renner, DO
Hometown: Erie, PA
Medical School: West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Akron Children’s Hospital (NEOMED), Ohio
Research Interests: Breast milk nutrition and fortification strategies, neonatal outcomes, resuscitation, and medical education
Diana Vasilakos, DO
Hometown: Long Island, NY
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Akron Children’s Hospital (NEOMED), Ohio
Research Interests: Gestational Diabetes outcomes, Neonatal Follow-up, Quality Improvement
Class of 2026
Faysal Akbik, MD
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Medical School: Medical College of Georgia at Augusta
Residency: Eastern Virginia Medical School, Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, Norfolk, VA
Research Interests: Neuro-NICU, HIE and cerebral inflammation
Tynisha Koenigsaecker, MD
Hometown: Redding, CA
Medical School: University of California Davis SOM
Residency: University of California Davis Health
Research Interests: Neurodevelopmental outcomes and NICU follow-up
Ricardo Vega Auz, MD
Hometown: Quito, Ecuador
Medical School: Universidad San Francisco de Quito
Residency: Nicklaus Children's Hospital
Research Interests: Respiratory morbidity including BPD, management and outcomes of genetic disorders, healthcare access during COVID pandemic