Our Research Team

John Leung, MD, AGAF, FACAAI

Dr. John Leung attended medical school at the University of Michigan Medical School and completed his internal medicine residency at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He then finished a gastroenterology fellowship at Tufts Medical Center and an Allergy/Immunology clinical and research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School. Although he has extensive experience in basic research and translational research, he also has 19 years of experience in conducting clinical trials. In the past, he was the site principal investigator for the Consortium of Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disease Researchers (CEGIR) and former director of Center for Food Related Diseases at Tufts Medical Center for several years. Currently, he is both the CEO and founder of Boston Specialists LLC.

Notable Research:

  1. Shoda T, . . . , Leung J, . . ., Rothenberg ME. Evaluating Eosinophilic Colitis as a Unique Disease using Colonic Molecular Profiles: A Multi-Site Study. Gastroenterology, 2022.

  2. Ma C, . . . , Leung J, . . . , Safroneeva E. Development of a core outcome set for therapeutic studies in eosinophilic esophagitis (COREOS). J Allergy Clin Immunol, 2-21.

  3. Dellon ES, . . . , Leung J, . . . , Hirano I. Anti-Siglec-8 Antibody (AK002) in Eosinophilic Gastritis and/or Duodenitis. N Engl J Med, 2020; 383:1624-1634.

Justin Holtzman, MD, MHSA

Dr. Justin Holtzman is a board-certified internist practicing in the Boston area. He received his Bachelor in Business Administration degree from The University of Michigan Ross School of Business in Ann Arbor, MI. Following his undergrad, he completed combined Master of Health Services Administration and Medical Doctorate degrees at The University of Michigan. He then went on to complete his internship in Internal Medicine at St. John Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit, MI, followed by a residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, MA.

He has served on the faculty of Harvard Medical School teaching physical exam and clinical reasoning skills to first year medical students. Dr. Holtzman has a passion for primary care, teaching, and delivering the highest quality, evidence-based care to his patients. He welcomes the opportunity to have medical students rotate in his office.

On the off chance that he isn't working, he can be found stranded on his boat in Boston Harbor with his friends and family.

Gary Trey, MD, MPH

Dr. Gary Trey is an experienced and reliable internist and gastroenterologist serving the community of Boston, MA. Dr. Trey attended Tulane University in New Orleans, where he received his medical degree, and completed his master’s in public health at Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Saint Elizabeth's Medical Center. He then finished a fellowship in gastroenterology at the same institution. Dr. Trey also has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY. Dr. Trey is board certified in internal medicine, gastroenterology, and transplant hepatology by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Notable Research:

  1. Trey G. Chapter: Geriatric Hepatology in Pathy’s textbook on principles and practice of geriatric medicine: 6th edition, 2020.

  2. Trey G, . . . , Tigler-Wybrandi NA. Changes in acid secretion over the years. A 30-year longitudinal study. J Clin Gastroenterol, 1997;25(3):499-502.

Vladyslava Doktor, DO

Dr. Vladyslava Doktor earned her Master of Arts in medical science at Boston University School of Medicine, followed by a medical degree at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in New York. She then went on to complete her dermatology residency at St. John's Episcopal Hospital, New York. Dr. Doktor is a firm believer that one must continue to learn throughout their profession. She enjoys attending both local and national conferences to continue learning the most cutting-edge material in medical dermatology, as well as new surgical and cosmetic techniques. She has also had the privilege to publish and present her work at some of these same local conferences. While she values the education she gets at these conferences, she also believes listening to her patients is equally important to providing well-rounded care. Her goal is to build long-lasting relationships with her patients while offering top-notch care.

Rachel Solecki - Director of Research

Rachel Solecki graduated with honors from Duke University with a major in Biology, concentration in Genetics, and minor in Chemistry. Rachel has previously worked in the Duke University Medical Center as a research associate and a community resource navigator for patients. She currently works as head clinical research coordinator at the clinic and is passionate about improving quality of lives for patients with rare diseases. In her free time, Rachel can be found out for a run, grabbing a coffee, or exploring Boston.

Notable Research:

  1. Sia T, . . . , Solecki RA, . . . , Leung J. Dupilumab improves clinical and histologic features of eosinophilic esophagitis prior to 12 weeks of treatment. Clinical and Translational Allergy, 2023.

