2026 Thyroid Disease Conference Speakers
Rakel Emma-Okah MD
Rakel Emma-Okah, MD, is a fellow in the Endocrinology Fellowship Program at the WVU School of Medicine with a strong foundation in internal medicine and a focused interest in the diagnosis and management of complex endocrine disorders. She completed her residency training in internal medicine at Bassett Medical Center in New York, where she developed a passion for patient-centered care and evidence-based practice.
During her fellowship training, Dr. Emma-Okah has gained experience in managing diabetes, thyroid disorders, adrenal and pituitary diseases, and metabolic bone conditions. She is interested in a career in academic medicine.
Aproova Iyer, MD
Aproova Iyer, MD, is an endocrinologist currently practicing at WVU Medicine United Hospital Center in Bridgeport, West Virginia. She holds board certifications in endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism, as well as internal medicine. Dr. Iyer provides comprehensive clinical care for a wide range of endocrine and metabolic disorders.
Iyer earned her medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School in 2020, before coming to WVU, where she completed the remainder of her specialized medical training. She completed her residency in internal medicine at WVU in 2023, followed by her fellowship in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism in 2025.
Praveen Jeyaseelan, MD. MBBS
Praveen Jeyaseelan, M.D., MBBS, is an ophthalmologist who specializes in neuro-ophthalmology, pediatric ophthalmology and comprehensive ophthalmology. He provides treatment for patients with cataracts, crossed eyes, lazy eyes, congenital anomalies, double vision, brain-based visual impairments, visual defects caused by stroke and nystagmus.
Dr. Jeyaseelan joined the WVU Eye Institute and the WVU Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences as an assistant professor in 2021.
Jeyaseelan completed the Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus Clinical Fellowship Program at Northwestern University in 2021 and the Neuro-Ophthalmology Fellowship Program at Johns Hopkins University in 2020. He completed the Ophthalmology Residency Program at the Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University in India in 2017, where he also earned his medical degree.
Tariq Latif, MD
Tariq Latif, MD, is an endocrinologist who specializes in the treatment and management of diabetes and pituitary pathology. He is an assistant professor for the WVU Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology. He is board-certified in internal medicine and endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism.
Dr. Latif completed his medical school and internal medicine residency training at Marshall University. He went on to complete his endocrinology fellowship training at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Melissa LoPinto, MD, MPH, FACS
Melissa LoPinto, MD, MPH, FACS, is an endocrine surgeon who focuses on the surgical management of diseases of the parathyroid, thyroid and adrenal glands. She is board-certified in surgery.
Dr. LoPinto earned her medical degree from the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in 2006 and completed the General Surgery Residency at the University of Illinois / Metropolitan Group Hospitals in 2011. She also earned her master's degree in public health from the University of Illinois in 2013.
After working four years in a general surgery private practice, LoPinto decided to return to academic medicine to pursue a career in endocrine surgery. She completed a fellowship in endocrine surgery at the University of Miami in 2016 and subsequently joined the WVU Department of Surgery as an assistant professor.
John Nguyen, MD
John Nguyen, MD, is an ophthalmologist who specializes in ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery. His practice focuses on the treatment of eyelid deformities, thyroid eye disease, tumors and trauma around the eye.
Dr. Nguyen joined the WVU Eye Institute and the WVU Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences faculty in 2009. He serves as a professor and the director of the Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship Program. He is also on the consulting staff for the Louis A. Johnson Veterans Administration Hospital in Clarksburg, W.Va.
Nguyen completed the Orbital and Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery Fellowship Program at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary at Harvard Medical School in 2009. He completed the Ophthalmology Residency Program at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston in 2007, where he also completed his internship in 2004 and earned his medical degree in 2003. He is board-certified in ophthalmology and a member of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS).
Jessica Perini, MD
Jessica Perini, MD, is an associate professor for the WVU Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology. She has been a practicing endocrinologist since 2006. She earned her BA in Classics at the University of Virginia, then an MS from the University of Pennsylvania.
Pre-med science courses were completed at the University of Pennsylvania, and then she attended medical school at the University of Pittsburgh, earning her MD. She completed residency in internal medicine and then a fellowship in endocrinology and metabolism at the University of Pittsburgh.
Dr. Perini has worked as an endocrinologist in Pittsburgh, later in Connecticut, and now in West Virginia at the WVU School of Medicine since 2012. She has a broad interest in all endocrine topics and a strong interest in academic medicine, helping teach internal medicine residents about endocrinology and starting the Endocrinology Fellowship Program at WVU, for which she serves as the program director.
Mehjabeen Sadiq, MD
Mehjabeen Sadiq, MD, is an assistant professor for the WVU Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology. Her clinical and research interests include thyroid disease, adrenal disorders and metabolic bone disease. She is board-certified in internal medicine and endocrinology.
Dr. Sadiq earned her medical degree from King Edward Medical University in Pakistan and completed her internal medicine residency at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center. She then completed the Endocrinology Fellowship Program at West Virginia University before joining the faculty in 2024.
Maryam Tetlay, MD
Maryam Tetlay, MD, is an assistant professor for the WVU Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology. She is board-certified in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism and internal medicine.
Before joining the WVU faculty in 2023, she completed a fellowship in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism at the Baylor College of Medicine in June 2023 and her residency in internal medicine at the Allegheny Health Network in June 2021. She earned her medical degree from the Aga Khan University Medical College in Pakistan in 2016.
Bradley Thuro, MD
Bradley Thuro, MD, is an ophthalmologist who specializes in ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery.
Dr. Thuro joined the WVU Eye Institute and the WVU Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences faculty in 2016. He serves as an assistant professor and the director of the Ophthalmology Residency Program.
Thuro completed the Orbital Oncology and Oculoplastic Surgery Fellowship Program at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in 2016 and the Ophthalmic Pathology Fellowship Program at the University of Wisconsin in 2014. He completed the Ophthalmology Residency Program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 2013, where he also completed his internship in 2010 and earned his medical degree in 2009.
Harshani Yarlagadda, MD
Harshani Yarlagadda, MD, is a fellow in the Endocrinology Fellowship Program at the WVU School of Medicine. She has a special interest in the treatment and management of pituitary and thyroid disorders.
Dr. Yarlagadda earned her medical degree from the Avalon University School of Medicine in Curacao. She then completed her internal medicine residency at the Charleston Area Medical Center in Charleston, WV.