Residency Research Year (PGY-4)

The dedicated research year

As part of the unique structure of the Weill Cornell Medicine Department of Urology residency program, residents are granted a designated and protected research year during their PGY-4 year. This dedicated research year occurs at a critical time in a resident’s training, allowing the trainee to reflect on their first three years of residency as well as thoroughly think about their goals moving forward, from both a career and a personal standpoint. During this year, residents work with a team of faculty mentors on advancing both their research, teaching, and mentorship skills. Ultimately, this year is structured to ensure residents develop and advance their skills to grow into a well-rounded researcher and urologist, as well as provide them with the tools and knowledge to determine their path forward and beyond their residency.

Meet our current PGY-4 residents

"Our dedicated research year offers a rare and invaluable opportunity to step away from the demands of clinical training and dedicate ourselves to pursuing the research questions that fuel our passions in the field. This protected time allows us to build the scholarly foundation, through mentorship, skill development and meaningful collaboration, that strengthens our candidacy for competitive fellowships. Ultimately, it sets the stage for a fulfilling academic career in urology, where we can contribute to advancing the science that shapes how we care for our patients."

Aaron Gurayah, M.D.
Research Project: "Surgical Management and Long-Term Recovery of Erectile Dysfunction After Localized Prostate Cancer Therapy: A CEASAR-SEER Medicare Linked Analysis"

"The dedicated research year is one of the most distinctive aspects of our residency, providing protected time to pursue meaningful scientific inquiry while developing the skills necessary for a career in academic urology. By stepping back from the demands of daily clinical care, we are able to collaborate with outstanding mentors, explore innovative ideas and contribute research that has the potential to improve patient care and shape the future of our field."

Sam Kusin, M.D.
Research Project: "Development of an AI-Powered Photo-Based Mobile App to Improve Adherence to Dietary Guidelines in Patients with Calcium Oxalate Stones "

"Our fully funded and protected research year is a defining feature of our program. It gives us the freedom to immerse fully in our academic interests with the goal of advancing the field. This dedicated time builds a strong foundation for fellowship and, ultimately, a career as a surgeon-scientist."

Jacob Lang, M.D.
Research Project: “Immune Mechanisms and Perioperative Outcomes of Preoperative Renal Artery Embolization in Renal Cell Carcinoma"

"The research year is a rare window to pursue the kind of rigorous, translational work that rarely fits between cases and calls. It's an opportunity to move a promising technology from the bench toward the bedside — and to grow alongside mentors and collaborators who shape not just your research, but your drive to ask the questions that might one day change how we care for our patients."

Shu Wang, M.D.
Research Project: "The Use of Confocal Microscopy for Intraoperative Real-time Margin Assessment in Prostate Cancer Focal Therapy "
Recent research projects

