Education / Graduate Medical Education / Prospective Residents / Radiation Oncology Residency Program / Our Residents

Our Residents

PGY5

Christopher Doucette, M.D.

Medical School: University of Rochester

Christopher Doucette earned a B.A. in Molecular Biology & Biophysics from Wesleyan University in 2007 where he conducted basic science research investigating the mechanism of action of DNA mismatch repair proteins. He then worked as a Research Coordinator at a Yale Medical School affiliated methadone clinic for two years before coming to Rochester in 2013 for medical school at the University of Rochester. He first discovered radiation oncology through a prostate cancer research project. He is originally from Boston and enjoys traveling (favorite countries so far include Ethiopia and Thailand), cooking, heading to the Public Market on Saturday mornings, attending festivals, and yoga.

PGY4

Joseph Clyde, M.D.

Medical School: Pennsylvania State

Joseph Clyde completed his MD at Penn State College of Medicine. He is published in various fields including medical ethics, psychology, otolaryngology, and immunotherapy. Having grown up in the Rocky Mountains and having lived in Argentina’s Andes mountains, Joseph is thrilled to be training where it snows. When not at work you will find him mountain biking, camping, or reading Harry Potter to his three kids.

Amit Chowdhry, M.D., Ph.D.

Medical School: University of Rochester

Amit Chowdhry completed his MD and PhD in statistics in from the University of Rochester as a part of the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP). Though his PhD dissertation focused on statistical methods for analyzing meta-analysis data in the setting of missing data, he is broadly interested in studying and applying statistical methods used in clinical trials and observational research. In addition to clinical medicine and research, he has an interest in teaching biostatistics to medical students and physicians. In his free time, he likes to spend time with his wife and rest of his family, watch movies, and read nonfiction books.

PGY3

John Kimball, M.D., M.P.H.

Medical School: University of Miami Leonard Miller School of Medicine

John Kimball completed undergraduate degrees in Biology and Psychology, and worked for an NGO in Kenya prior to receiving his MD and MPH at the University of Miami in 2019. Prior to radiation oncology, his research was focused on metabolic disorders in patients with spinal cord injury, glioblastoma biomarkers, and peripheral nerve regeneration. His clinical interests include CNS and head and neck cancers. He enjoys the outdoors, working out, eating, and not driving on icy roads.

Gukan Sakthivel, M.D.

Medical School: Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine

Ku Sakthivel was born in Sri-Lanka and lived in over 7 countries before coming to the United States. He completed his MD at William Beaumont School of Medicine in Royal Oak Michigan, then finished a year of Surgery training at SUNY Upstate before beginning his training in Radiation Oncology. He is looking forward to this new endeavor.

Ryan VanDenBerg, M.D.

Medical School: University of Miami Leonard Miller School of Medicine

Dr. Ryan VanDenBerg completed his MD at the University of Miami. Prior to this he earned dual bachelors degrees in chemistry and electrical engineering. His research interests include clinical trial and medical device development.

PGY2

Katarina Nguyen, M.D.

Medical School: Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Katarina Nguyen earned a BS in Molecular and Cellular Biology from Johns Hopkins University. She earned her MD at University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, where she received a full academic scholarship and earned a Path of Distinction in Research. Her main research background is in breast malignancies. Having been born and raised in Seattle, Washington, then moving to Baltimore then Madison, she continues to enjoy making her way around the country. Her hobbies include various sports, hiking, eating, music festivals, and mentoring others. She has also earned the titles of Miss Washington Earth (2016), Miss Madison-Capital City (2017-2018) and Miss Vietfest United States (2015).

Aria Shakeri , M.D.

Medical School: University of Virginia School of Medicine

Aria Shakeri was born and raised in Iran before moving to Canada where he finished his undergraduate studies at University of Toronto (majoring in genetics and immunology). He then earned his medical degree from University of Virginia School of Medicine. He is very excited to start this new chapter with URMC Radiation Oncology. His special interests include gastrointestinal and CNS cancers and applications of radiotherapy to benign diseases.