Alumni Directory

To have your listing added to this page, please contact admin@upstatemdphdalumni.com
Please note, offers of hosting and mentorship are for current Upstate MD/PhD students only, and are not intended for students outside of our institution.

2001


Dr. Matthew McLean
Senior Medical Officer, USS Kearsarge (LHD3); Staff Pediatrician, Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth; and Associate Professor of Pediatrics, USUHS
Current Institution: Active Duty Navy
Chesapeake, Virginia, USA
Previous Positions Held:

  • Pediatric Residency, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
  •  2001- present: Active Duty Pediatrician, US Navy
  • 2008-2019 Pediatric Faculty Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, VA
  • 2014-2019, Director, Healthcare Business, NMCP
PhD Dissertation: Tropmodulin Expression and Cardiac Development in the Mexican axolotl, Ambystoma Mexicannum
Current Research Interests: Various research in newborn clinical care; Hypoglycemia care, neonatal jaundice

 


Dr. Matthew Stoll
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Current Institution: University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama, USA
Previous Positions Held:

  • Resident in Pediatrics: Long Island Jewish Medical Center
  • Fellow in Pediatric Rheumatology: Boston Children’s Hospital
  • Attending physician: University of Texas at Southwestern Medical Center
PhD Dissertation: Peptides derived from autoantibodies in the pathogenesis of murine lupus nephritis
Current Research Interests: Studying the microbiota in the pathogenesis of arthritis
Publications: Pubmed

2003


Dr. Joseph Choi
Chairman of the Musculoskeletal Service Line;
Chief of Orthopedic Surgery; Director of Surgical Research; Clinical Associate Professor, The Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Current Institution: Guthrie Clinic
Horseheads, NY, USA
Previous Positions Held:

  • 2003-MD/PhD, SUNY Upstate
  • 2003-2008-Orthopedic Surgery Residency, SUNY Upstate
  • 2008-2009-Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Fellowship, East Bay Shoulder Clinic
  • 2017-MHA, Kings College
PhD Dissertation: Regulation of Receptors and Signaling Molecules In Granule Neurons
PhD Description: I looked at the contribution of type 1 inositol trisphosphate receptors in cerebellar granule cell migration and survival.
Current Research Interests: I am actively studying clinical shoulder surgery outcomes. I also collaborate with bioengineering faculty at Binghamton University involved in basic science shoulder research.
Career Goals: Continue my clinical practice balanced with research, teaching and administration.
Additional Comments: Having a clinical and scientific background really allows us to pursue our interests. I never thought I would be involved in administration but our training helps in this endeavor as well. I have been blessed with a wonderful wife and 4 kids and look forward to my continued contribution to shoulder surgery
Publications:
Click to view list of publications

1. Choi JY and Hoover JE. 1996. The regulation of acromiodeltoid and spinodeltoid motor nuclei in rat spinal cord. Brain Research. 738:146-149.

2. Choi JY and Vallano ML 2000. Calcium signaling systems in granule neuron survival and maturation. Research Advances in Neurochemistry. 1:43-49.

3. Choi JY, Beaman-Hall CM, and Vallano ML. 2004. Granule neurons in cerebellum express distinct splice variants of the inositol trisphosphate receptor that are modulated by calcium. American Journal of Physiology 287:C971-80.

4. Choi JY, Nanavati VN, Klena JC, Setter KJ. 2007. Distal biceps tendon injuries: current concepts. Current Opinion in Orthopaedics. 18:411–415.

5. Choi JY, McFadden DP, Nanavati, VN, O’Connor FG. 2008. Acute posterior sternoclavicular fracture-dislocation in a 10-year-old boy. Current Sports Medicine Reports. 7:66-69.

6. Lisle JL, Choi JY, Horton JA, Allen MJ, Damron TA. 2008. Metastatic Osteosarcoma Gene Expression Differs In Vitro and In Vivo. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. 466:2071-80.

7. Leineweber MJ, Westborn J, Cochran A, Choi JY, Gao Y. 2014. Averaging improves strain images of the biceps brachii using quasistatic ultrasound elastography. British Journal of Radiology. 87 (1039).

8. Elwell J, Choi J, Willing R. 2017. Quantifying the competing relationship between adduction range of motion and baseplate micromotion with lateralization of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty. Journal of Biomechanics. 52:24-30.


