Riya Bhasin

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Passionate and driven medical student with a strong foundation in patient care and transformative clinical research. With a rigorous academic background and a proven track record of hands-on experience, I am excited to continue to learn and contribute to the field of medicine.

January 2023 - Current

Clinical Research in Robotic Heart Surgery, The University of Chicago - Department of Minimally Invasive & Robotic Heart Surgery

• Initiate annual follow-up calls with patients regarding health status post intracardial and epicardial surgeries
• Record midterm and long-term data and outcomes to understand the efficacy of procedures.
• Observe angiogram and echocardiogram imaging of patients in the research pool with the healthcare team to understand the status of repair/grafts.

September 2019 - May 2022

Undergraduate Neuropsychology Research Assistant, Marquette University - Aging, Imaging, & Memory Lab

• Studied frontal-cerebellar brain networks using electroencephalogram (EEG) data to detect early brain changes that can signal decline.
• Assisted in researching heart rate variability’s influence on Alzheimer’s Disease.
• Analyzed event-related potential components to understand their role in executive functioning and memory tasks.
• Received training to administer memory and neuro-psych tests to research participants.

Bhasin R,  Nisivaco S,  Rybar D,  Kitahara H, Balkhy HH. Robotic Totally Endoscopic Tricuspid Valve Surgery: Early Results and Mid-term Outcomes. Innovations. In Press. 

Kitahara H, Nisivaco S, Bhasin R, Hamzat I, Grady K, Balkhy HH. 550 Robotic Totally Endoscopic Mitral Valve Surgeries Within a Comprehensive Robotic Cardiac Program. Ann Thorac Surg. 2024 Aug 24:S0003-4975(24)00685-4. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2024.08.005. PMID: 39186997.

Nisivaco S, Kitahara H, Bhasin R, Patel B, Coleman C, Balkhy HH. A decade of robotic beating-heart totally endoscopic coronary bypass (TECAB) at a single institution: Outcomes with 10-year follow-up. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2024 Aug 6:S0022-5223(24)00682-2. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2024.07.060. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39116933.

Nisivaco S, Bhasin R, Kitahara H, Patel B, Coleman C, Grady K, Oh WH, Balkhy HH. Bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting in robotic beating-heart totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass: 10-year outcomes. Ann Cardiothorac Surg. 2024 Jul 31;13(4):354-363. doi: 10.21037/acs-2024-rcabg-0016. Epub 2024 Jul 18. PMID: 39157183; PMCID: PMC11327409.

Bhasin R, Erwin P, Kitahara H, Grady K, Balkhy HH. Mitral Valve Surgery With Previous Aortic Valve Replacement: A Robotic Endoscopic Approach Provides Excellent Visualization. Innovations (Phila). 2024 May-Jun;19(3):315-317. doi: 10.1177/15569845241248620. PMID: 38721833.

Evans SA, Paitel ER, Bhasin R, Nielson KA. Genetic Risk for Alzheimer's Disease Alters Perceived Executive Dysfunction in Cognitively Healthy Middle-Aged and Older Adults. J Alzheimers Dis Rep. 2024 Feb 16;8(1):267-279. doi: 10.3233/ADR-230166. PMID: 38405345; PMCID: PMC10894609.

Bhasin R, AlJamal Y, Kitahara H, Blair J, Balkhy HH. Robotic unroofing of myocardial bridge of the left anterior descending coronary artery in a patient with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and previous septal myectomy. J Cardiol Cases. 2024 Jan 28;29(5):222-225. doi: 10.1016/j.jccase.2024.01.001. PMID: 39100519; PMCID: PMC11295015.

Bhasin, R., AlJamal, Y., Kitahara, H., Blair, J., Balkhy, H.H. (2024, June). Robotic unroofing of myocardial bridge of the left anterior descending coronary artery in a patient with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and previous septal myectomy. Abstract accepted and presentation given at the annual Society for Robotic Surgery Conference. Orlando, Florida. 

