Welcome New Fellows!

Rory Li

Rory is from Rochester, Minnesota. In 2018, he graduated from Carleton College in Northfield, MN, with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and a minor in Biochemistry. He is currently taking a leave from Kansas City University in Joplin, Missouri, and will return to graduate in 2024 with his DO degree. Rory’s academic interests are forensics and microbiology. Hobbies include cycling, watching hockey, playing chess, and solving sudoku puzzles. Rory is very excited to move out west for the first time, and is looking forward to exploring the great outdoors of Utah.

Nazmin Bithi, PhD

Dr. Nazmin Bithi grew up in Bangladesh. She graduated from University of Asia Pacific with a BS in Pharmacy in 2014. In 2021, she earned her PhD in Clinical Chemistry from the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute/Cleveland State University. Her PhD work focused on understanding the role of dietary restriction in aging, neurodegeneration and glioblastoma multiform. Outside of work, Nazmin enjoys spending time with her family, fishing, and traveling. She looks forward to exploring the many beautiful state and national parks in Utah.

Michael Balatico, MD, MFA

Dr. Michael Balatico hails from Tennessee. He studied creative writing at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago earning a Master’s in Fine Arts Degree before entering Indiana University School of Medicine. Mike enjoys rock and ice climbing, alpine climbing, reading, and following Tennessee sports.

Valarie McMurtry, MD, PhD

Dr. Valarie McMurtry completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Oklahoma, followed by her MD/PhD at Louisiana State University. As a pathology resident at the University of Utah, this is Valarie’s first time living outside of the South. Valarie is a foodie, knitter, and a fan of jazz. Valarie enjoys spending time with her husband, Gene, who is a software engineer and their two fur babies: a three-legged dog and an overweight cat.

Nicole E. Stanley, MD

Dr. Nicole Stanley was born in Nebraska and earned her bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. She then moved to Oregon, where she obtained another bachelor’s degree in nutrition science from Oregon State University. Nicole took a year out of her medical school curriculum at Oregon Health & Science University to complete a Post-Sophomore Pathology Fellowship. Nicole enjoys hiking and camping with her husband and their dog.

Youssef M. Farhat, MD, PhD

Dr. Youssef Farhat grew up in San Jose, California. He graduated from the University of California Irvine with a BS in Biomedical Engineering (Premedical) in 2008. He then went to the University of Rochester to pursue an MD/PhD, which he completed in 2017. Youssef’s PhD research focused on the biology of tendon healing and scar tissue formation. He completed residency training in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology at the Medical College of Wisconsin in 2021. In addition to his academic interests in GI pathology, Youssef enjoys learning new ways to promote medical education, such as via the Pathology Twitter community (@yMDPhD). Outside of work, Youssef enjoys exploring the many natural wonders of Utah with his wife and four daughters (a 3-year-old and 1-year-old triplets!).

Jordon March, MD

Dr. Jordon March is a Utah native. He completed his undergraduate degree at Brigham Young University, in Microbiology and Bacteriology, before graduating from the University of Nevada School of Medicine. Jordon enjoys spending his free time with his family.

Daniel R. Jack, MD

Dr. Daniel Jack was born in Provo, Utah, but grew up primarily in Colorado Springs. He earned his bachelor's degree at Brigham Young University, his medical degree at Oakland University in Michigan, then completed his AP/CP pathology residency at Loma Linda University Hospital in California. Dan enjoys hiking, skiing, rock climbing, and spending time with his family, and is excited to now be doing all of these things back in Utah.

Mark H. Kavesh, MD

Dr. Mark Kavesh was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and grew up in Lakeland, Florida. He graduated from Northwestern University with a BA in Chemistry in 2011, and in 2017 earned his MD from the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. During medical school, Mark pursued research as an HHMI medical student fellow on the potential of using flow cytometry to describe mRNA expression heterogeneity in solid tumors. During his residency in anatomic and clinical pathology at the University of Florida, he served as chief resident and discovered his interest in hematopathology. Outside of work, Mark’s interests include playing the violin, cooking and baking for friends, running, biking, swimming, and hiking. He is excited to explore the trails of the Wasatch range and the many national parks in Utah. 

