Orientation Committee

Name: Fernando Bomfim

Hometown: Millburn, NJ

Undergraduate College and Major/Minor: New York University, political science major

Gap Year (If yes, what did you do during your gap year): I spent my first three gap years investigating adipose tissue remodeling in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) following weight loss surgery at NYU Langone Health. I then spent an additional two years pursuing a master’s degree in medical sciences at Boston University and completing a thesis on the relation between pain sensitization and adipokines in patients with knee OA. 

Favorite Part of Medical School: Taking part in a global health trip to Costa Rica during spring break. I made so many friends on that trip and we got to give back to a community in need while having a blast doing it!

Medical School Organizations: Latino Medical Student Association treasurer, Urology Interest Group co-president, Emergency Medicine Interest Group, Student National Medical Association, Orientation Committee

Favorite Restaurants in Buffalo:  Taqueria Ranchos Las Delicias, Gabriel’s Gate, Sabores de Mi Tierra, Saigon Cafe  

Favorite Buffalo Activity:  anything with sports — Bills’ tailgates, Bisons’ games, Sabres’ games

Hobbies: indoor cycling, traveling, reading, playing Mario Kart and the new Zelda game on the Switch

Fun Fact: I was born in São Paulo, Brazil 🇧🇷 and moved to NJ when I was 7 years old. 

Email: fbomfim@buffalo.edu

Name: Faith Chukwu

Hometown: Rochester, NY

Undergraduate College and Major/Minor: St John Fisher College, biology major/ chemistry minor

Gap Year (If yes, what did you do during your gap year): I took one gap year. In that time, I worked as a medical assistant at a neurology office full time and also worked overnights at a local hospital as a patient care technician.

Favorite Part of Medical School: Meeting a lot of amazing people and gaining new friends!

Medical School Organizations: Polity secretary, SNMA, Dermatology Interest Group

Favorite Restaurants in Buffalo: Mythos, Chin Hills, Saigon Cafe, Pho Lantern, Squeeze Juicery

Favorite Buffalo Activity: Trying new foods, tailgate, ice skating

Hobbies: Reading, relaxing, hanging out with friends

Fun Fact: I found a 4-leaf clover when I was in 3rd grade. I heard that was pretty rare. :)

Email: faithchu@buffalo.edu

Name: Kendal DeSantis

Hometown: Dallas, Texas

Undergraduate College and Major/Minor: Cornell University, biomedical engineering

Gap Year (If yes, what did you do during your gap year): Yes! I took 3 gap years. During that time, I worked in medical device R&D in NYC. My team and I developed and are in the process of patenting a minimally invasive endoscopic system for subdural hematoma removal. I also spent time working as a medical assistant in a pediatric clinic and at the Volunteers in Medicine Clinic, a medical clinic for the underserved and uninsured, where I worked mainly with OB-GYN patients.

Favorite Part of Medical School: Anatomy!! I loved going into lab and learning in a hands-on way. Plus, it’s a great way to meet and get to know a few of your classmates. My lab table of 6 really bonded — we still hang out and go to trivia nights!

Medical School Organizations: Polity treasurer, Urology Interest Group co-president, Association of Women Surgeons co-president

Favorite Restaurants in Buffalo: Mulberry Italian Ristorante & La Divina Tacos

Favorite Buffalo Activity: Hanging out with friends and exploring Buffalo! Whether it’s going to the different festivals/events that are being held, trying a new restaurant, hiking, or just grabbing coffee at Remedy House — there’s always something fun to do!

Hobbies: baking, cooking, working out, rowing, reading, and traveling! I am always down to try something new!

Fun Fact: I went to a Jonas Brothers concert as an adult!

Email: kedesant@buffalo.edu

Name: Daniela Falcone

Hometown: Buffalo, NY (West Seneca)

Undergraduate College and Major/Minor: I majored in biochemistry and minored in Italian at the University at Buffalo.

Gap Year (If yes, what did you do during your gap year): During my first gap year, I worked as a medical assistant at an OB-GYN office. During my second gap year, I earned my MPH in epidemiology from UB. I also volunteered at Pediatric Urgent Care and Sister’s Hospital.

Favorite Part of Medical School: My favorite part about medical school is meeting new people and getting involved. I enjoy studying with friends, celebrating after exams, and volunteering at Lighthouse Free Medical Clinic.

Medical School Organizations: Lighthouse Free Medical Clinic operations manager, OB/GYN Interest Group co-president, Med-Peds Interest Group co-president, Students for a National Health Program (SNaHP) co-outreach coordinator

Favorite Restaurants in Buffalo: The Place, Bar-Bill, Inizio, Kuni’s, JT’s, Waikiki (their bubble tea is amazing!)

Favorite Buffalo Activity: Picnics at Delaware Park, going to Hofbräuhaus, Bills’ and Sabres’ games, country concerts at Darien Lake, walks at Canalside

Hobbies: Hiking (I’m an aspiring Adirondack 46er), visiting National Parks, going to concerts and festivals, hanging out with family and friends, going to the beach, snowboarding, cooking, and baking

Fun Fact: I have gone skydiving twice!

Email: drfalcon@buffalo.edu

Name: Hannah Foster

Hometown: Auburn, NY

Undergraduate College and Major/Minor: Cell and developmental biology major and psychology minor at the University of Rochester.

Gap Year (If yes, what did you do during your gap year): During my gap year I worked as a clinical research coordinator in Rochester, NY, at the Wilmot Cancer Institute, overseeing breast cancer trials. I also took the opportunity to travel and attend as many concerts as I could!

Favorite Part of Medical School: The people! I couldn't ask for better classmates to spend the next four years with.

Medical School Organizations: OB/GYN Interest Group, OUTPatient, DoctHers, White Coat Black Diamond, and the Orientation Committee!

Favorite Restaurants in Buffalo: Hutch’s, Bacchus, Union Pub, Bar-Bill, Hydraulic Hearth, Churn (Ice Cream), Inizio, The Dapper Goose, Misuta Chow’s, and so many more — you can’t go wrong! 

Favorite Buffalo Activity: Trying out new restaurants! There are so many options and the food in Buffalo is so good.

Hobbies: Hiking, cooking, skiing, spikeball

Fun Fact: After I graduated from college, I went on a road trip from Rochester, NY, to Denver. 

Email: hfoster2@buffalo.edu

Name: Mason McMullen

Hometown: Orchard Park, NY

Undergraduate College and Major/Minor: D'Youville University, biology BS and chemistry/psychology minor

Gap Year (If yes, what did you do during your gap year): During my gap year, I worked as a tutor at a learning center and I also worked as a lifeguard and sports camp instructor for my town’s Recreation Department.

Favorite Part of Medical School: Gross anatomy and the associated facilitated active learning sessions. This was one of the first times where we applied the curriculum to real life medical scenarios and got fascinating insight from participating doctors.

Medical School Organizations: Medicine of Tomorrow, Heart Smart, BEST tutoring, Orientation Committee

Favorite Restaurants in Buffalo: Thai House, Camellia Garden, India Gate, Saika Sushi, Bar-Bill Tavern

Favorite Buffalo Activity: Disc golf, there are lots of fun courses in beautiful parks all around Buffalo.

Hobbies: Intramural soccer, disc golf, exercise

Fun Fact: I was a garbage man for my town.

Email: masonmcm@buffalo.edu

Name: Andrew Ngov

Hometown: Flower Mound, Texas

Undergraduate College and Major/Minor: University of Notre Dame, science pre-professional major

Gap Year (If yes, what did you do during your gap year): Yes! I was a medical scribe at a primary care clinic called Oak Street Health in Arlington, Texas. I also did lots of traveling during my gap year to enjoy the time off before medical school.

Favorite Part of Medical School: The Jacobs community! The whole Jacobs population ranging from classmates and upperclassmen to faculty and administration have been outstanding in providing a comfortable and collaborative environment to make medical school enjoyable and fulfilling. This community has taught me never to be afraid to reach out for help or advice as everybody wants you to succeed.

Medical School Organizations: Co-president of Cardiology Interest Group, Orientation Committee, volunteer at Lighthouse Free Medical Clinic, UBHeals volunteer, Orthopedics Interest Group, Anesthesiology Interest Group

Favorite Restaurants in Buffalo: The Towne, Chef’s, Bar-Bill (best wings in Buffalo hands down), Betty’s, La Divina, Gabriel’s Gate, Franco’s Pizza, Waves, and Breadhive Bakery

Favorite Buffalo Activity: Bills’ games, Canalside, and Larkin Square Tuesdays

Hobbies: Functional fitness, playing ice hockey at Harborcenter, cooking, basketball, golfing, and Liverpool football fanatic (it’s called footy, not soccer)

Fun Fact: I’ve stormed the field after a college football game!

Email: apngov@buffalo.edu

Name: Amelia Simpson

Hometown: Wheatfield, NY 

Undergraduate College and Major/Minor: I graduated from the University of Michigan with a BS in movement science and a minor in public health. 

Gap Year (If yes, what did you do during your gap year): During my gap year I received a Master of Science from Boston University’s School of Medicine and did research on celiac disease at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Mass. 

Favorite Part of Medical School: The community here at Jacobs is by far my favorite part! Medical school is meant to be challenging, but the incredible people I get to surround myself with, from students to professors to administration, make it one of the most incredible and rewarding experiences. 

Medical School Organizations: Orientation Committee, Anatomy Peer Tutor, White Coat Black Diamond Adaptive Ski Program, Ortho Interest Group, UB Heals, Lighthouse Free Medical Clinic volunteer, Ortho Summer Research Program

Favorite Restaurants in Buffalo: I love Inizio and Casa Azul on Elmwood, Tappo Wood Fired Pizza, Buffalo Sushi Express, Hartman’s Distillery and Overwinter Coffee!

Favorite Buffalo Activity: Buffalo Bills’ games and tailgates in the fall are by far my favorite, but I also love walking/running at Hoyt Lake in Delaware Park. 

Hobbies: I love running, reading, skiing, and traveling, and am also a diehard University of Michigan sports fan!

Fun Fact: I've been to a college football game at every Big Ten stadium!

Email: ameliasi@buffalo.edu