The program directors are invested in the success of each of the residents, and are dedicated to helping the residents achieve their specific career goals while fostering an optimal learning environment for becoming well-rounded diagnosticians. 

The residents at LLU Pathology exhibit a broad diversity of backgrounds and interests, but share common interests in supporting each other, maintaining a collaborative and collegial atmosphere, and becoming competent, independent pathologists.

Laura Denham, MD & Justin Kerstetter, MD
Residency Program Director

PGY1

Dylan Purkiss

  • Medical school: Touro University- Nevada, College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Specific interests in pathology: GI, Dermatopathology, Transfusion Medicine
  • Why did you choose Loma Linda? There is a strong focus on resident education and success here. The faculty has great teachers who are kind and respectful. I felt this program would give me a very strong professional foundation. My family is also from Southern California, so we were excited to return to the area.
  • Hobbies/Outside interests: Basketball fan, D&D nerd, musical theater (worked at performing arts theatre), dad of a little troublemaker.
     

Andrea Shields

  • Medical school: Loma Linda University School of Medicine

Priscilla Soria

  • Medical school: Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara SOM, Mexico, 2020
  • Specific interests in pathology: Hematopathology, Forensics, Blood banking/ transfusion medicine 
  • Why did you choose Loma Linda? I chose Loma Linda primarily because of the great culture and supportive atmosphere. The faculty and residents are amazing people both in and outside of pathology. Loma Linda's mission for whole person care stood out to me. The location is just the extra cherry on top as southern California is beautiful. 
  • Hobbies/ Outside interests: I enjoy listening to music, collecting vinyl records, trail running, and veganizing recipes. I also like watching Quentin Tarantino and horror films. 

PGY2

Iqbal Ahmed

  • Medical school: Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Pune, India, 2013

  • Specific interests in pathology: I haven't decided that yet but currently I am enjoying Surgical pathology

  • Why did you choose Loma Linda? I chose Loma Linda because the environment here is loving, inviting and diverse. Most importantly, the faculty here is invested in residents' success both professionally and personally.

  • Hobbies/Outside interests: I enjoy playing cricket and soccer. I also enjoy cooking and spending time with my family and friends.

Scott Allen

  • Medical school: Mercer University School of Medicine

  • Specific interests in pathology: Undecided

  • Why did you choose Loma Linda? Friendly and laid-back approach to resident education. This fit my learning style very well, I joined the program with a focus on anatomic pathology. As a bonus, it is also beautiful in southern California and a short drive from Los Angeles.

  • Hobbies/Outside interests: Voice acting and voiceover (being close to the studios in Hollywood and Burbank represent an opportunity [with my primary focus being on pathology]), jogging, fitness (martial arts), food (yes, I consider myself a foodie), chess

Shehla Aman

  • Medical school: Khyber Medical College, Peshawar, Pakistan

  • Specific interests in pathology: Women’s health

  • Why did you choose Loma Linda?  Loma Linda was the right choice as it offered a balanced approach to both anatomic and clinical pathology in addition to being a family friendly program with a diverse group of residents.

  • Hobbies/Outside interests: In my spare time, I enjoy cooking, reading, and watching movies

Tarneem Darwish

  • Medical school: Cairo University, Egypt

  • Specific interests in pathology: Undecided

  • Why did you choose Loma Linda? I moved to the U.S. to study Bioinformatics, after which I became deeply involved in clinical research. I also enjoyed teaching postgraduate students and foreign medical graduates. Knowing that residents can keep work & social life balance, while learning pathology and doing research, I chose Loma Linda for my residency.  

  • Hobbies/Outside interests: Handball, biking, and digital painting

Jessica Hudson

  • Medical school: Ross University School of Medicine, 2019

  • Specific interests in pathology: Microbiology, renal pathology, gastrointestinal pathology

  • Why did you choose Loma Linda? I chose Loma Linda because the faculty are wonderful pathologists, teachers and human beings. 

  • Hobbies/Outside interests: I am reading through the 50-plus books of the Star Wars cannon. I like to play pool and I always sing in the shower!

PGY3

Yahya John Daneshebod

  • Medical school: Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

  • Specific interests in pathology: Molecular genetics and dermatopathology

  • Why did you choose Loma Linda? Strong pathology foundation, religious spirit of this area, and friendly residents and faculty were all important points in choosing the program

  • Hobbies/Outside interests: Tennis, swimming, hiking, cooking

Austin Gray

  • Medical school: Loma Linda University School of Medicine, 2019

  • Specific interests in pathology: Microbiology

  • Why did you choose Loma Linda? The people!

  • Hobbies/Outside interests: Video games, exercise, dogs

Jason Kissell

  • Medical school: A.T. Still University SOMA, 2019

  • Specific interests in pathology: Forensic pathology

  • Why did you choose Loma Linda? Collegial atmosphere, balance of curriculum, access to extracurricular activities 

  • Hobbies/Outside interests:  Cycling, running, movies, fishing, relaxing with my family 

Daniel Real

  • Medical school: Loma Linda University School of Medicine, 2019

  • Specific interests in pathology: Cytology and biopsy techniques

  • Why did you choose Loma Linda? I am from the southern California area originally and was glad to be close to family and friends. Through elective rotations I was able to experience first-hand the great teaching environment fostered by the friendly faculty and residents. Additionally, I appreciate this program's connection with the on-site California Tumor Tissue Registry, facilitating my research goals. 

  • Hobbies/Outside interests: I like exercise, shinrin-yoku, family time with my wife and daughter, travel, studying languages, and meditation

Edina A. Wappler-Guzzetta

  • Medical school: Semmelweis University of Medicine, 2005

  • Specific interests in pathology: Hematopathology/Coagulation and Neuropath

  • Why did you choose Loma Linda? Good reputation and friendly team of attendings

  • Hobbies/Outside interests: Reading

PGY4

Daniel Ding

  • Medical school: Loma Linda University School of Medicine, 2018 

  • Specific interests in pathology: Blood Bank/Transfusion Medicine

  • Why did you choose Loma Linda? The people. The faculty really care about the residents and they are invested in their success.

  • Hobbies/Outside interests: Cooking, reading, exploring parks, and hiking

Mina Haghighi-Abyaneh

  • Medical school: Azad University of Tehran Medical Sciences

  • Specific interests in pathology: Dermatopathology

  • Why did you choose Loma Linda? Supporting and exceptional faculty, friendly environment, high quality training, family tie

  • Hobbies/Outside interests: Running, volunteering in animal shelter centers, playing piano, reading books, travel

Robert Propst

  • Medical school: Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, 2018

  • Specific interests in pathology: Gi/Liver/Pancreas

  • Why did you choose Loma Linda? I chose to train at LLUH because of the welcoming and friendly faculty, the unique mix of common and uncommon pathology cases seen at LLUH, and the great southern California location. The faculty really work hard to help the residents achieve their career goals, and the program is very family-friendly.

  • Hobbies/Outside interests: Long-distance running, walking my dogs, spending time with my wife and son, board games

Ziba Rahbar

  • Medical school: Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran, MD, 2009; Dermatology Residency, 2013

  • Specific interests in pathology: Dermatopathology

  • Why did you choose Loma Linda? Loma Linda is the tertiary referral center of the Inland Empire, with comprehensive general pathology training. I was inspired by the friendliness of the faculty, residents, and its unique mission. Geographically, Loma Linda is about an hour from the ocean, desert, high-mountains and also close to my family.

  • Hobbies/Outside interests: Classical music, yoga, painting, hiking and biking