David J. Peterson, DO

Dr. David Peterson was born in Nebraska but grew up near Boise, Idaho. He graduated with a BS from Brigham Young University-Hawaii. In 2007, he graduated from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. Upon graduation from medical school, David received a commission as an officer in the U.S Army Medical Corps and completed a clinical internship in 2008 at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii followed by an AP/CP residency at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington. David’s military pathology career has taken him to Womack Army Medical Center at Ft. Bragg North Carolina and Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. David's hobbies include mountain biking, hiking, camping, fishing, traveling and spending time with his wife and children.

Kevin T. Trowell, MD

Dr. Kevin Trowell was born in Miami, Florida, and grew up in the suburbs of Washington D.C. in northern Virginia. Following a BS in biology at William and Mary, he completed his MD in 2016 at the University of Virginia where he discovered his passion for the field of pathology. He then moved to Philadelphia for an AP/CP pathology residency (2016-2020), followed by a surgical pathology fellowship at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Outside of work, Kevin enjoys skiing, cooking, discovering new music, listening to podcasts, and video games.

Benjamin Bradley, MD, PhD

Dr. Benjamin Bradley was born at the age of 0 along the muddy waters of the Mississippi River Delta. Amid the flood plains, biting insects, and oppressive humidity, Ben developed a necessary love for tropical diseases and virology. This passion drove him to complete an MD/PhD at Tulane University in New Orleans, where between ethanol-sterilized lab equipment and ethanol-soaked humans, he found Laboratory Medicine and Pathology as his chosen specialty. Fearing any more exposure to heat and direct sunlight would drastically shorten his life expectancy, Ben fled to the overcast shores of the Pacific Northwest for AP/CP residency training at the University of Washington. During his medical microbiology fellowship training at ARUP, Ben plans to continue focusing on clinical virology and molecular pathogen detection. If left to his own devices, he'd cycle absurd distances fueled by Mexican food, craft beer, and a sense of wonder at the natural beauty of the outdoors.

Angela Ma, PhD

Dr. Angela Ma grew up in Alberta, Canada, and graduated with a BSc in Medical Laboratory Science from the University of Alberta and certification as a medical laboratory technologist in 2010. She obtained her PhD in Laboratory Medicine and Pathology with Specialization in Molecular Pathology, focusing on the characterization of heat resistant Escherichia coli isolates associated with human infection. Following completion of her PhD in 2020, Angela worked as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Alberta, studying antibiotic resistance as it relates to epidemiological trends and development of a public-facing and interactive provincial antibiogram. Outside of work, Angela enjoys reading, finding new coffee shops to try, video games, and hiking. She is looking forward to exploring the many state and national parks in Utah.

Ania Shestakova, MD, PhD

Dr. Ania Shestakova was born and raised in Kiev, Ukraine, where she received her medical degree. Ania completed her anatomical and clinical pathology residency at the University of California, Irvine. Following her residency training, Ania completed a hematopathology fellowship at the University of Michigan. Prior to starting her medical career in the United States, Ania completed her PhD and pursued postdoctoral research with the focus on molecular diagnostics at the University of Utah. Ania enjoys exploring the world with her daughter, son, and husband.

Margaret C. Williams, MD

Dr. Meg Williams is a native of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. After receiving her BS in Biology from Ursinus College in Pennsylvania, she attended medical school at the University of North Carolina, receiving her MD in 2016. She completed her AP/CP residency at the University of Utah in 2020. Meg’s academic interests include hematopathology and molecular pathology. Outside of work, Meg loves yoga, cooking, and hiking with her dog in the Wasatch.

Joshua M. Klonoski, MD, PhD

Dr. Joshua Klonoski completed his AP/CP residency training at the University of Utah and is excited about staying on for fellowship training with our neuropathology faculty and a program that receives cases from a large geographical area. He has a Bachelor's and Master's degree from Colorado State University and completed an MD/PhD program at the University of South Dakota. His basic research field involves superinfections and molecular virology, but in his spare time, Josh enjoys music, hockey, cycling, kayaking and swimming.