2004


Dr. Emil Lou
Assistant Professor
Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation
Current Institution: University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Previous Positions Held:

  • Internal Medicine Residency: Duke University Medical Center
  • Medical Oncology and Hematology Fellowship: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
PhD Dissertation: Oncolytic Viral Therapy of Oral Cancer Using Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1
PhD Description: Oncolytic viruses to treat oral cancer; animal models of oral cancer
Current Research Interests: Intercellular Communication in Cancer via Tunneling Nanotubes
Publications: Pubmed
Follow me on: Twitter | Instagram | Snapchat: cancerassassin1 | LinkedIn

2006


Dr. Jacob Dubroff
Assistant Professor
Radiology
Current Institution: University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
PhD Dissertation: Challenges to Cortical Plasticity
Current Research Interests: PET Imaging of Addiction and Neurodegenerative Disease
Publications: Pubmed
Follow me on: Faculty Profile

2009


Dr. Katherine Kaproth-Joslin
Assistant Professor, Department of Imaging Sciences, Cardiothoracic Imaging
Current Institution: University of Rochester
Rochester, New York, USA

Previous Positions Held:

  • Intern at Unity (Rochester, NY)
  • Residency and Fellowship at University of Rochester

PhD Dissertation: Phospholipase Cδ1 Regulates Cell Proliferation and Cell Cycle Progression from G1 to S Phase by Control of Cyclin E/CDK2 Activity
PhD Research Interests: Cell and Molecular Imaging

Current Research Interests:
Congenital Heart Imaging, Lung Ultrasound
Career Goals: Cardiothoracic imager with a subspecialization in congenital heart imaging and interstitial lung disease. Also focus on resident education.
Publications:

