
Mental Health Ambassadors
Meet the Mental Health Ambassadors for the College of Medicine! These dedicated individuals received training on graduate student mental health and active listening skills. They are a great resource if you need to talk to someone or want assistance finding help. Feel free to reach out by email.

Dr. Elliot Robinson
Assistant Professor, Neuroscience Graduate Program
I'm a neurobiologist with avid interests in dopamine, running, and the Atlanta Braves.

Emma Jones
Program Manager, Special Master’s Program in Physiology, Master’s Program in Pharmacology

Dr. Rachael Nolan
Assistant Professor, Master’s Program in Public Health
Fun fact – I am a thanatologist!

Amanda Middleton
Program Manager, PhD Program in Molecular & Developmental Biology, Master’s Program in Biomedical Research Technologies
I am a lifelong Cincinnati resident and graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Affairs and a minor in German.


Dr. Michelle Burbage
Assistant Professor, Master’s Program in Public Health
I own over 50 house plants and love to travel. I have been to Ecuador, Guatemala, Morocco, France, Italy, Iceland, Israel, Egypt, and Jordan.


Dr. Sarah Pixley
Associate Professor, Neuroscience Graduate Program, Systems Biology and Physiology Graduate Program, Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program
I like to do K-12 Outreach, and my kids and I used to do horse-back riding, but now I help with miniature horses as therapy animals.

Dr. Margaret Powers-Fletcher
Assistant Professor, Pathobiology and Molecular Medicine Graduate Program

Dr. Yve Ulrich-Lai
Associate Professor, Neuroscience Graduate Program, Molecular, Cellular, and Biochemical Physiology Graduate Program, Systems Biology and Physiology Graduate Program

Dr. David Askew
Professor, Pathobiology and Molecular Medicine Graduate Program



Dr. Timothy Le Cras
Associate Dean, COM Office of Graduate Education Associate Professor, Pediatrics

Amy Itescu
Associate to the Chair, Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences

Dr. Katharine Hobbing
Assistant Professor, Pharmacology and Systems Physiology



Dr. Roger Worrell
Associate Professor, Systems Biology and Physiology Graduate Program

Dr. Elliot Robinson
Assistant Professor, Neuroscience Graduate Program
elliott.robinson@cchmc.org
I'm a neurobiologist with avid interests in dopamine,
running, and the Atlanta Braves.
Emma Jones
Program Manager, Special Master’s Program in Physiology, Master’s Program in Pharmacology
jones2ee@ucmail.uc.edu
Dr. Rachael Nolan
Assistant Professor, Master’s Program in Public Health
nolanra@ucmail.uc.edu
Fun fact – I am a thanatologist!
Amanda Middleton
Program Manager, PhD Program in Molecular & Developmental Biology, Master’s Program in Biomedical Research Technologies
amanda.middleton@cchmc.org
I am a lifelong Cincinnati resident and graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Affairs and a minor in German.
Dr. Eric Wohleb
Assistant Professor, Neuroscience Graduate Program
eric.wohleb@uc.edu
Dr. Michelle Burbage
Assistant Professor, Master’s Program in Public Health
burbagml@ucmail.uc.edu
I own over 50 house plants and love to travel. I
have been to Ecuador, Guatemala, Morocco, France, Italy, Iceland, Israel, Egypt, and Jordan.
Dr. Nurit Azouz
Assistant Professor, Immunology Graduate Program
nurit.azouz@cchmc.org
Dr. Sarah Pixley
Associate Professor, Neuroscience Graduate Program, Systems Biology and Physiology Graduate Program, Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program
pixleysk@ucmail.uc.edu
I like to do K-12 Outreach, and my kids and I used to do horse-back riding, but now I help with miniature horses as therapy animals.
Dr. Margaret Powers-Fletcher
Assistant Professor, Pathobiology and Molecular Medicine Graduate Program
powersmg@ucmail.uc.edu
Dr. Yve Ulrich-Lai
Associate Professor, Neuroscience Graduate Program, Molecular, Cellular, and Biochemical Physiology Graduate Program, Systems Biology and Physiology Graduate Program
ulrichym@ucmail.uc.edu
Dr. David Askew
Professor, Pathobiology and Molecular Medicine Graduate Programaskewds@ucmail.uc.edu
Dr. Mark Baccei
Professor, Neuroscience Graduate Programbacceiml@ucmail.uc.edu
Shumaila Ali
Program Coordinator, Genetic Counseling Graduate Program
shumaila.ali@cchmc.org
Dr. Timothy Le Cras
Associate Dean, COM Office of Graduate Education
Associate Professor, Pediatrics
lecrast@ucmail.uc.edu
Amy Itescu
Associate to the Chair, Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences
Dr. Katharine Hobbing
Assistant Professor, Pharmacology and Systems Physiology
hobbinkr@ucmail.uc.edu
Dr. Ilya Vilinsky
Professor, Biological Sciences (A&S)
vilinsia@ucmail.uc.edu
Dr. Laura Conforti
Professor, Internal Medicine
conforl@ucmail.uc.edu
Dr. Roger Worrell
Associate Professor, Systems Biology and Physiology Graduate Program
worrelrt@ucmail.uc.edu
Dr. Ian Lewkowich
Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics (CCHMC)
ian.lewkowich@cchmc.org
Contact Us
Office ofGraduate Education
Medical Sciences Building
Suite 1055
231 Albert Sabin Way
PO Box 670548
Cincinnati, OH 45267-0548
Mail Location: 0548
Phone: 513-558-5626
Email: comGradEd@ucmail.uc.edu