Visual projects
Initiatives and work that intersect with visual media
Altrui Foundation
Altrui Rx is a non-profit 501(c)(3) initiative that distributes short-dated medications approaching expiration to organizations that provide these medications to those in need. To date we have facilitated the redistribution of over $42 million worth of essential medications to victims in disaster areas, uninsured patients in the US, and underserved communities around the world.
In addition to serving as a core member of the start-up team, raising ~$25,000 in funding through various grants and awards, and developing connections with several charitable organizations and local clinics, I also was the lead in concept creation and graphic design of Altrui’s entire site. I designed the website, and in particular the Rx and Edu pages, with a sleek and warm, engaging aesthetic in mind, where a narrative of each initiative unfolds as the viewer scrolls. This experience was an invaluable opportunity that allowed me to integrate interests at the intersection of healthcare, outreach, visual art and design, and entrepreneurship.
I am currently completing a two-year Sarnoff Fellowship, a fully funded opportunity for aspiring physician-scientist MD candidates to work in any lab of their choice within the United States. This piece is from my work in the Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Institute (BMEII) at Mount Sinai, where I am completing my fellowship. It was created for our lab’s art show, where it was auctioned for charitable donation to the East Harlem Health Outreach Partnership. It is also featured in the BMEII annual lab calendar.
Radiology Research
This piece is a composite derived from each step of an algorithm I developed to automatically isolate the left ventricle of the heart. It is a visual representation of the intricate processes involved in our imaging research. This work is a key component of my ongoing research in the BMEII lab, focusing on used of quantitative texture analysis of cardiac sarcoidosis with combined PET/MRI to predict clinical outcomes and enhance diagnostic and prognostic capabilities. This artistic endeavor allowed me to blend my scientific interests with creative expression, showcasing the potential of art to convey complex medical concepts and contribute to the local community.
INSPIRE
The Initiative for Newark Student Population Interactive Radiology Education (INSPIRE) aims to provide high school students with an interactive educational curriculum that offers hands-on experience with radiology technology and medical techniques while exploring various career pathways in the field. Through these efforts, we aspire to foster early awareness of healthcare careers and address barriers to entry, ultimately encouraging a more diverse workforce of health professionals.
During medical school, I co-founded INSPIRE through the Urban Health Distinction Program with the support of a Pozen Award to use affordable resources to educate high school students about the field of radiology. Although radiology is a critical component of medicine across all specialties, it lacks proportional representation in its workforce, and our goal is to be proactive in bridging this app through early exposure. One of the interactive components of our curriculum involved creating Jell-O phantom models with grape “tumors”, allowing students to simulate biopsy procedures with ultrasound guidance in a fun and engaging way. This initiative blends my passion for educational outreach, medicine, and visuals, showcasing how creativity can enhance learning and inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals.