Bhasin, R., Erwin, P., Kitahara, H., Grady, K., Balkhy, H.H. (2024, June) Mitral Valve Surgery After Previous Aortic Valve Surgery: A Robotic Approach Provides the Best Visualization. Abstract accepted and presentation given at the annual Society for Robotic Surgery Conference. Orlando, Florida. 

Bhasin, R., Nisivaco, S., Rybar, D., Kitahara, H., Balkhy, H.H. (2024, May). Robotic Totally Endoscopic Tricuspid Valve Surgery: Early Results and Mid-term Outcomes. Abstract accepted and poster presented at the International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery Conference. Athens, Greece. 

Nisivaco, S., Kitahara, H., Bhasin, R., Patel, B., Coleman, C., Balkhy, H.H. (2024, April). A Decade of Robotic Beating-Heart Totally Endoscopic Coronary Artery Bypass (TECAB) at a Single Institution: Outcomes with 10-year Follow-up. Abstract accepted and presentation given at The American Association for Thoracic Surgery conference. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 

AlJamal, Y.N., Bhasin, R., Nisivaco, S., Kitahara, H., Balkhy, H.H. (2024, January). Robotic “Reverse” hybrid coronary revascularization: Indications, short and Midterm Outcomes. Abstract accepted and presented to the annual Society of Thoracic Surgeons Conference. San Antonio, Texas.

Kitahara, H., Nisivaco, S., Bhasin, R., Hamzat, I., Grady, K., Balkhy, H.H. (2024, January). Robotic Totally Endoscopic Mitral Valve Surgery in the Setting of a Comprehensive Robotic Cardiac Program: Early and Mid-term Outcomes in 500 Consecutive Patients. Abstract accepted and presented to the annual Society of Thoracic Surgeons Conference. San Antonio, Texas.

Nisivaco, S., Kitahara, H., Bhasin, R., Patel, B. Balkhy, H.H. (2024, January). Bilateral internal thoracic arteries in robotic totally endoscopic coronary bypass: Mid-term outcomes using the least invasive multi-arterial grafting strategy. Abstract accepted and presented at annual Society of Thoracic Surgeons Conference. San Antonio, Texas.

Bhasin, R., Erwin, P., Kitahara, H., Grady, K., Balkhy, H.H. (2023, May) Mitral Valve Surgery After Previous Aortic Valve Surgery: A Robotic Approach Provides the Best Visualization. Abstract accepted and poster displayed at the International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery. Boston, Massachusetts.

Evans, S.A., Bhasin, R., Licht, H., Paitel, E.R., Gregg, T.A., Otteman, C.B., Nielson, K.A. (2022, February). Executive Functioning Impacts Nature

of Subjective Memory Complaint Endorsement Indicating Broader Cognitive Concerns in Older Adults. Abstract accepted to the annual International Neuropsychological Society Conference (virtual).

Evans, S.A., O’Reilly, E. M., Bhasin, R., Paitel, E.R., Nielson, K.A. (2021, October). Compensatory Response Inhibition-Related Beta Power Differentiates Cognitively Intact Older Adults at Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease. Poster presented at the annual Society for Psychophysiology Research Meeting (virtual).

October 2024 - Current 

First Year Representative for ACOS Surgery Club at Kansas City University - Joplin Campus

• Collaborate with fellow executive board members to organize events such as suture clinics, guest speakers, and volunteer projects.
• Communicate upcoming events with first year cohort and foster peer engagement by gathering feedback on interests and suggestions for future events.
• Currently designing a structured series of mentorship events with program alumni to foster professional growth and networking opportunities for club members.

July 2021 — April 2022 

Peer Mentor for First Generation Biomedical Sciences Students 

• Assisted freshman-year mentees with developing studying strategies and time management skills.

• Shared academic and support resources that were personally helpful for courses with mentees.

• Helped connect interested mentees to research opportunities on campus.

