8 Teaching Assistants
All of this year’s stellar group of teaching assistants have been in your shoes - they’ve taken the course in the past, and they enjoyed it enough to come back for more. They are volunteering their precious time and energy to help make the course happen, and we couldn’t be more delighted to welcome you to the course. All office hours and all teaching assistant work will be done remotely.
There is a lot to learn in this class. Don’t suffer in silence - talk to us!
8.1 TA office hours
TA office hours are held via Zoom. The weekly schedule appears on our Contact Us page as well as our Course Calendar.
Our Shared Google Drive (431 Fall 2026 Dr Love and Students) will provide Zoom links for all TA office hours in a document called 431 TA office hours schedule and Zoom links. No appointment is necessary. Please just drop in.
- Professor Love also holds “drop-in hours” for 10 minutes before and after each class on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
8.2 Getting To Know The TAs
The Fall 2026 Teaching Assistants for 431 include:
| TA Name | CWRU Degree Program |
|---|---|
| Fai Albuainain | PhD candidate, Clinical Translational Science |
| Wala’a Alshaia | PhD candidate, Clinical Translational Science |
| Carly DaCosta | PhD candidate, Epidemiology & Biostatistics |
| Jose Diz Ferre | MPH graduate, Heart Failure researcher at CCF |
| Moses Fleischman | BS / Masters of Public Health candidate |
| Ching-Wen Mai | MS candidate, Epidemiology & Biostatistics |
| Marie Masotya | PhD candidate, Clinical Translational Science |
| Morgan McLoughlin | PhD candidate, Clinical Psychology |
| Kathryn Menta | PhD Candidate, Epidemiology & Biostatistics |
| Mahsa Sheikh | PhD candidate, Clinical Translational Science |
| Ria Tilve | MD student, University Program |
8.2.1 Fai Albuainain
Fai A. Albuainain, MS, RRT, is a PhD student in the Clinical Translational Science program at Case Western Reserve University. She earned her MS in Respiratory Care from Rush University, where she currently serves as adjunct faculty, and is also a lecturer in the Respiratory Care Department at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University. She has several years of experience in teaching, student mentoring, and research. Her current research focuses on asthma, health disparities, and respiratory care. Fai has completed 431, 432, and 500 and is excited to return to 431 this year as a TA. Outside of academics, she enjoys spending time in nature with her husband, friends, and her dog, Lily.
8.2.2 Wala’a Alshaia
Wala’a Alshaia is a PhD student in the Clinical Translational Science program. She earned her undergraduate degree in Clinical Nutrition from Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University and a Master of Science in Human Nutrition from Columbia University. Her current research focuses on the dynamic interplay between modifiable lifestyle factors and cancer risk in individuals with inherited genetic predispositions. Wala’a remembers the impact of TA support when she was a student in 431 in Fall 2023 and is excited to offer that same guidance this semester. Beyond her academic work, she enjoys practicing Arabic calligraphy, brewing coffee with a good friend, and embracing new adventures.
8.2.3 Carly DaCosta
Carly is a second year PhD student in the Epidemiology and Biostatistics program in the Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences. She is conducting research with Dr. Shannon Conrey at the Swetland Center to investigate how maternal factors influence the incidence and severity of infectious diseases in infants. Originally from California, Carly earned her Bachelor’s degree at San Diego State University before relocating to Ohio to attend CWRU. Outside of her academic work, she enjoys baking, spending time with her cats, and competing in Olympic Weightlifting.
8.2.4 Jose Diz Ferre
Jose Diz Ferre, MD graduated from University of Buenos Aires Faculy of Medicine. He recently earned his MPH at CWRU and is now working with the heart failure research group at the Cleveland Clinic. In his free time, he plays tennis and runs.
