Board Members

Dr. Subhash Chauhan is the Director of the South Texas Center of Excellence in Cancer Research at the UTRGV School of Medicine. Dr. Chauhan earned his PhD from the Central Drug Research Institute in Lucknow, India. He later joined the University of Tennessee Health Science Center faculty, where he served as a professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in the College of Pharmacy and Cancer Research Center. Dr. Chauhan is an accomplished researcher with 24 years of experience in cancer immunology research, and he has garnered several high-award grants from the National Institutes of Health. He currently serves as Chair of the Department of Immunology and Microbiology at the UTRGV School of Medicine.

Cijo James is an altruistic entrepreneur, philanthropist, and community leader serving as Secretary for the 2025-26 term. A Pharmacist and Bioinformatic Engineer by trade, he is a "Missionary Pharmacist" on a personal mission to end lifestyle diseases, driven by a passion for justice and promoting equitable health access.

His extensive leadership record includes roles as President and General Secretary of the Kerala Association of the RGV. He has served on the Edinburg Mayor's 2040 Vision Committee, the Edinburg Cultural Arts Committee, and contributes to national organizations like FOMAA and the World Malayalee Council.

As Secretary, Cijo is committed to leveraging his experience to ensure transparent governance and strengthen the vibrant IARGV community.

Shiby Varghese
Works at USPS.
Living in Edinburg with 18 years old son Colin Shiby. Serving the community for 10 years.

Dr. Murali Yallapu is a dedicated Indian American biomedical scientist and community advocate in the Rio Grande Valley. He actively contributes to cultural, educational, and health-related initiatives. He is also passionate about service, collaboration, and empowering the next generation.

Dr. Aishwarya Chandesh has been providing exceptional dental care to the Valley community for over a decade. An avid runner and passionate traveler, Dr. Chandesh loves exploring new cuisines, drawing inspiration from different foods, and learning about other cultures. Whether discovering a local running trail, sketching a new dish, or creating perfect smiles, Dr. Chandesh brings curiosity and dedication to every pursuit.

Preeti Singh is a Board Member of IARGV and is based in McAllen, Texas. She has a background in finance and holds licenses in Life, Accident, Health, and HMO insurance. She currently works at McAllen International Airport. My husband, Dr. Vivek Kumar Kashyap, Assistant Professor at UTRGV. She values education, leadership, and service. She is a proud mother of two daughters, Prisha and Vamika Singh Kashyap.

Tony Venattu, based in McAllen, TX, is an IT Infrastructure and Cloud Solutions Professional with a strong focus on security and compliance. He holds an MBA in Information Technology Management and an MS in Cybersecurity from the Georgia Institute of Technology and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Cybersecurity Defense Policies. A grateful husband and proud father of one daughter and two sons, with a passion for lifelong learning and strategic technology leadership, Tony actively serves his community and is associated with local community programs.

Kirti Singh, Rajasthan, India.
Relocate to RGV in 2018 from Michigan.
Retired Hospitality Financial Executive from Michigan State University. Over 38 years of Hospitality Industry experience. Current focus is Hospitality Consulting, Philanthropy and Community Service.
Married to Dr. Arjun Singh, Director of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Robert C. Vackar College of Business, UTRGV and have one child daughter Rajshree Singh.