Alumni Spotlights

The Leadership Essentials Alumni Spotlight series celebrates graduates of the program who exemplify exceptional leadership, innovation, and service. These individuals go above and beyond in their roles, advancing Penn Medicine’s mission and inspiring others through their dedication and impact.

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Leadership Essentials Alumni

Ari Borthakur, PhD, MBA
Leadership Essentials Advanced

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Ari Borthakur, PhD, MBA
Leadership Essentials Advanced

“I love the city of Philadelphia,” says Ari Borthakur, PhD, MBA, who balances his role as Associate Director of Penn’s Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine with a passion for community service. After earning his MBA from Wharton, he began volunteering with a pro-bono consulting group to help local nonprofits strengthen their impact. Recently, with support from a Penn Medicine CAREs grant, he partnered with the Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative to provide training toolkits for coaches, helping young athletes build social-emotional skills through sports. While his professional work has earned national recognition for advancing artificial intelligence in radiology, Borthakur finds equal fulfillment in giving back to the city he calls home. For Borthakur, blending science, business, and community engagement is both a professional mission and a personal commitment to the city he loves.
Corey Holman, PhD
Leadership Essentials Intensive & Advanced

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Corey Holman, PhD
Leadership Essentials Intensive & Advanced

Corey Holman, PhD, serves as Technical Director of the Rodent Metabolic Phenotyping Core (RMPC) within the Institute for Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. Under her leadership the RMPC supports state-of-the-art studies in metabolism using rodent models, including indirect calorimetry, stable isotope infusions, telemetry monitoring and body composition analysis. The core is supported in part by a major NIH S10 instrumentation award, showcasing her role in enabling cutting-edge infrastructure. As a former PhD student whose thesis examined aging-induced decline in beige adipose tissue development, she brings deep expertise in adipocyte biology and metabolic phenotyping to both service and research. For Holman, building robust, accessible core resources is more than infrastructure—it’s advancing metabolic health science and empowering investigators across disciplines.
Damian Maseda, PhD
Leadership Essentials Fundamentals

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Damian Maseda, PhD
Leadership Essentials Fundamentals

Damian Maseda, PhD, is Scientific Director of the Immune Health Laboratories at the University of Pennsylvania’s Institute for Immunology, Inflammation, and Infectious Disease (I3H), where he leads research on enhancing human immune cell function for therapeutic applications. With a PhD in immunology from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg and postdoctoral training at Duke and Vanderbilt Universities, he brings deep expertise in immune cell metabolism and regulation to his work. Dr. Maseda’s research advances understanding of immune mechanisms in autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, empowering translational discoveries that inform future therapies. Prior to joining Penn, he founded a preclinical research startup in Spain focused on bone regeneration, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to innovation and scientific leadership. For Maseda, creating impactful science means merging rigorous inquiry with collaboration to drive discoveries that improve human health.
Danuta Jarocha, PhD
Leadership Essentials Fundamentals

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Danuta Jarocha, PhD
Leadership Essentials Fundamentals

Danuta Jarocha, PhD, is Molecular Assays Development Co-Lead at the Translational and Correlative Studies Laboratory (TCSL) at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, where she drives the design and implementation of advanced molecular testing platforms that support translational research. She earned her PhD in Medical Biology after training in clinical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and has developed innovative methodologies for isolating and expanding human mesenchymal stem cells that contributed to clinical research efforts early in her career. Since joining Penn in 2022, Dr. Jarocha has led assay development and validation efforts that support high-impact clinical studies and have been published in top journals including Blood, Blood Advances, and Stem Cells Translational Medicine. Her expertise spans advanced molecular techniques like digital PCR, deep sequencing, and clinical vector analysis that enable precision measurement in gene therapy and related fields. For Jarocha, advancing science means building robust, cutting-edge molecular tools that empower researchers to make discoveries that improve patient outcomes.
Kingkini Roy, MArch
Leadership Essentials Intensive, Advanced, & Fundamentals

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Kingkini Roy, MArch
Leadership Essentials Intensive, Advanced, & Fundamentals

Kingkini Roy, MArch, serves as Director of Research Program & Space Planning in Space Planning & Operations at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. With more than 15 years of experience in architecture and design, she leads strategic planning efforts that support Penn Medicine’s research and academic missions. Roy brings a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach to advancing complex projects from concept through implementation, partnering closely with stakeholders across the institution. Her work focuses on creating functional, forward-thinking environments that enable innovation and operational excellence. For Roy, effective leadership means aligning thoughtful design with purpose, partnership, and long-term impact.
Mallorie Jones, M.A.
Leadership Essentials Intensive

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Mallorie Jones, M.A.
Leadership Essentials Intensive

Mallorie Jones, a Delco native and project manager, is dedicated to meeting community members where they are—emotionally, mentally, and physically. With a Penn Medicine CAREs grant, she helped fund prostate cancer screenings through the Flyers Against Prostate Cancer initiative, a collaboration with the Abramson Cancer Center and Flyers Charities. She also co-created a culturally tailored educational video that inspired more than 80% of viewers to say they intended to get screened. This summer, Jones organized “Wellness on the Block” in Sharon Hill, PA, a community often described as a health care desert due to barriers like cost, transportation, and education. The event reached over 300 residents with screenings, health education, and resources, marking the largest effort yet for the Abramson Cancer Center’s Mobile Prostate Cancer Screening and Education program. Mallorie was also featured as a Philly Mag Health Hero Challenge Semifinalist in July.
Nawar Naseer, PhD, MPH
Leadership Essentials Intensive, Advanced, & Fundamentals

