Current Residents
PL3 Class of 2027
Evan Afshin, MD
Hometown: Plainview, New York
Undergraduate: Macaulay Honors College at Queens College
Medical School: New York Medical College
Hobbies: Hiking, traveling, tennis, anything outdoors/nature, photography, creating GIFs/memes, DIY projects, and spending time with family and friends
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: I wanted to continue training in NYC! Downstate offers robust clinical training with its diverse population, extensive pathology exposure, and high clinical volume. I wanted a place that would promote autonomy and I was drawn by the fact that so many faculty members also trained at Downstate and either stayed or returned after fellowship. Lastly, you could feel the comradery and support amongst the residents.
Palaiologos Alexopoulos, MD
Hometown: Athens, Greece
Undergraduate: University of Athens Medical School
Medical School: University of Athens Medical School
Hobbies: Film, soccer & tennis, hosting radio shows / podcasts, attending music festivals & listening to albums, finding hidden gems in the city
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: Wonderful people to work with & supportive environment, optimal balance between supervision and autonomy, extensive volume and diversity in cases (especially surgical); and, of course, its location in the best city in the world.
Gabriel Kabarriti, MD
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Undergraduate: Johns Hopkins University
Medical School: SUNY Downstate
Hobbies: Traveling, biking, trying new coffee shops
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: The training at Downstate through its diverse patient population and hands-on experience provides a truly comprehensive training. The Faculty and residents are supportive, dedicated, and devoted to caring for your development as an ophthalmologist. As a medical student, I saw first-hand the great clinical experience residents get and I am lucky to be able to continue my training here!
Jasmine Mahajan, MD
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Undergraduate: The College of New Jersey
Medical School: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
Hobbies: teaching and learning dance, exploring NYC (particularly cute cafes), collecting snow globes, drinking lots of coffee, and cardio kickboxing
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: diverse patient population, camaraderie amongst residents and faculty, unique cases and pathology, and being in Brooklyn!
Nairi Rostomian, DO
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Undergraduate: University of California Santa Barbara
Medical School: Kansas City University
Hobbies: Armenian music & dance, pilates, anything outdoors including hiking, climbing, and camping, traveling & learning about different cultures, enjoying all forms of live music, and quality time with my amazingly supportive family and friends
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: Seeing how confidently the seniors in this program navigate Ophthalmology from the clinic to the OR, all I could think was I hope I am that clinically sound and comfortable coming out of residency. Besides the high volume and broad disease pathology that comes with serving the population of Brooklyn, New York provides a diverse and lively atmosphere, with a large Armenian community and incredible co-residents that make it feel like a second home.
Omar Siddique, MD
Hometown: Queens, NY
Undergraduate: Macaulay Honors College at Hunter College
Medical School: SUNY Downstate
Hobbies: Basketball, weightlifting, video games, science fiction
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: Growing up in New York City, there is nowhere else I consider home. Having the opportunity to train at such a storied program, care for the diverse patient population, and encounter every pathology under the sun while still being so close to friends and family was a no brainer. On top of that, the great camaraderie between residents and excellent fellowship match results make SUNY Downstate second to none.
Jose Sinon, MD
Hometown: Ithaca, NY
Undergraduate: Binghamton University
Medical School: SUNY Downstate
Hobbies: Exploring nature, playing and watching sports, gardening
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: great training with diverse pathology and supportive faculty
Sapna Syal, MD
Hometown: Brick, NJ
Undergraduate: Princeton University
Medical School: Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Hobbies: working out, historical fiction, traveling, and eating donuts
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: high volume program with the gamut of pathology, diverse patient population, camaraderie among residents, mentorship from attendings, and living in Brooklyn!
PL2 Class of 2028
Rucha Borkhetaria, MD
Hometown: Somerset, NJ
Undergraduate: The College of New Jersey
Medical School: Penn State College of Medicine
Hobbies: Hiking, traveling, tennis, anything outdoors/nature, photography, creating GIFs/memes, DIY projects, and spending time with family and friends
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: Downstate provides truly robust training through its supervised autonomy, where I’ve seen the senior residents manage a high volume of complex pathology with such confidence and ease. In addition to providing a diverse patient population, Brooklyn is the best place to live, especially alongside our wonderful co-residents that become like family!
Maria Canellos, DO
Hometown: Manhasset Hills, NY
Undergraduate: SUNY Geneseo
Medical School: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM)
Hobbies: : Traveling, tennis, baking, spending time with my family and friends
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: I chose SUNY Downstate because of its strong reputation for producing confident and skilled ophthalmologists through hands-on training and early independence. I value the high volume of clinical and surgical experience, as well as the diverse patient population. There is a great sense of camaraderie and support among the residents and faculty. Downstate felt like the perfect place for me to grow not only as a clinician but also as an individual, and I am grateful to be a part of this program.
David Castillejos, MD
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Undergraduate: Columbia University
Medical School: Columbia University
Hobbies: Running, walking, exploring, eating, Spending time with loved ones
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: I wanted to feel comfortable with a wide range of pathologies and patient populations. I also wanted to feel comfortable with autonomy as I learned how to be an ophthalmologist. Downstate provides these elements with good mentorship to help me grow and learn. In these ways I hope to leave residency feeling comfortable with any pathology a patient might present with.
Charles Karrasch, MD, PhD
Hometown: Reno, NV
Undergraduate: University of Nevada, Reno
Medical and Graduate School: SUNY Downstate
Hobbies: Snowboarding, cycling, tennis, hanging out with my wife and kids in Prospect Park.
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: I enjoyed my time as a student at Downstate, and I am fortunate to remain here for residency. Downstate’s ophthalmology program has a reputation for autonomy, high volume, and diverse patients and pathology. I also love the density and energy of the city.
