When you think of Columbus, Ohio, what comes to mind? For Ashan Kharzai, it’s a tapestry of memories—playing sports with friends, cheering on the Buckeyes and the Columbus Crew, and enjoying the simple joys of childhood. “It’s hard to pick just one memory,” Ashan says. “From school days to my first job at the Columbus Zoo and eventually attending Ohio State where I met my fiancé, there are just too many moments to choose from.”
Watching Columbus transform over the years has been equally rewarding. “I remember when the city felt so much smaller,” Ashan reflects. “Seeing how vibrant and expansive it has become is truly remarkable.”
A Passion for Science and Helping Others
Ashan’s path to the medical field wasn’t a straight line. “I’ve always loved science and research,” he explains, “but for a long time, I didn’t know much about health-care careers beyond becoming a physician or a nurse.” After college, reality set in—it was time to join the workforce. That’s when Ashan landed a role in clinical research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
“I ended up absolutely loving it,” he says. “Clinical research felt like the ‘good side’ of health care—where we actively help people and continuously find new ways to improve lives through research.”
Why Cincinnati Children’s?
When the opportunity arose to join Cincinnati Children’s, Ashan knew it was the right move. “It’s one of the best children’s hospitals in the country,” he says. “I was ready to move beyond Columbus, and this role allowed me to advance my career while growing personally.”
Living in Cincinnati gave Ashan the chance to experience a new city, meet new people, and step outside his comfort zone. “It was an important chapter in helping me develop both professionally and as a person.”
Life as a Clinical Research Coordinator
Today, Ashan works as a clinical research coordinator in the Imaging Research Center, managing and running clinical studies day to day. His role is a blend of organization, collaboration, and purpose, ensuring research moves forward to make a difference in patients’ lives.
Beyond the Lab
Outside of work, Ashan enjoys staying active and connected. “I love playing soccer and tennis, hanging out with friends and family, and trying new foods and cafes with my fiancé,” he shares. He’s also a big fan of football and soccer, and sometimes just enjoys relaxing with a good movie or game.
Speaking of movies, the last one Ashan watched was the Harry Potter series—an all-time favorite to revisit. As for books? “Probably a textbook from college,” he laughs.
Glenn Miñano is a media specialist in the Department of Radiology, providing graphic design, photography, printing, video services, and administration of the department’s online properties. His works have been published in several medical articles, such as the American Journal of Radiology and the American Institute of Ultrasound. He has been providing these services to the Radiology Department since 1996.
Meredith Towbin is a freelance copy editor and writer. She has copyedited the Department of Radiology’s blog since it launched. She also works as a copy editor for the home improvement website BobVila.com. Her writing has been featured on HuffPost as well as other writing sites.
