We are proud to welcome the following physicians to our WashU Nephrology Fellowship Program, 2024-2026.
Maheen Khan, MBBS
“Nephrology embodies everything that drew me to medicine: the complex physiology that makes me wear my Sherlock Holmes hat, the opportunity to work in global health for kidney diseases, the disparities in kidney health awaiting to be addressed, the adrenal rush of the critical aspect of renal pathology, the holistic medicine you can practice as a nephrologist and the conversations regarding quality of life with kidney disease. It employs my traits of being attentive to details, enjoying complex problem-solving and numbers, it reckons me to think outside the box and at the end of the day, everything comes back to physiology – my favorite part of medicine.”
Maheen Khan earned her medical degree from Dow Medical College, Pakistan (2019). She was a house officer at Dr. Ruth K Pfau Civil Hospital, Pakistan’s busiest tertiary care public hospital, before going on to complete her internal medicine residency, at Louisiana State University in Shreveport, LA, where she graduated as Chief Resident.
Early in her medical studies, Maheen was part of a four-member volunteer team that traveled to the desert ranges in Pakistan (called Tharparkar) to teach locals about “first response.” The team taught farmers, local shopkeepers, women of the village, and school children how to manage medical issues such as snake bites, heat stroke, burns, and bystander CPR.
“The experience taught me the fulfillment that comes with community outreach and the responsibility we have towards our communities,” says Maheen, “It exposed me to harsh disparities in healthcare. To this day, it is a reminder of my resolve to work for global health and advocate for healthcare equity worldwide.”
Working in a minimally resourced system with a drastic patient burden drove her to work harder for her patients and forced her to be innovative in the face of hurdles in their care. “It instilled in me a work ethic that I am proud of. This was where I first believed in the difference I could make.”
As a resident at LSU, Maheen was yet again working at a hospital where she saw patients from diverse backgrounds and it strengthened her resolve to be her patients’ strongest advocate. “I learned that patient advocacy doesn’t only have to be in policymaking forums or courtrooms; sometimes the biggest effect our words have is at the bedside. The thing about using your voice is that it is like a muscle – the more you use it, the stronger your inner confidence becomes.”
Her experiences as a physician in Pakistan and Louisiana, and her experiences in leadership as Chief Resident have been instrumental in forming her future plans. She hopes to work in global health and looks forward to being a clinician educator.
In her downtime, Maheen enjoys reading fiction, spending time with her family and traveling.
Yazan Abed Abdelhameed Kharabsheh, MD
“Throughout my clinical rotations, I’ve encountered individuals grappling with chronic kidney conditions that significantly impacted their quality of life. Witnessing their struggles and working alongside dedicated nephrologists inspired me to provide comprehensive care that extends beyond medical management.”
Yazan Kharabsheh earned his medical degree from the University of Jordan Faculty of Medicine, Jordan, and completed his residency in internal medicine at Thomas Hospital Infirmary Health in Fairhope, Alabama.
Between 2015-2021, Yazan volunteered at Operation Smile, an international non-profit charity dedicated to helping children who suffer from congenital anomalies like cleft lips, cleft palates, and patients suffering from burns.
Since early in his medical training, Yazan has had a keen interest in clinical research. He emphasizes that he is eager to continue conducting research during his fellowship and exploring new diagnostic techniques, treatment modalities, and breakthroughs in managing kidney disorders.
Yazan believes that one of the most rewarding aspects of nephrology is developing long-term relationships with patients. He aims to establish an “empathetic and supportive relationship” with his patients, ensuring that they feel heard, understood, and actively engaged in their treatment decisions.
In his downtime, Yazan enjoys traveling, biking, and hiking.
William “Liam” Patrick Martin, MBChB, PhD
“While a research assistant at the Regenerative Medicine Institute, NUI Galway, I worked in several clinically-oriented, nephrology projects. This role crystallised the clinical problem that is diabetic kidney disease for me: a progressive disease despite optimal therapy. From this emerged my career ambition to develop new therapies that improve outcomes for people with diabetic kidney disease, which has informed my training to date.”