Click to View List of Publications
1. Nuffer Z*, Baran T, Krishnamoorthy V, Kaproth-Joslin K, Chaturvedi A. Accuracy of non-ECG-gated Thoracic CT Angiography for Right Atrial and Right Ventricular Enlargement. Radiology: Cardio Imaging. Accepted, ahead of print.
2. Nguyen T*, Melendez P*, Kaproth-Joslin K, Bhatt A. Non-Neoplastic Pathology at the Crossroads Between Neck Imaging And Cardiothoracic Imaging. Insights Imaging 2019, Accepted for publication. Ahead of Print.
3. Marini T*, Castaneda B, Baran T, O’Connor T, Garra B, Tamayo L, Zambrano M, Carlotto C, Trujillo L, Kaproth-Joslin K. Lung Ultrasound Volume Sweep Imaging for Pneumonia Detection in Rural Areas: Piloting Training in Rural Peru. J Clin Imaging Sci 2019; 9:35. Doi: 10.25259/JCIS_29_2019. PMID: Not assigned yet
4. Croake M*, Sahing H, Kaproth-Joslin K. Book chapter: “Interstitial Lung Disease Template”. Accepted for publication in Radiology Structured Reporting Handbook. Ed. Jonathan H. Chung.
5. Kaproth-Joslin K. Book chapter: “Cystic Lung Disease”. Accepted for publication in Radiology Structured Reporting Handbook. Ed. Jonathan H. Chung.
6. Marini TJ, Chughtai K, Nuffer Z, Hobbs SK, Kaproth-Joslin K. Blood Finds a Way: Pictorial Review of Thoracic Collateral Vessels. Insights Imaging 2019 Jun 13;10(1):63. doi: 10.1186/s13244-019-0753-3. PMID: 31197577
7. Sahin H, Kaproth-Joslin K, Hobbs S. Hypersensativity Pneumonitis. Semin Roentgenol. 2019 Jan; 54(1):37-43. doi: 10.1053/j.ro.2018.12.004. PMID: 30684996.
8. Chu I*, Kaproth-Joslin K. Histoplasmosis and Diffuse Idiopathic Neuroendocrine Hyperplasia (DIPNECH). Case in Point, ACR 2019.
9. Marini T*, Kaproth-Joslin K. Pictorial Review of the Pulmonary Vasculature: From Arteries to Veins. Insights Imaging 2018 Oct 31 (Epub ahead of print) DOI: 10.1007/s13244-018-0659-5. PMID: 3038495.
10. Marini T, Desai A, Kaproth-Joslin K, Wandtke J, Hobbs SK. Imaging of the Oesophgus: Beyond Cancer. Insights Imaging 2017. 8(3):365-376. DOI: 10.1007/s13244-017-0548-3. PMID: 28303554.
11. Khorana AA, Francis CW, Kuderer NM, Carrier M, Ortel TL, Wun T, Rubens D, Hobbs S, Iyer R, Peterson D, Baran A, Kaproth-Joslin K, Lyman GH. Dalteparin Thromboprophylaxis in Cancer Patients at High Risk for Venous Thromboembolism: A Randomized Trial. Thromb Res 2017. 151:89-95. DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2017.01.009. PMID: 28139259.
12. Chaturvedi Ab, Baran T, Kaproth-Joslin K, Schwarz C, Hobbs S, Chaturvedi Ap, Thompson J. Identification of Heart Failure on Pulmonary CTA: Diagnostic Significance of Aortic & Left ventricle enhancement. Emerg Radiol 2017. 24(5): 487-496. DOI: 10.1007/s10140-017-1494-6. PMID: 28357505.
13. Maldow D*, Chaturvedi A, Kaproth-Joslin K. Every Second Counts: Signs of a Failing Heart on Thoracic CT in the ED. Emerg Radiol 2017 24(3):311-317. DOI: 10.1007/s10140-017-1485-7. PMID: 28243766.
14. Kaproth-Joslin K. Book chapter: “Whole Breast Ultrasound.” Cone-Beam Breast CT-Essentials. Ed. Avice M, O’Connell. Pittsford: Imaging Science Today, LLC, 2017. 98-110. Print.
15. Marini T*, Hobbs S, Chaturvedi A, Kaproth-Joslin K. Beyond Bronchitis: A Review of the Congenital and Acquired Abnormalities of the Bronchus. Insights Imaging 2017; 8(1): 141-153. DOI:10.1007/s13244-016-0537-y. PMID: 28139259.
16. Chaturvedi Ab, Oppenheimer D, Kaproth-Joslin K, Rajiah P, Chaturvedi Ap. Contrast Opacification on Thoracic CT Angiography: Changes and Solutions. Insights Imaging 2017; 8 (1): 127-140. DOI 10.1007/s13244-016-0524-3. PMID: 27858323.
17. Kaproth-Joslin K, Refky N, Dogra V. History of US: From Bats and Boats to the Bedside and Beyond. Radiographics 2015; 35: 960-970. DOI: 10.1148/rg.2015140300. PMID: 25822324.
18. Kaproth-Joslin K, Sidhu R, Bhatt S, Voci S, Fultz P, Dogra V, Rubens D. Resident and Fellow Education Feature: US Assessment of Acute Female Pelvic Pain: Test Your Knowledge. Radiographics 2014. 34(5): 1440-1441. DOI: 10.1148/rg.345130135. PMID: 25208289.
19. Kaproth-Joslin K, Bhatt S, Scoutt L, Rubens D. The Essentials of Extracranial Carotid Ultrasound Imaging. Radiol Clin North Am 2014; 52(6): 1325-1342. DOI: 10.1016/j.rcl.2014.07.010. PMID: 25444109.
20. Kaproth-Joslin K, Katzman P, Voci S. Scrotal Mass in a 13 Year Old with History of Trauma. Ultrasound Quarterly 2014. 30(3): 197-8. DOI: 10.1097/RUQ.0000000000000109. PMID: 25148489.
21. Kaproth-Joslin K; Dogra V. Imaging of Female Infertility: A Pictorial Guide to the Hysterosalpingography, Ultrasonography, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings of the Congenital and Acquired Causes of Female Infertility. Radiol Clin North Am 2013. 51(6): 967-81. DOI: 10.1016/j.rcl.2013.07.002. PMID: 24210439.
22. Kaproth-Joslin K, Sharma A, Rubens D. Ultrasound Imaging and Interventional Treatment of Portal Vein Thrombosis. Ultrasound Clinics 2013. 8(2): 237-247. doi:10.1016/j.cult.2012.12.012.
23. Kaproth-Joslin K, Iyer R. Cavernous Hemangioma of the Male Breast. Case in Point, ACR 2013.
24. Kaproth-Joslin K, Almast J. Age Related Calcification of the Eustachian Tube. Case in Point, ACR 2012.
25. Kaproth-Joslin KA, Li X, Reks SE, Kelley GG. Phospholipase C Delta 1 Regulates Cell Proliferation and Cell-Cycle Progression From G1- to S-Phase by Control of Cyclin E-CDK2 Activity. Biochem J 2008. 415(3): 439-48. DOI: 10.1042/BJ20080233. PMID: 18588506.
26. Oestreich EA, Wang H, Malik S, Kaproth-Joslin KA, Blaxall BC, Kelley GG, Dirksen RT, Smrcka AV. Epac-Mediated Activation of Phospholipase C(epsilon) Plays a Critical Role in Beta-Adrenergic Receptor-Dependent Enhancement of Ca2+ Mobilization in Cardiac Myocytes. J Biol Chem 2007. 282(8): 5488-95. DOI: 10.1074/jbc.M608495200. PMID: 17178726.
27. Kelley GG, Kaproth-Joslin KA, Reks SE, Smrcka AV, Wojcikiewicz RJ. G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Agonists Activate Endogenous Phospholipase Cepsilon and Phospholipase Cbeta3 in a Temporally Distinct Manner. J Biol Chem 2006. 281(5): 2639-48. DOI:10.1074/jbc.M507681200. PMID: 16314422.


