Meet Our Residents

Sahar Ashraf, MD

My passion for Child and Adolescent psychiatry has brought me to Midland, where I have had great experience serving West Texas families. I was born and spent my early life in Pakistan. Coming to Texas and working in mental health with patients from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds has enabled me to understand their unique mental health needs. My experience as a mother helps me understand the emotional burden on the families of our young patients and the fragility of young minds. I have a particular interest in substance use, eating disorders, and trauma-related behavior disorders in children and adolescents, and I plan to further my training in these areas. My fellowship program has provided me with training in unique mental health disorders in children and adolescent populations, keeping me updated on the most novel approaches through didactics and journal clubs. Other than my professional life, coming from a diverse cultural country, I like to explore different cultures and travel to various places. I enjoy different cuisines and also love cooking. In my free time, Sufi music and quotes from Rumi are the food for my soul.

Sampada Badgaiyan, MD

I was born and raised in India, where I earned my medical degree from Lady Hardinge Medical College in New Delhi. During my time as a junior resident in psychiatry at my alma mater, I developed a strong interest in understanding the human mind and the complexities of mental health disorders. My curiosity about the neurobiological aspects of these conditions particularly neurotransmitter imbalances led me to research roles in neuroimaging labs at the University at Buffalo and later at the University of Minnesota.

In addition, I also worked as a community outreach physician in India, caring for the elderly. This experience gave me meaningful insight into the differences between healthy aging and conditions like late-life depression, dementia, and anxiety. More importantly, it taught me the value of listening closely, being present, and showing patience especially when working with vulnerable populations.

I feel truly grateful to be part of the Texas Tech Permian Basin Psychiatry family. As a future resident in the program, I aspire to grow into a compassionate and approachable psychiatrist someone patients can trust and feel safe with. My goal is to build strong therapeutic alliances that support meaningful healing and better mental health outcomes.

Outside of medicine, I find joy in spending time with my kids, cooking, reading, and going for long walks. These moments keep me grounded and remind me why I chose this path to care for others with sincerity, curiosity, and commitment.

Obinna Chukwuma, MD

My name is Obinna Chukwuma Victor, and I am from Nigeria, where I have spent a significant part of my life, including my medical education at the University of Nigeria Medical School. During my time there, I was fortunate to take on leadership roles that allowed me to organize community mental health outreach initiatives aimed at dispelling misconceptions and reducing the stigma surrounding mental healthcare in my country.

My passion for travel and gaining multicultural experiences led me to the UK, and I am now living in the United States, where I have gained a wealth of clinical, educational, and cultural experience. I am excited to begin my Psychiatry Residency Training at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. This opportunity will allow me to demonstrate my dedication to providing medical and mental healthcare, particularly to underserved communities.

I cherish spending time with my young and beautiful family, as well as my friends. I love cooking, especially my Nigerian delicacies, and I am currently exploring cuisines from different parts of the world. Additionally, I enjoy traveling and listening to music.

Ekene Ezeokoli, MD

My family came to the U.S from Nigeria when I was 7, before eventually moving to Michigan. I have a strong interest in neurorehabilitation, both psychiatrically and neurologically. Improving quality of life after acute stressors and medical incidents is key. Outside medicine, I enjoy reading, weightlifting, and of course spending time with family and friends. I hope to back to playing basketball and soccer during residency.

Aneesha Haryal, MD

I was born in Canada and completed medical school in India before moving to the U.S. a few years ago. This journey across continents has shaped the way I connect with people and understand the many cultural and personal factors that influence mental health.

I've always been fascinated by the resilience of the human mind and the deeply personal stories that emerge in every patient encounter. My path in medicine has been driven by a desire to create a safe and respectful space for individuals navigating mental health disorders. I believe that being human means learning every day , from our experiences, our mistakes, and most importantly, from each other. Every patient teaches me something new about resilience, vulnerability, and what it means to show up with purpose. It's a privilege to be part of that exchange.

Training at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center gives me the opportunity to care for individuals from diverse backgrounds while learning from a team that values advocacy, clinical excellence, and empathy. Outside of work, I find joy in traveling, nature photography, and wandering through local farmers markets. I believe in finding happiness in the little things , whether it's a good cup of coffee, a quiet sunset, or spending time with friends and family.

Alireza Mirghiasi, MD

I was born and raised in Fars, Iran. My interest in psychiatry began during medical school and deepened after working with psychiatric patients in Iran. Studying and practicing psychiatry helped me discover how meaningful it is for me to understand and provide care for people affected by psychiatric conditions. I am particularly interested in exploring brain function, psychopathologies, and behavioral sciences. Outside of medicine, I enjoy painting, hiking, and spending time in nature. I feel grateful to be part of the psychiatry residency program at TTUHSC Permian Basin, where I can continue learning and growing with a supportive and inspiring team.

