Current Fellows

Class of 2024-2026

Evelina Khalilova, MD

Medical school: Crimea State Medical University

Residency program: Richmond University Medical Center

Hobbies: I truly enjoy cooking traditional Mediterranean cuisine, as well as exploring and broaden my knowledge in World History.

Why I chose Infectious Diseases: In the past, diseases that once claimed countless lives have become curable or manageable, thanks to the relentless efforts of infectious disease physicians. I am truly inspired by the progress we have made, and I am committed to being part of the ongoing fight against infectious diseases, ensuring that more lives can be saved in the future. I have a particular interest in transplant infectious disease, where the complexity of managing infections in immunocompromised patients presents both unique challenges and opportunities.

Francesca Licandro, MD

Medical school: University of Medicine and Health Sciences, St. Kitts

Residency program: Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD

Hobbies: I enjoy spending time with my family/friends, reading novels, watching horror movies, going to haunted houses, and playing soccer.

Career Goals: ID is such an interesting and diverse subspecialty. I am excited to further explore all ID has to offer, currently I am interested in General ID and possibly private practice.

Abdullah Tahir, MD

Medical school: Services Institute of Medical Sciences

Residency program: Icahn SOM Mount Sinai-Elmhurst Hospital

Hobbies: bicycling, board games, sci-fi books

Why I chose Infectious Diseases at NJMS: I joined ID fellowship at NJMS, Newark for its prestigious reputation, diverse patient population, and access to esteemed mentors. It also allows me to enjoy the beautiful nature the tri-state has to offer.

Class of 2025-2027

Glen Ivano Abdo, MD, MPH

Medical school: Trinity School of Medicine

Residency program: New York Medical College at Saint Clare’s Denville Hospital and St. Mary’s General Hospital, NJ

Hobbies: Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, and Cumbia - Dance Instructor, cooking and baking, creating new dishes, photography, swimming, soccer, gardening, and mentoring/coaching.

Why I Chose Infectious Disease: I choose Infectious Disease because for its intellectual challenge, ability to cure complex illnesses, dynamic ability, broad impact on global health & public health, and the gratifying chance to provide powerful treatments to chronic diseases.

Fadi Barkho, MD

Medical school: St. George's University School of Medicine

Residency program: Saint Peter's University Hospital, NJ

Hobbies: I trade stock market options during my free time, enjoying the strategic analysis it requires. Fitness is a passion that allows me to stay physically and mentally strong. Cooking allows me to explore creativity, while media creation combines my love for technology and design.

Why I Chose Infectious Disease: While serving underrepresented minorities, I learned compassion and empathy. As I gained experience, I took on leadership roles, organizing health fairs to boost community awareness. This teamwork-driven approach inspired me to pursue a fellowship to enhance healthcare access and equity.

Mark Grijalva, DO

Medical school: University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, TX

Residency program: HMH Palisades Medical Center, North Bergen, NJ

Hobbies: Outside of the hospital and clinic, I enjoy traveling with my wife (and occasionally my two cats), exploring walkable towns looking for local brews (coffee and/or beer), cooking, hiking, lifting weights, and exploring both NJ and NY by public transit

Why I Chose Infectious Disease: I was drawn to Infectious Diseases for the diagnostic challenge and its foundation in microbiology and antimicrobial stewardship. I enjoy working through complex cases that require both clinical reasoning and an understanding of evolving resistance patterns, and I’ve always found ID cases to be among the most interesting and rewarding to learn from. The field’s collaborative and ever-changing nature makes it especially fulfilling.

Amisha Tailor, MD

Medical school: Aureus University School of Medicine

Residency program: New York Medical College at St. Mary's Passaic and St. Clare's Denville/Dover, NJ

Hobbies: Organizing and volunteering in community health fairs, personal training, rock climbing, hiking, knitting for colleagues' children, and reading almost all genres.

Why I Chose Infectious Disease: Being the only physician in my family, I understand the challenges of seeking help in an unfamiliar environment and strive to bring this empathy to patient care.