Categorical

Jason Acquaah, M.D.

Hometown/Birthplace: Hometown: Milton Keynes, United Kingdom/Birthplace: Accra, Ghana
Undergraduate School: University of Plymouth, School of Biomedical Sciences
Medical School: Peninsula Medical School, University of Plymouth
Hobbies/Interests: MMA, traveling, soccer and hiking with friends and family
Academic Interests: Gastroenterology, Medical Education

Lina Adil, MBBChBAO M.D.

Hometown/Birthplace: Barrie, Ontario, Canada
Medical School: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - RCSI
Hobbies/Interests: Travelling and exploring new foods, baking, going to the gym and spending time with my friends and family!
Academic Interests: Cardiology, Medical devices/technology, Women’s Health, Medical Education

Abdulla Alabed, M.D.

Hometown/Birthplace: Riffa, Bahrain
Undergraduate School: East Riffa Secondary School
Medical School: Arabian Gulf University
Hobbies/Interests: Traveling, Horse Riding, Playing Soccer
Academic Interests: My goal is to complete three years of Internal Medicine training and pursue a Cardiology fellowship afterward. I have a special interest in medical education and clinical research.

Emenyo Apaloo, MBChB

Hometown/Birthplace: Accra, Ghana
Undergraduate School: University of Ghana Medical School
Medical School: University of Ghana Medical School
Hobbies/Interests: Reading, singing, dancing
Academic Interests: Pulm/Crit

Andreas Bello, D.O.

Hometown/Birthplace: St. Louis, MO
Undergraduate School: University of Miami
Medical School: Nova Southeastern University KPCOM
Hobbies/Interests: I love video games. I’m big into single player story mode games like Elden Ring and God of War to name a couple. I also love soccer. I’ve played since I was in grade school. My favorite team is Chelsea. Fitness is also a huge hobby of mine. I love the gym and make it a priority for both my physical and mental wellness
Academic Interests: Cardiology, Hem/Onc

Daniel Carrijo, M.D.

Hometown/Birthplace: Goiânia, Brazil
Undergraduate School: Ribeirão Preto Medical School - University of São Paulo
Medical School: Ribeirão Preto Medical School - University of São Paulo
Hobbies/Interests: Soccer, running, weightlifting, traveling
Academic Interests: Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine

Didjana Celkupa, D.O.

Hometown/Birthplace: Birthplace: Durres, Albania/Hometown: Rocky Hill, CT
Undergraduate School: Mount Holyoke College
Medical School: Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine Harlem
Hobbies/Interests: Trying new restaurants, Cooking new cuisines, Making the perfect cup of coffee
Academic Interests: Cardiology - Interventional/Heart Failure, GI, Pulm/Crit Care

Aditya Chandrashekar, M.B.B.S.

Hometown/Birthplace: Mysore, India
Medical School: Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, India
Hobbies/Interests: Soccer, Anime, Racquet sports
Academic Interests: Gastroenterology, Clinical Research

Alexander Chiera, D.O.

Hometown/Birthplace: Kingston, New York
Undergraduate School: University at Albany
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Fitness, cars and automotive performance, Formula One, gardening, hiking, and being outdoors
Academic Interests: Procedural and interventional medicine; interested in pursuing a fellowship in gastroenterology with a focus on advanced endoscopy

Anthony J. Chillo, M.D.

Hometown/Birthplace: Brooklyn, NY
Undergraduate School: SUNY Cortland
Medical School: SUNY Downstate
Hobbies/Interests: Outside of medicine, I enjoy recreational sports and strength training, and I’m an avid sports fan. Over the past year, I’ve developed a strong interest in home brewing, where I enjoy experimenting with different beer styles, ingredients, and fermentation techniques
Academic Interests: I am interested in pursuing fellowship training in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, with the goal of a career in academic medicine that integrates clinical care, medical education, and research

Ana Diaz, M.D.

Hometown/Birthplace: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Undergraduate School: PUCMM
Medical School: PUCMM
Hobbies/Interests: Reading, hiking, CrossFit, running, music
Academic Interests: Research, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine

Grant Dorman, M.D.

Hometown/Birthplace: Granby, Connecticut
Undergraduate School: University of Connecticut
Medical School: University of Connecticut School of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Hiking, running, cars, soccer, golf
Academic Interests: Gastroenterology

David Dukenik, M.D., M.S.

