Our Residents

PGY-7

Nathaniel Ellens, MD

Nathaniel Ellens is a PGY-7 resident in neurosurgery. He was born and raised in Grand Rapids, MI and received his bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology at Calvin College. He went on to attend Michigan State University College of Human Medicine where he was elected into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and the Gold Humanism Honor Society. At MSU, Nate was involved in research and published papers about a variety of topics, some of which include spinal cord stimulation and barbiturate-induced neuroprotection. He has also served as a reviewer for the Medical Student Research Journal and as a leader of the Neurology, Radiology, and Surgery Interest Groups. During medical school, Nate taught as a lecturer and lab instructor for an MSU undergraduate anatomy course and as an instructor for the “General Surgery: Introduction to Concepts and Techniques” elective offered for medical students. His volunteer experiences also include a position on the planning committee for Camp Neuro, a camp organized to provide underprivileged high school students with exposure to careers in neuroscience. During his free time, Nate enjoys spending time with his wife and family, traveling, CrossFit, and wine tasting.

Gabrielle Santangelo, MD

Gabrielle Santangelo is a PGY-7 resident in neurosurgery.  She is from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and attended medical school at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry where she graduated with distinction in research.  Notably during medical school, she served as president of the surgery interest group and was awarded the AHA student scholarship in cardiovascular surgery.  Prior to medical school, Gabrielle graduated summa cum laude from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts with a degree in neuroscience.  Her interests in neurosurgery are in spine oncology, adult spine deformity, cervical spine diseases and neurotrauma.

PGY-6

Clifton Houk, MD

Clifton Houk is a PGY-6 resident in neurosurgery. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and received his bachelor's degree in Molecular and Cell Biology from Johns Hopkins University. After college, he conducted research on the human nuclear membrane protein Emerin. He then attended the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine in Roanoke, Virginia. During medical school, his research focused on the vascular morphology and mural cells of the murine germinal matrix. He volunteered at the Bradley Free Clinic, which provides healthcare to working Roanokers who do not have health insurance, and served as the Secretary for his school's student chapter of the AANS. His interests in neurosurgery include endovascular techniques and traumatic brain injury. In his free time, Clifton enjoys reading histories and biographies, going for evening walks with his wife, and occasional trips to the arcade.

Gurkirat Kohli, MD

Gurkirat Kohli is a PGY-6 resident in neurosurgery. He received his bachelor of science in Biology from The College of New Jersey. In college, he conducted research on the human yeast pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans to determine the role of inositol in the development of cryptococcal meningitis. Gurkirat then attended Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society his junior year. During medical school, he conducted and published research on the outcomes following open and endoscopic skull base approaches. He also volunteered in the local student-run health clinic and spent time mentoring and tutoring local high school students. His interests in neurosurgery include cerebrovascular and skull base. His hometown is Lawrenceville, New Jersey. In his spare time, Gurkirat enjoys playing tennis, hiking, reading, and spending time with his friends, family and dog.

PGY-5

Derek George, MD

Derek D. George is a PGY- 5 resident in neurosurgery. He was born and raised in Colorado and attended the University of Colorado School of Medicine. During his medical school career, Derek was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society and elected to the Gold Humanism Honor Society. He was also notably awarded the Hippocrates Award for being the student who most completely epitomizes the ideals and noble traditions of the Profession of medicine as selected by the graduating class. While at CU, Derek engaged in research on the subjective experience of fatigue in Parkinson Disease and on the use of stereoelectroencephalography in the work-up of surgical epilepsy. He also co-founded a peer-peer teaching program for medical students called Knowledge Base, which won the CU Anschutz Student Senate Award for Outstanding Student Organization. Prior to medical school, Derek attended Colorado State University, where he earned degrees in biological sciences and German and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. He remained at Colorado State to earn an M.S. in Biomedical Science, during which time he served as an instructor of undergraduate and graduate students for gross anatomy and neuroanatomy courses. His interests in neurosurgery are broad and include epilepsy, functional, and neurotrauma. In his free time, Derek enjoys getting outside to rock climb, hike, and run. You can also find him exploring Rochester’s growing microbrewery scene in search of the perfect IPA.

