Current Residents 2024-2025

PGY-4 Neurology Residents

 

 

Nicholas Bellacicco, DO

fellowship: Headache Neurology, University of Conneticut, CT

Chief Resident

Hometown: Stamford, CT

Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, PA

Research Interests: Medical education

Hobbies & Interests: 

-Writing poetry: I have one book published and continue to publish poems in journals.

-Skimboarding: I started skimboarding
when I was younger and I enjoy the opportunity to grow in this sport.

-Blogging: My blog has 200+ articles.

-Running, Weight
Training: I completed what is known as "the hardest half-marathon in the state of Texas" during my senior year at Baylor University.

- .Medical Humanities: I have spoken at three conferences about the importance of Medical Humanities in medical
education.

My name is Nicholas Bellacicco and I am a PGY-4 Neurology resident at Rutgers-NJMS. I grew up in Stamford, CT and went to college in Waco, TX at Baylor University. At Baylor, I studied Medical Humanities, which is the art dimension of medicine. I wrote my thesis on empathy in healthcare and discussed the importance of medical humanities in medical education. After Baylor, I went on to attend medical school at LECOM-Bradenton. I became fascinated with the field of Neurology in my third year of medical school during my patient encounters. During my clinical years of medical school, I completed research on the topic of RLS and Phantom Limb Pain. My current interest is in the field of headache and facial pain.

 

I am fortunate to be a Neurology resident at Rutgers-Health NJMS. I know that through this program I will receive exceptional training and grow in an encouraging environment.

 

 
 

Roopa Sharma, MD

fellowship: Neuromuscular Neurology, Montefiore Einstein, NY

Chief Resident

Hometown: Chamba, India 

Medical School:  Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi.

Research Interests: Neuromuscular, Clinical Neurophysiology

Hobbies & Interests: watching movies, gardening, and travel

My origins trace back to the Himalayan valley of Chamba in India, where I spent my formative years. Pursuing my medical career led me to New Delhi, where I completed Medical School at Lady Hardinge Medical College and furthered my completed my residency in Internal Medicine at Maulana Azad Medical College. I

 

like watching thrillers - where you have to link clues to know who the culprit is. I feel a similar thrill with neurology - trying to find out the missing links and correlating different symptoms to make a diagnosis. During the course of my training, I have been increasingly discovering a genuine fascination and burgeoning passion for neuromuscular and neurophysiology. 

 

The program offers a wide-ranging exposure to a diverse patient population. Additionally, what appeals to me the most is the program's rich blend of residents and faculty from various backgrounds, fostering an enriching learning environment. This, coupled with a commendable work-life balance, has been an invaluable aspect of the program, all while enjoying the proximity to the bustling city of New York. 

 

 

 
 

Ahmad Saeed Abdelhamid Derbala Ali, MD

fellowship: Vascular Neurology, University of Pittsburg, PA

Hometown: Beheira, Egypt

Medical School: Alexandria University Faculty of Medicine, Egypt

Hobbies & Interests: soccer, gymnasium, and cooking

Soccer: I used to play it professionally before medical school, Now I play it as often as possible. I am a big fan of Real Madrid, ever since childhood.


Gymnasium: I do cardio exercises, weight lifting and running on regular basis. This keeps me fit and refreshed.


Cooking: family and friends always trust my own recipes.
I love social gatherings with family and friends.

 

 
 

Maria Anderina Hernandez, MD

fellowship: Neuroimmunology, University of Rochester, NY

Hometown: Caracas, Venezuela

Medical School: Universidad Central de Venezuela Escuela de Medicina Luis
Razetti, Venezuela

Hobbies & Interests: My hobbies include multiple types of crafting activities such as quilting, embroidery, collage, and calligraphy. In my spare
time, I enjoy watercolor painting, visiting art museums, and exploring design markets. I am an avid reader (historical novels and fiction) and love movies (I review them online).

 

 

 

 
 

Olga Mashinetc, MD/PhD

fellowship: Vascular Neurology. University of Rochester, NY

Hometown: Yekaterinburg, Russia

Medical School: Ural State Medical University, Russian Federation

Hobbies & Interests: I have been skiing since the age of 5 and have carried this passion throughout my life. Given my leadership skills, I am also the chairwoman of a small
international Mom's Club in Edison/Metuchen, actively for the past 6 years. Within this group we support and empower each other, helping one another
to overcome difficult situations and hurdles in our lives.

 

 

PGY-3 Neurology Residents

 

Adonay Castillo, MD

Hometown: Newark, NJ

Medical School: Escuela Latinoamericana de Medicina, Havana Cuba

Research Interests: Neurorehabilitation and neurorepair

Hobbies & Interests: Outdoor sports such as Cross country paragliding, marathon running, swimming, long distance cycling, and soccer. I enjoy photography and wooden aircraft modelng. I help build and maintain community organoponic systems and spending time with family

 

 

 

 
 

Zachary (Zach) Lodato, DO

Hometown: East Islip, NY

Medical School: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, NY

Research Interests: Endovascular Neurology

Hobbies & Interests: My hobbies include pizza, fitness/working-out, learning the bass guitar, and the Italian language. I enjoy making pizza from scratch, and trying different pizza places (especially in New York City). I try to workout at least 3 times per week, which includes a mix of weight lifting and resistance band training. I enjoy music and played viola during my childhood, so now I'm focusing on learning the bass guitar. Languages fascinate me, and I would like to achieve fluency in Italian.

 
 

Jade McLain, DO

Hometown: Atlanta, GA

Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia PA

Research Interests: Vascular Neurology, Neurodegenerative Diseases

Hobbies & Interests: Obstacle Course Racing, Hiking, Baking, traveling, and learning languages

I am an obstacle course racer. Whether a Tough Mudder, Rugged Maniac, Savage Race, or a Spartan Trifecta, I love to be active in the sunshine! It is an incredible feeling to train for something and see yourself improve over time, and always a great surprise to see what crazy obstacles the designers have come up with. Racing is a hobby I started with my mom and continue even if we're not side by side cheering each other on. In between training and working, I enjoy experimenting with baking recipes. The science from start to finish is always so fascinating, and the process of decorating/garnishing is just as relaxing as it is rewarding to eat! As my hometown is in the south, my all-time favorite is a homemade red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting.

 
 

Sudheesh Ramachandran, MD

Medical School: Academy of Medical Sciences Pariyaram, Kannur India

Hobbies & Interests: Indian classical music, travel, and reading

 

 

 

 

 
 

Yaqian (Heather) Xu, MD

Hometown: Beijing, China

Medical School: West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, China

Reserach Interests: Movement Disorders, Telehealth, Healthcare Effectiveness and Outcomes

Hobbies & Interests: Photography, Snowboarding, going to musicals and operas, art exhibitions especially impressionism arts 

 

 

 

 

PGY-2 Neurology Residents

 

 

John Acquaviva, DO

Hometown: Kinnelon, NJ

Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine 

Research Interests: Movement Disorders, Neuromuscular Disorders

Hobbies & Interests:n 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

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

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 – Neuro-critical care and rehabilitation.

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

Hometown – Chennai, India  

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

Research Interest – Neuroimmunology, Movement disorders, Vascular Neurology, Cognitive disorders 

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.

 

PGY-1 Neurology Residents, Internal Medicine Interns

 

Anureet Brar, MBBS

Hometown: Chandigarh, India

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

Research Interests:

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

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 Munoz, MD

Hometown: Palmira, Colombia

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

Research Interests:

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

Hobbies & Interests: community service and community outreach