Our Residents
Chief Residents Class of 2026 Class of 2027 Class of 2028
Chief Residents
Natalia Aerton, M.D.
College: Stony Brook University
Medical School: Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Buffalo
Natalia grew up in Ukraine, a free spirit whose journey led her to New York State. She graduated from Stony Brook University with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. She then pursued her M.D. at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Drawn to the tight-knit community and supportive environment, she chose the URMC Internal Medicine residency program, where she immediately felt at home among wonderful colleagues. During residency, she completed research and education tracks, fueling her passion for teaching. Excited about a future in cardiology, she looks forward to the next year working with residents, teaching, and deepening her expertise in internal medicine.
Outside of hospital life, Natalia enjoys taking care of her pet parrots, who she can always talk to—though they often talk back. Recently, she became a mother and is embracing motherhood and all the joyful experiences it brings.
Troy Anlage, M.D.
College: University of Maryland, College Park
Medical School: Drexel University College of Medicine
Troy was born and raised in Laurel, Maryland, a town halfway between the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. metro areas. He completed his undergraduate degree in Physiology & Neurobiology at the University of Maryland, College Park. Moving his way up the East Coast, he then attended the Drexel University College of Medicine where he received his MD in 2022. His medical career trajectory was altered by several formative experiences during his time in Philadelphia, including volunteer work with the Naloxone Outreach Project and clinical rotations at the Partnership Comprehensive Care Practice, which provides care to patients living with HIV. Troy then completed his Internal Medicine residency at the University of Rochester, attracted by the program’s comradery and emphasis on resident education. Following his Chief Residency at the University of Rochester, Troy plans to pursue a career in Infectious Diseases.
Outside of work, you’ll find Troy on the Shadow Pines and ROC City Pickleball courts, where he may someday achieve a 4.0 player rating. He is a “retired” alto saxophonist (with his glory days behind him), having played in the Mighty Sound of Maryland marching band while in college and holding the title of Alto Saxophone Section Leader. He also enjoys making homemade pizza, swimming, kickball, and listening to his favorite band, Vulfpeck.
Nina Rizk, M.D.
College: Villanova University
Medical School: University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Nina grew up in a number of different places including multiple cities in Upstate New York, as well as Newtown, Connecticut and Beirut, Lebanon - however for most of her childhood home was in Rochester. She attended Villanova University in Pennsylvania where she earned her BS/BA, in Comprehensive Sciences and Psychology with a concentration in Healthcare Ethics. She then made her way to Detroit, Michigan where she worked as a Case Manager at Alternatives for Girls before heading to Boston University in Massachusetts where she earned her MS/MPH, in Medical Sciences and Public Health with a concentration in Health Law, Bioethics, and Human Rights.
Her background informed her decision to attend University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, where the biopsychosocial model is integral to the education and training of medical students who care for "the entire person". She was thrilled to continue her training in the Internal Medicine Residency Program at the University of Rochester Medical Center, from which she graduated with distinctions in Clinical Education and Quality Improvement. After this year, she plans to become an Academic Hospitalist. She enjoys baking new recipes, traveling the world, and exploring the robust coffee scene right here in Rochester!
Michael Tiongson, M.D.
College: New York University
Medical School: Albany Medical College
Mike grew up “downstate” in Nanuet, NY, about an hour north of New York City. He earned his B.A. in Economics from New York University. After college, he worked as a Clinical Research Associate at the Hospital for Special Surgery, where he discovered a strong interest in medical education and helped pilot a national Epidemiology and Biostatistics curriculum for rheumatology fellows. He went on to earn his M.D. from Albany Medical College, graduating with Distinction in Research for his thesis on immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated inflammatory arthritis.
During his residency at the University of Rochester Medical Center, Mike especially valued the camaraderie among residents and faculty, the balance of graduated autonomy with thoughtful supervision, and the many opportunities to get involved in medical education. Following his chief resident year, he plans to pursue fellowship training in Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Outside of medicine, Mike enjoys running, skiing, and trying new cuisines with his wife. He’s an avid fan of the New York Yankees and New York Knicks, and since moving to Rochester he’s proudly embraced being part of the Bills Mafia!
