Current Residents

Group photo of residents.

Our residents embrace a team atmosphere and togetherness both in and outside the hospital.

We take pride in not only finding academically and technically talented individuals, but in finding those with qualities to become gifted surgical leaders. Our residents embrace a team atmosphere and togetherness both in and outside the hospital.

The general surgery residency program is composed of a diverse group of students hailing from all around the world. With trainees from places such as Greece, Russia, Egypt, the Philipines and more, the Department of Surgery embraces surgical leaders from any and all backgrounds.

Please look below to learn more about the residents in each class including their backgrounds and educations and what they like to do when they’re not busy with a demanding surgical education. 

PGY-1 Residents

  • Ali Awan.

    Ali Awan

    Undergrad: University of Florida 
    Med School: Nova Southeastern University
    Other interests: I enjoy an active lifestyle by participating in sports such as soccer, baseball, and golf. My love for athletics began as a child when I would play cricket with my brother in the streets of Pakistan. I am also enthusiastic about exploring the outdoors whether that be through hiking, cycling, or skydiving. When time permits, I spend the day at the beach or lake while grilling food with my family.

  • emily brunette.

    Emily Brunette

    Undergrad: Siena College 
    Med School:     Jscobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
    Other interests:     Syracuse University basketball fan; aspiring spin class instructor; half marathon runner; Denver enthusiast — frequent trips to visit my siblings, ski, hike, and try out the local brews; self-proclaimed fun aunt.

  • Andrew Chang.

    Andrew Chang

    Undergrad: University of California, Los Angeles 
    Med School:     Virginia Tech Carilion School Of Medicine 
    Other interests:     Cooking, baking, coffee, and fermentation: I mostly cook Chinese, Japanese, and Korean dishes but love to develop and try any new recipes. I am an avid coffee drinker and roast my own beans. Hiking, foraging, and mycology: Began learning about wild plants of the Appalachia over quarantine. Piano: Played since childhood, was in a video game orchestra in undergrad. Video games: Enjoy playing creative and narrative based games and listening to soundtracks.

  • Gabriela Drew.

    Gabriela Drew

    Undergrad: College of William and Mary
    Med School:     Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
    Other interests: Exploring the outdoors, travel, photography, yoga, swimming, snowboarding and dogs. 

  • Abigail Grapes.

    Abigail Grapes

    Undergrad: University at Buffalo 
    Med School:     Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
    Other interests:     Cooking Italian, Asian, and American cuisines, scuba diving and snorkeling, budget traveling, high-intensity interval training, power yoga.

  • Matthew Handmacher.

    Matthew Handmacher

    Undergrad: Georgetown University 
    Med School: California University of Science and Medicine — School of Medicine 
    Other interests:     Rock climbing and golf.

  • Justin Harvey.

    Justin Harvey

    Undergrad: University at Buffalo 
    Med School:     Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
    Other interests:     I enjoy playing drums, snowboarding and skiing, watching football (specifically the Buffalo Bills), exploring new restaurants and tasting craft beer from breweries around the country, raising my golden retriever, kayaking, hiking, video games, and traveling.

  • Geoffrey Hobika.

    Geoffrey Hobika

    Undergrad: Canisius College
    Med School:     Jacobs School of Medicne and Biomedical Sciences 
    Other interests:     Indoor activities such as reading, watching football, exercising, music, and outdoor activities such as rowing (both competing and coaching), hiking, walking my dogs, and cooking.

  • Jacob Krogstad.

    Jacob Krogstad

    Undergrad: Concordia College Moorhead 
    Med School:     University of Minnesota Medical School 
    Other interests:     Hiking with my dog, cooking and baking with my wife, trying new restaurants, wellness, fitness, and recreational sports, Collegiate and freestyle wrestling, golfing, watching Minnesota sports, especially the Twins and Vikings, amateur photography, reading.

  • Jennifer Loo.

    Jennifer Loo

    Undergrad: CUNY City College 
    Med School:     Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
    Other interests:     Running — participated in various 5Ks and ran a half marathon in Buffalo, hiking, skiing, exploring the city/trying new restaurants, cooking/baking, walking dogs, growing houseplants, watching sports, cheering on the Bills

  • Jeremy McDuffie.

    Jeremy McDuffie

    Undergrad: University of Tennessee, Knoxville 
    Med School:     Saint Louis University School of Medicine 
    Other interests:     Backpacking/hiking: My favorite destination is Mt. Sterling in the Smoky Mountains. Each trip brings refreshing time outdoors, even when encountering a mother bear and her cubs. Sports: Playing soccer & basketball are a great source of exercise and a social outlet. Baking: I bake my favorites (such as my family’s strawberry cake) and try out new recipes to share with my friends. Reading: I have always loved to read.

  • Isaac Naazie.

    Isaac Naazie

    Vascular Surgery Integrated Resident
    Med School:     Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology 

  • Alex Neary.

    Alexander Neary

    Undergrad: University of Rochester 
    Med School:     Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
    Other interests:     Reading comic books. Cooking new recipes with my significant other and compiling them into a cookbook. Playing bingo with my family and friends. Building and custom painting model kits.

  • Randy Nguyen.

    Randy Nguyen

    Undergrad: Union College 
    Med School:     Washington State University Elson S Floyd College of Medicine 
    Other interests:     Baking is one of my most gratifying pursuits outside of medicine. I started baking French patisserie in college and enjoyed sharing my baked goods with friends. I have since continued to explore the art and science of baking at every opportunity. In addition to being a great stress-reliever, baking has taught me how to carefully plan and execute complex tasks, adapt to rapidly changing situations, and anticipate and manage issues before they become larger problems.

  • Amanda Nubelo.

    Amanda Nubelo

    Undergrad: University at Buffalo 
    Med School:     Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
    Other interests:     Hiking, baking bread, restoration/woodwork, archery, soap making, hunting, video games.

  • Crisbel Rosabal Pernas.

    Crisbel Rosabal Pernas

    Med School: Universidad de Ciencias 
    Other interests:     Travel, watching documentaries and volleyball.

  • Eric Vu.

    Eric Vu

    OMFS resident
    Undergrad:     University of California, Riverside 
    Med School:     Tufts University School Of Dental Medicine