Class of 2028
Michael Perez, DO
A native of South Texas, Dr. Perez received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Texas at San Antonio. He also completed a Master of Health Science degree in healthcare informatics from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine in Edinburgh, Texas. Dr. Perez then received his medical degree at the University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine in San Antonio.
While in medical school, Dr. Perez served as a Student Ambassador for the Learner Ambassador Program, representing the school to educate prospective students about UIWSOM. He also served as a volunteer for Healing the Children, a non-profit organization that provides free medical services to children around the world and volunteered with the Center for Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, offering free evaluation and treatment services to the San Antonio community.
Dr. Perez plays multiple musical instruments and has performed with country, mariachi and heavy metal bands. He also enjoys BBQ and is trained in many disciplines of martial arts.
Aylwyn Corpus, DO
Originally from the Philippines, Dr. Corpus received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Baylor University. He then completed his medical degree at Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Lynchburg, Virginia.
While in medical school, Dr. Corpus was a volunteer coach with Rocksteady Boxing, a program designed to help people with Parkinson’s disease develop strength and balance. He also volunteered with the Connecting Point program at a community church to provide health screenings and food pantry distribution to individuals in central Virginia.
Dr. Corpus enjoys the outdoors, especially running, hiking and paddleboarding. He is also a weight-lifting enthusiast and enjoys reading and journaling.
Sara Pourjavaheri, MD
Dr. Pourjavaheri received her Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Texas at El Paso and her medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch John Sealy School of Medicine in Galveston, Texas.
During her undergraduate studies, Dr. Pourjavaheri worked as a certified pharmacy technician. She has also served as a volunteer violinist for Music in Medicine, a student-run musical group that performs for hospitalized patients and for medical school events. She has also volunteered for Galveston Island’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s and the Humane Society of Galveston.
Dr. Pourjavaheri enjoys crafting and creating beaded jewelry, Latin dancing and caring for her pet cats.
Pooja Vallatharasan, DO
Dr. Vallatharasan received her Bachelor of Science degree in neuroscience from the University of Texas at Dallas and completed her medical degree at the University of North Texas Health Science Center – Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Worth.
While in medical school, Dr. Vallatharasan worked as a student teaching assistant, instructing first-year medical students on Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine and osteopathic techniques. She also founded Students Engaged in Aquatics, a student recreational group, volunteered for Meals on Wheels, and participated in a medical trip to Mission, Texas, conducting physical exams and educating patients on lifestyle and dietary adjustments to promote preventative health.
She enjoys practicing Bharatanatyam, a form of classical Indian dance, aquascaping and playing tennis.
Dr. Vallatharasan is fluent in English and Tamil.
Christian Gutierrez, MD
Originally from Los Angeles, California, Dr. Gutierrez received a Bachelor of Science degree in neuroscience from the University of California – Santa Barbara. He then completed his medical degree at St. George’s University School of Medicine in Grenada.
While in medical school, Dr. Gutierrez worked as a behavioral therapist, providing therapy to children on the autism spectrum. He served as a clinical care intern for COPE Health Solutions at St. John’s Regional Medical Center, providing supportive care to patients. He also volunteered for the Boys and Girls Club of America helping to mentor children and teaching a weekly computer class.
Dr. Gutierrez enjoys gardening and creating prototypes through 3D printing.
He is fluent in English and Spanish.
Michael Roa, MD
Dr. Roa received a Bachelor of Science degree in biomedical science and a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg. He then completed a dual Master’s degrees in public health and biomedical informatics from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Dr. Roa then received his medical degree at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine in Edinburgh.
While in graduate school, Dr. Roa worked as a graduate research assistant, analyzing data for studies on bone density, cardiovascular blood pressure variation and pharmacology. He also served as a summer intern with the National Institute of Health NIDDK in Bethesda, Maryland, where he gained hands-on experience in lab and research techniques.
He enjoys enhancing his data science skills through working on coding projects involving data analysis and financial data and exploring quantitative analytics.
Dr. Roa is fluent in English and Spanish.