Start Year: 2022

Where is your hometown?

Oceanside, NY

Where did you attend:

College/University: Cornell University
Medical School: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Residency: Duke

List your Medical and Non-Medical Honors and Awards:

• Inducted Member, Robert J. Lefkowitz Society, Duke University
• 2020 Thesis with Distinction Award, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
• 2020 Mount Sinai Alumni Leadership Award
• 2020 Distinction in Research Commendations, MD Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
• 2018 Society for Biological Psychiatry Travel Fellowship
• 2016-2019 National Research Service Award (NRSA) Fellowship (F30), National Institute of Mental Health
• 2015 National Institute of Mental Health MD PhD Student Conference Travel Award
• 2015-2016 Institutional National Institute of Mental Health T32 Pre-Doctoral Training Grant Awardee, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
• 2014-2015 Award for Outstanding Leadership by a Student, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
• 2008-2012 Cornell University Hunter R. Rawlings III Presidential Research Scholar

Fellow Perspective

Tell us briefly about your background before embarking on your medical training:

I grew up in Long Island, New York and had an early interest in science. In High School, I started working in a neuroimaging laboratory at Columbia University Medical Center and continued this work throughout my undergraduate career. Although I went directly from my undergraduate work to medical school, I was a part of the Medical Scientist Training Program at Mount Sinai and completed my PhD in Neuroscience in the laboratory of Eric Nestler, MD PhD.

Please outline your career plans in gastroenterology (if you know at this point in your training):

I wish to pursue a career in academic medicine as a physician scientist studying gut-brain interactions. Clinically, I anticipate practicing either in general GI or Inflammatory Bowel Disease as part of my research interests involve inflammation in the context of the gut-brain axis.

What advice might you offer residents looking at fellowship programs?

Pay close attention to the culture of each program! One thing that really amazed me about the Duke program was how many graduates remain at Duke after graduation to practice within the Duke GI network and remain Duke faculty for many years. I feel like retention such as this speaks to a very positive culture here at Duke in which the faculty have a clear interest in the professional development of the trainees.

What were you looking for in a fellowship program?

I joined the Duke GI Fellowship as part of the ABIM Clinician-Investigator pathway. Ultimately, I was looking for a fellowship program that had extremely strong research potential with a firm commitment to mentoring and developing trainees while, at the same time, ensuring clinical excellence. I feel that the Duke GI Fellowship combines the best of both worlds with world-class research in the Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, and University alike with work at a fast-paced, high-volume quaternary referral center with a large catchment area.

From your experience in fellowship, what have you learned about training at Duke?

Training at Duke has been absolutely wonderful! People are so friendly, kind, and really take an interest in your growth. The mentoring opportunities are endless and everyone is so down to earth. It’s a really fun place to work and learn!

How is your life in the Triangle area outside of work?

I absolutely love the Triangle! Prior to moving here, I had lived in New York State my entire life and spent 8 years in Manhattan. Life in the Triangle is so wonderful! There are plenty of amazing restaurants, wonderful hiking trails, interesting concerts and sporting events, and venues for family friendly fun. In addition, it is so easy to commute between the hospital and the numerous wonderful neighborhoods in the Triangle. I have a 3-year-old son and we love exploring the area with him and bringing him on weekend trips east to the beach and west to the mountains.

What is your favorite restaurant in Durham?

Vin Rouge

Tell us about you interests and hobbies outside of medicine?

I love music and have been playing the guitar (fingerstyle acoustic) since I was young. In addition, I really enjoy travel and have been to many amazing places including Patagonia (hiking the W trek), the Galapagos (scuba diving with hammerhead sharks), and Tanzania (climbing Mount Kilimanjaro). I’m a big fan of food and wine and love to make large meals for a group of friends. Most of the time, though, I just enjoy spending time with my wife Annie, son Charlie, and dog Oso.

Professional social media sites:

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