Current Trainees

Desmond Layne, MD

Faculty Mentor: Sean Ronnekleiv-Kelly, MD

Desmond is from Cincinnati OH, where he obtained an undergraduate degree in biochemistry from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, a Master’s in medical physiology from Case Western Reserve University, and his medical degree from Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. He is currently working in Sean Ronnekleiv-Kelly’s lab on circadian dysfunction and development of pancreatic cancer and the development of mouse models to further understand the development of fibrolamellar carcinoma. Research interests also extend to medical education and how to continue to equip the next generation of surgeons and physicians.

In his free time, Desmond enjoys cooking and trying new foods, traveling, all sports, and spending time with his family.

Ksenija Korac, MD, PhD

Faculty Mentor: Sean Ronnekleiv-Kelly, MD

Ksenija received an undergraduate degree in biochemistry from the university Texas Tech, and Doctorates in biomedical sciences: biochemistry, cell & molecular biology from Texas Tech university health sciences center. She is currently working in Sean Ronnekleiv-Kelly’s lab on circadian clock in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and exploit this knowledge to shift the therapeutic landscape for patients with this lethal cancer.

In her free time she enjoys reading, drawing, exercising, trail running, and hiking with her two Great Pyrenees, Alpha and Akela.

Apoorva Reddy, MS, PhD

Faculty Mentor(s): Dr. Kris Kwekkeboom, Dr. Betty Chewning, and Dr. Heather Neuman, MD

Apoorva completed her PhD in the UW Health Services Research in Pharmacy Program. She is from Eagan, Minnesota and earned her undergraduate degree in Neuroscience and minor in Spanish Studies from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. As a NIH TL1 Fellow with the Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, she studied the use of behavioral economics principles to improve over-the-counter medication safety. Her current research focus and interest is in patient reported outcomes on psychoactive pharmaceuticals – specifically products derived from cannabis. She serves as a guest lecturer for the Cannabis in Science and Society Course in the UW Pharmacy School.

In her free time, Apoorva enjoys playing tennis, teaching dance, cooking, and traveling.

Kelsey Franklin, MD

Faculty Mentors: Ben Zarzaur Jr., MD and Julia Berian, MD, MS

Kelsey Franklin is a Columbus, Ohio native who obtained her B.S. in Molecular Neuroscience from The Ohio State University in 2015. She worked as a Clinical Research Coordinator in Emergency Medicine at Nationwide Children’s Hospital (Columbus, OH) prior to attending medical school. Kelsey sought both adventure and public health training with her medical degree by moving to Miami, FL where she earned her combined MD/MPH degree from the University of Miami in 2020.

Kelsey completed two years of general surgery training in the academic general surgery track and is currently spending her academic development time under the mentorship of Dr. Ben Zarzaur. Her work in health outcomes research and implementation science aims to identify health disparities in surgical populations and implement programs to address them.

In her free time, Kelsey adores adventuring around Madison with her partner and their dog, Gus. She is an avid hobbyist and enjoys ice skating, language learning, fiber arts, reading, and dance.

Austin Hewitt, MD

Faculty Mentor(s): Howard Bailey, MD; Robert Striker, MD, PhD; Cristina Sanger, MD

Austin is from Carrington, ND, where he obtained his undergraduate degree in Microbiology from the University of North Dakota, and his medical degree from North Dakota State University. His current research interest are related to the field of colorectal surgery with an emphasis on anal cancer and related at-risk populations using both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. He is currently working with Dr. Sanger  in seeking to optimize anal cancer screening in at-risk groups, such as patients living with HIV and patients on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) therapy. Additionally he aims to understand healthcare providers’ perspectives on anal dysplasia and anal cancer screening in patients living with HIV and those on PrEP.

In his free time, Austin enjoys spending time with family and being outside (hiking, playing pickleball, skiing), traveling, and playing the piano.

Melanie Fritz, MD

Faculty Mentor: Gretchen Schwarze, MD

Melanie  obtained an undergraduate degree in sociology from University of Notre Dame, and a medical degree from Boston University School of Medicine. Her current research focus and interest involve serious illness communication, palliative care, and surgical decision making, particularly in the context of colorectal surgery and cancer treatment.

In her free time, she enjoys riding her  bike around Madison, sewing, watching Star Trek, and reading science fiction.