Vighnesh Nair, MD

I was born and raised in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and then made my way to West Texas for medical school. I am excited to continue working in West Texas for residency, because I grew to love the patient population we would get from Texas and other neighboring states that had to travel so far to receive medical care. As a resident, I aspire to be the best physician for my patients and a reliable resource for my community. Outside of the hospital I enjoy cooking, 3D printing, hosting board game nights, and being outdoors with my dog Basil. 

Suraiya Silvi, M.D

I was born and raised in Bangladesh where I graduated from Sylhet Osmani Medical College. Since my graduation, I have worked in multiple clinical settings with diverse patient populations and gained a wide range of experience. My passion for seeking better and complete care for someone who can make a difference in their own life has driven me toward the field of Psychiatry. A quest for knowing more about a person's inner self has aided me in moving forward in this unique field of medicine.  
In the TTUHSC Permian Basin Psychiatry residency program, I aspire to become a compassionate Psychiatrist with the most comprehensive training. I am also interested in being involved in community outreach, providing care for the underserved, and spreading awareness to eliminate bias and stigmas in mental health care. I believe in the importance of doing meaningful work and also making good memories with near and dear ones. In my free time, I like to watch movies, TV series, listen to music, do yoga, cook, explore new places, and spend time in nature and with friends and family. 

Riley Junell, MD

I am a native Texan and I graduated medical school from TTUHSC.  I have lived in Lubbock, Amarillo and now Midland/Odessa. I am honored to have the opportunity to serve the patient population here.  In my free time I like reading outside of academics when I am able as well as watching TV.  I enjoy connecting with people and I hope I can make some new friends here in the Permian Basin during my time with TTUHSC Psychiatry.

Mark Evans, MD

I was born and raised on the Texas-Mexican border in Laredo, TX. However, I spent time in San Antonio, TX working as a nurse and completing my medical education prior to moving to West Texas to pursue a residency in psychiatry. I have over 12 years of experience working as a psychiatric nurse and consider inpatient psychiatry my primary interests.  I am grateful for the opportunity to pursue my psychiatry residency training here at TTUHSC at the Permian Basin. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, taking my dog out on walks, true- crime, and traveling.

Sendhil Raj Karmegam, MD

I graduated medical school from PSGIMS&R, Coimbatore, India. I started practicing in a rural health center, where I understood that the importance of mental health is often ignored and stigmatized. The process of rendering mental health services kindled a curiosity about the human mind and body. I completed Psychiatry residency at the same medical university in India, with an aim to create awareness and deliver accessible mental health services to people in need. A global training at TTUHSC is an opportunity for me to understand the bio-psycho-social factors in the community and I look forward to pursue my interest in Mood disorders research. I enjoy playing chess and cricket with friends. My curiosity in astrophysics keeps me in awe with new discoveries emerging every day and ponder about life.

Nadeem Mian, MD

I was born and raised in Pakistan. Growing up, I had a strong desire to pursue a career in medicine, driven by a deep seated passion for helping others. This led me on an incredible journey to the Philippines, where I embarked on my medical education. I had a deep fascination with the human mind and a desire to understand the complexities of human behavior. This passion led me to pursue a career in medicine with a specific focus on psychiatry.
I had an exceptional opportunity to be a part of psychiatry training in Washington state. Working closely with mentors, I witnessed the transformative impact they had on their patients' lives. I was captivated by the ability of psychiatrists to help individuals struggling with mental health conditions find hope, healing and a path towards recovery.
There were several compelling reasons behind my decision to choose Texas Tech University Health Sciences, Permian Basin for my residency training. Firstly, Texas Tech has a renowned psychiatry department with faculty members who are experts in their field. Psychiatry program here has a comprehensive curriculum and diverse clinical experiences that promise to provide me with a strong foundation in psychiatry. Furthermore, its commitment to research and innovation aligned perfectly with my own aspirations to contribute to the advancement of psychiatric knowledge and treatment modalities. My future goals are to pursue a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry and possibly addiction psychiatry.  

I enjoy watching movies, reading books, playing supports and spending time with family and friends.

Travis Pham, MD

I was born and raised in Houston, TX and spent time in Austin, TX completing my undergraduate degree before moving out to West Texas for my medical education. I have an interest in working with underserved populations and aiding individuals to become the best version of themselves. I truly believe that in order to effectively treat a patient, you must not only be well versed in knowledge about the illness, but also the person who has the illness as well. In my spare time, I enjoy social gatherings, being active outdoors, live music, photography, and painting. I am excited to continue on my journey in the field of psychiatry to make a positive difference in the lives of those around me.

Mahwish Adnan, MD

I grew up in Pakistan as the first of four children (three brothers). 
My short-term goals are to pursue a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry or possibly geriatric psychiatry. After that, I see myself treating children and adolescents. Long-term goals: getting expertise in ECT and TMS. I joined the Texas Tech University at Permian Basin Psychiatry team after matching for residency in Match 2022. I like adrenaline rush, so you may catch me riding the biggest, fastest, and scariest rides at an amusement park. I enjoy spending time with my husband and kids in my free time. Other hobbies include movies,  cooking and travelling with family/friends.