The ESTEEM Program for Early-Stage Faculty in Kidney, Urology, and Hematology Research Areas
The ESTEEM program is designed to develop mentoring and training skills for the early-stage faculty member and gap year intern. Funds will be utilized to offset the salary/stipend of a gap year intern. The ESTEEM program includes providing a career coach for the applicant in hiring and mentoring the gap year intern. The gap year intern is defined as a new post-baccalaureate scholar who desires a career in graduate or medical school. ESTEEM Accepts applications from early career faculty once a year in March. Join our mailing list and follow us on social media to learn more about this and many other programs to enhance the Deep South PRIME KUHmmunity.
Meet the 2024-2025 ESTEEM Faculty and Interns
Dr. Rhea Bhargava
Assistant Professor Tulane School of Medicine – Nephrology and Hypertension
Dr. Bhargava was recently awarded an NIH R00 grant entitled: “IgG Glycosylation in Lupus Nephritis”. She is a clinician scientist and serves as a co-investigator on the Networking Core’s leadership team, with a particular focus on enhancing the reach of KUH PRIME in New Orleans and surrounding collegiate institutions.
ESTEEM Intern: Alexia Orellana, B.S.
Alexia recently graduated from Saint Leo University with a Bachelor’s in Biology, Biomedical, and Health Sciences. She is excited about the research in Dr. Bhargava’s lab and is looking forward to pursuing a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences.
Dr. Malgorzata Kasztan
Assistant Professor - Division of Pediatric Hematology & Oncology , UAB
Dr. Kasztan is currently on an R00 on The Role of Endothelin-1 in Tubular Injury in Sickle Cell Disease. She collaborates on several projects focusing on the intersections of Endothelin-1, Sickle Cell Disease, and Renal Disease.
ESTEEM Intern: Sirisha Swamigari
Sirisha holds a bachelor’s in dental surgery from Narayana Dental College & Hospitals and a Master’s of Public Health, with an emphasis in Epidemiology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is planning on pursuing a PhD following her gap year experience.
Dr. John Henry Dasinger
Assistant Professor in the Department of Physiology – Tulane University School of Medicine
Dr. Bhargava was recently awarded an NIH R00 grant entitled: “IgG Glycosylation in Lupus Nephritis”. She is a clinician scientist and serves as a co-investigator on the Networking Core’s leadership team, with a particular focus on enhancing the reach of KUH PRIME in New Orleans and surrounding collegiate institutions.
ESTEEM Intern: Evan Murder, M.S.
Evan received his Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology from Louisiana State University and his Master’s in Physiology from Tulane University School of Medicine. His goal is to become a physician, and to “…make a meaningful impact on patient care and contribute to advancements in healthcare in any way that I can. I am particularly interested in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine, as these fields align with my passion for healthcare in sports.”
Dr. Cheng "Jack" Song
Assistant Professor, Department of of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, UAB
Dr. Song’s primary research interest has been making in vitro models that resemble the complex tissue environment and architecture found in the human kidney, which can become a platform for understanding cell-cell communications, cell-matrix interactions, and dysfunction that is affected by kidney diseases.
Esteem Intern: Torrey Flourney
Torrey holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Kennesaw State University. He has a keen interest in the research in Dr. Song’s lab and is using his gap year to prepare for his continued education in biomedical research including a master’s and/or PhD.