Hometown/Birthplace: Miami, Florida
Undergraduate School: University of Miami
Medical School: Nova Southeastern Dr. Kiran C. Patel School of Allopathic Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Vinyl Collecting, Hiking, Fishing, Running Marathons, Cycling
Academic Interests: I hope to pursue a fellowship in gastroenterology or hematology/oncology. I hope to integrate myself in an academic setting where I can collaborate in translational and clinical research, specifically in a holistic approach to the diagnosis and treatment of certain cancers, and in educating future generations, which I find rewarding and invaluable. I also hope to serve underserved communities both locally and abroad as an attending, helping extend access to high-quality care beyond traditional clinical settings

Lucette El Bitar, M.D.

Hometown/Birthplace: Lebanon
Undergraduate School: Lebanese American University
Medical School: Lebanese American University
Hobbies/Interests: Hiking, singing
Academic Interests: 1- hematology oncology. 2- medical education. 3- public health/healthcare management

Carolina Ferraz, M.D.

Hometown/Birthplace: São Paulo, Brazil
Medical School: Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Santo Amaro (UNISA)
Hobbies/Interests: Running, everything Harry Potter, dogs, documentaries
Academic Interests: Medical Education, Hospital Medicine, Infectious Diseases

Jose Fuentes, M.D.

Hometown/Birthplace: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Undergraduate School: Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE)
Medical School: Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE)
Hobbies/Interests: Golf, Weightlifting, Chess, Catan, Stock Market and Financial Literacy, Vinyl Records, Manchester United (Soccer)
Academic Interests: Cardiovascular and Academic Medicine

Jenna Gannon, M.D.

Hometown/Birthplace: Wallingford, Connecticut
Undergraduate School: University of Connecticut
Medical School: Drexel University College of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Watching UConn men's and women's basketball, cooking, and going on walks with my dog, Daisy
Academic Interests: Primary Care

Jessica Ike, M.B.B.S.

Hometown/Birthplace: Lagos, Nigeria
Undergraduate School: University of Lagos
Medical School: University of Lagos
Hobbies/Interests: Dancing, singing, running, basketball, K-dramas
Academic Interests: Hematology/Oncology, Cardiology

Gokul Krishnan, M.D.

Hometown/Birthplace: India
Undergraduate School: Kasturba Medical College Manipal
Medical School: Kasturba Medical College Manipal
Hobbies/Interests: Watching science fiction movies, exploring alternative medicine practices
Academic Interests: Cardiology, Translational research

Lizzie Luckashvili, M.D.

Hometown/Birthplace: Paget, Bermuda
Medical School: David Tvildiani Medical University
Hobbies/Interests: Piano, singing, Pilates, tennis, fitness, and spending time with family and friends
Academic Interests: Internal Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Infectious Diseases, Medical Education

Brigitte Maczaj, M.D.

Hometown/Birthplace: Stony Brook, NY
Undergraduate School: Stony Brook University
Medical School: Renaissance School of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: I like singing, mixed martial arts, any kind of dance, and spending time with my cat
Academic Interests: Infectious Diseases (specifically tropical, zoonotic, fungal and autoimmune illnesses)

Benjamin Obringer, D.O.

Hometown/Birthplace: Chagrin Falls, OH
Undergraduate School: The Ohio State University
Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Watching Cleveland sports, going to the cinema, hiking, camping, trying new coffee shops
Academic Interests: Hospitalist Medicine, Gastroenterology

Jason Peng, M.D.

Hometown/Birthplace: Rockville, MD
Undergraduate School: University of Maryland - College Park
Medical School: Cooper Medical School of Rowan University
Hobbies/Interests: Running, camping, fiction writing, portrait sketching
Academic Interests: Cardiology

César Rubio Ramos, M.D.

Hometown/Birthplace: Aguadilla, Puerto Rico
Undergraduate School: University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez
Medical School: University of Connecticut
Hobbies/Interests: Going to the gym, cooking, playing sports especially basketball and volleyball
Academic Interests: Preventive Care, Health Equity/Disparities, Medical Education

Harris Richard, M.B.B.S.

Hometown/Birthplace: Coimbatore, India
Medical School: Coimbatore Medical College
Hobbies/Interests: Aquariums and fishkeeping, Interior decoration, Karaoke
Academic Interests: Outpatient Medicine, Endocrinology, Medical Education, Infectious disease and Global Health

Anne Schlumprecht, M.D.

