The Next Step on their Medical Journey: Past MSARFs Matched into Anesthesiology in 2026

May 8, 2026

March 20 marked the return of residency match day. All around the country, talented medical students celebrated matching into residencies and taking the next step on their medical journey. The Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research (FAER) was thrilled to join these future physicians in celebrating this tremendous milestone – particularly the Foundation’s past Medical Student Anesthesia Research Fellowship (MSARF) participants who matched into anesthesiology residencies on Match Day 2026.

For those unfamiliar, the MSARF program provides medical students an eight-week research experience within an academic anesthesiology department. During the fellowship, students participate in research, training activities, and clinical anesthesia activities, all under the guidance of a dedicated mentor. The enthusiasm MSARF participants show for science in the specialty is truly inspiring, and FAER is proud of its role in preparing these aspiring investigators to thrive in the rewarding field of anesthesiology research.

On Match Day, FAER reached out to our MSARF alumni inquiring about where they’d matched and any words they’d like to share about their experience with the program. Enjoy their responses below and join us in congratulating these future leaders of anesthesiology!

Click here to jump to the list of all past MSARFs who confirmed their anesthesiology match in 2026.

“As a DO, this experience definitely set me apart, not only on my residency applications, but also for my applications for away/audition rotations. This experience helped me garner many interviews with top tier programs, ultimately giving me an opportunity to choose from many great programs for my residency training.”
Gavin Campbell, 2024 MSARF Participant | Mentored by Roman M. Sniecinski III, MD, MSc | Matched to Wake Forest University

“I matched to Emory as a FAER student during my first year of medical school, and the connections I made through FAER have ultimately helped me get matched to Emory again as a resident. My MSARF experience was brought up in almost every interview, and my FAER mentor has continued to be an amazing resource and mentor to have!”
Andrew Cho, 2023 MSARF Participant | Mentored by Laura Downey, MD | Matched to Emory University

“MSARF was absolutely fundamental for me to make connections with physician-scientists in my field and to build my understanding of what research looks like as an attending. I actually decided on my current specialty largely because of my MSARF experience!”
Briana Clifton, 2023 MSARF Participant | Mentored by Grace Lim, MD, MSc, MBA | Matched to University of California, Davis

“I matched where I did my MSARF program. The program was pivotal in me pursuing anesthesiology and where I will be going for residency.”
Evan Cohen, 2023 MSARF Participant | Mentored by Daniel J. Katz, MD | Matched to Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

“MSARF allowed me to be confident in my choice of anesthesiology by giving me experience at a different institution from my home program in order to see how research is at a different institution as well as how different anesthesia departments are run.”
Emily Crowley, 2025 MSARF Participant | Mentored by Astrid G. Stucke, MD | Matched to Henry Ford Hospital

“Coming from a regional medical school campus, the FAER MSARF program was transformative in providing mentorship that guided my residency preparation while also cultivating my interest in scholarly work and academic anesthesiology.”
Quynlan Duffy, 2025 MSARF Participant | Mentored by Julie K. Freed, MD, PhD, FAHA, FCVS | Matched to University of Florida

“I would not have matched into anesthesiology without the MSARF program and specifically the individuals who mentored me. Their advice in career choice and development was pivotal and I cannot thank them enough!”
Seth Evans, 2023 MSARF Participant | Mentored by Harriet W. Hopf, MD, FASA | Matched to University of Alabama at Birmingham

“The FAER MSARF was a wonderful opportunity for me to explore the field of anesthesiology further while making lasting connections with research mentors across the country. I was inspired by how my mentors turned clinical gaps in knowledge they personally encountered into meaningful research questions, and I hope to do so myself as a future physician-scientist.”
Evan Liu, 2023 MSARF Participant | Mentored by May S. Hua, MD, MSc | Matched to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

“I chose to participate in the MSARF program as a fourth-year medical student to determine how much research I wanted to incorporate into my future career as an anesthesiologist. This experience helped clarify both my level of interest in research and the type of work I hope to pursue, while also providing valuable mentorship and networking opportunities. I highly recommend this program to anyone interested in anesthesiology and considering a role for research in their career.”
Genevieve McCormack, 2025 MSARF Participant | Mentored by Maurizio F. Cereda, MD | Matched to Massachusetts General Hospital

“FAER really helped solidify my interest in anesthesiology and showed me what anesthesiology research entails and how I can use it for my future.”
Nafisa Mostofa, 2024 MSARF Participant | Mentored by Franklin Dexter, MD, PhD, FASA | Matched to Mayo Clinic Florida

