Summary
Overview
Work History
Skills
Websites
Other Awards
Affiliations
Timeline
Generic
Ubenthira Patgunarajah

Ubenthira Patgunarajah

1701 E12th St, W8J, Cleveland

Summary

  • Educational Commission of Foreign Medical Graduate (ECFMG)
  • Indian Medical Council
  • Tamil Nadu Medical Council
  • American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)

Overview

11
11
years of professional experience

Work History

Clinical Research Fellow

Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Cleveland
10.2022 - 12.2023
  • Engaged in 8 projects focused on urothelial carcinoma (UC), with 8 abstracts accepted in prestigious ASCO, ASCO-GU, and AACR.
  • As the lead author, I contributed to the abstract on antibiotic use on the immune checkpoint inhibitor efficacy in metastatic UC, which has been accepted for poster presentation at the ASCO annual meeting.
  • Gained clinical experience with my supervisor during 15+ patient visits/ week and participated in history-taking, examinations, and management planning.
  • Collaborated efficiently with 10+ team members, and facilitated with a medical statistician in performing MVA Cox models and Kaplan Meier curves.
  • Analyzed EPIC & entered 800 data using REDCap.
  • Conducted literature search and analyzed relevant papers for the manuscripts.
  • Took leadership in partnering with the University of Washington in a urothelial carcinoma grand database.
  • Contributed to identifying molecular signatures in UC through nanostring, single-cell, bulk DNA, and ct-DNA analysis.
  • Completed courses on EPIC, human subject research, and HIPPA.

Clinical Extern

Hospital of Central Connecticut, N.A.C. Mohanraj, MD
New Britain
02.2022 - 10.2022
  • Evaluated 8-10 cases daily in the outpatient setting and observed medical procedures to gain experience in a clinical setting.
  • Efficiently participated in patient histories, physical examinations, management & case discussions, and follow-ups.
  • Gained a comprehensive understanding of primary care setting, emphasizing the importance of attentive listening and establishing a strong patient rapport.
  • Actively participated in grand rounds and case discussions.
  • Demonstrated adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced clinical environment, managing multiple patient cases concurrently.
  • Presented patient cases and provided concise updates on clinical progress.
  • Attended lectures given by physicians regarding new developments in medicine and participated in educational activities to enhance knowledge base in the medical field.
  • Always adhered to the hospital and private practice regulations, closely observing physician-patient interactions in both settings within the U.S. while ensuring compliance with HIPAA guidelines.

Clinical Extern

Saroja Koneswaran, MD
Shelton
08.2021 - 02.2022
  • Participated in the evaluation and management of a diverse patient population under supervision.
  • Conducted comprehensive patient assessments, including history-taking, physical examinations, and formulation of differential diagnoses.
  • Assisted in the development and implementation of patient care plans, including medication management and follow-up arrangements.
  • Actively engaged in interdisciplinary collaboration with nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals to optimize patient outcomes.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in interpreting diagnostic tests such as EKGs, laboratory results, and imaging studies.
  • Received positive feedback from supervising physician and healthcare team members regarding clinical acumen, professionalism, and interpersonal skills.
  • Offered guidance to 30+ patients regarding the safety considerations associated with receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, resulting in a favorable outcome.
  • Collaborated with Duma Lab and Dr. Narjust Duma, Faculty, Harvard Medical School, in cancer research and explored the realms of social justice in medicine. Remark included in “We Need More Illustrations of People of Colorin Medical Textbooks.”

Faculty member

Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna
Jaffna
07.2019 - 08.2021
  • Offered mentorship to 30+ medical and allied health students each semester, especially those affected by the ethnic war in Sri Lanka, ensuring close monitoring of their academic progress and skill development
  • Maintained a weekly schedule of available hours for student appointments to assist them in planning and reflecting informed decisions about their career goals and academic challenges
  • Developed the ability to tailor my interpersonal communications to connect better with each individual
  • Guided students in developing problem-solving and leadership skills
  • During the COVID-19 lockdown, I took the initiative to support students by collaborating with the student union to ensure daily essentials were provided to hostel students in need
  • Conducted group discussions focusing on motivation, time management, and stress reduction, which positively impacted students' well-being and academic growth
  • Throughout, confidentiality was maintained with shared information.

Teaching/Mentor

Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna
Jaffna
07.2019 - 08.2021
  • Delivered lectures and assessed clinical biochemistry and applied pharmacology
  • Pioneered the implementation of case-based learning in biochemistry, which received exceptional feedback from students
  • Identified various needs of the students during the COVID-19 lockdown and created effective learning options, for instance, recording lectures and conducting additional virtual classes
  • Challenged students' thought processes and learning methods and engaged them in fun learning sessions
  • Delivered comprehensive biochemistry laboratory technique instructions to medical and allied health students and conducted laboratory-based experimental studies
  • Collaborated with the curriculum revision committee, actively participated in workshops, and contributed to the updated curriculum
  • Played a crucial role in COVID-19 detection, contributing to RT-PCR procedures and gaining proficiency in extraction and master-mix preparation
  • Completed a formal training program dedicated to teaching skills.