Hometown/Birthplace: Offenburg, Germany
Medical School: Medical University of Vienna
Hobbies/Interests: Running, Sewing, Concerts
Academic Interests: Critical Care Medicine & Health Disparities

Deniz Seyithanoglu, M.D.

Hometown/Birthplace: Izmir, Turkiye
Undergraduate School: Manisa Celal Bayar University (6-year medical school)
Medical School: Manisa Celal Bayar University
Hobbies/Interests: Astronomy, playing the alto saxophone, travelling medieval towns, trivia, learning new languages
Academic Interests: I have matched into the Internal Medicine-Geriatrics combined track. I hope to pursue a career in Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine

Kriti Soni, M.B.B.S.

Hometown/Birthplace: Chandigarh, India
Undergraduate School: Government Medical College
Medical School: Government Medical College and Hospital
Hobbies/Interests: National-level tennis player. Playing tennis and pickleball, Enjoy hosting house parties and social gatherings, spending quality time with family and friends, and being a Bollywood enthusiast
Academic Interests: Interested in building a career in academic medicine with a focus on clinical research. Aspires to pursue fellowship training in Gastroenterology and Hepatology in the future

Emily Stetkiewicz, M.D.

Hometown/Birthplace: East Longmeadow, MA
Undergraduate School: Bowdoin College
Medical School: St. George’s University
Hobbies/Interests: Traveling, Exploring Nature, Swimming
Academic Interests: Hospitalist Medicine, Community Medicine, Health Equity

Christian Tallo, M.D.

Hometown/Birthplace: Shelton, CT
Undergraduate School: North Carolina State University
Medical School: University of Connecticut
Hobbies/Interests: Gardening, Working Out, Reading, Caffeine, Anything and Everything Food
Academic Interests: Gastroenterology, Medical Education, Healthcare Disparities

Alvaro Taveras Franco, M.D.

Hometown/Birthplace: Santiago de Los Caballeros, Dominican Republic
Undergraduate School: Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra
Medical School: Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra
Hobbies/Interests: Staying active (basketball, lifting), cooking (dominican sancocho is my best dish) and trying out restaurants!
Academic Interests: Academic medicine, cardiology, heart failure, metabolism

Jonathan Volpe, D.O.

Hometown/Birthplace: East Greenwich, Rhode Island
Undergraduate School: Providence College
Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Alpine/side-country skiing, mountain and road biking, cooking for friends and family, paddleboarding, strength training, triathlon races, automotive enthusiast, Formula 1
Academic Interests: Gastroenterology

Preliminary

Charles Abrams, M.D.

Birthplace/Hometown: Easton, CT
Undergraduate School: UConn
Medical School: UConn
Hobbies/Interests: Dogs, Hiking, Powerlifting, Cooking
Academic Interests: PM&R with interests in pain management, sports medicine, and spinal cord injury

Genaro Herrera Cano, M.D.

Birthplace/Hometown: Birthplace: Lima, Peru/Hometown: Caguas, Puerto Rico
Undergraduate School: Marquette University
Medical School: UConn
Hobbies/Interests: Videogames, travelling, dance
Academic Interests: Evolve as a teaching physician. In the future after my training, I hope to be involved in the education of future trainees.

Alicia Mitchell, M.D.

Birthplace/Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Undergraduate School: Norfolk State University
Medical School: University of Connecticut School of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Trying new recipes, Pilates, DIY projects, attending concerts
Academic Interests: Medical education, Health Disparities, Women's Health, Quality Improvement

Elleana Paradise, M.D., MEng

Birthplace/Hometown: West Hartford, CT
Undergraduate School: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Medical School: Texas A&M University School of Engineering Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Ice Hockey, Skiing, Cello
Academic Interests: Radiology, Engineering

Dermatology Prelim

Nathan Gasek, M.D./Ph.D.

Birthplace/Hometown: Somers, CT
Undergraduate School: University of Vermont
Medical School: University of Connecticut
Hobbies/Interests: Metal detecting, hiking, biking, woodworking
Academic Interests: Geriatric care, aging research

Seda Grabauskas, M.D.