Aysha Malik, MD
Hometown: Long Island
Undergraduate: Boston University
Medical School: SUNY Downstate
Hobbies: Junk Journaling, cooking, puzzles, reading fantasy books, trying new restaurants in NYC
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: Having gone to medical school at Downstate and now continuing my medical training here, I can truly state that the patient population in East Flatbush and Brooklyn in general is extremely grateful for everything we do. It motivates you to keep working and striving toward your medical goals. Downstate also fosters a sense of community like no other. I have made best friends during medical school and residency that have helped me get through the demanding and rigorous journey that is medicine. Lastly, there’s no place like NYC and Brooklyn.
Megh Shah, MD
Hometown: East Brunswick, NJ
Undergraduate: The College of New Jersey
Medical School: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
Hobbies: Distance running, Indian classical singing, photography, exploring the city, collecting decks of playing cards, and traveling when I can.
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: When I rotated at Downstate as a student I fell in love with the patient population and realized how many different pathologies I would be exposed to. The training is robust and will allow me to feel confident in my abilities afterwards. The residents are always there for each other and each class becomes a family. Brooklyn is also a place to live and work with losts of things to do!
Gabriel Shlager, MD
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Undergraduate: Connecticut College
Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine
Hobbies: Breadmaking, cooking, skiing, card games, attending concerts, and bachata dancing
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: Friendly atmosphere, graduated autonomy, highly diverse pathology with the opportunity to be a part of and serve the Brooklyn community. Excited to be back in NYC and enjoy what the city has to offer!
Mohamed Sylla, MD
Hometown: Dakar (Senegal) and Bronx
Undergraduate: BMCC, The City College of New York
Medical School: SUNY Downstate
Hobbies: Traditional oil painting, Workout
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: Large underserved, diverse patient population. Amazing opportunity to learn from amazing faculty and residents.
PL1 Class of 2029
Owais Aftab, MD
Hometown: North Brunswick, NJ
Undergraduate: New Jersey Institute of Technology
Medical School: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
Hobbies: Shotokan karate, weightlifting, exploring the city, learning new languages, and Christopher Nolan Films
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: SUNY Downstate has a reputation for producing confident, clinically excellent ophthalmologists through high-volume training, significant autonomy, and exposure to an incredibly diverse patient population. I am excited by the opportunity to train in a setting where I can care for a broad range of patients while encountering the full spectrum of ophthalmic pathology. Brooklyn's energy, diversity, and sense of community make it a busy & inspiring place to train, and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from incredible faculty, colleagues, and patients every day. Being in New York City & living close to friends/family is also a lot of fun!
Matthew Bough, MD
Hometown: Upper Saddle River, NJ
Undergraduate: Dartmouth College
Medical School: Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
Hobbies: Swimming, Skiing, Cooking, Video games
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: Strong camaraderie amongst residents and high clinical volume. Training in NYC lets you treat a diverse and unique patient population.
Alexandria Dominguez, MD
Hometown: Queens, NY
Undergraduate: Cornell University
Medical School: Howard University
Hobbies: Cooking/Baking, reading, volleyball, traveling
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: The opportunity to serve a diverse patient population across NYC, train in a close-knit community, develop meaningful autonomy, and gain valuable surgical experience through high case volume.
Sohaib Fasih-Ahmad, MD
Hometown: Endwell, NY
Undergraduate: Binghamton University
Medical School: SUNY Downstate
Hobbies: Tennis, Rocket League, football analytics, soccer, and learning about architecture, design and construction
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: Downstate has a reputation for producing excellent clinicians and surgeons because of the high level of autonomy afforded to residents and the diversity and volume of pathology encountered through the patient population in Brooklyn and Staten Island.
Mohamed Heiba, MD
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Undergraduate: Stony Brook University
Medical School: SUNY Downstate
Hobbies: Hiking, Biking, Basketball, Horology, and currently learning to sew
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: I am incredibly proud to continue my journey at SUNY Downstate, an institution I have called home since medical school. This program is designed to serve a diverse catchment area of 3 million residents across Brooklyn and Staten Island, providing a learning environment of high clinical volume and unique pathology. I am honored to join a residency program that brings together such a dynamic and talented group of professionals, and I look forward to being shaped by the same values that have produced generations of confident, well-rounded physicians. It is a privilege to train in the urban center I call home and to serve as a dedicated advocate for my patients within this historic healthcare institution.
Opeyemi Obiwumi, MD
Hometown: Dover, NJ
Undergraduate: Fairleigh Dickinson University
Medical School: Rush Medical College
Hobbies: Running, reading, needlework, metalwork, painting
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: One of my top priorities when applying for residency was finding a program with both a resident-run clinic and a diverse patient population, and SUNY Downstate offered exactly that. The program provides an exceptional learning environment with high patient volume and exposure to a wide range of unique and complex pathologies. I was also looking for a residency that would give me hands-on experience in ophthalmology from the start, and this program provides that for its residents.
Jorge Pincay, MD
Hometown: New Hyde Park, NY
Undergraduate: Stony Brook University
Medical School: SUNY Downstate
Hobbies: Working out, surfing
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: I really wanted to learn from the diverse pathologies and patient population present here in Brooklyn. Additionally, the program and faculty create a strong environment for learning and clinical skill development.
Birkaran Sadhar, DO
Hometown: Monroe Township, NJ
Undergraduate: Thomas Jefferson University
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM)
Hobbies: Traveling, fantasy football, scuba diving, cooking & eating ribeyes
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: High-volume program with a broad spectrum of pathology and strong surgical experience, supportive faculty mentorship and autonomy within a collaborative resident culture, and the opportunity to care for a diverse and underserved patient population.