Taylor Furst, MD

Taylor Furst is a PGY-5 resident in neurosurgery. He is from Moravia, NY. Taylor graduated from the University at Buffalo in 2016 summa cum laude and as a University Honors Scholar with a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Science and a minor in Pharmacology and Toxicology. While at UB, he performed research in human nutrition and athletic performance. He also played club ice hockey, winning a national championship in his Junior year. Subsequently, Taylor attended medical school at Upstate Medical University where he graduated cum laude in 2020. During medical school, he published outcomes-based research in a variety of neurosurgical topics and was elected into Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He is the recipient of the Robert Eich AOA Endowment and the Gustave P. Milkey Scholarship for being the academic leader following his first and second year, respectively. Highlighting his time in medical school was his cultural emersion trip to El Sauce, Nicaragua as well as playing ice hockey for his local men’s league. Taylor continues to develop his broad interests in neurosurgery and research. In his spare time, he enjoys playing and watching sports, time on the water, working out and spending quality time with his wife, Alyssa, and their dog, Layla. 

PGY-4

Catherine Jay, MD

Catherine Jay is a PGY-4 resident in Neurosurgery.  She is a Toronto native, but grew up internationally in Guangzhou (China), Geneva (Switzerland), and Cincinnati (USA). Catherine entered the University of Rochester as a Rochester Early Medical Scholar (BS/MD dual degree program) and majored in Brain and Cognitive Science with a Chinese Health and Society minor. During her undergraduate years she was honored to earn the Chinese Language Award, join Phi Beta Kappa as a junior, and graduate summa cum laude. In medical school she was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, elected for the Gold Humanism Honor Society, and completed both the Medical Education and Global Health pathways. She has dual passions in medical education and international collaboration, engaging longitudinally through her tenure in Rochester in multidisciplinary research to improve outcomes for children with neuromuscular disease in China and creating an anti-bias curriculum for medical school faculty. In her free time, she can be found reading, exploring Rochester parks with her dogs, volunteering at a therapeutic horse-riding lesson, or taking backcountry canoe trips with her fiancé.

Prasanth Romiyo, MD

Prasanth Romiyo is a PGY-4 resident in Neurosurgery.  He is from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and graduated from Cooper Medical School with a distinction in research.  There he founded the AANS chapter and SERV-student-led crisis counseling group that received a grant for multi-state expansion from New York Academy of Medicine.  He was elected as the Gurtin Skull-Base research fellow at UCLA, where he spent a year studying nanoparticle delivery methods for immunotherapies with funding awarded through the AOA, NREF and AANS.  Prior to medical school he spent time with the CURE Hydrocephalus clinic in Uganda.  His neurosurgical interests are broad but centered in medical innovation and neuroethics. In his spare time, Prasanth enjoys training Brazilian jiu-jitsu and MMA as well as road-tripping, exploring national parks, and wine tasting with his fiancé.

PGY-3

Adam Li, MD

Adam Li is a PGY-3 resident in neurosurgery. He grew up in Massachusetts, received his bachelor’s degree from Boston College, and conducted undergraduate research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. His research focused on identifying new selective inhibitors targeting cancers with defective DNA repair mechanisms. Adam then attended medical school at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. There, he conducted research on factors affecting pediatric sports concussion incidence, severity, and recovery. He also served as a volunteer science teacher for students ranging from elementary to high school across New York City. His neurosurgical interests include pediatrics and neuro-oncology. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, skiing, playing guitar, and spending time with his cat.

Racquel Whyte, MD

Racquel Whyte is a PGY-3 resident in neurosurgery. Racquel was born and raised in Jamaica. She came to the U.S. after receiving a full academic scholarship to attend Claflin University, a historically Black college & university (HBCU) in South Carolina. She graduated summa cum laude and class valedictorian with a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and minors in Mathematics and Biology. After working in the Chemistry department at Claflin for a year, she received her master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences from Barry University in Florida. She worked in Education for several years before attending medical school at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. There, she was heavily involved in education and mentorship through URMC Student National Medical Association (SNMA) and served as the National SNMA Neurology/Neurosurgery Special Interest Group Liaison. Racquel successfully completed the Medical Education Pathway, Deaf Health Pathway and received NIH-funding for the Academic Research Track, where she spent a year conducting several clinical and basic science neurosurgical research projects. She was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, awarded the Jules Cohen Award for Advancing Medical Education, and graduated with a distinction in research. Racquel enjoys reading, playing netball, cheering on her favorite sports teams, traveling and visiting family and friends.

