Current Residents 2026-2027

John Acquaviva, DO - Cheif Resident

Hometown: Kinnelon, NJ

Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine 

Research Interests: Movement Disorders, applying for fellowship

Hobbies & Interests: In my free time you can find me playing with my dog and cats, training Muay Thai Kickboxing, watching martial arts (MMA, boxing, Muay Thai), watching movies, yelling at the TV while watching the New York Jets, reading neurology textbooks or Stephen King novels, listening to the Neurology Podcast, and drinking way too much coffee. 

ALERT: This is a no “CNs II-XII grossly intact” zone.  

Manpreet Kaur, MBBS

Hometown: Amritsar, Punjab, India.  

Medical School: SGRDIMSR, Amritsar. India

Research Interests: Epilepsy, Accepted to Epilepy Fellowship at University of California in Davis. CA

Hobbies & Interests: Exploring new places, gardening, interior designing, shopping, listening to music. Next on my list- learning new languages.

Caleb McCardell, DO

Hometown: West Bend, WI

Medical School: Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Kansas City, MO

Research Interests: Health care inequities, vascular neurology

Hobbies & Interests: I enjoy cooking, especially East Asian and Indian cuisines, replicating traditional recipes with as much authenticity as possible. I've played guitar since age 12, and picked up banjo, mandolin, and bass since then. My favorite genres to play include jazz, bluegrass, alternative, and math rock. I also enjoy weight lifting, and make a point to do so 5-6 times a week.

Pravallika Putrevu, MBBS

Hometown – Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, India

Medical School: Rangaraya Medical College, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Research Interest – Neuromuscular disorders, matched Neuromuscular Fellowship at the Ohio State Medical Center, OH

Hobbies & Interests:  I love to cook, cooking is my stress buster. And I like to explore places and travel around. In my free time, I try my hand at art, like making decorative pieces from clay, paper, or cardboard.

Hariharan Venkataraman, MBBS - Chief Resident

Hometown – Chennai, India  

Medical School: J.S.S Medical College, Mysore, Karnataka, India 

Research Interest –Neuromuscular disorders, matched Neuromuscular Fellowship at the Barrow Neurological Institute, AZ

Hobbies & Interests: I am an avid quizzer. I was into GK quizzes before switching to medical quizzes. I’ve had a lot of experience making questions and organizing medical quizzes.

I was a national-level tennis player in India during my under-14 and 16 years. I’m not as competitive right now, but I’m always ready for a good hit. I also love watching all kinds of sports other than tennis, like cricket, soccer, and field hockey. Recent experiences of watching the NBA and NFL have been fun too! I also like swimming, medium-distance running, and light weight training to maintain my fitness.  

Music: I like playing Indian classical music on my wooden flute and can also sing Bollywood songs.  

I absolutely love reading books and listening to podcasts on history.

Anureet Brar, MBBS

Hometown: Chandigarh, India

Medical School: Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences & Research

Research Interests: Vascular Neurology

Hobbies & Interests:

•Visual Arts: I'm proficient in watercolor, pastels, graphite sketches, I'm versatile in various art mediums.
•Calligraphy Enthusiast: I'm passionate about calligraphy and have honed my skills in various styles and techniques to create beautifully
crafted lettering.
•Custom Shoe Artistry: I use my artistic skills to customize shoes for friends and family, infusing my personal touch into practical,
wearable art pieces.
•Logo Design for Small Businesses: Collaborating with small businesses, I design custom logos, helping them establish strong visual
identities.
•Wedding Programs and Leaflets: My attention to detail and creativity shine through in my designs for wedding programs and leaflets,
contributing to memorable life events.
•Instagram Art Account: Explore my artwork on Instagram (@StrokesofStars), where I share insights into my creative journey and
connect with fellow art enthusiasts.

Levi Coelho Maia Barros, MD

Hometown: Fortaleza, Brazil

Medical School: Universidade Estadual do Ceará (UECE), Brazil

Research Interests: movement disorders

Hobbies & Interests: Scuba Diving, Travel

During my backpacking trip, I decided to learn a very unique ability: Scuba Diving. I took classes on how to survive in a hostile environment under the sea, to react to emergencies underwater, and to use and select the right equipment for each kind of diving. Was it worth it? Definitely! I had the most exhilarating experience exploring the marine life in the charming village of Koh Tao, Thailand. A new world I'd only seen through television and movies was now open to my eyes. The xperience was so mesmerizing I decided to repeat it on the coasts of Kenya and Colombia. I could say that some of the scuba diving principles I've learned are also critical to my medical path, like remaining calm even in life-threatening conditions and double-checking equipment to avoid stressful situations.

Laura Mora Munoz, MD

Hometown: Palmira, Colombia

Medical School: Colegio Mayor de Nuestra Senora del Rosario Facultad de Medicina
Colombia

Research Interests: epilepsy, underrespresented in medicine, underserved patient populations

Hobbies & Interests: Dancing, Tennis, Mindfluness

• I hail from the small city of Palmira, located near Cali, the salsa capital of Colombia. Dancing, especially
salsa, has been a cherished passion of mine. Teaching others to dance this vibrant art form brings immense joy to
my heart.
• I do also play tennis. When I was a kid I diligently balanced my responsibilities, ensuring I never missed a
weekend class. What I find most rewarding is how it seamlessly combines exercise with the spirit of play,
fostering camaraderie among friends, instilling discipline, and igniting a deep passion for the sport.
• To add, traveling has always been a source of inspiration for me. Exploring new cultures, witnessing diverse
perspectives on life, embarking on hikes, and capturing these moments through photography have enriched my
soul. I am enthralled by how photographs can narrate stories and immortalize fleeting moments.
• Lately, I've explored mindfulness techniques, fostering a positive and mindful outlook on life.

