URMC / Medicine / Education & Training / Physician Scientist Training Program / Our Trainees / Recent Graduates

Recent Graduates

Carlos Diaz-Balzac, MD, PhD

Carlos Diaz-Balzac, M.D., Ph.D.

Medical School

Albert Einstein School of Medicine

How Did You Choose Your Subspecialty Area?

My research experiences shaped my interest in Endocrinology. The endocrine system is the real regulator or ‘brain’ of the body. I’m fascinated by its versatility in regulating both specific and general body functions and acting at distantly located organs, while at the same time creating feedback loops to regulate itself. Clinically, I’m interested in neuroendocrine pathologies.

What is Unique about the PSTP Program at the University of Rochester?

The people is what makes the PSTP program at the University of Rochester unique. The camaraderie in the program sets it apart. You get to be a great clinician and scientist, but also have a life outside work.

How Would You Recommend the Program?

I would highly recommend the PSTP program. The clinical and research training is top-notch, and its flexible enough to accommodate your interests.

Something Cool About Yourself that has Nothing to do with Medicine or Science

My favorite place in Rochester is the Strong Museum of Play.

Grants, Publications, and Honors Awarded During the Program

Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career Award for Medical Scientists (2021).
"Transcriptional regulation of neural circuit formation in Intellectual Disabilities?." University of Rochester CTSA award (UL1 TR002001) from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences of the National Institutes of Health (2020).
Starting Endocrinology Fellowship in July 2019!

Faculty Mentor

Douglas Portman, Ph.D.

Alan Brooks, MD, PhD

Alan Brooks, M.D., Ph.D.

Medical School

University of Louisville School of Medicine

Residency

University of Rochester Medical Center - Internal Medicine

Fellowship

University or Rochester Medical Center - Cardiovascular Disease

How Did You Choose Your Subspecialty Area?

My original desire to sub-specialize in cardiovascular disease stemmed from the loss of several family members but during my graduate studies I developed a fascination with the molecular mechanisms underlying injury response and ventricular remodeling.

What is Unique about the PSTP Program at the University of Rochester?

The PSTP program at URMC is adaptive and flexible to the unique needs of each of its members as they progress through internal medicine, subspecialty and research training.

How Would You Recommend the Program?

The strength of the clinical training in conjunction with the adaptive nature of the PSTP program and truly protected research time make URMC an attractive training environment for clinician scientists.

Something Cool About Yourself that has Nothing to do with Medicine or Science

I enjoy cooking as many meals as possible from simple, quick dishes to more complicated gourmet style dining.

Grants, Publications, and Honors Awarded During the Training Program

"Identifying Biomarkers Predictive of Right Heart Failure in Left Ventricular Assist Device Patients?." University of Rochester CTSA award (UL1 TR002001) from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences of the National Institutes of Health (2020).
National Institutes of Health Loan Repayment Award (2017-2019), renewal award submitted and pending review for 2019-2021.
John C Sable Memorial Heart Fund Research Award (2017-2019).

Faculty Mentor

Eric Small, Ph.D.

Olga Astapova, MD, PhD

Olga Astapova, M.D., Ph.D.

Medical School

Wayne State University School of Medicine

Residency

University of Rochester School of Medicine - Internal Medicine

How Did You Choose Your Subspecialty Area?

I joined a PCOS lab in college and fell in love with reproductive endocrinology. I initially thought about going the OBGYN-REI route, but during my graduate school years I rotated through a general endocrinology clinic, as well as an REI clinic, and it became clear that general endocrinology is more my speed. I kept an open mind through my clinical clerkships, but never really strayed far from my first love of endocrinology.

What is Unique about the PSTP Program at the University of Rochester?

Because of the culture at URMC and in this area in general, it is very easy to approach research faculty even if they are in a different department within the University.

How Would You Recommend the Program?

I would say, browse through the research being conducted here, come to Rochester and meet us in person, and if you are anything like me, you might just find your new home here!

Something Cool About Yourself that has Nothing to do with Medicine or Science

I can knit a pretty good sweater. Comes in handy eight months out of the year!

Grants, Publications, and Honors Awarded During the Program

I wrote an F-32 grant which was funded by the NICHD, and published a translational case report in Case Reports in Endocrinology and a review article in Endocrinology. I also had the fantastic opportunity to take six weeks off in second year of fellowship (eternal thanks to my co-fellows) to attend a lab-based training course titled “Frontiers in Reproduction” at the Marine Biology Lab in Woods Hole, MA.

Faculty Mentor

Stephen Hammes, M.D., Ph.D.

Jennifer Barnas, MD, PhD

Jennifer Barnas, M.D., Ph.D.

Lab Website

Barnas Lab

Medical School

University at Buffalo

Grants, Publications and Honors Awarded During Training Program

Rheumatology Research Foundation Scientist Development Grant (PI). "The Contribution of Renal Epithelial Cells to Innate Interferon Pathways in Lupus Nephritis". 2018-2020.

Faculty Mentor

Jennifer Anolik, M.D., Ph.D.

