About Dr. Castellanos
Sydney Castellanos is a first-year general surgery resident at the University of Pennsylvania. She completed her undergraduate studies in Microbiology at Indiana University before receiving her medical degree from the Ohio State University College of Medicine. She plans to pursue a career in academic surgery with current interests including immunologic research and medical education.
Education
2021 - 2025
MD - The Ohio State University College of Medicine
2017 - 2021
BS - Indiana University (Microbiology)
Societies
- American Burn Association
- American Society of Transplant Surgeons
- Association of Women Surgeons
Awards / Honors
2025
E. Christopher Ellison MD FACS and Mary Pat Borgess MD Surgery Scholars Award
The Ohio State University College of Medicine
2024
Landacre Research Honor Society
2023
American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) Presidential Student Mentorship Grant
2022
Samuel J Roessler Memorial (Research) Scholarship
2021
Phi Beta Kappa, Indiana University
2021
Summa cum laude, Indiana University
Research
Sydney has had strong research interests in immunology since she was an undergraduate student. During medical school, she worked on multiple projects in the lab of Dr. Ginny Bumgardner investigating the role of cytotoxic T cells in controlling antibody-mediated rejection of solid organ transplants during concurrent viral infections. Additionally, she contributed to qualitative studies to explore patterns in surgical training environments and evaluations.
Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Mallampalli G, Gavulic AE, Campwala I, Ibrahim Y, Castellanos S, Stallion A, Siddiqui S, Arca MJ, Singleterry M, Nwomeh BC, Moreno N, Berman L, Tsao K, Downard C, Newman EA & Gadepalli SK. Advancing Inclusive Excellence in Pediatric Surgery: A National Longitudinal Mentorship Program. Journal of Pediatric Surgery 60 (8), 2025
- Bergus K, Srinivas S, Ligorski C, Castellanos S, Thakkar R, Schwartz D: Impact of Surgical Team Involvement at the Time of Trauma Activation for Pediatric Patients with Motorized Cycle or All-Terrain Vehicle Injury Mechanism. Pediatric Emergency Care 40, 2024
- Bergus K, Schwartz D, Frooman A, Castellanos S, Thakkar R, McCracken K, Kebodeaux C, Hewitt G, Fei F: Characterization of Pediatric Genital Trauma Using a Novel Grading System and Recommendations for Management. Journal of Pediatric Surgery 59, 2024
- Yan A, Castellanos S, Chao A: Plastic surgical outreach to low- and middle-income countries and global health priorities: An analysis of 96 non-governmental organizations. PRS Global Open. 11, 2023
- Bergus KC, Patterson K, Castellanos S, Bourgeois T, MacDonald J, Mallampalli G, Fabia R, Thakkar R, Schwartz D: Characterizing Delirium and Associated Risk Factors using the Cornell Assessment of Pediatric Delirium Score in Pediatric Burn Patients. Journal of Burn Care & Research 45:8-16, 2023
- Klopfenstein N, Brandt SL, Castellanos S, Gunzer M, Blackman A, Serezani CH: SOCS-1 inhibition of type I interferon restrains Staphylococcus aureus skin host defense. PLoS Pathog 17, 2021
Presentations
- Peterson K, Castellanos S, Giovanni L, Kalady M, Jeganathan N. Robotic Transanal Excision Following Total Neoadjuvant Therapy: Decision Making with Near Complete Response. OVSCRS Annual Meeting, Columbus, OH. September 2024. (Video Presentation)
- Castellanos S, Zimmerer J, Bumgardner GL. PD1-negative CXCR5+CD8+ T Cells are Critical Suppressors of Antibody Production Following Transplant and Viral Infection. OSU 29th Annual Department of Surgery Research Conference. Columbus, OH. May 2024. (Oral Presentation)
- Hart M, Zimmerer J, Chaudhari S, Koneru K, Castellanos S, Han J, Bumgardner GL. Th1 CD4+ T cells enhance the development and proliferation of novel antibody-suppressor CXCR5+CD8+ T cells. American Transplant Congress. San Diego, CA. June 2023. (Poster)
- Castellanos S, Zimmerer J, Dhital R, Shimamura M, Bumgardner G. Antigenic-specific PD-negative CXCR5+CD8+ T cells are critical suppressors of antibody production following transplant or viral infection. OSUCOM Trainee Research Day Symposium. Columbus, OH. April 2023. (Poster)
- Castellanos S, Zimmerer J, Dhital R, Shimamura M, Bumgardner GL. PD1 Expression Defines Distinct Subsets of CXCR5+CD8+ T cells with Antiviral or Antibody Suppressor Functions. MDSR Research Symposium. Columbus, OH. October 2022. (Poster)
- Castellanos S. Increased Sanitation due to COVID-19 Poses Dilemma for Waste Management. Global Conference of the Youth Environmental Alliance in Higher Education. Houghton, MI, United States of America. April 2021. (Poster)
- Castellanos S. Klopfenstein N, Serezani C. Examining the Role of PGE2 in Diabetic Skin Host Defense. Vanderbilt Summer Science Academy Research Symposium. Nashville, TN. August 2019. (Poster)
- Castellanos S. Malnutrition Intervention Techniques: A Comparative Study of the United States and Haiti. IU India Gateway Public Health Symposium. New Delhi, India. March 2019. (Poster)
- Castellanos S, Klopfenstein N, Serezani C. Examining the Effects of High Glucose on Inflammasome Activation. VSSA Research Symposium. Nashville, TN. August 2018. (Poster)