People

Gaurab is a second-year medical student at UT Southwestern. He previously earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computational Neuroscience from Brown University. He is passionate about understanding the biology of cancer and will be pursuing a PhD in Cancer Biology in addition to his MD at UTSW after his second year of medical school. He loves to learn new things and blogs about his findings at GaurabC.com. As a physician-scientist, Gaurab hopes to function as a basic science researcher, clinician and educator in a large academic center. When he’s not thinking about science or exams, Gaurab enjoys playing guitar, hanging out with his friends and performing an occasional stand-up routine at local comedy clubs.

Sandeep is a second-year medical student at UT Southwestern. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration for Corporate Finance and a Bachelor of Arts for Plan II Liberal Arts Honors at The University of Texas at Austin. As a resident assistant and tutor at UT, he developed a passion for connecting with people, mentoring, educating, and simplifying complex ideas, all of which he hopes to continue as a medical student and future physician. While at UT Southwestern, Sandeep has also developed a newfound interest in basic science and clinical research, especially of the heart, and hopes to incorporate some element of discovery into his career. Outside of school, Sandeep enjoys tinkering with technology, volunteering at free clinics, and running.

Lesley Childs, MD, joins the faculty at UT Southwestern after completing a fellowship in Laryngology and Neurolaryngology at Columbia and Cornell Universities in New York City. Dr. Childs specializes in the full spectrum of laryngology services and has particular expertise in endoscopic vocal fold surgery, thyroplasty and vocal fold augmentation, office-based treatment of voice disorders, laser surgery of the vocal fold, care of the professional voice, and management of airway disease and swallowing dysfunction. Dr. Childs, who cares for both adults and children, has authored several scientific articles and book chapters in the field of laryngology and neurolaryngology. She is also a vocalist herself, with professional recording experience.

Amanda is a first-year medical student at UT Southwestern. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.

As a student at Texas A&M, she followed her lifelong interest in linguistics by minoring in French and nurtured her passion for interdisciplinary studies, research, originality and education. She hopes to continue pursuing these interests at UT Southwestern.

Deciding on her career goals is still a work in progress, but she would like to incorporate education, research and clinic. Outside of the medical field, Amanda enjoys learning about new languages and cultures, exploring the culinary world, and telling witty jokes.

Nicole Strickland is a first-year medical student at UT Southwestern. She earned a bachelor’s in Biology from Texas A&M University. While at Texas A&M, she pursued her lifelong passion for history by undertaking a minor in History and researching the history of medicine in the Old South.

At UT Southwestern, Nicole has enjoyed learning about all fields of medicine and tying in the history of medicine along with her studies. Although she is still finalizing her career goals, Nicole hopes to incorporate teaching and discovery of both science and humanities in her career. Outside of school, Nicole enjoys listening to music, reading the news, and exploring the Dallas Arts District.

Lona Sandon, MEd, RD, LD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical Nutrition at UT Southwestern Medical Center. As an American Dietetic Association Spokesperson, she puts scientifically based nutrition information into consumer friendly language for the public. Ms. Sandon was named the 2005 Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year by the Texas Dietetic Association and received the 2006 Dallas Dietetic Association Excellence in Media Award and the 2007 Excellence in Media Award from the Texas Dietetic Association. Ms. Sandon holds a Masters of Education in Education Technology from the University of Texas, Brownsville and a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Minnesota. She completed a one-year dietetic internship at the University of Minnesota Hospital and Clinics (now Fairview University Hospital). Ms. Sandon has a personal interest in wellness and sports nutrition and exercise. She is a certified fitness instructor by the American Council on Exercise and a Level III YogaFit instructor. Daily exercise of cycling, aerobics, yoga, or weight training is just her way of life. She has ten years experience in leading fitness and wellness classes for multiple health and fitness centers. She is frequently contacted to speak for community events and employee health and wellness programs.

Dr. Munro Cullum is a clinical neuropsychologist and professor of psychiatry and neurology and neurotherapeutics at UT Southwestern Medical Center. He has helped design concussion testing programs for teams in the NFL and NHL for more than a decade. 

Jeffrey S. Kahn, M.D., Ph.D., is a pediatrician board ceritfied in both general pediatrics and pediatric infectious diseases. His major areas of interests are viral infections, respiratory infections, and newly emerging viral pathogens.