Federico Di Staso, M.D., Ph.D.

Introduction: I was born and raised in Rome, Italy. I attended medical school in L'Aquila, a nearby city, and then returned to Rome to specialize in ophthalmology. I moved to Connecticut with my family two years ago to do research, and now I'm here in New Mexico. I almost forgot—I also spent about a year in Spain through a student exchange program. I've moved around quite a bit!

Interests

• Pathology & Research Interests: I've always been very interested in the field of immunology and the wonders of DNA in general.
• What do you like about living in New Mexico: New Mexico is wonderful—the weather is almost always great, which makes it easy to spend a lot of time outdoors. There are countless things to do and see; it really is the "Land of Enchantment."
• Interests Outside of Pathology: Back when I was really cool, I had a racing motorcycle—but then I convinced myself to sell it for survival's sake. One day, I’ll get back on a bike, maybe something a bit more low-key. In the meantime, I love exploring new places whenever I can, and I think I'll start skiing again this winter.

Why I enjoy the pathology program at UNM

Just ten minutes into the interview, I was already convinced that UNM was an exceptional program. The people here are truly wonderful—they genuinely care about the well-being and education of the residents. The attendings are passionate about their work and always approachable. They take teaching seriously, which is something I really value. On top of that, the fellowship opportunities are first-rate. Honestly, I feel incredibly fortunate to be here!