Brenton Nash, M.D.
PGY4
Medical School: University of Vermont College of Medicine
Residency: Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
Hobbies: I am a cinephile, learning Italian and Latin, in-door rock climbing, and traveling with my family
ID Interests: Medical Education and Transplant ID
Payal Rath, M.B.B.S.
PGY4
I was born and raised in India and completed my medical school there. I moved to New Jersey for my Internal Medicine residency in 2020. I decided Infectious Disease is the right career path for me in PGY2 and haven't looked back since! I chose ID because it is a specialty that always keeps you on your toes and almost never gets boring - you need to keep evolving as the bugs do! I have a specific interest in Global Health and Tropical Medicine and chose UConn Health because of the opportunity to explore that with their Uganda/GH track. Outside of work , I enjoy swimming, cooking and reading fiction-thriller novels. I also consider myself a pop culture fiend and lover of all things Taylor Swift!
Thomas Erwes, M.D.
PGY5
Medical School: St. George’s University School of Medicine
Residency: University of Connecticut School of Medicine
I am half French half Dutch and had the chance to grow up in exciting places including Congo, Qatar and Russia where I picked up an increased interest for global health along the way. I always loved microbiology and learning about the countless, interesting and sometimes chaotic bugs, whether virus, parasite, bacteria or fungus! The world of Infectious Diseases is always changing with new emerging challenges at every corner. I chose to train at UConn Health where I knew I could get exposed to a wide variety of cases, all in a very supportive environment with plenty of opportunities to develop my interests. In addition to Global Health and Tropical Medicine, some of my other ID interests include antibiotic stewardship and HIV medicine. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time outdoors especially hiking/camping, sailing and sometimes scuba diving!
Julia Kostka, M.D.
PGY5
Medical School: Jagiellonian University Medical College
Residency: Quinnipiac University Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine/St. Vincent’s Medical Center Program
Hobbies: Exploring local creameries, running, spending time with family and friends, spending time outside (but always doing my best to avoid ticks!)
ID Interests: Epidemiology, HIV
Nishka Shetty, M.B.B.S.
PGY5
Medical School: Grant Government Medical College, Mumbai
Residency: University of Connecticut School of Medicine
Realizing that I wanted to do Infectious Disease as my specialty was a milestone in my journey of self-discovery. Having graduated from UConn Internal Medicine, I have had the opportunity to work with my current faculty at the UConn Infectious Diseases program who have always been sensitive, encouraging and accommodating to say the least. I have always loved the versatility of working in three different hospital systems as it is a valuable experience for a budding specialist (pun intended).
My hobbies include being an obsessive cat mom to my two tuxedo cats, Ozzie and Cherie, kayaking, nature walks, and baking!
ID Specific Interests: LGBTQ Care, Primary HIV Care, and Antibiotic Stewardship.
Laura Anne Kvenvold, M.D.
PGY7
Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine
Residency: University of Massachusetts Medical School - Baystate, Springfield, MA
