Dr Riaz was born in Pakistan where he spent his formative years and earned his medical degree from the King Edward Medical College which happens to be the second oldest medical school in the Indian subcontinent. His interest in infectious diseases began while completing a research fellowshiin cardiovascular infectious diseases at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. This was followed by residency in internal medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Akron General. He completed his general infectious diseases fellowshiat the Medical University of South Carolina MUSC) Mentored by Dr Camelia Marculescu, he found enjoyment and intrigue in taking care of patients with musculoskeletal infections. He furthered his skills in the management of orthopedics infectious diseases and went again to the Mayo clinic and completed a fellowshiin Orthopedics infectious diseases. Working under the membershiof national leaders in Ortho ID including Dr Doug Osmon was truly a humbling experience. He has worked on multiple projects pertaining to osteoarticular infections including a multi- center research study that focused on the risk factors of fungal prosthetic joint infections. Following completion of his fellowship, he worked in the Cleveland Clinic health system and served as staff at the Northeast Ohio Medical University NEOMED) In addition to his research interest in musculoskeletal infections, he also enjoys taking care of patients with cardiovascular infections including infective endocarditis and patients with cardiovascular device related infections. He also enjoys teaching and mentoring medical students and residents.