Daniel D. Summerfield, MD

Dr. Daniel Summerfield grew up on the Mississippi river in southeastern Minnesota. He graduated from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, with a BA in chemistry and biology, then went on to obtain a Master of Science in Engineering (Materials Science & Engineering) from Johns Hopkins University. Following medical school at Case Western Reserve University, Dan and his wife moved to Minnesota for a pathology residency and a transfusion medicine fellowship at Mayo Clinic. Outside of work, Dan enjoys hiking, do-it-yourself projects, and spending time with family. He and his wife are very excited to experience the natural beauty of the region.

Carlos R. Dominguez Rangel, MD

Dr. Carlos Dominguez Rangel was born in Mexico. He graduated from Universidad Autonoma de Chihuahua in 2012. In 2021, he completed AP/CP residency at Oklahoma University. During medical school, his research focused on risk factors for cervical cancer in women from México Chihuahua and HPV serotyping in different Mexican ethnic groups. Outside of work, Carlos like traveling and literature. He looks forward to learning about Utah history and enjoying outdoor activities.

Tiffani M. Mathew, MBBS

Dr. Tiffani Mathew grew up in Michigan. She attended medical school in India at the Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, and completed her AP/CP residency at the University of Louisville in 2021. Her academic interests include head and neck, endocrine, and gynecologic pathology. Outside of work, Tiffani enjoys reading and spending time with her two cats.

Alejandro J. Wolf, DO

Dr. Alejandro Wolf considers himself fortunate to have grown up and attended schools in Tijuana, Mexico, and in San Diego, California. After graduating from San Diego State University with a BS in Kinesiology, Alejandro took a break from school to travel and experience life in other countries. While seeking to cultivate his love of science and ethics, the physician in him came to the surface. As a primary care physician, he found himself too emotionally attached to his patients. Desiring a long career in medicine, pathology was the best fit for him. His interests include head & neck and soft tissue, and he is pursuing training in surgical pathology and cytopathology. Outside of work, Alejandro spends most of his time with his wife and children, with whom he likes to cook, play music, be outdoors, and read books. Alejandro looks forward to exploring and learning from people in Salt Lake City and the rest of Utah.

Vanina Taliercio, MD

Lucilla Pizzo, PhD

Dr. Lucilla Pizzo was born in Montevideo, Uruguay. She graduated with a BS in Biochemistry from Universidad de la Republica in 2009, and with a MS in Molecular Biology focused on Cystic Fibrosis research in 2013. In 2019, she earned her PhD in Molecular Medicine from The Pennsylvania State University. Her PhD thesis focused on the genetic basis of phenotypic heterogeneity of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Her main academic interest is to develop and apply novel paradigms in clinical genomics to understand the global effect of genetic background towards variable manifestation of disease. Lucilla enjoys practicing yoga and she is looking forward to exploring the beautiful state of Utah with her dog, Sandee.

Ting Wen, MD, PhD

Dr. Ting Wen spent his first 23 years in Beijing, China. After graduating from Capital Medical University (Beijing, China) with an MD degree, he travelled across the pond to Rutgers University (New Brunswick, New Jersey), obtaining his PhD in Cell Biology in 2007. In 2014, he was appointed as a faculty member in the Division of Allergy and Immunology in Cincinnati Children's Hospital, spending 6 years working as a PI in a federally funded lab. Before joining ARUP, Ting served in a leading CRO company, MedPace, as an industrial senior scientist overseeing clinical trial and flow cytometry studies. For the majority of his career, Ting stands on the cutting edge focusing on transcriptome-based molecular diagnosis and single cell RNA sequencing on pathogenic T cells in type 2 inflammation, aiming to decipher the molecular-cellular etiology of human allergic disorders. Outside of work, Ting is an experienced mountaineer and avid short track speed skater. He looks forward to be trained as a board-certified medical director here at ARUP with the renowned LGG program, and in the meantime, continue his hobbies in the beautiful state of Utah with its wonderful ski/ice resorts.