Date published: November 4, 2025
November Fellow Spotlight: Nawal Aamir, MD
In this month’s Fellow Spotlight, we feature Nawal Aamir, MD, a Renal Medicine fellow at UMass Chan. We recently caught up with Dr. Aamir to learn more about her clinical and research interests, why she chose UMass Chan for her fellowship, and why Stowe and Lake Willoughby, Vermont, are her favorite places to travel!
What are your clinical and research interests?
A key clinical and research interest of mine through fellowship has been the integration of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) into nephrology practice, particularly for enhancing volume status assessments across diverse patient populations. In daily nephrology, the objective assessment of volume status is essential—not only in challenging dialysis cases, but also in complex fluid management scenarios, acute kidney injury, and management of electrolyte disorders. By integrating multi-organ POCUS—focused cardiac, lung, and systemic venous ultrasound—clinical decision making is enhanced, diagnoses are more precise, and therapies are more individualized. 
Why did you choose UMass Chan for your fellowship?
UMass Chan stood out for the remarkable camaraderie among its trainees and within the renal division—it truly feels like a family, and the strongest testament to this culture is that so many fellows have chosen to stay as attendings, contributing to a supportive and collaborative environment. The Nephrology Fellowship at UMass offers the ideal balance of exceptional clinical training and robust research opportunities, with diverse renal pathology and mentorship that empowers fellows to excel in both clinical and academic medicine. The fellow continuity clinic and the chance to rotate with nephrology subspecialists have been instrumental in building clinical knowledge and independence, while the program’s commitment to work-life balance and career development is genuinely unique. This blend of comprehensive training, collaborative culture, and opportunities for personal and professional growth made UMass Chan the perfect choice for a fellowship.
Where is your favorite place to travel for vacation, and why?
Stowe and Lake Willoughby, Vermont, are my absolute favorite travel destinations, especially in the fall when the changing colors create the most picturesque scenery imaginable. There’s something magical about those fiery hills and tranquil forests that draw me back year after year, and as a Jersey girl, this beautiful New England landscape is one of the biggest reasons I have always dreamed of moving north. I try to visit every fall —hoping that, just maybe, one year I’ll finally spot a moose in the wild, but for now, I’m perfectly content soaking in Vermont’s vibrant fall views and idyllic small-town charm while I keep dreaming.
What was your favorite book as a child?
Growing up, my absolute favorite book was Harry Potter, so much so that at age nine or ten, you wouldn’t catch me anywhere without my trusty wand (which may or may not have been a chopstick on more than one occasion). I was utterly convinced my Hogwarts letter would arrive any day, and every hallway became a secret corridor full of magical possibilities. Looking back, I realized those books didn’t just spark my imagination; they trained me to believe in the extraordinary and helped me see a little magic in everyday life, even if that magic was mostly limited to reciting spells at bewildered family members.
In your spare time, what TV show do you binge?
Whenever spare time miraculously appears, Downton Abbey becomes my go-to binge, with a cup of tea in hand and an unreasonable admiration for the Dowager Countess’s one-liners. There’s something wildly satisfying about escaping into a world of grand manors, scandalous secrets, and the eternal struggle to keep one’s pinky up while sipping Earl Grey. Sometimes, after a marathon session, there’s a temptation to address friends as “My Lady” and debate the merits of scones like it's a matter of vital importance—proving that even medical fellows occasionally need a dose of British wit and melodrama for good health.