Date published: October 1, 2026
October Fellow Spotlight: Sandus Khan, MD
In this month’s Fellow Spotlight, we feature Sandus Khan, MD, an infectious disease fellow at UMass Chan. We recently caught up with Dr. Khan to learn more about her clinical and research interests, why she chose UMass Chan for her fellowship, and why Eid al-Fitr is her favorite holiday.
Hometown?
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
What are your clinical and research interests?
I am passionate about infectious disease because I like being a person who can make sense of a messy clinical situation. It is like being a detective; I need to assess the scene, gather the evidence, and find the culprit. The patient factors, the environment, and the microorganism may be different for each patient, presenting in a different form, which requires a unique approach and management. Transplant ID takes this adventure another step further, where at times, nothing makes sense. This is the one specialty where not every patient will fit into well-defined guidelines, and even the implicated bug can have surprises for you. ID allows me to interact with all facets of medicine, across specialties and different allied health professionals. With new developing therapeutics and diagnostic tools, I look forward to tackling more unique challenges and helping patients and the community stay safe and healthy.
My research interest currently pertains to the importance of vaccine advocacy. I am currently exploring how the introduction of the RSV vaccine has led to improved cardiovascular outcomes for patients who are at risk for severe RSV infections.
Why did you choose UMass Chan for your fellowship?
I chose UMass Chan for fellowship because of its reputation for providing strong clinical training and exposure. It has allowed me to grow as a physician and researcher with a wide variety of complex cases through its Transplant Infectious Disease track. I had the privilege of learning from amazing teachers. There is always someone there to go above and beyond to guide you and teach you. I am lucky to have gained so many mentors, whether it relates to fellowship, job hunting, or just general life advice.
Are you involved in any other groups or activities at UMass Chan that you’d like to highlight?
Currently, I love running the Instagram account for the UMass Infectious Disease Fellowship. I enjoy showcasing a glimpse into our ID family and sharing educational content.
Where is your favorite place to travel for vacation and why?
Having been to 15 countries and counting, my favorite countries have been Iceland and Ireland because of their beautiful landscapes. Snorkeling between the two tectonic plates was an unforgettable experience. Next on my list to visit is Bolivia as part of a global Infectious Disease rotation!
What is your go-to board game?
My favorite board game has to be Codenames! It brings the whole group together, no matter the size, and is incredibly easy to learn. You need to strategize and work as a team, but it always leads to chaos. I love that one simple clue can completely change the way everyone thinks, and lots of “HOW DID YOU NOT GET THAT?!”
What was your favorite book as a child?
My favorite book series as a child was the Harry Potter books. They’ll always have a special place because I grew up with these books and movies.
Favorite holiday?
Eid al-Fitr is my favorite holiday because it is the time when my entire family gets together to celebrate every year after the month of Ramadan (a month of fasting for Muslims). It reminds me to be grateful for where I am in life; provides an opportunity to appreciate my family, my cats, and the people in my life. Of course, there is always amazing food!