Scott Cameron, MD

Scott Cameron, M.D.

Medical School

SUNY Upstate Medical University

Residency (PGY 1-2)

New York Presbyterian Hospital (Weill-Cornell) – Internal Medicine

Fellowship (PGY 3-7)

University of Rochester Medical Center – Cardiovascular Disease (ABIM Research Track)

How Did You Choose Your Subspecialty Area?

Most of my previous research was vascular in nature, and so cardiovascular disease was a natural fit. I gained sub-specialty certification in vascular medicine and vascular ultrasound as well as cardiovascular disease to better align my clinical work with research interests.

What is Unique about the PSTP Program at the University of Rochester

The UR PSTP is one of the most flexible programs I saw on the interview trail. There is a commitment made by the subspecialty department upfront, though it is permissible to change early on if residency experience informs you another subspecialty is a better bit. In addition, I was encouraged to develop a ‘sub-sub-specialty’ niche for myself in vascular medicine and pulmonary embolism/thrombosis. The program allowed me to set up my own rotations to become eligible for additional certifications.

How Would You Recommend the Program?

The UR PTSP provides equally outstanding clinical as well as research training and ensures the trainee has the same milestones and opportunities as the categorical residents and fellows.

Something Cool About Yourself that has Nothing to Do with Medicine or Science

I'm a second-degree black belt in taekwondo. After seven years at UR Medicine, often meeting patients in the ER on the worst day of their life as a cardiologist, I hold the distinction of showing up there as a patient with an Achilles’ tendon rupture following a competition (I received outstanding care!)

Grants Awarded During Training Program

During fellowship, I received The New York State John C. Sable Heart Fund twice. I won a place as a trainee on a T32 grant for three years. I won the NIH Loan Repayment Program for three cycles (six years), and I was awarded a K08 career development grant from the NIH in my last year of the PTSP which allowed me to launch my own lab and develop independent lines of investigation.

Publications

Chen YL, Wright C, Pietropaoli AP, Elbadawi A, Delehanty JD, Barrus B, Gosev I, Trawick D, Patel D, and Cameron SJ. Right Ventricular Dysfunction is Superior and Sufficient for Risk Stratification by a Pulmonary Embolism Response Team. In Press, J Thromb Thrombolysis 2019.

Wright C, Elbadawi A, Chen Y, Patel D, Van Galen J, Mazzillo J, Acquisto N, Delehanty J, Pietropaoli A, Trawick D, Cameron P, Gosev I, Cameron SJ. The impact of a Pulmonary Embolism Response Team on Patient Care in the Emergency Department. J Thromb Thrombolysis. 2019 Aug;48(2):331-335.

Elbadawi A, Mentias A, Elgendy A, Mohamed A, Syed M, Ogunbayo G, Olorunfemi O, Gosev I, Prasad S, Cameron SJ. National Trends and Outcomes for Extra-corporeal Membrane Oxygenation use in Massive Pulmonary Embolism. Vasc Med. 2019 Jun;24(3):230-233.

More publications

Faculty Mentor

Craig Morrell, DVM, PhD

Rachel Turner, MD, PhD

Rachael Turner, M.D., Ph.D.

Medical School

Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Residency

University of Rochester Medical Center - Internal Medicine

Fellowship

University of Rochester Medical Center - Medical Oncology

How Did You Choose Your Subspecialty Area?

I was academically very interested in this area and love the patient population. Oncology is a strength at URMC. We have a large and ever-expanding cancer center. Also this subspecialty was very supportive of both my research and clinical interests.

What is Unique about the PSTP Program at the University of Rochester?

This program provides support and guidance at various stages of your training from resident, to fellow, to junior faculty.

How Would You Recommend the Program?

If your goal is to become a physician researcher, this program is designed to help you along your career.

Something Cool About Yourself that has Nothing to Do with Medicine or Science

I'm a few years past being cool unfortunately. I spend my free time jogging, hiking, watching baseball games, and looking for new ways to sneak vegetables into my kids' dinners.

Grants, Publications and Honors Awarded During Training Program

During my time in the program I received a Conquer Cancer Foundation Award, the Wilmot Fellowship and a Technology Development Fund grant. I am actively working on my third first-author publication and have co-authored several papers.

Faculty Mentor

Richard Moore, M.D.

Wenjia Wang, MD, PhD

Wenjia Wang, M.D., Ph.D.

Medical School

University of Kansas School of Medicine

How Did You Choose Your Subspecialty Area?

Initially my interest in oncology was based on a personal experience when my father died from pancreatic cancer within a few weeks of diagnosis. Subsequently both my research (breast cancer and pancreatic cancer) and clinical experiences helped me choose GI oncology.

What is Unique about the PSTP Program at the University of Rochester?

I remember telling my husband after my interview how welcoming and friendly everyone was, the strength of both the clinical and research programs as well as the potential growth and opportunities that were available. All of that still remains true.

How Would You Recommend the Program?

I would highly recommend the program because of the mentorship from faculty, relationships with colleagues, breadth of clinical and research opportunities as well as collaborations.