Class of 2026 (PGY-3)
Joseph Abiade, M.D.
"Abi-Ade"
Meharry Medical College
Ellie Camanzo, M.D.
University at Buffalo
Darla Carvallo Castaneda, M.C.
University of San Marcos
Andrea Donofrio, M.D.
(She/Her)
SUNY Upstate
Paul Hart, M.D.
University at Buffalo
Matthew Jorizzo, M.D.
"Your-eets-oh"
(He/Him)
Oregon Health & Science University
Chaitya Joshi, M.D.
"Chay-thea"
(She/Her)
University at Buffalo
Ulyana Khaba, M.D.
Danlo Halytsky Lviv National Med University
Kelsey Kille, M.D.
(She/Her)
SUNY Upstate
Charles Leahy, M.D.
Northeast Ohio Medical University
Rebecca Lee, M.D.
University at Buffalo
Ashleigh Manktelow, M.D.
"Mank-tuh-low"
(She/Her)
Creighton University
Monica Masterson, M.D.
Cooper Med School of Rowan University
Genevieve Medina, M.D.
"Jen-uh-veev"
(She/Her)
University of Rochester
Josiah Miller, M.D.
"Jo-sigh-uh"
Thomas Jefferson University
Princess Onuorah, M.D.
(She/Her)
UNC Chapel Hill
Gregory Russo, M.D.
SUNY Upstate
Andrew Sepiol, M.D.
"See-pee-ull"
Medical College of Wisconsin
Yousuf Shah, M.D.
Stony Brook University
Rhea Sharma, M.D.
"Ree-ya"
Indiana University
Charles Springer, M.D.
(He/Him)
Eastern Virginia Medical School
Bisher Sultan, D.O.
University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Brian Unruh, M.D.
University at Buffalo
Emily Wu, M.D.
(She/Her)
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine - Arizona
Primary Care Residents
Claire Filloux, M.D.
"Fee - you"
(She/Her)
University of Rochester
Marwa Hussain, M.D.
Florida Atlantic University
Christine Kim, M.D.
(She/Her)
Eastern Virginia Medical School
Tyler Pocchiari, M.D.
(He/Him)
SUNY Upstate
Class of 2027 (PGY-2)
Jonathan Alessandrini, M.D.
SUNY Upstate
Alexander Chirokikh, M.D.
“Ch-row-key”
(He/Him)
University of Rochester
Megan Cleary, M.D.
Wright State University
Faris Dar Hamed, M.D.
Ponce Health Sciences University
Michael Garone, M.D., Ph.D.
SUNY Upstate
Thomas Glozman, M.D.
(He/Him)
Albany Medical College
Deepak John, M.D.
(He/Him)
New York Medical College
Gregory Lawson, M.D.
“Law-sun”
(He/Him)
University of Nebraska
Ronald Lott, D.O.
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Ian Mathews, M.D., Ph.D.
University of California
Julia Mo, M.D.
University of Rochester
Ali Murra, M.D.
Northeast Ohio Medical University
Joseph Petroff, M.D.
SUNY Upstate
Avi Prajapati, M.D.
“UH-vee Pruh-JAH-puh-tee”
(He/Him)
University of Nebraska
Manali Shah, D.O.
(She/Her)
West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
Olivia Sorci, M.D.
“Oh-liv-ee-uh Sor-see”
(She/Her)
University at Buffalo
Kevin Sturr, M.D.
Boston University
Rahel Tekeste, M.D.
“RAA-hel Teh-KESS-teh”
(She/Her)
University of Texas Medical Branch
Ava Wexler, M.D.
(She/Her)
Hadassah Medical School
Chase Yuan, M.D.
“Yuen”
(He/Him)
Albany Medical College
Zachary Williamson, D.O.
