Hana Baig, M.D., M.S.
Medical school: Howard University College of Medicine
Undergraduate school: Stony Brook University
Hometown: Long Island, NY
Career interests/fellowship interests: Surgical oncology
Location for research years: University of Connecticut
Research Description: I am working on identifying the hallmarks and potential therapeutic targets for metabolic dysfunction associated liver disease and associated hepatocellular cancer.
Favorite thing about UConn General Surgery? My co-residents.
Favorite thing to do in the area/restaurant to eat at: Go to the local farmers markets! Favorite restaurants: Pho Boston, City Kebab House
Other: Surgical Congress Gold Medal Award (2022)
Nicole Bertaux, D.O.
Medical school: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate school: Quinnipiac University
Career interests/fellowship interests: Pediatric Surgery
Location for research years: Johns Hopkins
Research Description: My research focuses on clinical outcomes in pediatric surgery, with an emphasis on congenital foregut and thoracic malformations. Complementing this work, my translational research investigates fetal lung development in congenital diaphragmatic hernia to better understand the mechanisms underlying disease.
Rakesh Gurrala, M.D., M.B.A.
Medical school: Tulane University School of Medicine
Undergraduate school: University of Massachusetts Amherst
Hometown: Shrewsbury, MA
Career interests/fellowship interests: Pediatric Surgery
Location for research years: Children's Mercy Kansas City
Research Description: I am conducting multicenter clinical outcomes and translational research in pediatric and fetal surgery, with a particular focus on congenital diaphragmatic hernia and congenital lung malformations. My work aims to improve prenatal decision-making, optimize surgical management, and advance evidence-based care through collaborative research networks.
Favorite thing about UConn General Surgery? Good team culture and diverse clinical experience.
Favorite thing to do in the area/restaurant to eat at: Meatball Mondays at Savoy.
Other: APSA Bartlett Award for Innovation in Pediatric Critical Care and ECMO (2026), International Fetal Medicine and Surgery Society Travel Award (2025)
Qiawen (Wendy) Jin, M.D.
Medical school: Wayne State University SoM
Undergraduate school: Shanghai International Studies University
Hometown: New York
Career interests/fellowship interests: Pediatric Surgery/ CT Surgery
Location for research years: Columbia University Irving Medical Center
Research Description: My current research focus includes pediatric ECMO, including circuit optimization, ECMO patient care etc. I am also involved in clinical research in pediatric surgery topics, including NEC, pectus excavatum repairs etc.
Favorite thing about UConn General Surgery? Supportive faculty.
Favorite thing to do in the area/restaurant to eat at: West Hartford.
Raina Parikh, M.D.
Medical school: Albany Medical College (MD)
Graduate school: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (MPH, Humanitarian Health)
Undergraduate: University of Delaware (BA, Anthropology)
Hometown: Wilmington, DE
Career interests/fellowship interests: Pediatric surgery, trauma, global surgery, firearm and injury prevention, humanitarian health, health equity and access.
Research Description: My research combines basic science, clinical outcomes, and public health to improve care for children with surgical disease. Current projects focus on developing novel therapies for necrotizing enterocolitis, evaluating pediatric surgical outcomes in low- and middle-income countries, and examining pediatric firearm injury to inform prevention strategies and health policy.
Favorite thing about UConn General Surgery? My co-residents - they’re friends turned into family, and we always have each other’s backs.
Favorite thing to do in the area/restaurant to eat at: RIP Union Kitchen, but grabbing pizza at Savoy with friends, going to Story and Soil Coffee post-call, kayaking the Farmington River, climbing at the local rock gym.
Huxley Smart, D.O.
Medical school: Western University of Health Sciences
Undergraduate school: University of Washington
Hometown: Deer Harbor, WA
Career interests/fellowship interests: Surgical Oncology
Location for research years: UConn and Yale
Research Description: UConn Research resident working in collaboration with Yale with a focus on surgical oncology. Special interest in peritoneal surface malignancies and CRS/HIPEC.
Favorite thing about UConn General Surgery? The Operating Room!
Favorite thing to do in the area/restaurant to eat at: Operate, research, run, play with my dog.