After earning his medical degree from the NUI Galway School of Medicine in Ireland, Liam Martin pursued an MS degree in preventive cardiology from NUI Galway and a PhD from University College Dublin. As part of his basic specialist training in internal medicine, administered by the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, he spent six months working as a resident in internal medicine at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
Liam has a strong background in research and has already built an impressive track record of peer-reviewed basic and applied research. He has published 31 peer-reviewed articles, including 18 original research (nine as first author), and six review articles (four as first author).
His academic potential and achievements have been recognized by multiple honors and awards, including a highly prestigious Irish Clinical Academic Training (ICAT) Program fellowship. The award funded integrated training in clinical medicine and academia through a nephrology/internal medicine fellowship and a PhD conducted at University College Dublin (completed in 2022). “During my PhD, I explored mechanisms of renoprotection conferred by intentional weight loss in preclinical models of diabetic kidney disease. Overall, this body of work supports a growing interest in intentional weight loss as a treatment strategy for type 2 diabetic kidney disease.”
In addition, during his time at the Mayo Clinic, Liam conducted a research elective at the Mayo Clinic Robert M. and Billie Kelley Pirnie Translational Polycystic Kidney Disease Center. The elective led to the publication of the first case series describing and identifying risk factors for bacterial cholangitis episodes arising in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney and liver disease (read the article here).
As for Liam’s future plans, “After completing a clinical nephrology fellowship, I intend to transition to a senior postdoctoral research fellowship or junior faculty position in the US and ultimately lead a research program with the aim of leveraging insights from multi-dimensional data sources to reduce the burden of kidney disease arising consequent to the obesity and diabetes pandemics through a precision medicine approach.”
In his downtime, Liam enjoys: spending time with his wife and two young sons; watching and playing sports – first and foremost Gaelic games (football and hurling), but also soccer, tennis, and golf; and football and history podcasts. Music interests include pop, folk, indie, rock, and sporadically enjoys live music as time allows.
Ramayee S. Nadarajan, MBBS
“Load. Snap. Click. Connect. Dialyze. Repeat. As a child, I remember seeing my grandfather do this every night. He suffered from end-stage kidney disease which unfortunately led to his death; however, he was able to spend time with loved ones on peritoneal dialysis during his last few years of life. At the time I had no idea what he was doing because I was so young and just called the machine his ‘buttons and tubes.’ He drove my passion for medicine when he took me to his VA clinic every day and let me sit at his desk. He used to tell me, ‘Patients tell you stories and help redefine your world, even when you thought you knew everything in it. You get to tell them answers and share their ups and downs.’ This thought of a patient-centered approach towards becoming a diagnostician is what led me to pursue training in internal medicine.”
Ramayee Nadarajan earned her medical degree from Amrita School of Medicine, India, and completed her internal medicine residency, at the University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL.
On her nephrology service during her residency, Ramayee worked with a diverse range of patients including those who were privileged and educated and those who were underserved and often overlooked. “I learned from all of them,” she says. “The most important lesson they taught me was to shift my thought process from how to why. I started asking why things happen to my patients and realized that the answer often lay in a deeper mechanism. Nephrology encompasses the entire clinical spectrum with an emphasis on the mechanism of disease and a deeper understanding of the underlying pathophysiological processes.”
Ramayee was the lead researcher on a project to determine if the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) should be retained as the preferred instrument for assessing suicidal ideation and behavior and if its use results in the overuse of critical hospital resources.
In addition, she was a research assistant and multimedia leader for a Paracentesis Quality Improvement Project, for which she planned and implemented procedures that focused on improving large-volume paracentesis performed at USA University Hospital. Metrics measured and improved upon included cost, time spent, and patient satisfaction; a 96% reduction in cost and an 80% improvement in time associated with large-volume paracentesis were achieved.
Ramayee has been highly praised by her colleagues for her exceptional skills as an educator and mentor, both to her peers and students.
In her downtime, Ramayee enjoys spending time with family/friends, playing/going on walks with my dog, Obie, and trying new restaurants.
