Chapter 7 Teaching Assistants

The teaching assistants for 431 this year are Claudia Cabrera, Omar Alaber, Kara Quaid, Rosie Conic and Bob Winkelman. They are the people answering 431-help at case dot edu, and they are the people holding the bulk of our office hours. Each of them has been in your shoes - they’ve taken the course in the past, and they enjoyed it enough to come back for more. Many have volunteered their precious time and energy to help make the course happen, and we couldn’t be more delighted to welcome you to the course.

To contact the TAs, email 431-help at case dot edu.

7.1 Office Hours for TAs

Teaching Assistant Office Hours are held in WG-56 (Computing Lab) or WG-67 (Student Lounge) on the ground floor of the Wood building, so be sure to look in both places if you need help.

The TAs hold hours at the following times.

Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:30 - 12:30, 2:30 - 4:30 and 5:45 - 6:45,
and also on Fridays from 4:30 - 5:30.

7.2 Claudia Cabrera

Claudia Cabrera, MD, graduated from Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education Medical School in 2012 and is in the Masters’ Program in Clinical Research. Before coming to Case, Claudia worked in Bariatric Surgery for two years while also lecturing in Anatomy and Physiology at the same university from which she graduated in Mexico. She took 431 and 432 two years ago and thoroughly enjoyed learning Statistics, especially its applications to medicine. Claudia loves doing Clinical Research as well as learning and teaching. Currently her research is related to melanoma and head and neck surgery. In her free time, Claudia loves playing basketball, and reading. Claudia is the Lead TA for 431, Section 1, but all TAs work with both sections.

7.3 Omar Alaber

Omar Alaber, MD, is a 2008 international medical graduate from Al Mergib University, Faculty of Medicine. He is in his second year in the Clinical Research Masters’ Program (CRSP). Before he came to the USA in 2014, he was working in Internal Medicine Department as senior house officer (a resident) for about 5 years. Also, he served as a teaching assistant in the Internal Medicine department. Omar’s current research focuses on capsule endoscopy, but he is also planning new projects in advanced endoscopy. In his free time, Omar loves spending time with his wonderful wife and two adorable daughters travelling, grilling, or just chatting. Also, he likes playing soccer. Omar is the Lead TA for 431, Section 2, but all TAs work with both sections.

7.4 Kara Quaid

Kara Quaid is a fourth year undergraduate student in the Integrated Graduate Studies program at CWRU. She is pursuing a BS in Statistics and is in her second year in the Masters’ Program in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. While taking 431 and 432, she enjoyed learning about and using R and R Studio. Kara is involved in stroke research with the Bioinformatics Section at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, where she puts all of the great skills she learned in 431 and 432 to use. In her spare time, Kara likes to cook and listen to show tunes.

7.5 Ruzica (Rosie) Conic

Ruzica (Rosie) Conic, MD, graduated from Belgrade University School of Medicine in 2015. She is beginning her 3rd year in the Clinical Translational Science PhD. Rosie’s research interests are in dermatology (specifically psoriasis, melanoma and hair loss) and utilization of EHRs and large databases for dermatology research. She is also the head of professional development of Women in Sciences and Humanities Earning Doctorates (WISHED) here at CWRU, community of female doctoral students and candidates that aims to provide social and professional resources and tools for individual and collective development. If you’re interested in WISHED, let her know! In her free time she likes to play sports.

7.6 Bob Winkelman

Bob Winkelman is a third year student in the MD program at the CWRU School of Medicine. He received his undergraduate degree from Carnegie Mellon University where he majored in Chemical and Biomedical Engineering. Before coming to CWRU for medical school, Bob also spent 1 year working for Epic, an electronic health record vendor, in Wisconsin. Bob took 431 and 432 last year and has appreciated how the skills he learned in those classes have helped him with his clinical outcomes research at Cleveland Clinic Center for Spine Health. Bob enjoys playing flag football, exercising, cooking, reading, and listening to podcasts.