Ritesh Karsalia, MD

Ritesh Karsalia, MD, joined the University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurological Surgery residency program in July 2025 after earning his medical degree from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. At the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Karsalia also earned a master of science in translational research (MSTR) degree alongside his medical education. He received his undergraduate degree in biology and Latin American studies from Villanova University. 

Dr. Karsalia’s clinical and academic interests have spanned the breadth of neurosurgery, including minimally invasive and complex spine as well as translational neuro-oncology. At the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Karsalia received a NIH TL1 grant to support his work developing novel intraoperative molecular imaging agents for gliomas. Additionally, he served as the Frazier Clinical Research Scholar in Penn’s Department of Neurosurgery, where he conducted research centered around neurosurgical outcomes, perioperative risk factors, risk-mitigation strategies, and social determinants of health.

Dr. Karsalia was born and raised in central New Jersey. Outside of neurosurgery, he enjoys watching Philly sports, attending music festivals, learning about personal finance, and working out (running, cycling, and weightlifting)