August 2019 — May 2022 

Co-founder & Captain of Bhangra Dance Team Milwaukee, WI

• Hosted workshop events to introduce and share this form of Indian dance with the campus and Milwaukee community.
• Assisted in choreographing dance routines with co-captains for workshop events and performances.
• Planned multiple fundraiser events to raise funds to cover expenses of performance gear and clothes and collaborated with other cultural groups on campus for dance events.

October 2019 — April 2021 

Secretary for She's The First at Marquette University Milwaukee, WI

• Recorded notes and ideas regarding how to help support girls' education in globally under-served areasduring board meetings.
• Communicated upcoming events with organization members through weekly email newsletters.
• Assisted in planning fundraiser events to raise money for menstruation products for those who are unable to access them due to financial or cultural barriers.

September 2024 - Current

Volunteer at Foster Adopt Connect

• Assist in sorting and organizing donated clothing for adults and children, collaborating with staff to ensure efficient distribution and accessibility for community members.

September 2024 - Current

Anatomy Academy Mentor 

• Deliver interactive lessons to 5th-grade students at elementary schools, introducing concepts about different body systems and facilitate hands-on activities to enhance student engagement.

March 2023 — May 2024

Volunteer Social Media Coordinator for Power Yoga on Main Downers Grove, IL

• Regularly engage with local community members through social media pages to share upcoming class information.
• Create content that emphasized the benefits of yoga towards a well-rounded and healthy life, mind, and body through.
• Effectively used the social media platform to spread awareness of Power Yoga on Main's initiative with a local mental health organization, Grit2Org, to focus on how yoga can positively support youth mental health.

April 2020 

Op-Ed Article: "Mental Shackles & Manipulation" Milwaukee, WI

• Interviewed staff at the United Migrant Opportunity Services who helped human trafficking victims leave the exploitative cycle by connecting them to resources of shelter, work, and education.
• I learned how the general public was unaware of how trafficking occurs and why those within the system struggle to leave. In hopes of increasing awareness, I submitted my writing to a local news service [Bhasin, Riya. "'Mental Shackles & Manipulation'" Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service, 28 Apr. 2020. Op-Ed].

Aug 2019 — Mar 2022

Global Medical Brigades - Milwaukee, WI; El Limón and El Peñón, Panama

• Recorded health information and took vital signs of patients to assist healthcare providers at a rural clinic.
• Interacted with community members through educational workshops focuses on public health challenges facing their communities.
• Supported neighboring communities of Milwaukee by assembling bags with hygiene care supplies, emergency blankets, and bus passes for those experiencing homelessness.

Jan 2020 — Dec 2020 

Client Assistant & Public Health Volunteer Milwaukee, WI

• Wrote articles & newsletters for community outreach which captured the healthcare and social stress issues involved in the human trafficking system.
• Assisted in planning, writing, and managing medical provider-specific content for healthcare providers working with the United Migrant Opportunity Services (UMOS) anti-human trafficking efforts.

Nov 2018 — Feb 2020 

Volunteer at Children's Hospital of Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI

• Read stories, played board games, and took pediatric patients on walks around the unit.

• Basic Life Support
• Certified Nursing Assistant

Excellence in Service and Leadership Award

• Recognized as a graduating student at Marquette University's Biomedical Sciences reception for showing great commitment to service and leadership within the college community, locally, or globally.

Certificate of Appreciation of Service

• Recognized at a program reception at Marquette University for mentoring first-generation, freshman-year students pursuing the Biomedical Sciences major.

2021 Undergraduate Research Project Award

• This award financially supported my summer participation in the Aging, Imaging, & Memory lab to help collect data for a Stop Signal and Motor Control task.

Marquette University - College of Health Sciences Ambassador

• Nominated and selected as a representative for the Biomedical Sciences program at Marquette University.

Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Staff Scholarship

• Awarded to students who intend on pursuing a college degree in the healthcare field and display a good

work ethic and character.

• Selected as a recipient for the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 school year.