The PAIRS Program began its inaugural year in September 2007.  Seven medical students of the Boston University School of Medicine Class of 2011 participated in the program.  Below, learn more about each of these students.

Joe Donahue

Joe Donahue is originally from Seymour, CT and graduated in 2007 with a BA in biology from Boston University.  He was accepted into the Modular Medical Integrated Curriculum, which led to his acceptance into the Boston University School of Medicine where he is currently a second-year medical student. 

During his undergraduate years, Joe worked for two years completing research in an electrophysiology lab investigating synaptic modulation by nitric oxide. In addition to school, Joe has worked as a supervisor for the Boston University Emergency Medical Services program.  He also teaches EMT labs, CPR, and First Aid classes.  Joe has always been an avid skier and Red Sox fan.  He first became interested in medicine through the Boy Scouts of America as a child and has been enjoying the field since then.

Ryan Heinrick

Ryan is an Arizona native from the Phoenix metro area.  Ryan graduated Summa Cum Laude from Arizona State University in 2006 with a degree in Human Nutrition and a minor in Religious Studies. 

When Ryan is not studying, he enjoys reading fantasy novels, surfing the internet, listening to 80s music and cooking vegetarian food.  Ryan is the proud parent of an 8 year old son named Ethan.  Ryan plans to eventually move to the Pacific Northwest.  His current medical interests include radiology, oncology, and internal medicine.

Jami Johnsen

Jami Johnsen is originally from Cherry Hill, NJ and completed her undergraduate degree at Boston University where she majored in Psychology and minored in Biology. While at BU, she worked in a Cognitive Neuropsychology research lab with a particular focus on dyslexia and reading. She is currently a second-year medical student at Boston University School of Medicine.  During the summer of 2008, Jami completed a research project on diagnostic criteria for mild cognitive impairment with Dr. Robert Stern of the BU ADC.  When she is not studying, Jami enjoys running and hopes to run a marathon in the future.

Ravi Kahlon

Ravi received a Bachelor of Sciences from California State University Fullerton in Biological Sciences with concentrations in Chemistry and Biotechnology.  During his undergraduate years, he was accepted into Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships at both Tufts University School of Medicine and Albert Einstein School of Medicine working on Human Papilloma Virus oncogenesis and telomerase reverse transcriptase, respectively.  Ravi also worked at the University of California-Irvine Cancer Center on chemoprevention of melanoma.  He later received a Master of the Arts in Medical Sciences with honors from Boston University School of Medicine, working on testis and ovary organogensis. 

Ravi is currently a medical student at Boston University School of Medicine, Class of 2011.  During the summer of 2008, Ravi completed a research project at the BU ADC with Dr. Angela Jefferson on vascular and genetic risk factors for the progression of abnormal cognitive impairment.  Not only does Ravi have an appreciation for art, he also enjoys creating art in his spare time. Ravi’s current research interests focus on the problems that arise both in the early and late stages of development, ranging from early developmental abnormalities to cancer and cognitive impairment.

Dan Kirshenbaum

Dan Kirshenbaum grew up in Sudbury, Massachusetts, just a short drive west from Boston. He graduated from Boston University College of Arts and Sciences with a major in Computer Science and a minor in Biology. Dan is a member of the Boston University School of Medicine’s Class of 2011, which he entered through the Modular Medical Integrated Curriculum, one of BUSM’s many alternative pathways.

Dan is very interested in computers and technology in general, and plans to integrate his Computer Science degree with his future medical degree.

Yee Seng Ng

Yee Seng Ng is originally from Singapore and came to the United States for his college education. He graduated from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 2007. Yee was involved in cancer research during his undergraduate years. 

Yee likes to jog and play ping pong during his free time. He looks forward to vacations and long weekends when he can visit his wife, who lives in Michigan.

Ruju Rai

Ruju Rai is originally from Chicago, IL and received a Bachelor of Arts from Boston University in Medical Sciences in May 2008.  She is currently a second-year medical student at Boston University School of Medicine.

During the summer of 2007, through the Boston University School of Public Health, Ruju worked on a quality of care/quality of life study that investigated epilepsy patients at the Boston Medical Center.  She was involved with the Black Women's Health Study at the Slone Center for Epidemiology, a prospective cohort study that focuses on the associations between disease and various risk factors for black women in the United States.   In the past, she has also taken part in research concerning aptamers, the genetic basis for schizophrenia, and HIV protease inhibitors.

Ruju is currently in her second year as a resident assistant on the Boston University undergraduate campus.  Her interests include community service, reading, music, running, and tennis. 

• Clinical & Research Training
  • Postdoctoral Fellowships
    • Behavioral Neurology Fellowship
    • Neuropsychology Fellowship
  • Student Externships
    • Neuropsychology Externship
    • Clinical Research Externship
  • Medical Student Summer Research Program
  • Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program
• Job Opportunities
• Professional Education
  • Research Seminar
  • PAIRS Program
    • Class of 2011
• Pilot Grant Program
  • Awardees
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