Chief Residents 2025-2026

Our chiefs are happy to answer any questions you have.

Having Children During Residency

• Grace Kollannoor Samuel, gkollann@umn.edu

• Laura Tucker, tucke572@umn.edu (parenting)

• Pavi Ramakrishnan, ramak022@umn.edu

• Sergiu Lupea, lupea001@umn.edu (father)

• Kirsten Aspros, muell741@umn.edu (parenting young kids)

• Dzhalal Agakishiev, aga@umn.edu (father)

Commuting

• Sai Sudha Valisekka, valis001@umn.edu

• Pavi Ramakrishnan, ramak022@umn.edu

• Ava Swenson, swens878@umn.edu (biking)

• Kirsten Aspros, muell741@umn.edu (driving from suburbs)

Relocating/Buying a House

• Erica Loon, loonx001@umn.edu 

• Kirsten Aspros, muell741@umn.edu 

Being an (Awesome) IMG

• Suchapa Arayakarnkul, araya034@umn.edu

• Hemin Lee (MedDerm), lee04485@umn.edu

• Opy Adesida, aades@umn.edu

• Sai Sudha Valisekka, valis001@umn.edu

• Pornlada Likasitwatanakul, likas002@umn.edu 

Non-Traditional Paths to Residency

• Grace Kollannoor Samuel, gkollann@umn.edu

• Opy Adesida, aades@umn.edu

• Stefanie Worwa, worwa008@umn.edu

• Angelika Zalewski, zalew022@umn.edu 

• Sergiu Lupea, lupea001@umn.edu

Research Opportunities

• Dzhalal Agakishiev, aga@umn.edu

Adjusting to the Weather, Making the Most of Every Season

• Ava Swenson, swens878@umn.edu

• Angelika Zalewski, zalew022@umn.edu 

Living in Minnesota / Where to Live

• Gina Gilderman, gilde060@umn.edu (native Minnesotan, med school in New Mexico)

• Stefanie Worwa, worwa008@umn.edu

• Schuyler Gaillard (MedDerm), gaill016@umn.edu

• Ava Swenson, swens878@umn.edu

• Angelika Zalewski, zalew022@umn.edu 

• Erica Loon, loonx001@umn.edu 

• Dzhalal Agakishiev, aga@umn.edu

Navigating a Chronic Disease During Residency

• Schuyler Gaillard (MedDerm), gaill016@umn.edu

• Gina Gilderman, gilde060@umn.edu

• Ava Swenson, swens878@umn.edu