2025/2026 Fellows

Allison Arai, MD, PhD

Medical School

University of Maryland

Residency

University of Colorado

Oliver Bawmann, MD

Medical School

University of Colorado

Residency

University of Colorado

Academic/Research Interests

Clinically I'm interested in lung cancer screening, tobacco cessation, and how we help these supports reach marginalized patients. But I also love teaching! In that realm, I am interested in how we create enjoyable and safe learning environments, especially in places that can be scary or intimidating to work in, like the ICU!

Why Colorado?

I fell in love with pulmonary and critical care because of the incredible clinicians and educators I got to work with while doing residency here. I couldn't imagine a better group of people to learn from and grow alongside as a fellow!

Kiera Bulluck, MD

Medical School

University of Washington

Residency

University of California, San Francisco

Ally Fuher, MD

Medical School

University of Minnesota

Residency

University of Colorado

Academic/Research Interest

Translational Science - Pulmonary Vascular on Asthma

Why Colorado?

I came to Colorado for residency and quickly fell in love with the people who are not only brilliant but genuinely happy. The balance of rigorous clinical training with outstanding research opportunities makes it a phenomenal place to grow. Plus, it doesn't hurt that all of this happens in one of the most beautiful states to live and explore!

Haya Jamali, MD, PhD

Medical School

University of Washington

Residency

Massachusetts General Hospital

Academic/Research Interest

Medical Education / Pulmonary Hypertension.

Why Colorado

Colorado has everything i was looking for in a fellowship program - excellent training in varied and diverse clinical environments, a strong track record of mentorship in medical education research, and proximity to mountains under a backdrop of constant sunshine!

Auston Stiefer, MD

Medical School

University of Oklahoma

Residency

Duke University

Academic/Research Interests

Environmental and occupational exposures' effects on interstitial lung diseases. Global burden of interstitial lung diseases and interventions in diagnosis and treatment in resource limited settings.

Why Colorado?

No other fellowship has more world-class faculty, in a more historic division, in a more beautiful place! On top of that, the culture of the division is truly special - where fellows are deeply supported by a group of faculty who genuinely seek to make the division feel like a family. 

Joyce Zhou, MD

Medical School

Harvard Medical School

Residency

Massachusetts General Hospital

Academic/Research Interests

Improving health care deliver and patient-reported outcomes in chronic lung disease and transplantation

Why Colorado?

I was struck by the division's diverse research and clinical interests, history of successfully mentoring fellows, and commitment to training well-rounded doctors who could practice effectively in any clinical setting, from community hospitals to academic medical centers. The fellows appeared (and I can confirm are!) fulfilled, happy, and dedicated and hang out with each other and faculty all the time. Finally: the outdoors here are something else- I spend my time off trail running and can't imagine a better place to work and play.

Francisco (Cisco) Barrios, MD

Medical School

Texas at Austin Dell Medical School

Residency

Dell Medical School

Leah Bolden, MD

Medical School

Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science

Residency

University of Minnesota

Academic/Research Interests

I am interested in exploring healthcare delivery for vulnerable communities and implementation science. I am particularly interested in pulmonary medicine and outpatient pulmonary care delivery. My current research is in COPD and focuses on reducing treatment delays for COPD exacerbations. 

Why Colorado?

I chose to come to Colorado because I truly felt I could get the best pulmonary and critical care training here. This program provides fellows with a strong foundation in both pulmonary and critical care training. I knew coming into fellowship that I have strong interest in pulmonary medicine. We have excellent faculty here who are experts in their fields of pulmonary medicine and also critical care. I wanted to find a program that already had a strong research infrastructure in place and would help me further explore my own academic interests. I have found all of this at the University of Colorado.  I felt like the faculty really respected the fellows during my interview and that has remained true today. The faculty and collegial and supportive. The division has a strong family-feel, and the fellows are very close. Additionally, I wanted to experience the state of Colorado and all it has to offer. I completed my Internal Medicine residency training in Minneapolis, MD and wanted to find a city that was still surrounded by nature and where people enjoy being active. From the mountain views to Downtown Denver, I felt like we would find a lot of enjoyment here. One of our favorite things to do is attend live music concerts. There are so many live music options! I really am glad i chose Colorado. I am glad I have the opportunity to train with my stellar co-fellows. I'm glad I have made lifelong friends. I am glad I am receiving exceptional training. I hope you check out our program; you won't regret it.  

Marcos VF Garcia, MD, PhD

Medical School

Faculdade de Medicina de Marilia

Residency

Cleveland Clinic Foundation Fairview Hospital

Academic/Research Interests

Clinical research at the intersection of pulmonary vascular disease and critical care medicine. 

Why Colorado?

I was drawn to the amazing clinical and research training, as well as the culture of excellence that still feels down-to-earth and welcoming.  On top of that, Colorado's beauty and endless outdoor adventures make it an incredible place to be.

Grace Jung, MD, MPH

Medical School

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Faculty of Health Sciences

Residency

Oregon Health & Science University

Academic/Research Interest

Exploring relationships between behaviors/exposures and disease outcomes in different asthma endotypes; global health equity; public health.

Why Colorado

I knew I would get excellent research support and mentorship to fully explore a possible research career without compromising clinical rigor. I wanted to be close to mountains but I'm also a cactus that needs lots of sunlight, so Colorado was a great location! Plus, I was struck by how happy the fellows seemed on my interview day.

