Independent Interventional Radiology Residency Program

The Independent IR residency program has replaced the IR fellowship as the option for subspecialized IR training after completion of a diagnostic radiology residency. PGY-4 DR residents may apply to the residency through ERAS with the match taking place the following spring and eventual matriculation occurs after completion of the PGY-5 year. UCSF will accept up to 4 Independent Residents per year.

Independent IR Fellows: Xiao Wu, MD, Ryan Chen, MD, and Alice Zhou, MD.

Educational Program

The Independent Residency is either a one or two-year training program. DR residents that complete a certified Early Specialization in IR (ESIR) curriculum during their DR residency are eligible for a 1-year Independent Residency. An ESIR curriculum includes completion of 500 procedures and 8 months of IR (or IR related) rotations in the PGY-5 year plus an ICU rotation. DR residents that do not complete an ESIR curriculum during their residency are eligible for a 2-year Independent Residency. UCSF’s Independent IR Residency program includes IR rotations at 3 campuses (Moffitt-Long, Mission Bay and Mt. Zion) as well as rotations on the Vascular Surgery service and in the IR clinic.

Application Process

UCSF Application Deadline: December 28, 2025

The Independent IR residency is part of the ERAS ACGME Fellowship December cycle. The December fellowship application cycle allows applicants to start applying to programs as soon as November 1, 2025.

UCSF's application deadline is December 28, 2025. UCSF Interventional Radiology participates in Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and all positions are filled through the National Resident Matching Program .

UCSF Interventional Radiology will be accepting applications in both the ESIR and Non-ESIR tracks in ERAS. Candidates should only apply through one training track. ESIR candidates that are willing to train for two years as an independent IR resident can indicate this in their personal statement.

ESIR candidates must use the standardized letter template "ESIR Applicant Diagnostic Radiology Program Director Standardized Letter of Recommendation" in their ERAS application to submit ESIR verification. No verification documents will be accepted outside of ERAS. the ESIR letter template is available from the Society of Interventional Radiology.

The following information will be required to complete your online application: Current CV, personal statement, digital headshot, copies of USMLE scores or equivalent, i.e. LMCC, and three current letters of recommendations (one must be from your current program director).

UCSF does not use race, gender, sex, or other protected categories or proxies for protected categories in the selection process.

We want you to have a pleasant and informative visit to UCSF. We suggest that you look upon the interview day as an opportunity to find out more about our department -- the people, programs, and facilities -- and to help us learn about you. Feel free to ask questions, and please let us know if we can assist you in any way.

*FOR 2026 APPLICAITON CYCLE - ALL INTERVIEWS WILL BE VIRTUAL*

During recruitment for July 2027 positions, you will have the opportunity to virtually meet the Program Director, learn about the program, interact with current trainees, see a didactic conference, and discover research opportunities. We host our virtual interviews using Zoom and utilize breakout rooms for our one-on-one interviews.

Second Visits

Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate requests for second visits or "second looks". After your interview, if you have additional questions about the department, please email or call your interviewers, the program director or the residents.

The UCSF Interventional Radiology Division is committed to advancing and sustaining opportunity for all as these remain vital to the practice of minimally invasive imageguided therapies for patients, trainees, faculty and workforce. The principles of advancing and sustaining opportunity for all, as rooted in our UCSF Pride Values, are essential to the educational mission of our fellowship. Our curriculum and educational practices reflect our ongoing commitment for anti-discrimination and treating every person with equal dignity and respect, within graduate medical education, and in recruitment practices to the specialty of Interventional Radiology. Our aim is to create a safe and advancing learning environment for all members to thrive.

IR Faculty

The IR faculty consists of full-time Interventional Radiologists under the direction of Dr. Pallav Kolli, the IR division chief and the IR residency program director, Dr. Vishal Kumar.