Kirithiga Ramalingam, MD, MS
RESIDENT
Surgery
School of Medicine

kirithiga.ramalingam@ucsf.edu

Kirthi Ramalingam was born and raised in India, where she completed medical school and her initial surgical training before relocating to the US. Her medical career in India gave her valuable exposure to academic and resource-limited settings, fueling a deep commitment to care for cancer patients.

Show full bio (200 words) Hide full bio

Under the mentorship of Dr. Laura Esserman, Director of the Breast Care Center at UCSF and a leading authority in breast cancer treatment, Dr. Ramalingam undertook a two-year breast research fellowship. During this fellowship, she contributed to two major clinical trials: a phase I Immunotherapy trial for Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) and a phase II breast cancer prevention trial. She also worked with Dr. Rita Mukhtar on lobular cancer outcomes research and with Dr. Jennifer Rosenbluth on DCIS organoid study. Additionally, guided by Dr. Esserman, she collaborated with her research team to analyze transcriptomics of DCIS and invasive breast cancer profiles, investigating biomarkers of progression from in situ to invasive cancer. This breadth of research experience cemented her enthusiasm for clinical research in breast cancer.

To advance her career in academic surgery, Dr. Ramalingam pursued a Master's degree in Clinical Research at UCSF. She intends to pursue a breast fellowship and continue her academic breast surgical oncology career, leveraging her clinical and research skills to make significant contributions to the field. Outside of her work, Dr. Ramalingam enjoys photography, traveling, listening to self-improvement and leadership books, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Awards

Show all (10) Hide

  • Best Poster, Breast Oncology Program, University of California, San Francisco, 2024
  • HDFCCC Travel Grant, University of California, San Francisco, 2024
  • HDFCCC Travel Grant, University of California, San Francisco, 2022
  • Best Research Paper, Loma Linda University, LA, 2021
  • Caregiver Appreciation Award, Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, 2019
  • Best Poster Presentation, Asian Clinical Oncology Society, 2016
  • Best Podium Presentation, Indian Association of Surgical Oncology, 2015
  • PLOS ONE Young Researcher Publication Assistance Award, PLOSE ONE, 2015
  • Best Podium Presentation, Association of Surgeons of India, 2012
  • International Travel Grant, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, 2012

Education & Training

Show all (9) Hide

  • General Surgery Residency General Surgery University of California, San Francisco 06/2026
  • Research Fellow Breast Surgical Oncology University of California, San Francisco 06/2024
  • MAS Clinical and Epidemiologic Research University of California, San Francisco 06/2024
  • General Surgery Residency General Surgery Loma Linda University 06/2022
  • Internship General Surgery Cleveland Clinic 06/2020
  • MCh Surgical Oncology Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology 07/2017
  • MRCS General Surgery Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh 03/2014
  • MS General Surgery All India Institute of Medical Sciences 12/2012
  • MBBS Medicine Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research 12/2008

Interests

Show all (2) Hide

  • DCIS
  • Breast Cancer Prevention

Publications (12)

Top publication keywords:
HamartomaSurgical OncologyBreast DiseasesDissectionCarcinoma, LobularRectal FistulaPatient Protection and Affordable Care ActCystsBreast NeoplasmsCarcinoma, Ductal, BreastMammaplastyPelvic NeoplasmsRectal DiseasesMastitisPelvis

Show all (7 more) Hide