Jackie Kercheval, MD

Medical School

University of Michigan Medical School

Residency

Duke University

Academic/Research Interests

Health services research in the critically ill (both end-stage lung disease and ICU), focusing on understanding and disrupting barriers to equitable care delivery for underserved/marginalized patient populations. I have a particular interest in the transplant patient population. I also have experience in medical education research and ideally will pursue research in that space as well (ICU communication, clinical decision making).

Why Colorado?

I came for the unbeatable combination of exceptional clinical training and robust research infrastructure, and I stayed for the down-to-earth, supportive, and wonderful human beings who have made this division into a family. (I'd be lying if I didn't also give a shout out to the >300 days of sunshine and breathtaking backyard mountains.)

Elizabeth Loy, MD, PhD

Medical School

University of Pennsylvania

Residency

University of Colorado

Academic/Research Interest

I love microbial evolution and host-pathogen interactions. I am working with Dr. Sarah Clark in the ENT department at UCH and Dr. Katie Hisert at NJH to explore how respiratory tract commensals mitigate severity of Staph and Strep infections. 

Why Colorado

As an applicant, I could see myself being happy at so many different programs and was a little worried that I might not fit in a CU because I don't see myself as a procedure-loving person. As a fellow here, I cannot imagine being happier anywhere else (and I know like procedures). The program leadership and overall PCCM community is so supportive; attendings have covered for me when childcare issues come up. Our education is prioritized with protected education days. Most important of all, I could write 1,000 words on how great my co-fellows are but I'll keep it short and say they are the absolute best.  

C.J. Mowry, MD

Medical School

Northwester University

Residency

University of Colorado

Christine Farrell, MD

Medical School

Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Residency

Johns Hopkins University

Academic/Research Interest

Basic Science Pulmonary Vascular Biology

Why Colorado?

Strength in both clinical and research training while also being surrounded by people who love to be active and get outside. 

Jacob Fox, MD, MPH

Medical School:

University of Colorado

Residency: 

Massachusetts General Hospital

Academic/Research Interest:

My research interests are at the nexus of climate change and respiratory disease, specifically how we can advise patients to mitigate their individual risk of respiratory disease progression and exacerbation during periods of unsafe ambient ozone and particulate matter pollution.

Why Colorado?

I was lucky to grow up in southern Colorado, so this beautiful state is home to my family and me. I was drawn to this fellowship program for its rigorous clinical training, track record of excellent mentorship, faculty with expertise in my academic interests, and composition of wonderful people.

Tanya Marvi, MD

Medical School:

Vanderbilt University

Residency: 

Vanderbilt University

Academic/Research Interest:

Pragmatic clinical trials in the ICU, the intersection of coagulation and critical care

Why Colorado?

The opportunity to be in a supportive environment with kind people, strong clinical and procedural training, and a robust research infrastructure.

Andrea Davis, MD

Medical School:

Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Residency: 

Vanderbilt University

Academic/Research Interest:

Lung cancer and women's health

Why Colorado?

I was immediately drawn to the down to earth people yet academic rigor of the institution. I was also excited by a structured research experience in fellowship. Not to mention, Colorado is a beautiful place to live with so much to do!

Christiaan Rees, MD, PhD

Medical School

Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth

Residency

Brigham and Women's Hospital

Academic/Research Interest

Delivery of critical care resources in underserved and under-resourced practice settings. Application of machine learning/artificial intelligence in the intensive care unit.

Why Colorado?

When I was interviewing for fellowship, the University of Colorado stood out for its commitment to clinical and procedural excellence combined with its wide breadth of research opportunities in all areas related to pulmonary and critical care medicine. The thought of living against the backdrop of the Front Range of the Rockies didn't hurt either. 

Cody Schott, MD

Medical School

University of Illinois

Residency

University of Colorado

Academic/Research Interest

I am interested in understanding the immunologic phenomenon driving damage and repair mechanisms underlying pulmonary fibrosis, both in acute lung injury and in interstitial lung disease. Clinically, I am interested ICU medicine, with a particular focus on outcomes associated with acute lung injury.

Why Colorado?

It is a beautiful place to spend free time and a welcoming place to raise a family. The institution itself has a proven track record of developing physician-scientists and provides an unparalleled clinical and research experience!

James Wykowski, MD 

Medical School:

University of Washington

Residency: 

University of Washington

Academic/Research Interest:

Medical Education, Serious Illness Communication, Curriculum Design, Trainee Experience in the ICU

Why Colorado?

Opportunities to pursue unique medical education scholarship, amazing clinical training, and support for fellows with kids!

Isadore Budnick, MD

Hometown

Pittsburgh, PA

Medical School

Tulane University

Residency

University of Virginia

Academic/Research Interest

ARDS, sepsis, critical care outcomes

Why Colorado?

Incredible clinical training, top notch research training, and an enthusiastic and collegial division that is tough to beat. That and the front range is just a hop, skip and a jump away! 

Marco Colamonici, MD

Medical School

Memphis, TN

Residency

University of Illinois Chicago

Academic/Research Interest 

Molecular mechanism in ARDS

Why Colorado?

I originally applied to Colorado for the great opportunities offered in both clinical training and research. But if I am being honest, I chose Colorado because on interview day, although via zoom, the program had great family vibes. Everyone seemed to enjoy nerding out about their work but there was an emphasis on maintaining a work life balance. In addition, Denver has all the amenities of a big city but it's also a stone's throw away from isolated wilderness. 

Karina Mora Massad, MD

Megan Watson, MD, MPH

Hometown
Overland Park, KS

Medical School
University of Kansas

Residency
University of Michigan

Why Colorado?

I was so impressed by the diverse clinical opportunities and infrastructure to promote successful research during fellowship. The mountains didn't hurt, either!