2012


Dr. Steve Hicks
Associate Professor of Pediatrics; Director of the Pediatric Clinical Research Office
Current Institution:
Penn State College of Medicine
Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA

 

PhD Dissertation: The effects of ethanol exposure on p53-mediated proliferation, DNA repair, and apoptosis in neural stem cells
Current Research Interests: I study gene-environment interactions in pediatric growth and development. I am interested in harnessing molecular profiles to create novel biomarkers that can aid diagnosis or prognosis in pediatric conditions without accurate/objective clinical tools. My research has focused on neurodevelopment (autism, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder), neuro-injury (concussion), allergy (asthma, food allergy), and obesity.
Publications: Pubmed


Follow me on: ResearchGate

 


Dr. Adam Gerber
Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology
Current Institution:
Columbia University Irving Medical Center
Hillsdale, NJ, USA

Previous Positions Held:

  • Resident Anesthesiology CUMC
  • NIH T32 Fellow CUMC

PhD Dissertation: Cultured Cerebellar Granule Cells as a Model for NMDA Receptor Activity During Development

 


Dr. David Lubin
Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Radiology
Current Institution: Upstate Medical University
Syracuse, New York, USA

Previous Positions Held:

  • UCLA, Fellow and Assistant Clinical Professor
PhD Dissertation: Implications of Oligomerization on the folding pathway of p53
PhD Research Description: Molecular Biochemistry, Protein engineering and thermodynamics
Current Research Interests: Novel Molecular Theranostic agents , Low dose PET tracer image reconstruction algorithms
Career/Fellowship Goals: Physician-Scientist 

Follow me on: LinkedIn | ResearchGate

 


Dr. Akos Mersich
Psychiatry
Current Institution:
Private Practice
Denver, Colorado, USA

Previous Positions Held:

  • General Psychiatry Residency at University of Colorado
  • Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at University of Colorado

PhD Dissertation: The Role of the Formin FRL1 in Macrophage Adhesion and Migration
Current/Residency Research Interests: Marijuana  use during pregnancy


2013


Dr. Jacqueline Guterman
OB/Gyn Attending Physician
Current Institution: Northwell Staten Island University Hospital
Staten Island, New York, USA
PhD Dissertation: Understanding cellular immunity. What mechanisms are at play?
PhD Research Description: Determined the phenotypic and functional characteristics of primary, memory and recall CD8+ T cells. Explored how CD8+ T cell responses can be manipulated to generate protective memory for the design of effective cellular vaccines
Current/Residency Research Interests: Examined IgD response to antepartum pertussis vaccination and its transfer to neonates. Goal was to determine the role of passive IgD immunity in neonatal protection against pertussis infection.

2014


Dr. Tiffany Caza
Nephropathology
Current Institution: Arkana Laboratories.
Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
Previous Positions Held:

  • Pathology resident, SUNY Upstate 2014-2018
  • Nephropathology fellow, Arkana Laboratories 2018-2019

PhD Dissertation: The HRES-1/Rab4-mTOR axis controls mitophagy and T cell activation in SLE
PhD Research Interests: T cell activation and autophagy
Current Research Interests: I’m currently working on antigen identification and development of biomarkers for a few different immune complex-mediated renal diseases and am working with an awesome team.
Career Goals: I landed my dream job and am super happy about it. I’m a kidney pathologist working in a great group to find some answers in the pathogenesis of autoimmune kidney diseases.
Comments: I don’t work in academia (I’m in a private lab outside of a hospital setting), but have the opportunity to do exciting research each day. There’s lots of opportunities out there for physician scientists.

Follow me on: ResearchGate | Google Scholar | Twitter | Instagram

 


Dr. Ivayla (Eve) Geneva
Infectious Disease Fellow
Current Institution: Upstate Medical University
Syracuse, New York, USA
Previous Positions Held:

  • Post-Doctoral Fellow
  • Resident in Internal Medicine

PhD Dissertation: MECHANISMS OF PROTEIN TRANSPORT AND LOCALIZATION IN THE PRIMARY CILIA OF KIDNEY EPITHELIAL CELLS AND CONE PHOTORECEPTORS
Current Research Interests: I’m currently working on antigen identification and development of biomarkers for a few different immune complex-mediated renal diseases and am working with an awesome team.
Career Goals: Infectious Disease
Publications: Pubmed