Lake Erie College of Osteophathic Medicine
Katherine Woo, M.D.
(She/Her)
University of Rochester
Jie Yin, M.D.
“Jae”
(She/Her)
Boston University
Primary Care Residents
Amanda Chow, M.D.
(She/Her)
University of Rochester
Meghan Derleth, M.D.
University at Buffalo
Kenmarie Ng Brown, M.D.
Ponce Health Sciences University
Shelley Verma, M.D.
University at Buffalo
Physician Scientist Training Program Residents
Matthew Rice, M.D., Ph.D.
Hofstra University
Class of 2028 (PGY-1)
Jason Atlas, M.D.
University of Rochester
Sydney Barrett, M.D.
University of Rochester
Sarah Choudhury, M.D.
"Sa-ruh Chowder-ee"
(she/her/hers)
University at Buffalo
John Clay, M.D.
(he/him/his)
SUNY Upstate
Brian Cornell, M.D.
University at Buffalo
Spencer Dahl, M.D.
University of Rochester
Bryce Dzubara, M.D.
(he/him/his)
The Ohio State University
Sarah Hamilton, M.D., M.P.H.
(she/her/hers)
East Tennessee State
Jefferson Hunter, M.D.
University of Rochester
Arsh Issany, M.D., M.P.H.
"Ersh Eee-ssaa-nee"
(he/him/his)
University at Buffalo
Stefan Kaliszuk, D.O.
"Steph - Fan Cal - liz – zook"
(he/him/his)
Michigan State University
Zara Kazmierczak, M.D.
"Z-air-uh Kaz-mer-zak"
University at Buffalo
Mitchell Krall, M.D.
(he/him/his)
Albany Medical College
Vineetha Mathew, M.D.
"vi-NEE-thuh"
Tufts University
Lana Petrova, M.D.
Virginia Commonwealth University
Edward Qiao, M.D.
"Chee-ow"
(he/him/his)
California Northstate University
Haani Qudsi, M.D.
"HAA-NEE KOOD-SEE"
SUNY Upstate
Luis Miguel Rivera Medina, M.D.
University of San Marcos
Syeda Rukh, D.O.
"Sa-ee-duh Roo-kh"
West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
Alexander Severino, M.D.
"Seh-VUH-ree-no"
(he/him/his)
John Hopkins University
Mandeep Singh, D.O.
(he/him/his)
New York Institute of Osteopathic Medicine
Ashley Spencer, M.D.
(she/her/hers)
Pennsylvania State University
Asma Tameez ud din, M.D.
"Ta mEEz OO dEEn"
(she/her/hers)
Rawalpindi Medical College
Bryan Wager, M.D.
SUNY Upstate
Matthew Wang, M.D.
University of Rochester
Parmida Zarei, M.D., M.P.H.
"Par-me-duh Za-ree"
University of Illinois
Primary Care Residents
Rebecca O'Connell, M.D.
Florida International University
William Seagrave, M.D.
East Tennessee State
Preliminary Medicine Residents
Diamond Guy, M.D.
(she/her/hers)
University of Rochester
Sunaina Kongara, M.D.
"Sue-neigh-nah"
(she/her/hers)
University of Rochester
Neurology Preliminary Residents
Jose Arriola Villafuerte, M.D.
Thomas Jefferson University
Mara Bahri, M.D.
"BAA-ree"
(she/her/hers)
The Ohio State University
Lindsey Dressler, M.D.
"Lin-zee Dress-ler"
(she/her/hers)
University at Buffalo
Bhageerathi Ganesan, M.D.
“BAH-gee-ruh-thee guh-NAY-sun”
(she/her/hers)
The Ohio State University
Kevin Kim, M.D.
Wayne State University
Jason Li, M.D.
Indiana University
Kathryn Mancini, M.D.
(she/her/hers)
Albany Medical College
Priya Swaminathan, M.D.
"PREE-yuh SWAA-mee-NAH-thun"
(she/her/hers)
University of Utah