Post by Evan Czulada, MD

I'm honored to share that I’ve been selected as a 2026 Emory StARR (Stimulating Access to Research in Residency) Scholar through the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). The StARR R38 program was created to address the national shortage of physician-scientists by providing protected research time, structured mentorship, and formal training during residency. Programs like this one at the Emory University Department of Medicine make it possible to pursue meaningful investigation while continuing rigorous clinical training. Through StARR, I’ll be leading CHASM (Chagas disease Health Assessment and Screening gaps in Management), a project focused on identifying gaps in Chagas disease screening across major Atlanta health systems and implementing targeted solutions. Chagas disease remains one of the most underdiagnosed causes of cardiomyopathy and arrhythmia in immigrant communities in the US. CHASM will combine epidemiologic analysis, provider education, and EHR-based clinical decision support tools to improve early detection and connect patients to timely care before irreversible cardiac complications develop. My commitment to this work began years ago as a Spanish medical interpreter for migrant agricultural workers at Keystone Health in college, and this deepened in medical school while establishing a large Chagas cardiomyopathy research cohort with Dr. Robert Gilman, Rachel Marcus, David Martin at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Through these experiences, I saw firsthand how geography and health system design can determine cardiovascular outcomes. I’m deeply grateful for the mentorship and support of Jessica Fairley (PI), Nadine Rouphael, Dr. Shannon Walker, and Reena Hemrajani, along with our multi-institutional collaborators and my long-time mentors who have helped shape this path. I’m thankful to be training in an environment that invests in residents pursuing academic research careers. Long term, I hope this StARR foundation to build a career as an academic cardiologist focused on cardiovascular infectious diseases and implementation strategies that reduce inequities in cardiovascular outcomes. Beyond excited for what’s ahead. #StARR #PhysicianScientist #Cardiology #InfectiousDiseases #CardiovascularID #HealthEquity #AcademicMedicine #MedicalResearch #EmoryMedicine