Birthplace/Hometown: Mystic, CT
Undergraduate School: University of Connecticut
Medical School: University of Connecticut School of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Cooking, traveling, and spending time with my family and friends
Academic Interests: All things dermatology!

Sarah Kamsiah Zemlok, M.D.

Birthplace/Hometown: West Hartford, CT
Undergraduate School: Wellesley College
Medical School: University of Connecticut School of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Cooking, Watching Movies, Pilates, Pottery
Academic Interests: Disability Advocacy, Atopic Dermatitis, Patch Testing, Immunology

Anesthesia Prelims

Amanda Allan, M.D.

Birthplace/Hometown: Easton, CT
Undergraduate School: Dickinson College
Medical School: St. George's University School of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Cooking/Baking, Tennis, Jigsaw puzzles
Academic Interests: Cardiothoracic Anesthesia, Obstetric Anesthesia

Joseph Carpino, M.D.

Birthplace/Hometown: Unionville, Connecticut
Undergraduate School: University of Connecticut
Medical School: American University of the Caribbean
Hobbies/Interests: Fitness, Hiking, Travel, Golf, Skiing
Academic Interests: Cardiac Anesthesia, Regional Anesthesia

John Colavecchio, D.O.

Birthplace/Hometown: Farmington, CT
Undergraduate School: Boston College
Medical School: NYITCOM
Hobbies/Interests: Hiking, Fantasy Football, Weightlifting
Academic Interests: General Anesthesia

Tristan Cummings, M.D.

Birthplace/Hometown: Hilton Head Island, SC
Undergraduate School: Davidson College
Medical School: University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia
Hobbies/Interests: DIY projects, gardening, hiking, skiing, pickleball
Academic Interests: Exploring the different anesthesia subspecialties

Carson Gifford, D.O.

Birthplace/Hometown: Central Valley, UT
Undergraduate School: University of Utah
Medical School: Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Mountain Biking, Trail Running, Smoking/BBQ, and experimenting with Sourdough Recipes
Academic Interests: Pediatric Anesthesia and Exercise/Sports Sciences

Amar Kalaria, M.D.

Birthplace/Hometown: Milford, CT
Undergraduate School: University of Connecticut
Medical School: University of Connecticut School of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Tennis, Golf, Cooking, Traveling, Pickup Basketball, Working out
Academic Interests: Anesthesiology, Cardiology, Medical Education, Patient Safety

Christopher Mahir, M.D.

Birthplace/Hometown: Hatfield, Massachusetts
Undergraduate School: Northeastern University
Medical School: UMass Chan Medical School
Hobbies/Interests: Sports (basketball, football, soccer), movies and TV shows, traveling, trying new coffee shops or food places
Academic Interests: Unsure at the moment, but potentially interested in critical care or pain medicine as a fellowship following residency

Miranda Matzer, M.D.

Birthplace/Hometown: Guatemala City, Guatemala
Undergraduate School: Universidad Francisco Marroquin
Medical School: Universidad Francisco Marroquin
Hobbies/Interests: Horseback riding, piano, percussion, spending time with my dogs
Academic Interests: Cardiac anesthesia and critical care

Belinda Mensah, D.O.

Birthplace/Hometown: Ghana
Undergraduate School: Trinity Washington University
Medical School: A.T. Still University, Arizona
Hobbies/Interests: Reading literature books, Love cooking and eating, traveling
Academic Interests: Critical Care, Trauma and Cardio-thoracic Anesthesiology, Global Health

Benjamin Pesante, M.S., M.D.

Birthplace/Hometown: Wakefield, Rhode Island
Undergraduate School: The Catholic University of America
Medical School: University of Connecticut School of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Running, lifting weights, exploring Connecticut's various hiking trails, reading, fishing, traveling
Academic Interests: Anesthesiology with interest in pediatrics, critical care, and cardiothoracic subspecialties. Clinical research. Medical education and resident advocacy

Phillip Smit, M.D.

Birthplace/Hometown: Albuquerque, NM
Undergraduate School: Brigham Young University
Medical School: Quinnipiac University
Hobbies/Interests: Anything outdoors, especially with our two Golden Retrievers, but most especially rock climbing. Cooking and baking (and sharing!). Reading, and newly getting into astronomy!
Academic Interests: First and foremost being the best anesthesiologist I can be to provide my patients the respect, care, and comfort when and how they need it. I have a background in genomics, which I hope to leverage to understand

Isis Torres Nunez, M.D.