Anandkumar Patel, MBBS

Hometown –Dhrangadhara, India

Medical School: Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Medical College, Rajkot, India.

Research Interest – Neuro-critical care and rehabilitation.

Hobbies & Interests:  Volunteering and community outreach

Participating weekly in cultural activities at our local BAPS community centers. Includes giving public speeches, leading group discussions, and hosting workshops on incorporating moral values such as unity in diversity, honesty, faith and spirit of service. I volunteered in the construction of one of the world's largest temples in Robbinsville, NJ “Akshardham Robbinsville” as well as various temples in India. Participated in free screening camps for chronic preventable illnesses (hypertension and diabetes ) and blood donation on camps in collaboration with local doctors and social workers.

Edwin Pena, MD

Hometowns –Metuchen and Perth Amboy, NJ

Medical School:American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Sint Marrten

Research Interest: serving underserved populations and expanding healthcare to all, neuroimmunology

Hobbies & Interests: community service and community outreach

Antonio Jose Maria Spagnolo Allende, MD, MPH

Hometown: Asuncion, Paraguay

Medical School: Universidad Nacional de Asunción Facultad de Medicina, Paraguay

Graduate School: Columbia University in the City of New York, New York, NY, United States of America
Public Health

Research Interests: headaches, dementia, cerebrovascular disease, HIV-assocaited brain changes, brain arterial remodeling, social determinants of health

Hobbies & Interests:

• comic books, sci fi, fantasy films
• books and comic books
• exploring NYC's parks, cafes
• chocolate

Juan Jimenez, MD

Hometown: Katy, TX

Medical School: McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX

Research Interests:multiple sclerosis, the impact of socail factors on neurologic disease

Hobbies & Interests: 

I love woodworking for its creativity and relaxation. From whittling to furniture making, I enjoy blending form, function, and design. My favorite project is a custom entryway bench that elegantly wraps around a yellow gem ficus. I also express my creativity through music and building model kits. I am also a comissioner of a large Fantacy Football League, the Longhron League.

Kevin Perez, DO

Hometown: Elizabeth, NJ

Medical School: Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine - New York, NY

Research Interests: Alzhimers, vascular neurology

Hobbies & Interests:

• Chess
• Mentorship
• Community Outreach

Udeep Sindhu, MBBS

Hometown –Histar, India

Medical School: Kasturba Medical College Manipal, Udupii, India.

Research Interest Vascular neurology, epilepsy

Hobbies & Interests: 

• basketball
• badmitton

Vivian Xu, DO, MBS

Hometowns –Palisades Park, NJ

Medical School: Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, FL

Gradaute School: Rutgers Grad Sch of Biomed Sci- Piscataway & Newark, Stratford, NJ,

Research Interest: serving underserved populations, Alzhimer's disease, the impact of systemic diseases on the nervous system

Hobbies & Interests:

• Baking desserts (my favorite season is stone fruit season)
• food photography (you can find my work on Instagram
  @baking.viv)
• cooking
• hiking
• reading (favorite genres are historical fiction and fantasy)
• visiting art museums

Christina Banat, MD, MS

Hometown: Freehold, NJ

Medical School: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark

Research Interests: potential biomarkers of neuropathy in diabetic patients.

Hobbies & Interests: Travel (Ecuador/The Galápagos Islands, Guatemala, Ireland, Cuba, Croatia, Greece)
Zumba
Yoga
Acrylic painting
Dog walking
Some TV show favorites: The Residence, The Sopranos, reality TV shows

Bianca Patricia Fulgencio, D.O.

Hometown:Lynborrk, NY and Stony Brook, NY

Medical School: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine

Research Interests: Serving the underserved, community out reach

Hobbies & Interests: Badminton, running, beach volleyball, and hiking provides a means of spending quality time with friends and family while maintaining physical health.

Painting, reading, and journaling allows for organizing thoughts and acts as a more relaxing, balanced outlet for whatever stressors may be present.

Nikita Sanjay Manjrekar, D.O.

Hometown: Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Boston, Massachusetts; Queens, NYC, New York

Medical School: William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine, MS

Research Interests: Health care inequities, health advocacy and policy,

Hobbies & Interests: I love to read. I’ve read everything from all of Jane Austen's hits to The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. I love indoor climbing and snowboarding when I have access to the gym or slopes. I'm a classical ballerina with 12 years of training and I'm a self-taught singer-songwriter on guitar.

Sai Priya Nimmagadda, MBBS

Hometown – Bloomington, Illinois; Monroe, New Jersey; San Jose, California

Medical School: Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, Secunderabad, India.

Research Interest – Neuromuscular disorders, matched Fellowship

Hobbies & Interests: I enjoy playing with my dog ( he's almost 6 years ), gardening ( successfully grew my first lemons recently), and experimenting with new dishes. Trekking and playing tennis to stay active. To relax, I like to binge watch series and create resin art and pottery pieces, which I often gift to friends.

Sophia Raia, MD

Hometown – Hackensack, New Jersey; New York, New York; Washington, District of Columbia

Medical School: St. George's University School of Medicine, Grenada

Research Interest –Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injury

Hobbies & Interests:Known to be an avid stress baker, visual arts like painting, drawing, and photography are also creative outlets for me.

Sports such as soccer, softball, and skiing provide me with endorphins and camaraderie while my outdoor pursuits, sporting clays and flyfishing, promise uninterrupted family time.