2015


Dr. Sam Mackenzie
Child Neurology
Current Institution: University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
PhD Dissertation: Cauda equina injury and regeneration in the rat
Current Research Interests/Goals: neuromuscular medicine, gene therapy

 


Dr. Eric Wohlford
Pediatric Immunology
Current Institution: University of California San Francisco
San Francisco, California, USA
PhD Dissertation: VIRAL GENETIC VARIATION AND ALTERED LYMPHOCYTE TARGETS IN EPSTEIN BARR VIRUS PERSISTENCE: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE ETIOLOGY OF ENDEMIC BURKITT LYMPHOMA
Current Research Interests: Early origins of asthma and viral infections in Latino children

Follow me on: ResearchGate


2017


Dr. Ryan O’Dell
Psychiatry (Neuroscience Research Training Program)
Current Institution: Yale
Hamden, CT, USA
PhD Dissertation: Reelin signaling coordinates dendritic initiation and cellular positioning by neurite stabilization
Current Research Interests: Association between cerebral amyloid accumulation and synaptic density in Alzheimer’s Disease: a multitracer PET study. Using multimodal neuroimaging methodologies (MR, PET, fMRI) and CSF markers to better characterize the spatiotemporal pathological changes across the Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) spectrum, particularly in preclinical AD (disease pathology present in absence of measurable cognitive impairment). Specifically investigating novel PET tracers of synaptic density and their application as more sensitive markers of disease progression and their use as primary endpoints in ongoing clinical trials. Also involved as a study physician in a variety of clinical trials investigating novel therapeutic agents in the treatment AD.
Career Goals: Geriatric Psychiatry


2019


Dr. Karen Cyndari

Emergency Medicine (PSTP)
Current Institution:
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa, USA
PhD Dissertation: Mechanisms of Aseptic Loosening in Total Knee Arthroplasty
PhD research interests: Fluid flow shear stress as a cause of osteoclast activation in the setting of total joint replacements
Current Research Interests: The effects of climate change on infectious disease and global destabilization
Career Goals: Be an amazing clinician, have my own lab, travel, save lives, have fun!
Publications:
Click to view Publications

1. Coffey, S.; Cyndari, K; Fitzgerald, B., Lancaster, G., Kotob, M., Mowery, M., Zets, R. The Benefit of EMS Experience During Residency. SAEM Pulse, November 2019. P30-32. 

2. Mann, K.A., Miller, M.A., Amendola, R.L., Cyndari, K.I., Horton, J.A., Damron, T.A., Oest, M.E., Early Changes in Cement-Bone Fixation Using a Novel Rat Knee Replacement Model. Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 2019. 37(10); p. 2163-2171.

3. Cyndari, K.I., Spice: Fake weed Can Pose a Real Danger. Next-Level Emergency Medicine. 12 October 2018. https://www.nextlevelemergencymedicine.com/single-post/2018/10/12/Spice-Fake-Weed-Can-Pose-a-Real-Danger

 4. Cyndari K.I., Goodheart J.R., Miller M.A., Oest M.E., Damron T.A., and Mann K.A., Peri-Implant Distribution of Polyethylene Debris in Postmortem-Retrieved Knee Arthroplasties: Can Polyethylene Debris Explain Loss of Cement-Bone Interlock in Successful Total Knee Arthroplasties? The Journal of Arthroplasty, 2017. 32(7): p. 2289-2300.

5. Howard K.I., Miller M.A., Damron T.A., and Mann, K.A., The Distribution of Implant Fixation for Femoral Components of TKA: A Postmortem Retrieval Study. The Journal of Arthroplasty, 2014. 29(9): p. 1863-1870.

6. Oest, M.E., Miller M.A., Howard K.I., and Mann K.A., A Novel in Vitro Loading System to Produce Supra-physiologic Oscillatory Fluid Shear Stress. Journal of Biomechanics 2014. 42(2): p. 518-525.

Follow me on: ResearchGate | Twitter | My Graphic Novels

 


Dr. Dawn Lammert
Pediatric Neurology
Current Institution:
Johns Hopkins
Baltimore, MD, USA
PhD Dissertation: RELN AS A CANDIDATE GENE FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD)
Publications: Pubmed


Follow me on: LinkedIn | ORCID

 


Dr. Daniel S Tylee
Psychiatry
Current Institution: Yale
New Haven, CT, USA
PhD Dissertation: Genome wide studies of autism implicate immune and Neuro developmental pathways
PhD research interests: Genome wide expression and association studies, human subjects
Current Research Interests: As above
Career Goals: Funding => Faculty Track => Research on human subjects that compliments my clinical practice
Publications: “Google me, find my ResearchGate”

To have your listing added to this page, please contact admin@upstatemdphdalumni.com