Birthplace/Hometown: New London, CT
Undergraduate School: Connecticut College
Medical School: Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University
Hobbies/Interests: Anything water related (kayaking, snorkeling, etc.), reading, working out/Pilates, traveling, food
Academic Interests: Cardiac anesthesia, health equity

Jack Wolf, M.D.

Birthplace/Hometown: Hartford, CT
Undergraduate School: Wesleyan University
Medical School: University of Connecticut School of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Running around, lifting things, writing, and eating food in cool places
Academic Interests: To be a clinician-scientist, translating scientific research into innovative tools and modalities for optimizing patients peri-operatively

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Paul Farris, M.D.

Birthplace/Hometown: Scarsdale, NY
Undergraduate School: Quinnipiac University
Medical School: Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Golfing, NY Giants, talking about rap and R&B albums, playing with my dog, playing football
Academic Interests: Interventional pain, sports/musculoskeletal medicine, regenerative medicine, adaptive sports

Anna Hackett, M.D.

Birthplace/Hometown: Wallingford, CT
Undergraduate School: Trinity College
Medical School: UConn
Hobbies/Interests: Cooking new dishes, finding/mixing music, outdoor fun like skiing, golfing, hiking, and crafting!
Academic Interests: Various fields of PM&R excite me including sports medicine, neuro rehabilitation, and brain injury

Dylan Leonard, M.D.

Birthplace/Hometown: Plainville, MA
Undergraduate School: University of Pittsburgh
Medical School: UMass Chan Medical School
Hobbies/Interests: Boston sports, fantasy football, coaching, reading fantasy/sci-fi, traveling with my girlfriend, and recently getting into cycling!
Academic Interests: Sports medicine, game coverage, TBI, SCI, prosthetics/orthotics, teaching, and medical device innovation

Aren Watt, M.D.

Birthplace/Hometown: Cape Town, South Africa
Undergraduate School: Davidson College
Medical School: UConn
Hobbies/Interests: Snowboarding, rock climbing, hiking and home projects with my family
Academic Interests: MSK, sports med, prosthetics/orthotics

Neurology Prelims

Jenna Cherasard, M.D.

Birthplace/Hometown: Yonkers, New York
Undergraduate School: The City College of New York
Medical School: CUNY School of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Yoga, Neurographic Art, Plants, Environmental Sustainability, Cooking
Academic Interests: Vascular Neurology, Neurorehabilitation, Patient Education, Narrative Medicine

Faranak Ebrahimian Sadabad, M.D.

Birthplace/Hometown: Iran
Medical School: Birjand University school of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Hiking, cooking, knitting, playing with dogs
Academic Interests: Research in neurology, become a faculty

Marian Javier, M.D.

Birthplace/Hometown: Dominican Republic
Medical School: Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE)
Hobbies/Interests: Reading, running, weightlifting, hiking, and dancing salsa
Academic Interests: Vascular Neurology, Neurocritical Care, Global Health

Hanyue Lu, M.D.

Birthplace/Hometown: East Lyme, CT
Undergraduate School: UConn
Medical School: UConn
Hobbies/Interests: Walking my dog, knitting, reading, baking, running
Academic Interests: Clinical Neurophysiology, Headache, General Neurology

Chelsea Rutagengwa, M.D.

Birthplace/Hometown: Kigali, Rwanda/Nashua, NH
Undergraduate School: Northeastern University
Medical School: UConn School of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Anything outdoors 🙂 music, art, reading, trying new foods
Academic Interests: Undecided what neuro specialty I will want in fellowship, but I am interested in sleep, stroke, and movement!

Shwetha Shenod, MBBS

Birthplace/Hometown: Kerala, India
Medical School: PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Coimbatore, India
Hobbies/Interests: Reading, Basketball, love anything outdoor-sy!
Academic Interests: Neuro-Immunology, Neurocritical Care

Neha Sudarshan, MBBS

Birthplace/Hometown: Bengaluru, India
Undergraduate School: Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, Bengaluru, India
Medical School: Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, Bengaluru, India
Hobbies/Interests: Hiking, Running, Acrylic Painting, Baking
Academic Interests: Current area of interest is vascular neurology, but I want to explore all the subspecialties before I narrow down on one