Brief Intro
I’ve been at UVA starting in September 2019 and came from New York City. I went to Johns Hopkins University for college and earned my medical degree at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. I completed my internal medicine residency and chief resident year at the University of Texas Southwestern followed by a pulmonary and critical care fellowship at Columbia University. During my fellowship, I earned a Master of Science in Patient-Oriented Research/Biostatistics at the Mailman School of Public Health and developed a research interest in pulmonary fibrosis.
What brought you to Charlottesville and UVA?
I was drawn to the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine due to its remarkable growth in recent years and its commitment to expanding its research and patient care. When I interviewed at UVA, it was apparent that the Department of Medicine and Division were invested in their faculty and providing the resources and mentorship to ensure faculty development. The vision for the division outlined by Dr. Imre Noth fit with what I was looking for in a large academic medical institution. UVA is part of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Care Center Network and has a robust lung transplant service which are aligned with my clinical and research interests.
As for Charlottesville, my wife and I enjoyed living in New York City as it’s an incredible place to live as a newlywed couple. With a growing family, however, Charlottesville and its surrounding areas make it more than ideal to plant roots and raise a family. From talking with other UVA faculty and fellows, I had a strong impression of how wonderful it is to raise a family in the area.
Why research?
By my first year of fellowship at Columbia, I became involved in research examining modifiable risk factors that may influence pulmonary fibrosis. I owe a lot to my primary mentor at Columbia, David Lederer, who encouraged and inspired me to pursue a career in research and linked me with other mentors and collaborators. During fellowship I learned to analyze and interpret data from large human population cohorts and design and implement clinical trials. Under the primary mentorship of Dr. Noth, I plan to examine the role of polyunsaturated fatty acids in pulmonary fibrosis as I look forward to working with other investigators at UVA and utilizing its resources.
The best part of research has been collaborating with investigators across different disciplines and institutions with the common goal of advancing our understanding of lung disease to improve the quality of life and health of our patients. I’ve been fortunate to have several mentors who have provided guidance and support.
How did you meet your spouse?
I supervised her first central line placement in the MICU during our internal medicine residency. She got it on the first try despite the subpar supervision.
Favorite vacation spot?
It’s a tie between Iceland and Maui. Although two completely different climates, they are incredible places to drive around and hike. There are several hidden gems that you can find, free of the mass crowds.
Filed Under: New Faces, New Places, News and Notes
Tags: DOM, faculty, medicine matters, newsletter, Pulmonary, staff