Work/Physician

Teaching Hospital
Jaffna
04.2019 - 08.2021
  • Engaged comprehensively in patient care and actively participated in rounds, diagnostic planning, procedures, and regular interactions with faculty members
  • Developed treatment plans and monitored the progress of patients
  • Assessed and monitored 15+ inpatients weekly, checking vital signs and writing progress notes, admission orders, and discharge summaries
  • Proficiently conducted procedures, including phlebotomy, urinary catheterization, debridement, suturing, nasogastric tube insertion, basic airway management with nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal airway, and Pap smear
  • Undertook in-depth learning on cryptogenic cirrhosis while providing counseling on lifestyle modifications
  • Organized meetings to discuss concerns and updates and provide suggestions for enhancing patient care, gaining insights into free healthcare
  • Participated in teaching conferences
  • During the COVID-19 lockdown, I organized the delivery of essential medications to patients' homes, ensuring continuity of care.

Student Council Secretary/Editor/SIMSCON Secretary

Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College & Hospital
Pondicherry, India
03.2016 - 03.2017
  • Played a pivotal role in establishing a student council, holding the position of founding secretary. Monthly, we gathered and addressed students' issues with the administration.
  • Initiated the official alumni association to organize annual events and guest lectures.
  • I was elected as the secretary for the 7th South Indian Medical Students' Conference (SIMSCON).
  • Successfully organized SIMSCON, bringing together 400 medical students from 35 medical schools and featuring around 80 scientific papers. Additionally, we arranged seven parallel workshops and a grand Saturday night banquet with a captivating musical event.
  • Took the lead in organizing a successful 3-day conference, establishing a model for upcoming event planners.
  • Held the editor position for the annual magazine, where I led a committee of 20 members. Led the content development, working closely with the publication section.
  • Worked collaboratively with all departments to ensure a smooth publication process.

Southeast Asia Regional Representative

Student Network Organization (SNO)
Pondicherry, India
09.2015 - 08.2016
  • Worked closely with The Network: Towards Unity for Health, which holds an official partnership with the WHO, to facilitate representation in community empowerment and social accountability by promoting intersectoral collaboration.
  • Worked effectively to provide medical and allied health science students with a platform to actively address public health issues.
  • Responsible for conducting virtual and in-person workshops to support medical students' research endeavors in India and Sri Lanka.
  • Coordinated a crucial role in forming a network of medical students across Southeast Asia by formulating various initiatives and activities.
  • Collaborated with a network of health students to advance health equity in education and healthcare through intercultural &multidisciplinary cooperation. Conducted house-to-house awareness on preventive measures for mosquito breeding for 50 families.
  • Successfully conducted an anti-tobacco campaign with a team of 10.

Researcher

Two Tribal residential schools
Yelagiri Hills
03.2013 - 01.2016
  • Led a team of 10 in conducting mixed-method participatory action research (PAR), followed by an interventional study
  • Collaborated to form a school health committee, presented findings to assess needs, strategize, & execute initiatives while consistently gathering feedback & showcasing effective communication skills
  • Established facilities, including drinking water, toilets, waste disposal system, fencing, kitchen garden, & playground
  • Undertook health checkups with iron & folic acid supplementation, provided education on sanitary practices, & appointed a social worker
  • Statistically significant improvements were observed in nutritional anemia, personal hygiene, and a reduction in related morbidity
  • Conducted educational workshops
  • Served as the lead author for the abstract 'Effect of Health Promoting School Project,' which was accepted for a poster presentation at FAIMER
  • Shared this experience with nearby villages to introduce this intervention in other tribal schools, garnering a positive reception.

Skills

    MAR 2019 - Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College and Hospital, Pondicherry, India

Other Awards

  • Member and Treasurer of Indian Medical Association-Student Wing, Pondicherry, India.
  • Winner, 'Student Project for Health' by the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER).
  • Awarded a scholarship to present 'Effect of Health Promoting School Project on Personal Hygiene & Related Morbidities of Tribal School Children Yelagiri Hills' in 'The Network: Towards Unity for Health and SAAHE' Conference-South Africa.

