Why did you choose medicine?
I chose medicine because I was enthralled by the breadth of pathophysiology, limitless research questions, and the connections made with patients. I enjoy trying to understand my patients’ perspectives and backgrounds within the context of their illnesses to provide effective treatments and study important research questions.
Why did you choose the Yale Department of Internal Medicine for your fellowship?
Having done my internal medicine training at Yale, I saw firsthand the dedication to developing compassionate physicians with the tools to be pioneers in their respective fields. As a resident, I greatly enjoyed my time with the Allergy and Immunology faculty and wanted to continue my training at Yale.
As a fellow, I have the opportunity to focus on the genetic and clinical factors associated with immune checkpoint-inhibitor toxicity mediated via T-cells and secondary immunodeficiency resulting from oncologic and rheumatologic therapy through applying cytokine profiles to characterize changes in the immune system.
What was your path to Yale?
I was born and raised in Stony Brook, New York (which can be seen from the top of East Rock!), just a short ferry ride from Bridgeport, Connecticut. I went to Cornell University for undergraduate studies before conducting my medical and graduate studies at Virginia Commonwealth University, where I focused on the neuropathic adverse effects of chemotherapy. I joined the Yale Internal Medicine Traditional Residency Program during the peak of the COVID-19 epidemic in 2020.
What’s a fun fact about you?
I love to travel and experience new adventures, and I have been to over 35 countries.
Yale School of Medicine’s Department of Internal Medicine Section of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology is dedicated to providing care for patients with rheumatic, allergic and immunologic disorders; educating future generations of thought leaders in the field; and conducting research into fundamental questions of autoimmunity and immunology. To learn more about their work, visit Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology.