Current Members
Aaron Deutsch
Hometown: Princeton, NJ
Medical School: Harvard Medical School
Research Interest: Genetics and genomics
Why did you choose to come to Brigham and why did you join SiR?
“The community is incredibly supportive and actively encourages people to pursue their interests in any area they are passionate about. I chose SiR to be surrounded by like-minded individuals and to increase my exposure to incredible scientists.“
Alexander Boardman
Hometown: Duxbury, MA
Medical School: University of Massachusetts Medical School
Research Interest: Cancer immunotherapy
Why did you choose to come to Brigham and why did you join SiR?
“Science in residency embodies the Brigham spirit in every way. As a recent development in the program aimed at enhancing our research exposure, it has quickly gained traction and includes a funded, ongoing genomics project as a collaborative effort with the University of Washington. Our interests are diverse but the spirit of science unites us.“
Amir Munir
Hometown: West Windsor, NJ
Medical School: Case Western
Research Interest: Transcriptional regulation of cardiovascular disease, cardiac-specific novel gene characterization
Why did you choose to come to Brigham and why did you join SiR?
“I chose to come the Brigham for its combination of clinical excellence and stellar research environment – all the while having a strong focus of community and camaraderie. The SiR track specifically appealed to me because it allowed for a dialogue with pre-eminent basic and translational science investigators, sharing their career trajectories and advice they gleaned along the way.“
Andrew Stergachis
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Medical School: University of Washington School of Medicine
Research Interest: Genetics and genomics
Why did you choose to come to Brigham and why did you join SiR?
“The community at the Brigham stood out the most to me as I was searching for residency programs. Your co-residents and attendings here are not only amazingly accomplished, but are also great teachers, co-workers and peers, making the Brigham a truly special place to train. SiR provides a wonderful environment to geek out and learn about and engage in cutting edge research.”
Becky Zon
Hometown: Wellesley, MA
Medical School: University of Michigan Medical School
Research Interest: New ways of evaluating diseases (studying Clonal Hematopoiesis of Indeterminate Potential) and continuing to explore evolving targeted therapies
Why did you choose to come to Brigham and why did you join SiR?
“I chose to come to BWH because of the Brigham Family attitude that I had heard about from colleagues and felt on the interview day. I also wanted to be like many of the innovative, creative faculty I met. I was amazed by the access residents had to these incredible individuals, who are leaders in their fields. SiR has only furthered both of these aspects of Brigham- we are a tight-knit group that attends sessions with faculty who are PIs of amazing research labs, running companies, etc. We get to personally meet these individuals and ask them questions and for advice. The Brigham is a phenomenal place to train and being a part of SiR has enhanced my love for BWH.”
Catherine Meador
Hometown: Chapel Hill, NC
Medical School: Vanderbilt University
Research Interest: Targeted therapies in lung cancer
Why did you choose to come to Brigham and why did you join SiR?
“I chose Brigham for residency training because this program is committed to fostering both professional excellence and collegiality. I am surrounded by peers and mentors who are not only accomplished scientists and clinicians but also wonderful people. The SiR track, specifically, has been a home within the residency where I have a community of fellow physician-scientist trainees and feel supported to pursue research during residency.“
Erica Pimenta
Hometown: Rahway, NJ
Medical School: Rutgers University
Research Interest: Tumor immunology and cancer survivorship
Why did you choose to come to Brigham and why did you join SiR?
“I chose Brigham because of the rigorous clinical training coupled with a culture of collaboration. I joined SiR because basic science research is a passion of mine and wanted to keep my finger on the pulse of what’s going on in the research world.“
Erik Andrews
Hometown: Cumberland, ME
Medical School: Dartmouth
Research Interest: Cancer prognosis refinement and treatment response prediction using -omics data
Why did you choose to come to Brigham and why did you join SiR?
“Why BWH? The people and culture, pure and simple. The most inspiring, brilliant, cheerful, supportive, and selfless group I’ve ever met, all aligned towards healing the sick and curing disease. Why SiR? Because there’s nothing like the thrill of discovery and being around others who love it, too. The pathway has provided incredible access to labs and research, while getting to hear directly from PIs about the neatest stuff they’re all working on, with open invitations to take part.“
Erika Haydu
Hometown: Guilford, CT
Medical School: Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
Research Interest: Cancer genetics
Why did you choose to come to Brigham and why did you join SiR?
“I wanted to train at Brigham because of the amazing clinical education and strong sense of community. I joined SiR to stay connected with basic science discovery and other physician-scientists during my clinical training.“
George Huang
Hometown: Lubbock, TX
Medical School: Harvard Medical School
Research Interest: Immunology
Why did you choose to come to Brigham and why did you join SiR?
“I chose the Brigham for its nurturing and highly supportive environment. I joined SiR to learn more about the amazing career opportunities available for today’s physician-scientists. Although I haven’t yet found a way to integrate SiR with my other passions (cats and interior design), I’m confident that it will eventually work itself out.“
James Smithy
Hometown: East Setauket, NY
Medical School: Yale School of Medicine
Research Interest: Predictive tissue biomarkers for checkpoint blockade in solid malignancies
Why did you choose to come to Brigham and why did you join SiR?
“I chose to do residency at the Brigham because I sensed a culture where people were excited about both taking care of patients and tackling unmet clinical needs through research—I think this has been a longstanding part of this institution’s DNA. SiR has given me an opportunity to connect with like-minded residents and also given me exposure to scientific leaders throughout the Brigham community and the greater Boston area. It’s really exciting to think about what research opportunities exist in this ecosystem during residency, fellowship, and beyond.“
Jared Mayers
Hometown: Bellevue, WA
Medical School: Harvard Medical School
Research Interest: Metabolism
Why did you choose to come to Brigham and why did you join SiR?
“I loved the sense of community and pride both in the current residents but also in those faculty members that trained here decades ago.“
Nicholas Semenkovich
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Medical School: Washington University
Research Interest: Machine learning / Genetics
Why did you choose to come to Brigham and why did you join SiR?
“The Brigham’s residents were the friendliest on the interview trail — and the Brigham has an incredible track record of producing physician scientists.“
Ross England
Hometown: Oxford, PA
Medical School: Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Research Interest: Infectious diseases, immunology, vaccines
Why did you choose to come to Brigham and why did you join SiR?
“Outstanding clinical training with unparalleled research opportunities. Finding time for science during residency is challenging. Institutional support and mentorship from dedicated faculty and peers, such as that provided by SiR, is key.”
William Gibson
Hometown: Natick, MA
Medical School: Harvard Medical School
Research Interest: Cancer genomics
Why did you choose to come to Brigham and why did you join SiR?
“I felt it had the most robust tradition of producing top physician-scientists, especially in oncology. I wanted to join a group of like-minded people interested in advancing their grasp of the latest scientific techniques during their clinical training.”