  2. Lupan, BM, Solecki, RA, Musso, CM, Alsina, FC, and Silver, DL. The exon junction complex component EIF4A3 is essential for mouse and human cortical progenitor mitosis and neurogenesis. bioRxiv (Pre-print), 2023.

Contact:

  • Email: research@bfac.org

  • Phone: 857-370-7200

Lina Fikri

Lina Fikri graduated from Tufts University with a major in Biochemistry and a minor in German. During her undergraduate studies, she conducted research at the Tufts University School of Medicine, focusing on the role of epigenetics in the development of breast cancer. She also interned at NYU Langone Health, studying the link between lymphangiogenesis and the adaptive immune response. Currently, Lina works as a study coordinator at Boston Specialists, where she hopes to increase the scientific understanding of GI diseases and improve patients' quality of life. Her hobbies include drawing, working out, and learning languages.

Notable Research:

  1. Firmino Cruz L., Mudianto T., Fikri L., Luthra R., Lund A., Nowosad C.; Lymph node lymphangiogenesis constrains the germinal center structure to enhance selection and functional antibody production during cutaneous virus infection, Journal of Immunology, May 2024..

Contact:

  • Email: teamb@bfac.org

  • Phone: 774-277-8351

Madison Headen

Madison graduated with highest distinction from UNC Chapel Hill with a major in Nutrition - Science & Research, and minors in Chemistry and Spanish for the medical professions. Madison previously worked for UNC Hospitals as a nursing assistant in the organ transplant unit, and while in college she conducted independent research on Type II Diabetes Mellitus. She currently coordinates multiple trials at the clinic, and she is especially interested in improving quality of life for those with chronic illnesses. Her hobbies include cooking, reading, and exploring Boston.

Notable Research:

  1. Sia T, . . . , Headen, M . . . , Leung J. Dupilumab improves clinical and histologic features of eosinophilic esophagitis prior to 12 weeks of treatment. Clinical and Translational Allergy, 2023.

Contact:

  • Email: madison.h@bfac.org

  • Phone: 617-871-0844

Twan Sia - Clinical Research Strategist

Twan Sia is currently a medical student at Stanford University School of Medicine. He is working collaboratively with the rest of the research team on internal reserach projects. For his undergraduate education, he attended Swarthmore College and received high honors in Biology and English Literature. At Swarthmore, he gained extensive experience in wet lab work, investigating cancer development through the lens of structural biochemistry and biophysics. Since graduating from Swarthmore and serving as a clinical assistant Boston Specialists, he has been involved in multiple large research grants for investigating the mechanism and treatment of steroid-induced acne at Stanford. He is passionate about patient education and mentorship in research.

Notable Research:

  1. Sia T, . . . , Chang AL. An exploratory comparative case series of calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibodies in patients with migraine with rosacea. British Journal of Dermatology, 2023.

  2. Sia T, . . . , Leung J. Dupilumab can induce remission of eosinophilic gastritis and duodenitis: A retrospective case series. Clinical and Translational Gastroenterology, 2023.

  3. Sia T, . . . , Leung J. Food elimination diet is a viable alternative therapy for eosinophilic esophagitis responsive to proton pump inhibitors. BMC Gastroenterology, 2023.

Contact:

Jeremy Spiewak, PharmD, RPh, MSCS

Dr. Jeremy KW Spiewak was trained at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst where he obtained his degree in chemistry, then at MCPHS University Boston where he obtained his Doctor of Pharmacy. Subsequently, he was invited to join the faculty at MCPHS University where he accepted an appointment as an adjunct in Pharmacy Practice Management for the College of Pharmacy. Prior to his training as a pharmacist, Dr. Spiewak was a CPhT and the Director of Operations for an Independent Pharmacy in Central MA where his career spanned 14 years. As a pharmacist, Dr. Spiewak has worked in various practice settings as a health systems RPh, pharmacy manager, specialty pharmacy manager, site manager, clinical trials, professor, and ambulatory care. He has a passion for interprofessional collaboration and is a lifelong learner. Dr. Spiewak currently serves as an ambulatory care pharmacist at an IBD center, continues an adjunct faculty appointment at MCPHS University and BU Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, as well as per diem work for ScriptWellRx in the rare disease division.