Our Residents

Ben Ford (PGY5)

Ben Ford is a native of New York City. He graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a dual major in Biology and East Asian Studies. He attended the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University before matching to the University of Rochester for residency. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, reading, boxing, and birding.

Josh Geiger (PGY4)

Josh Geiger attended the University of Rochester for college. He then spent two years conducting neurogenetic research at the National Institutes of Health before returning to Rochester for medical school. His research focuses on both outcomes after vascular procedures and the identification of novel vascular disease mechanisms by using -omic technologies. As a Western NY native, Josh enjoys watching the Buffalo Bills. He is an avid photographer who enjoys golfing, skiing, hiking, and traveling to national parks.

Irina Kanzafarova (PGY4)

Irina Kanzafarova received her medical degree from Russian National Research Medical University. During her medical school years, she presented her research on the treatment of peripheral and central venous diseases at conferences in the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Poland. Prior to starting her vascular surgery training, Dr. Kanzafarova completed a preliminary General Surgery year at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, growing flowers, and playing piano.

Mu’ath Adlouni (PGY3)

Mu'ath Adlouni received a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Texas A&M University. He then went on to receive both a Masters of Engineering and his medical degree by being a part of the inaugural class in the Engineering to Medicine (EnMed) program at the Texas A&M College of Medicine. He's a proud Palestinian-American, speaks Arabic, and loves to be an active member in his local Muslim community. In his free time, Mu'ath loves tinkering with new coffee brewing methods or going to the gym and getting a few kicks in on the wavemaster.

Tabea Hoffstaetter (PGY3)

Tabea Hoffstaetter earned her bachelor’s degree at Cornell University with a major in Biology and Society, and a minor in Anthropology and Dance. She worked with asylum seekers in Germany and then as a medical assistant at the Weill Cornell Vein Treatment Center. She then attended medical school at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, where she established the school’s Vascular Surgery Interest Group and completed a research year focused on arteriovenous fistula maturation outcomes. Tabea loves dancing, crocheting, and going on adventures with her five siblings.

Max Zhu (PGY2)

Max received his B.S. in bioengineering from UCLA prior to matriculating to the Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine. Interested in working with underserved populations, he was a leader for his school’s Outreach Van Project and conducted disparities research in vascular surgery. Additionally, he spent a research year in medical school studying gene therapy for the treatment of intimal hyperplasia. Outside the hospital, he enjoys traveling, cooking, and trying local coffee shops.

Felix Appiah (PGY1)

Felix Appiah was born and raised in Ghana and immigrated alone to New York City, spending four years working in various service industries before returning to school. Enduring an epidemic in Ghana and the challenges of adapting to a new country sparked his passion for advocacy, leadership, and mentorship—values he now brings to medicine. He earned degrees from CUNY BMCC and City College of New York, followed by a medical degree from SUNY Upstate Medical University, where he founded initiatives to support student wellness and hands-on clinical training. With over a decade of experience in frontline service roles, he brings empathy, resilience, and human connection to his vascular surgery residency at the University of Rochester. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, working out, and playing soccer.

Gayatri Pillai (PGY1)

Gayatri Pillai grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia. She loves to cook, hike, travel, and spend time with friends/family. She received a degree in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from Johns Hopkins University. She then worked for Abri Sciences and developed drug formulations for patients with phenylketonuria. She received her medical degree from Geisinger College of Health Sciences.