I was born and raised in Iran and came to the United States as a refugee, where I embraced the opportunity to pursue higher education and follow my long-standing passion for medicine—a path that had been closed to me in Iran. Before beginning my medical training, I spent 10 years as a senior software engineer in the department of pathology at University of Pennsylvania, where I developed and maintained a homegrown research lab management system. During that time, I also studied biology in preparation for medical school.

I went on to earn my medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM). Early in my clinical training, I recognized the profound impact of mental health on overall well-being and discovered how deeply meaningful it was to connect with patients through psychiatry. I was honored to match at Lehigh Valley Health Network for residency, which allowed me to remain close to my elderly parents who had joined me in the U.S. with limited support.

Throughout residency, I developed a strong interest in child and adolescent psychiatry, drawn by the opportunity to make lasting change through early intervention and treatment. The welcoming and supportive environment at Lehigh Valley made it an easy decision to continue my training there for fellowship.