Dr. Nikita Melnikov joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Hospital Medicine as an Instructor in July 2025. Originally from the southern seaside town of Taganrog, Russia, his upbringing fostered his joyful, passionate, and caring personality. During high school, he focused on foreign languages and natural sciences, presenting his projects at regional science competitions. His deep passion for natural sciences and his caring nature ultimately led him to pursue a career in medicine. Dr. Melnikov moved to Moscow to attend Lomonosov Moscow State University Faculty of Medicine, where he graduated summa cum laude with a Doctor of Medicine degree.
While in medical school, Dr. Melnikov honed his research skills, contributing to fundamental studies in Pathology, Biophysics, and Oncology. He proved his talent for procedures winning national surgical skill competitions. His interest in teaching emerged during medical school, where he collaborated with the Department of Endocrinology to incorporate innovative educational principles into the Handbook of Endocrinology, intending to benefit future generations of students. Dr. Melnikov’s work in underserved communities during medical school further solidified his dedication to addressing healthcare disparities, both locally and globally. This passion led him to become a mentor and researcher, aligning with his innate compassion and curiosity.
After graduation, he continued to conduct research, provide care to underserved populations, and started tutoring medical students. During this time, Dr. Melnikov and his colleagues founded Medica Mente, a volunteer-driven educational initiative. It provided point-of-care training to medical professionals and residents in resource-limited areas, to bring best practices to underserved communities. Dr. Melnikov took his passion for medicine, teaching, and community service to Waterbury, CT, where he completed his internal medicine internship and residency at Yale-Waterbury Internal Medicine program 2022-2025. His key interests are hospital medicine, critical care, infectious disease and clinical education. In his spare time, Dr. Melnikov enjoys weightlifting, listening to classic rock music, playing video games, and caring for his cat.