Nicole Shammas, MD
“During my research month in residency, I spent time in a combined rheumatology/nephrology lupus clinic which first spurred my interest in renal. I found the pathophysiology and management of lupus nephritis to be both fascinating and rewarding given a large portion of patients were Hispanic women, and I’m half Cuban. Another factor that drew me to renal was the involvement in critical care, specifically in patients who required emergent dialysis. The question of dialysis was frequently incorporated into goals of care conversations and required the establishment of trust between patient and physician.”
Nicole Shammas earned her medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine and completed a residency in internal medicine at the University of Colorado.
A passion for research was ignited during Nicole’s undergraduate studies at Purdue University West Lafayette, IN, leading to her subsequent publications on comparative cancer biology and hepatology.
As a resident, Nicole was involved in the study of birth order as a risk factor for systemic lupus erythematous, in addition to two cardiology projects involving TB-associated pericardial abscess and STEMI (ST-elevation myocardial infarction) resulting from testosterone use. She also was involved in a critical care project – a case report – regarding acute hypoxic respiratory failure from amlodipine overdose.
Mentorship has played a crucial role in Nicole’s education. She served as a mentor for fourth-year medical students and other residents, was a point of contact for students interested in internal medicine at the University of Colorado, and was the senior resident confidential liaison.
“When reflecting on my educational journey/career path, I recognize how much I’ve benefitted from strong mentorship,” says Nicole. “I enjoy the opportunity to give back to students and residents through mentorship, such as offering academic advice, discussing career goals, and providing emotional support.”
Nicole was awarded the Emerging Leaders Scholarship from Purdue University. The program is built upon five pillars of discipline: academic excellence, advocacy, service, leadership, and multicultural awareness. “The program pushed me to excel in all areas and by the end of my college education, I felt extremely grateful for the opportunity. Being the recipient of the Emerging Leaders Scholarship formed me into the person I am today, with the values I cherish most. It not only pushed me to advocate for and serve my community, but also expanded my world view.”
In her free time, Nicole enjoys tennis, art (painting/sketching), reading, playing the piano, and spending time with my family and dogs. “More recently during residency, I’ve started combining my love for science and art through anatomical sketches.”
Abdul Moid Shehzad, MBBS
“Nephrologists are medical detectives like Sherlock Holmes. They play a vital role in investigating patients’ conditions and helping other medical team members decipher complex medical problems. These challenges stimulate my mind and have motivated me to pursue a career in nephrology. I eagerly anticipate taking on this role.”
Abdul earned his medical degree from Dow Medical College in Pakistan and completed his residency in internal medicine at The Jewish Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Early in his medical studies, Abdul was a volunteer at the Patients Welfare Association (PWA) in Pakistan, a student-run welfare organization that focuses on providing assistance to underprivileged patients. As an active member of the NGO, he organized educational and recreational fundraisers, relief camps, and donations.
Before starting his residency, Abdul Moid served as a primary health care physician back home in Pakistan. “During my tenure, I managed various health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, as well as prevalent diseases including typhoid, tuberculosis, dengue fever, Hepatitis A, and malaria.”
During his residency, Abdul received the Kalpan Award, a prestigious recognition of residents who demonstrate selflessness, take ownership of patient care, and excel in teamwork.
Abdul is co-author of several research publications and is first author of the article Molecular Chaperone Therapy- the Future in Cancer. He also worked as clinic trial research coordinator and has experience in clinical research trials involving recruiting participants and screen them for trials.
He plans on becoming a world-class nephrologist and believes life is a journey of passing along the knowledge learned over the years to future aspirants.
In his free time, Abdul Moid loves visiting amusement parks. As a roller coaster enthusiast, he’s ridden the world’s longest wooden coaster at Kings Island in Mason, Ohio, over 100 times. He strongly believes “life is like a rollercoaster; we just need to buckle up and hold on tight”.
In addition, he enjoys spending time outdoors including exploring trails with his wife. He has been to Red River George and Hawking Hill in Ohio, and plans on traveling around the world and exploring nature.
Visit Abdul Moid on Instagram @MOID.SHEHZAD91
Keep Up with the Latest WashU Nephrology News
Please visit our website and the following social media sites, especially our new Instagram account @WashUNeph (#WashuNeph, #nephStrong):
