Previous Core TA's: Katherine Tran, Ryan Baxter, Tosin Omowole, InKyoo Hwang
Medical Physiology Teaching Assistants are all current second year students or recent MSMP alumni. They are a diverse group of individuals who have all demonstrated their knowledge of physiology with exceptional academic performance throughout the core curriculum. MSMP TAs are instrumental in supporting the success of incoming students each year by holding regular office hours and study sessions, hosting recitations sessions, assisting with exam reviews, and providing endless support and guidance.
Rachel Gristock, TA
Hello everyone!
My name is Rachel Gristock, and I am excited to be one of your TAs for the MSMP core
curriculum this year.
I was born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaii and received my Bachelor of Science
degree in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Hawaii at Hilo. I was
fortunate to be part of a scholarship program that provided many opportunities I would
not have otherwise had as a first-generation college student including summer courses
at the University of Arizona and travelling to Italy, Germany, Hungary, and up and down
the east coast to learn about history and visit museums and other culturally important
sites. However, please do not ask me anything about history – it has never been my
area of expertise.
As I finished up my undergraduate degree I started scribing in my local emergency
department, and after graduating I got a job in the hospital laboratory and learned
phlebotomy. Working in the hospital throughout COVID and with staffing shortages
somehow did not deter me from my dream of pursuing medicine, and I found the MSMP
program to help me make it happen!
I took the first year of core curriculum online from Hawaii while preparing to relocated to
Cleveland this summer. I also used Spring Break last year to get married to my X-ray
technologist husband (Mical). When I’m not studying, I’m trying to get my two newly
adopted shelter cats to love me, cooking, or exploring the outdoors!
Welcome to the program, and I look forward to working with all of you!
Lexie Strazinsky TA
My name is Lexie Strazinsky, and I am going to be one of your TAs for the core curriculum.
I was actually born in Cleveland and raised in Mentor, a suburb about 25 minutes from campus.
Being from the area, if you need any advice on how to deal with the (usually) brutal winters we
get here, I have plenty of tips! After high school, I attended the University of Pennsylvania
where I earned a degree in Neuroscience with minors in Chemistry and Cognitive Science last
year. Here, I co-founded an organization called Bridge Beyond Penn which focuses on
advocating for and assisting those who experience homelessness and housing instability in the
Philadelphia area. My involvement with Bridge Beyond and others such as West Philadelphia
Tutoring Project, an organization that provides free tutoring to students in low-income areas,
highlights my passion for social justice and advocacy.
After graduating and deciding to take a gap year (or two), I knew I wanted to return to the
Cleveland area, but I was unsure what to do during this time. When I found out about the MSMP
Program, I knew it would be a perfect fit. I was able to gain knowledge about topics that deeply
interest me while gaining more experience, networking, and making valuable connections. In my
time since returning to the area, I have continued in my roles as an acute care volunteer at UH, a
dog walker at the Lake Humane society, began research in Dr. Qi’s lab, and am now working as
your TA!
When I am not working or volunteering, I really enjoy getting outdoors. One of my favorite
places to take my extremely high energy dog, Ivy, is Cuyahoga Valley National Park - the only
National Park in Ohio! I also play in a sand volleyball league during the summer (and an indoor
sand league during the winter). Once the weather gets colder, you can almost always find me
curled up with a book, and on my lazier days, binge watching something on Netflix. As an early
riser, I like to take the 6:00 am hot yoga classes at Harmony Studios in Downtown Willoughby!
As I said before, if you ever need recommendations for anything, let me know!
The MSMP Program has been an invaluable experience for me, just as it will be for you. I am so
excited to get to know each of you better!
Ashley Willey, TA
My name is Ashley Willey, and I am excited to be one of your TAs for the MSMP Core
curriculum this year.
I am from Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, a small town on the eastern side of PA. After high
school, I attended the University of Pittsburgh, where I majored in neuroscience with a minor in
chemistry. In my four years, I loved joining different clubs, exploring the city, and volunteering. I
was even lucky enough to be chosen for the school’s volunteer trip to Honduras. In Pittsburgh, I
found a research opportunity in an immunology and retroviral lab. The goal of the lab is to lead
to the development of vaccinations, better treatment, and even a cure for all retroviruses,
specifically HIV. I still love the city of Pittsburgh, and it’s only two hours away, so if you ever
want to take a day trip, I have many recommendations!
Before graduating, I decided I wanted to take a gap year or two before applying to medical
school. The MSMP was my favorite program, and as soon as I received my acceptance letter, I
packed up and moved to Cleveland! I was a resident student during my Core year, and I enjoyed
being in class every day. Outside of school, I was able to volunteer as a tutor for Lincoln West
High School, at the Ronald McDonald House, and with Master Chefs. I will be continuing these
volunteer activities this year, along with my new position as a clinical technician in the ICU at
the Cleveland Clinic.
During my free time, I love to be outside with friends. Two of my bucket list items are to
explore every national park in the United States and hike to the base camp of Mount Everest.
However, I also enjoy calm nights with my friends doing arts and crafts, reading books, or even
just a movie night.
InKyoo Hwang, Senior TA
InKyoo was born in Seoul, South Korea. He attended elementary school in Cincinnati, Ohio. InKyoo moved back to South Korea during middle school and returned to attend high school in Harrisonburg, Virginia. He attended Temple University, where he majored in Biochemistry. Following his college graduation in 2023 he enrolled in the MSMP program. He graduatedin spring 2024 and is now the senior teaching assistant.
