Yalda Afshar, MD, PhD
2015 Resident Scholars Program
Currently at UCLA Health
What was the most memorable part of your Foundation-funded project or experience as a Foundation awardee?
I was a junior resident just named a Resident Scholar, and I got to spend the day "in the shoes of" a couple of the MFM leaders. I felt a passion, cultivating environment, and sense of community among SMFM members and the leadership that made me want to help cultivate that energy in myself and those around me.
Tell us more about what you're currently working on.
I am researching maternal-fetal environmental hemodynamics and genetic modifiers of congenital heart disease.
How did the award influence your career?
Being a Resident Scholar had a huge influence during the interview process for fellowship, consideration for career trajectory, and desire to be involved in SMFM.
What lessons (e.g., personal, professional, life, etc.) did you learn that you would like to pass on to future awardees?
This is your community -- embrace the great aspects about it and change what can become better!
Did you submit an abstract for #SMFM20?
Yes.
Where did you do your MFM fellowship?
UCLA
What do you like best about being an MFM?
First and foremost, hands down . . . BEST JOB IN THE WORLD! Feto-maternal physiology is just absolutely awe inspiring. Understanding the underlying etiologies of phenotypes that we cannot articulate / provide causation for leaves so much to continue to learn, explore, and answer for families, research, and ourselves.
What do you hope to be doing in 10 years?
Continuing to be as awe-inspired at MFM as a discipline while pushing boundaries of knowledge and questioning the best status quo in the name of providing top notch evidence-based wholesome care to families.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
Never thought I'd be a physician -- was going to be a Jane Goodall / Indiana Jones khaki wearing anthropologist/archeologist!