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Nawar Naseer, PhD, MPH
Leadership Essentials Intensive, Advanced, & Fundamentals

Nawar Naseer, PhD, MPH, serves as Director of Engagement for the Penn Medicine BioBank, where she fosters meaningful connections between researchers and the participant community to advance precision medicine research. In her role, she helps ensure that diverse voices and perspectives are included in studies that accelerate scientific discovery and improve health outcomes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Naseer designed and led Philadelphia’s county-wide contact tracing program and trained vaccine ambassadors to increase awareness and uptake in underserved neighborhoods, demonstrating her commitment to public health and community engagement. While completing her PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology and MPH at Penn, she was recognized with the President & Provost’s Honor for Developing New Initiatives in Graduate & Professional Student Life and the CAMB Community Service Award for her leadership and service. For Naseer, empowering both participants and scientists through inclusive engagement is key to bridging research and community impact.
Sage Rush-Goebel, MSEd
Leadership Essentials Advanced

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Sage Rush-Goebel, MSEd
Leadership Essentials Advanced

Sage Rush-Goebel, MSEd, serves as Associate Director of Clinical Research Assessment and Communications Manager in the Department of Psychiatry at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. She also holds a leadership role as a Board Member of the Society for Penn Clinical Research Professionals (SPCRP), where she advances professional growth and collaboration among research staff. A dedicated advocate for inclusion and mentorship, Sage received Penn’s Model Supervisor Award in 2023 and the Rising Star Award from SPCRP for her exemplary leadership and impact. With a background in neuroscience and human development, she combines scientific insight with empathy and equity-driven leadership to strengthen clinical research operations. For Rush-Goebel, true leadership means creating an environment where every voice is heard, supported, and empowered to make meaningful impact.
Shefali Gajjar, MD
Leadership Essentials Intensive & Advanced

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Shefali Gajjar, MD
Leadership Essentials Intensive & Advanced

Shefali Gajjar, MD, is a board‑certified Radiation Oncologist with Penn Radiation Oncology, practicing at locations including Penn Radiation Oncology Valley Forge and Penn Radiation Oncology Chester County. She specializes in radiation therapy for adult patients and contributes to clinical research aimed at improving treatment strategies and outcomes in cancer care. Dr. Gajjar’s work includes co‑authoring multiple peer‑reviewed publications on topics such as disparities in lung cancer and radiation therapy implementation in global settings. In addition to her clinical practice, she engages in ongoing efforts to translate research insights into better care for diverse patient populations. For Gajjar, delivering compassionate, evidence‑based radiation oncology care and advancing the science behind it are central to her mission as a clinician‑scientist.
Spencer Zimmerman, MRED
Leadership Essentials Intensive

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Spencer Zimmerman, MRED
Leadership Essentials Intensive

As Associate Director of Design and Construction, Spencer Zimmerman played a pivotal role in transforming 3600 Civic Center Boulevard into one of Penn Medicine’s largest research facilities. Known for his collaborative leadership style, he empowers teams by valuing every voice and fostering inclusion. In recognition of this approach, he received the 2024 PMX Advocacy Award for demonstrating cultural humility and building an environment where all perspectives are heard. An architect with deep expertise across health care, science, education, and commercial projects, Zimmerman is skilled at guiding multi-million-dollar developments from concept to completion. For him, success is not only measured in buildings delivered on time and on budget, but also in the strong, inclusive teams that make those accomplishments possible.
Virginia Lockamy, PhD
Leadership Essentials Intensive & Advanced

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Virginia Lockamy, PhD
Leadership Essentials Intensive & Advanced

Virginia L. Lockamy, PhD, serves as Systems Director of Medical Physics (Chief of Physics – Network) at Virtua Health/Penn Medicine and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. Board-certified in Therapeutic Medical Physics, she brings extensive experience leading clinical, consulting, and academic teams to advance precision radiotherapy and treatment quality. Her research focuses on improving dose assurance, operational efficiency, and safety in radiation oncology practice. In 2025, Dr. Lockamy presented at the ASTRO 67th Annual Meeting on “From Chaos to Control: Simplifying Physics Equipment Inventory Management,” highlighting her innovative approach to systems design and leadership in medical physics. For Lockamy, advancing health care means merging scientific rigor with team-centric innovation and an unwavering commitment to patient-centered excellence.
Yu You Jiang, PhD
Leadership Essentials Intensive & Advanced

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Yu You Jiang, PhD
Leadership Essentials Intensive & Advanced

Yu You Jiang, PhD, is a Research Investigator in the Morgan Laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Animal Models of Translational Immunology (CAROT), where she drives innovative studies in immunology and metabolic regulation. With a PhD in Immunology from the University of Pennsylvania, she has been instrumental in advancing research that deepens understanding of how immune systems interact with metabolic processes. Dr. Jiang is a co‑author on recent peer‑reviewed work published in Scientific Reports, demonstrating her contributions to cutting‑edge science with translational potential. Her expertise spans experimental design, data analysis, and complex immunometabolic modeling that supports collaborative discovery across disciplines. For Jiang, impactful research means blending scientific rigor with creativity and teamwork to push the boundaries of what we know about immune health.