8.2.5 Moses Fleischman
Moses Fleischman is currently a combined BS/MPH student studying neuroscience. He is currently working for the Cleveland Department of Public Health. He has served in teaching assistant-adjacent roles in the past for undergraduates studying chemistry. While he knows that he has not had as much education or experience as many of the students in the class, he hopes he can provide perspective and assistance throughout the course. Moses looks forward to a semester with plenty of new lessons to learn and problems to solve! In his free time, he likes rock climbing, hiking, and cooking.
8.2.6 Ching-Wen Mai
Ching-Wen Mai is a second-year M.S. student in Biostatistics in the Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences at Case Western Reserve University. Before coming to CWRU, she earned a bachelor’s degree with double majors in Computer Science and Health and Welfare from the University of Taipei. Her research interests include mental health, healthcare resource allocation, and cancer research. Having completed both 431 and 432, she looks forward to sharing what she has learned. Her best advice: stay ahead by reviewing upcoming tasks and the Course Calendar, and always pay close attention to the details. Outside of school, Ching-Wen is drawn to compelling stories, whether told through movies, novels, or television series.
8.2.7 Marie Masotya
Marie Masotya, MPH, is a PhD candidate in the Clinical Translational Science program. She is Senior Research Coordinator at University Hospitals (UH) Rainbow Center for Child Health and Policy where she manages research, quality and community-based projects. She is involved in several multi-sectoral community partnerships focused on child health and health equity. These include Better Health Partnership, Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition, and a school-based asthma intervention for elementary school children in Cleveland Metropolitan School District. Marie has served as a TA for 431/432 since 2024 and looks forward to assisting again this year. Her best advice: start early and don’t hesitate to ask for help. When not doing research, you will find her enjoying live theater, music, and adventures with her spouse and 3 children.
8.2.8 Morgan McLoughlin
Morgan McLoughlin is a fourth-year student in the Clinical Psychology PhD program, researching parenting interventions, psychotherapy process, and patient experiences in mental health treatment. Originally from Berkeley and Los Angeles, California, he held research positions at UC Irvine and the University of Pittsburgh before starting at CWRU. Passionate about student life and campus activities, he recently started Active Grads, a running and physical activity club for graduate and professional students. He is excited to return for a second year as a TA for the 431/432 courses.
8.2.9 Kathryn Menta
Kathryn Menta is a PhD candidate in Epidemiology and Biostatistics within the Department of Population & Quantitative Health Sciences. She worked as a crime scene investigator and forensic DNA technician for about seven years before returning to school to complete a new BS in mathematics and statistics at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. She then completed both a Master’s in mathematics and a Master’s in statistics at the same institution before coming to CWRU to start her PhD. Her current research is in dynamic treatment regimens focusing on clinical decision making for multiple sclerosis drug treatments. Outside of school, Kathryn enjoys spending time with her husband, crafting, and binging numerous true crime shows and podcasts.
8.2.10 Mahsa Sheikh
Seyyedeh Mahsa Sheikholeslamian, DDS, MSc, is a second-year PhD student in Clinical Translational Science at the Department of Quantitative and Population Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University. She has worked with the Evidence Foundation on methodology research, contributing to projects involving critical appraisal, data extraction, interpretation of complex results, and preparing guidelines and evidence summaries for decision-making. Before joining the CTS program, she earned her DDS from Guilan University of Medical Sciences and a master’s degree in Restorative Dentistry from Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. She also has nearly a decade of experience teaching as an assistant professor in dental schools. This semester, she looks forward to supporting students in PQHS/CRSP/MPHP 431 as a teaching assistant. Outside of academics, she enjoys cooking Persian food, visiting museums, and spending time with her daughter and spouse.
8.2.11 Ria Tilve
Ria Tilve is a medical student at CWRU. She earned her undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and her MPH in Population Health Research from CWRU. Her current research focuses on musculoskeletal imaging and postoperative outcomes. Ria enjoyed her experiences in 431 and 432 and continues to apply the knowledge and skills she gained to her current projects. Outside of studying, Ria likes spending time with her family, running, watching sports, and exploring new places.