Affiliations

  • Peer Reviewed Journal Articles/Abstracts
    1. Nikhil Pramod, Scott Dawsey, Paul G. Pavicic, Roshan Lodha, Ubenthira Patgunarajah, Monica Nair, Moshe Chaim Ornstein, Timothy D. Gilligan, Christopher Eing Wee, Omar Y. Mian, Amanda Nizam, Jane Nguyen, C. Marcela DiazMontero, Shilpa Gupta. (2023, May). “Characterizing immune-genomic signatures associated with response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC).”. Journal of Clinical Oncology, An American Society of Clinical Oncology Journal , 41(16),
    10.1200/JCO.2023.41..
    Pub Status: Published,
    Article URL: https://ascopubs.org/doi/abs/10.1200/JCO.2023.41.16_suppl.e16582
    2. Ubenthira Patgunarajah , Scott Dawsey, Nikhil Pramod, Kimberly Maroli, Moshe Ornstein, Christopher Wee, Timothy D. Gilligan; Allison Martin, Amanda Nizam, Omar Y. Mian, Wei Wei, Claudia Marcela Diaz, Paul Pavicic, Jane Nguyen, Shilpa Gupta. (2023, May). “The effect of antibiotic (Abx) use on immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) efficacy in patients (pts) with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) in a real-world setting”. Journal of Clinical Oncology, An American Society of Clinical Oncology Journal , 41(16), 10.1200/JCO.2023.41..
    Pub Status: Published.
    Article URL: https://ascopubs.org/doi/abs/10.1200/JCO.2023.41.16_suppl.4580
    3. Charbel Hobeika, Scott Dawsey, Ubenthira Patgunarajah,, Da vid Lynn, Nikhil Pramod, Wei Wei, Monica Nair, Kimberly Maroli, Allison Martin, Moshe Chaim Ornstein, Christopher Wee, Timothy D. Gilligan, Amanda Nizam, Amanda Bonham, Omar Y. Mian, Paul Pavicic,. (2023, Sep). Effect of type of antibiotics (Abx) on outcomes with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs) in patients (pts) with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) in a real-world setting. 2024 ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium.
    Pub Status: Published.
    Article URL: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/377888142_Effect_of_type_of_antibiotics_Abx_on_outcomes_with_immune_checkpoint_inhibitors_ICIs_in_patients_pts_with_metastatic_urothelial_ carcinoma_mUC_in_a_real-world_setting
    4. David Lynn, Charbel Hobeika, Ubenthira Patgunarajah, Scott Dawsey, Nikhil Pramod, Wei Wei, Monica Nair, Kimberly Maroli, Allison Martin, Moshe Chaim Ornstein, Christopher Eing Wee, Timothy D. Gilligan, Amanda Nizam, Amanda Bonham, Omar Y. Mian, Paul G. Pa. (2023, Sep). Effect of Body mass index (BMI) on efficacy of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
    (ICIs) in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) in a real-world setting.. 2024 ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium.
    Pub Status: Published.
    Article URL: https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.2024.42.4_suppl.571
    5. David Lynn, Scott Dawsey, Ubenthira Patgunarajah, Nikhil Pramod, Wei Wei, Monica Nair, Kimberly Maroli, Moshe Chaim Ornstein, Allison Martin, Christopher Wee, Timothy D. Gilligan, Amanda Nizam, Amanda Bonham, Omar Y. Mian, Claudia Marcela-Diaz, Shilpa Gup. (2023, Sep). "Effect of Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) on outcomes with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs) in patients (pts) with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) in real-world setting". 2024 ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium.
    Pub Status: Published.
    Article URL: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/229794
    6. Dimitra Rafailia Bakaloudi MD,MS, Rafee Talukder MD, Dimitrios Makrakis MD, Leonidas Diamantopoulos MD, Ubenthira Patgunarajah MD, Vinay Mathew Thomas MD, Tanya Jindal BS, BA, Jason Brown MD, PhD, Marija Miletic MD, Jeffrey Johnson MD, Gavin Hui MD, Lucia. (2023, Sep). “Role of Tumor Mutational Burden (TMB) and Microsatellite Instability (MSI) in patients (pts) with advanced urothelial carcinoma (aUC) treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor (ICI)”. 2024 ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium.
    Pub Status: Published.
    Article URL: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/377887748_Role_of_tumor_mutational_burden_TMB_and_microsatellite_instability_MSI_in_patients_pts_with_advanced_urothelial_carcinoma_aU C_treated_with_immune_checkpoint_inhibitor_ICI
    7. Nikhil Pramod, Scott Dawsey, Ubenthira Patgunarajah, David Lynn, Wei Wei, Charbel Hobeika, Monica Nair, Allison Martin, Kimberly Maroli, Moshe Chaim Ornstein, Christopher Wee, Timothy D. Gilligan, Amanda Nizam, Amanda Bonham, Omar Y. Mian, Paul Pavicic, C. (2023, Sep). Factors predictive of Primary Resistance (PrimRes) to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs) in patients (pts) with metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC). 2024 ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium.