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  • Defining prostate cancer oncologic outcomes after partial gland ablation
Hear from residents who completed their research year
"The research year enfolded into our 6-year residency at Cornell affords us a unique opportunity to focus on cutting-edge research that caters to our subspecialty interests within urology. This prepares us to match into competitive fellowships and ultimately an academic career within urology with a tripartite mission of stellar patient care, research, and education."
Hriday Bhambhvani, M.D. (PGY-5 resident)
"We have the great fortune of participating in fully-funded dedicated research year, a privilege that is becoming far too rare in urologic training programs. This year provides us with the time and space away from the clinical environment to delve into research collaboration and skill acquisition necessary to answer important questions and produce impactful results. Having world class resources at our doorstep while also being able to enjoy what the city has to offer makes for an incredibly enriching and well-rounded experience."
Mark Farha, M.D. (PGY-5 resident)
"Our fourth year of residency provides an invaluable opportunity to develop as a researcher, ranging from developing ideas to gaining mentorship and leadership skills. It also allows for exploration of new areas of research that might be difficult to pursue amidst clinical responsibilities. Ultimately, it’s a unique opportunity that both strengthens clinical insight and lays the groundwork for an academic career."
Behnam Nabavizadeh, M.D. (PGY-5 resident)
"Our research year is an invaluable part of our residency that allows us to briefly step away from the daily tasks of clinical care in an effort to improve practice patterns globally and advance the field forward as a whole."
Michael Tzeng, M.D. (PGY-5 resident)
“Research year is truly a fantastic opportunity for us to hone in on our academic interests, study the fundamentals of urology, and take the steps towards becoming a leader in the field. Also don't forget the part about brushing up on hobbies, exploring New York City, and spending time with friends and family.”
Robert Fisch, M.D. (PGY-6 resident)
“Our research year allows us to deepen our understanding in Urology and contribute to advancing the field. It provides a launchpad to building a successful career in academic medicine and an opportunity to grow in NYC.”
Manish Kuchakulla, M.D. (PGY-6 resident)
“The research year is a uniquely protected opportunity during residency to experiment with new areas of research. While there is time for research throughout residency, the research year allows us to build a more intensive project that would be difficult to pursue amidst clinical responsibilities.”
Malik B. Wahba, M.D. (PGY-6 resident)
“Our fourth year of residency provides an opportunity to step away from clinical responsibilities and fully engage in cutting edge research that caters to our interests within Urology. This year is instrumental for jumpstarting our professional career and advancing the field forward.”
Gal Wald, M.D. (PGY-6 resident)
“Our fourth year provides an invaluable opportunity to perform cutting edge research and develop vital analytical skills."
Adithya Balasubramanian, M.D. (2026 graduate)
“[The research year provides a] dedicated space to think outside the box of only operating […] and tools to become a better well-rounded urologist."
Lina Posada Calderon, M.D. (2026 graduate)
“There are many components involved in conducting research, including asking the relevant questions, designing the appropriate study, analyzing data, and writing the manuscript. The dedicated research year gave me the time to hone my skills in each of these areas."
Alec Zhu, M.D (2025 graduate)
“The primary value of the research year for me was to develop as a researcher in all different dimensions, ranging from writing, developing ideas, as well as mentorship. It is an invaluable opportunity to mature from one who can follow a mentor to envisioning yourself mentoring residents in the future."
Ashwin Ramaswamy, M.D., M.P.P. (2025 graduate)
“Research year helped me develop my research interests and guided my future career including opening opportunities for fellowship."
Jeffrey Johnson, M.D. (2024 graduate)
“[The research year is] dedicated time to spend thinking about and answering interesting questions in urology, more time away from clinical work to spend with family, time to take a step back and think about future career."
Aaron Brant, M.D. (2024 graduate)
Photographs
  • all residents at research presentations
    Residents alongside faculty members at the 73rd Ferdinand C. Valentine Medical & Resident Essay Meeting.
  • rob presenting at marshall
    Robert Fisch, M.D. (current PGY-5) presenting his research at the 42nd Annual Victor F. Marshall Visiting Professorship during his research year.
  • Malik Presentation
    Malik B. Wahba, M.D. (current PGY-5) presenting his research at The International Kidney Cancer Symposium: North America meeting during his research year.
  • psa screening
    PGY-4 residents and staff volunteering at the annual on-campus PSA screening event in September 2024.
  • manish presenting at marshall
    Manish Kuchakulla, M.D. (current PGY-5) resenting his research at the 42nd Annual Victor F. Marshall Visiting Professorship during his research year.
  • resident debate meeting
    Residents and faculty at the 2024 New York Section AUA Michael J. Droller Chief Residents' Debate Meeting. Congratulations to Christina Sze, M.D., M.S. (2024 graduate) on her victorious debate on bladder sparing management of MCG refractory non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.
  • gal wald marshall
    Gal Wald, M.D. (current PGY-5) presenting his research at the 42nd Annual Victor F. Marshall Visiting Professorship during his research year.
  • aua residents
    Residents at the 2024 American Urological Association (AUA) meeting.
  • leo at sufu
    Leo Dreyfus, M.D. (current PGY-5) presenting at the 2024 Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine, and Urogenital Reconstruction (SUFU) Conference.
  • malik marshall
    Malik B. Wahba, M.D. (current PGY-5) presenting his research at the 42nd Annual Victor F. Marshall Visiting Professorship during his research year.
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