Current Residents

Kevin Chua, MD
State University of New York Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine
Undergraduate: University of Virginia

Hobbies: volleyball, Tennis, Basketball, Hiking, Traveling, Playing with my golden retriever

If I weren't a urologist, I'd be an engineer

Favorite aspect of our program: Everyone is incredibly friendly and supportive including coresidents, faculty, nurses, case managers, social workers, etc.

Honors and Awards:

2022 American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress Scientific Forum Excellence in Research Award
2022-2023 Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Division of Urology Resident Research Award

Sai Krishnaraya (Krishna) Doppalapudi, MD
Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
Undergraduate: College of New Jersey

Alain Kaldany, MD
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Undergraduate: Cornell University

Hobbies: fly fishing, birding, making pasta, eating pasta

Why I chose RWJ: the excellent surgical autonomy, the genuine friendships among residents, and the supportive and collaborative relationship between
faculty and residents. 

Honors and Awards:  

Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society Resident Inductee 2022

Benjamin Lichtboun, MD
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Undergraduate: University of Maryland - College Park

Hobbies: golf, sports, hiking, drums, board games

Why I Chose RWJ: I personally have a profound interest in uro-oncology.
With our phenomenal faculty and partnership with CINJ,
you know you will receive superb training in this regard and myriad research opportunities.

As a medical student here, I also knew how approachable the faculty is and how willing they are to
help you achieve whateverit is you want out of your career.  Most importantly, I was able to get to know
the residents here who are all awesome.  They make for a really great culture for training.

John Pfail, MD
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Undergraduate: SUNY Stony Brook

Hobbies: fishing, hiking, overeating and skiing

If I weren’t a urologist, I’d be a deep sea tuna fisherman

Why I chose Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School: Friendly faculty, endless research opportunities,
close to family and friends.

Rachel Passarelli, MD
NY Medical College
Undergraduate: Amherst College

Hobbies: running, hiking, traveling to national parks,
cooking, trying new restaurants

If I werent a urologist, I would be a peloton instructor or chemistry teacher

Interests within Urology: Undecided

Melinda Fu, MD
George Washington University School of Medicine and Sciences
Undergraduate: University of Maryland-College Park

Hobbies: running (10 milers, not marathons), boxing and flower
arranging

If I were not a urologist, I would have been a 2nd grade school teacher

Rutgers RWJ stood out to me because of the supportive family
environment.   No other program emphasizes a culture of family as strongly.
I knew I wanted to train with quality people who lift each other up.

Raeesa Islam, MD
University of Pittsburgh
Undergraduate: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine


Hobbies: reading thrillers, keeping up with the latest TikTok dances, learning
languages when I tracel, and all things hiking, lifting, water excursions, and beach lounging

If I couldn't be a urologist, I'd be a stand-up comedian,
newscaster, author or maybe a photographer -or professional indecisive person

The thing that attracted me to Rutgers RWJ was the people. I remember my
interview vividly; they made me feel welcome and wanted. I felt a a sense of
belinging before even stepping foot into the hospital. It also helps that the program
academically exceeded my expectations and will set me up for success when
I apply for jobs in the future.

Melissa Moran, DO
Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine - NY
Undergraduate: Wake Forest University , NC


Hobbies: running, going to concerts, history, hiking, watching stand-up comedy, board games.

If I were not a urologist, I would be an architect.

Favorite aspect of the program:  exceptional surgical training, many research opportunities, collaborative relationship with attendings, great residents who take pride in their work, overall supportive environment.

Jennifer Sykes, MD
Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Undergraduate: Barnard College

Hobbies: Reading, cooking/baking, NYT crosswords, going to ballets, art projects




If I were not a urologist: defense attorney for patients on death row

Favorite aspect of the program: The tightknit community among the residents and
between the residents   and attendings. I wanted a supportive
environment during training,while being pushed to be the best urologist that I can be