    Pub Status: Published.
    Article URL: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/377888221_Factors_predictive_of_primary_resistance_PrimRes_to_immune_checkpoint_inhibitors_ICIs_in_patients_pts_with_metastatic_urothelial _cancer_mUC
    8. Nikhil Pramod, Vladimir Makarov, Scott Dawsey, Paul Pavicic, Ubenthira Patgunarajah, Monica Nair, Moshe Ornstein, Timothy Gilligan, Christopher Wee, Amanda Nizam, Omar Mian, Jane Nguyen, Claudia Marcela-Diaz, Shilpa Gupta. (2023, Sep). Genomic correlates of response and resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) in a real-world setting. 2024 ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium.
    Pub Status: Published.
    Article URL: https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.2024.42.4_suppl.670
  • Poster Presentation
    1. Ubenthira Patgunarajah , Scott Dawsey, Nikhil Pramod, Kimberly Maroli, Moshe Ornstein, Christopher Wee, Timothy D. Gilligan; Allison Martin, Amanda Nizam, Omar Y. Mian, Wei Wei, Claudia Marcela Diaz, Paul Pavicic, Jane Nguyen, Shilpa Gupta. (2023, June 03). “The effect of antibiotic (Abx) use on immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) efficacy in
    patients (pts) with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) in a real-world setting.” [Poster presented]. American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)-annual meeting/Chicago, IL, USA.
    2. Nikhil Promod BS, Paul Pavicic MS, Scott Dawsey MD, Ubenthira Patgunarajah MD, Roshan Lodha BS, Alan Shen BS, Moshe Chaim Ornstein MD, Omar Mian MD, PhD, Timothy D. Gilligan MD, PhD, Christopher Wee MD, Amanda Nizam MD, Jane Nguyen MD PhD, Claudia Marce. (2023, April 17). “Dissecting immunegenomic pathways of response and resistance to immunotherapy in metastatic urothelial carcinoma in real world-cohort.” [Poster presented]. American Association of Cancer Research/Orlando, FL, USA.
    3. Thomas Mathew, Sundar Raajan.G, UBENTHIRA.P. Amol Dongre. (2020, March 07). Sharing an experience on Participatory Action and Research (PAR) at government tribal residential school at Yelagiri hills, Tamil Nadu, India [Poster presented]. 2nd International Research Conference and Exhibition on Siddha Medicine/Jaffna, LKA.
    4. Ubenthira Patgunarajah. (2015, September 14). “Student Project for Health” [Poster presented]. BAMBANANI-2015-Working together, The Network-Towards Unity for Health and SAAHE, The South African Association for Health Educationalists/Pretoria, ZAF.
  • Oral Presentation
    1. Safwaan MN, Piraveen A, Ragumathan A, Saraniya S, Sobitha S, Supanchana P, Sameera HU, Thahira TH, Thurcika TS, UBENTHIRA P, Kandeepan K, Balakumar S and Arasaratnam V. (2018, August 07). Glucose and insulin levels in healthy males after consuming breakfast containing different composition of macronutrients with equal energy [Oral Presentation]. Undergraduate Research Symposium 2018/Jaffna, LKA.
    2. Thomas Mathew, Sundar Raajan.G, UBENTHIRA.P. Amol Dongre. (2014, June 11). Sharing an experience on Participatory Action and Research (PAR) at government tribal residential school at Yelagirihills, Tamil Nadu, India [Oral Presentation]. SIMSCON2014/Pondicherry, IND.
    3. UBENTHIRA.P.,Nirupama.D.H.,Nirmal Kumar,Pavithran.T. (2014, September 07). A community-based study of dog bites in rural Puducherry [Oral Presentation]. SIMSCON/Pondicherry, IND.
  • Peer Reviewed Online Publication
    1. Thomas Mathew, Sundar Raajan G, Ubenthira P, Muruganandham R. (2017, October 04). Community Empowerment for School Health: Action Research.
    URL: https://www.ojhas.org/issue64/2017-4-3.html

Timeline

Clinical Research Fellow

Cleveland Clinic Foundation
10.2022 - 12.2023

Clinical Extern

Hospital of Central Connecticut, N.A.C. Mohanraj, MD
02.2022 - 10.2022

Clinical Extern

Saroja Koneswaran, MD
08.2021 - 02.2022

Faculty member

Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna
07.2019 - 08.2021

Teaching/Mentor

Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna
07.2019 - 08.2021

Work/Physician

Teaching Hospital
04.2019 - 08.2021

Student Council Secretary/Editor/SIMSCON Secretary

Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College & Hospital
03.2016 - 03.2017

Southeast Asia Regional Representative

Student Network Organization (SNO)
09.2015 - 08.2016

Researcher

Two Tribal residential schools
03.2013 - 01.2016

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