13 Faculty Members Join 11 Medical School Departments

By Dirk Hoffman

Stacey A. Watt, MD, MBA, is interim chair and clinical professor of anesthesiology. She is director of the anesthesiology residency program.

She is also the chief of service for anesthesia at Kaleida Health and site director for Oishei Children’s Hospital.

Her research specialties include malignant hyperthermia and heat-related illness and injury, as well as trauma and emergency preparedness, topics for which she has been a frequently sought-after lecturer internationally.

Watt is board certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology and earned a subspecialty certification in pediatric anesthesiology.

She completed her medical degree at the SUNY Upstate Medical University, followed by a residency at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo, where she was also fellowship-trained in pediatric anesthesia.

In addition, she earned a Master of Health Professions Education degree from the University of Illinois Chicago and a Master of Business Administration degree from The Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University.

Samantha J. Deans, MD, is a clinical assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology.

She completed a fellowship in complex family planning at UPMC Magee-Women’s Hospital at the University of Pittsburgh.

Deans earned a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health.

She completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Vermont Medical Center and earned her medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine.

Bonnie M. Vest, PhD, is a research associate professor of family medicine.

She is a medical anthropologist, with expertise in qualitative and mixed methods approaches and in applying qualitative and implementation science methods in health services research, serving in this role on several translational implementation projects in health care and community settings.

She earned a doctoral degree and a master’s degree, both in cultural anthropology, from the University at Buffalo.

Jamal B. Williams, PhD, is an assistant professor of psychiatry.

As an early-career investigator in the field of psychiatric genetics, he is committed to uncovering the underlying genetic factors that contribute to the development of disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and Autism spectrum disorder, especially in populations that are historically unrepresented in biomedical research.

He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California at Los Angeles after earning a doctoral degree in neuroscience from the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. He also earned a master’s degree in biology from Buffalo State College.

Lynne M. Pajak is a clinical assistant professor of biotechnical and clinical laboratory sciences.

She earned a master’s degree in medical technology from the University at Buffalo

Rachel A. Schrecongost, DO, is a clinical assistant professor of emergency medicine.

She completed a residency in emergency medicine at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. She obtained her doctor of osteopathic medicine degree from the University of New England and earned a master’s degree in biomolecular science from Central Connecticut State University.

Andrew Tisser, DO, is a clinical assistant professor of emergency medicine.

He completed a residency in emergency medicine at Upstate University Hospital and earned a doctor of osteopathic medicine degree from the New York Institute of Technology, College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Niels P. Bergsland, PhD, is an assistant professor of neurology.

David P. Cipolla, MD, is a clinical assistant professor of radiology.

Katelyn M. Crowley, MD, is a clinical assistant professor of medicine.

Vaitheeswaran Ganesan Lalgudi, MBBS, is a clinical assistant professor of ophthalmology.

Carrie L. Vargo, MD, is a clinical assistant professor of emergency medicine.

Mona S. Zafar, MD, is a clinical assistant professor of pediatrics.