PGY-2

Rohin Singh, MD

Rohin Singh is a PGY-2 resident in neurosurgery. He is a Phoenix native and attended the University of Arizona where he triple majored in Neuroscience, Physiology, and Molecular Biology. He went to medical school at Mayo Clinic Arizona where he served as the president of both the Mission:Brain non-profit and AANS student chapter. During medical school he received the Uihlein Research scholarship for his work on outcomes-based research in epilepsy surgery, as well as the Alpha Omega Alpha Service Leadership Grant for his initiative on reducing medical waste in the operating room. He has published extensively across different neurosurgical topics from clinical papers on vascular, functional and spine to socioeconomic and surgical education pieces. His interests in neurosurgery are broad and include functional/stereotactic and minimally invasive spine. He enjoys high intensity workouts, music festivals, and time with his wife, who is an internal medicine resident at University of Rochester.  

Stephen Susa, MD

Stephen Susa is a PGY-2 resident in Neurosurgery. Stephen is a native of Columbus, OH. He went to college at the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in Neuroscience and Psychology. While in college, he conducted research on spinal cord stimulators and outcomes after pediatric neurological malignancies. He attended medical school at the University of Rochester, where his research focuses included aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and ischemic stroke. In particular, he has dedicated much of his time to a trial of lumbar compared to ventricular CSF drainage after aneurysm rupture. Stephen is also interested in the socioeconomic aspects of neurosurgery, including opioid stewardship and workplace violence. He was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society at the end of medical school. Stephen is currently undecided on subspecialty, but is excited to explore opportunities in cerebrovascular, tumor, and skull base neurosurgery while in residency. When not at the hospital, he enjoys reading, hiking, cooking, playing chess, and spending time with his girlfriend Junny.

PGY-1

Karolina Pellot, MD

Karolina I. Pellot Ortiz is a dedicated PGY-1 neurosurgery resident known for her strong academic background. She earned her Doctor of Medicine from Ponce Health Sciences University in Ponce, Puerto Rico, where she cultivated her passion for neurosurgery. Dr. Pellot Ortiz has an impressive portfolio of research and publications. She has co-authored several significant papers, including studies on MDM2 inhibition in glioblastoma, LGBTQ+ diversity in neurosurgery, and CAR T-cell therapies for brain tumors, published in respected journals such as Biomedicines, Journal of Neurosurgery, and Brain Research Bulletin. Fluent in Spanish and English, Dr. Pellot Ortiz excels in patient communication and care. Her hobbies include reading, writing, and painting which provide a balanced and well-rounded approach to her demanding medical career.

Keshov Sharma, MD

Keshov K. Sharma is a PGY-1 resident in Neurosurgery. The only child of Indian immigrants, Keshov was born and raised in Amherst, Massachusetts. He attended Duke University (magne cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa), where he majored in Neuroscience and minored in Religion and Chemistry. At Duke, Keshov conducted research into novel molecular therapeutics for temporal lobe epilepsy in the lab of James McNamara, MD. He then joined the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) at University of Rochester and conducted his dissertation research in neuroscience under the direction of Julie Fudge, MD and Lizabeth Romanski, PhD. His thesis, entitled "Amygdala-Prefrontal Circuits Implicated in Expression Perception", increased the field's understanding of the anatomical projections and neural encoding of naturalistic, emotional expressions through analysis of pathologic specimens and recording of single neuron activity in awake behaving macaques. Keshov was awarded an NIH F30 to support his dissertation research and published portions of his thesis in Cerebral Cortex and The Journal of Neuroscience. Currently, he is planning on pursuing a career in Functional Neurosurgery with a research focus on developing stimulators and assistive devices that dynamically adapt to realtime neural information. Keshov is blessed to have wonderful and supportive wife, Cait, and the two of them enjoy going to the Little Theater, working out at the Schottland YMCA, and taking their dogs to various dog parks in Rochester.