“MSARF allowed me to truly understand what a career in anesthesiology and research can look like. The support, mentorship, and guidance I received has shaped the way in which I envision practicing and my career goals in anesthesiology.”
Swamroop Nandwani, 2025 MSARF Participant | Mentored by Johnathan H. Goree, MD | Matched to Henry Ford Hospital

“I had an excellent experience during MSARF and remain in contact with my MSARF research mentor. The program was a frequent topic of discussion during my residency interviews, and I believe it played a meaningful role in helping me secure a position in the research track at the program where I ultimately matched.”
Matthew Ruppert, 2025 MSARF Participant | Mentored by Ashish K. Khanna, MD, MS, FCCM, FCCP, FASA | Matched to University of Colorado

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to participate in MSARF as it not only strengthened my research skills but also introduced me to a whole new group of mentors and inspirational people within anesthesia. Thank you!”
Marisa Sadauskas, 2025 MSARF Participant | Mentored by Govind Rangrass, MD, FASA | Matched to Northwestern University

“My time with MSARF in 2023 completely solidified my interest in pursuing a career in anesthesiology. There was a perfect blend of structure and autonomy – I spent so much time in the OR while also pursuing my scholarly activity. I continue to make people aware about the program and speak extremely highly of it.”
Sareena Shah, 2023 MSARF Participant | Mentored by Atul Gupta, MD | Matched to Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School

“MSARF gave me the opportunity to learn more about academic medicine and how to incorporate research into my future career.”
Natalie Waldron, 2025 MSARF Participant | Mentored by Dusica Bajic, MD, PhD | Matched to Johns Hopkins University

“MSARF provided incredible mentorship and research experience. Between working on my clinical research project, I was able to shadow in the OR and even do a few intubations. Throughout the summer, I fell in love with the unique relationship anesthesiologists build with their patients as well as the procedures and fast-paced problem solving that occurs in the OR and ICU.”
Avery Wooten, 2023 MSARF Participant | Mentored by Arthur W. Wallace, MD, PhD, FASA | Matched to Stanford Anesthesia, Highland Hospital IM prelim

“The FAER MSARF program had an immeasurable impact on my medical career and was a key factor in my successful match into anesthesiology residency. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities it provided, from building lifelong mentorships and connections to gaining meaningful research experience in anesthesiology. Through the program, I was able to present my findings at the annual ASA meeting and further develop that work into a manuscript for publication.

“I strongly encourage any medical student interested in anesthesiology to apply to the FAER MSARF program. It not only helped me stand out on my residency application, but also allowed me to build meaningful relationships and engage deeply in anesthesiology research. The financial support was an added benefit, helping to offset travel and living expenses while participating in the program.”
Michelle Wu, 2025 MSARF Participant | Mentored by Andrea Chadwick, MD, MSc, FASA | Matched to University of California, Los Angeles

“The FAER MSARF program was pivotal in my decision to pursue anesthesiology and in ultimately matching at where I did. I had the most amazing mentor who not only taught me the ins and outs of clinical research, but also took me under his wing to be someone I could reach out to at any time throughout my medical school journey. Coming from a medical school without a home academic program in anesthesiology, I wasn't really sure where to start. FAER MSARF helped me build those connections and experiences that I needed. I ended up loving the program where I completed my MSARF summer so much that it became my top choice for residency and I am eternally grateful to have matched here. Thank you to FAER MSARF and Dr. Brian O'Gara! I'm so excited for this next step and to continue working with my mentor, now as a resident!”
Leah Yim, 2023 MSARF Participant | Mentored by Brian P. O'Gara, MD | Matched to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

“MSARF provided an opportunity to gain both clinical exposure and research experience in the field of anesthesiology early in my medical school journey. My experience with MSARF sparked my initial interest in the field and led to further involvement in anesthesiology-focused experiences that ultimately led to my decision to pursue a residency in anesthesiology.”
Alexis Zavitsky, 2023 MSARF Participant | Mentored by Fletcher A. White, MS, PhD | Matched to University of Pennsylvania

Below is the full list of past MSARF participants who confirmed their match into anesthesiology residences in 2026.

THE FOUNDATION FOR ANESTHESIA EDUCATION AND RESEARCH (FAER)
FAER is a related foundation of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). For 40 years, FAER has been dedicated to developing the next generation of physician-investigators in anesthesiology. Charitable contributions and support to FAER help fuel the future of anesthesiology through scientific discovery. Funding priorities include: Research, Education, and Training. At the time of this article's publication, FAER has awarded more than $61 million in research grants and programs since 1986. To donate to FAER, visit FAER.org/donate.