MD
Assistant Professor, Urology
UNC-Chapel Hill
Cancer Prevention and Control Research Program
Area of Interest
My primary research interests revolve around improving diagnostic pathways and patient outcomes in urology, particularly in the areas of prostate cancer and bladder cancer. A central focus of my work has been streamlining the diagnostic process for prostate cancer, starting with the development of the GU Rapid Access Program. This initiative, which aimed to reduce delays in diagnosis for patients with elevated PSA levels, highlights an interest in optimizing healthcare delivery by addressing operational inefficiencies.
Moving forward, this work has sparked into an interest in improving the value of prostate cancer diagnostic evaluation. By exploring and changing parameters upstream of the prostate biopsy (elevated PSA thresholds, screening of high-risk groups, etc), we may be able to improve rates of diagnosis of clinically significant prostate cancer while reducing the number of unnecessary procedures performed, which would serve to reduce disparities, promote health equity and improve care value.
In addition to my work on prostate cancer, I am also engaged in investigating the environmental and behavioral factors contributing to cancer risk. My recent research into the impact of e-cigarette use on bladder cancer development is an example of how I use population data to examine novel risk factors for urologic malignancies. By analyzing bladder carcinogen concentrations in users of e-cigarettes, cigarettes, and dual users, I have identified significant associations that may inform future clinical recommendations.
Awards and Honors
- Best Poster, AUA Annual Meeting, 2024
- Valentine Essay Contest, Selected Presenter, AUA, New York Section, 2023
- Valentine Essay Contest, Honorable Mention, AUA, New York Section, 2022
- Valentine Essay Contest, Selected Presenter, AUA, New York Section, 2021
- Gold Humanism Honor Society, NYU Langone Health, 2019
- Urologic Research Award, SUNY Downstate, 2018
- Commendation in Investigative Scholarship, SUNY Downstate, 2018
