Fellows

Residency: Phoenix Children’s/Valleywise Medical Center
Medical School: University of Texas Southwestern

Bio: Mark grew up as the second oldest of 10 kids in Pocatello, Idaho, where there is never a dull moment! When he is not working, he enjoys hiking, running, playing the piano, and most especially, spending time with his wife Danielle! They are the proud dog parents of a multipool named Floyd, and love take him on walks, hikes in the San Bernardino Mountains, and any beach they can visit! Mark’s original inspiration for pursuing neonatology was his niece Evelyn, who was born at 33 weeks with SVT episodes (but is now a completely healthy 7-year old girl).

Research: Using vagal nerve simulation (VNS) to reduce the incidence and severity of NEC in the neonatal population.
 

Residency: Loma Linda University
Medical School: Meharry Medical College

Bio: Alexis (Lexi) was born and raised in Southern California and attended Azusa Pacific University for undergrad before moving to Nashville, TN to complete medical school at Meharry Medical College. She says that she was very happy to be able to move back home to complete my pediatric residency here at LLU!  Lexi is a very family-oriented person and loves to spend free time doing absolutely anything with them.  She is a first-generation college student and so thankful for all the sacrifices her parents have made to help her get to where she is today. She tells us that she is SO excited to be able to say that she is part of the LLU NICU team, which has been her dream since she applied for medical school.

Research: TBD

Residency: University of Florida
Medical School: Bangalore Medical College and Research Inst.

Bio: Sahana is from Bangalore, India, where she also went to medical school, and left home for the first time for Peds residency in UF-Pensacola! It was definitely a learning experience, living by herself in a new country! Sahana loved neonatology ever since she first rotated as a med student and is so excited to be finally on the path to be a neonatologist.  She’s more of an artistic person and loves to paint, read mystery fiction, and relax and read on the beach. She loves everything Disney, Harry Potter, and has  her very own Star Wars lightsaber.  Sahana loves traveling and exploring new cultures.  Her dream is to travel all over the world, but her goal is to see all of the west coast during her fellowship training years.
Sahana adores her family and miss’s them very much, as they are her No. 1 supporters and to get her where she is today.

Research: TBD
 

Residency:  Loma Linda University
Medical School: Loma Linda University SOM

Bio: Beverly was born and raised in Southern California and has no reason to leave! She loves all things Disney, trying new recipes, and reading (when she has the time!) When she's not working, she's going on walks around the neighborhood with her baby boy, Elliott and corgi pup, Arya, going on foodventures nearby in LA and OC area, or going to the beach which only 45 minutes away from home. 
Research: Functional echocardiogram, NEC, HIE, as well as nutrition in the neonate. 

Residency: Loma Linda University
Medical School: Loma Linda University SOM

Bio: Coming from a big, Korean family, Gina loves spending time with her family and friends, especially her husband, Phil, and their 2 new maltipoo puppies, Walter and Wrigley . When she is not busy taking care of them, Gina loves singing, baking and eating yummy food in LA! She is thankful and excited that God lead her to stay at Loma Linda after residency to keep helping this community.
Research: Optimizing nutrition 

Residency: University of Kansas-Wichita
Medical School: Dow Medical College, Pakistan

Bio: Wasay would be described as a fun-loving and energetic soul. He loves being with people and going on adventures. Outside the hospital, you'll find him exploring nature, going for hikes, hanging out with friends, playing racquetball, or performing Improv Comedy at one of the theatres around LA.  He believes in living in the moment and using the classic improv—philosophy of “Yes and” to enable people and himself to live a rich and fulfilling life.

Research: Improv in Medicine

Residency: University of Florida-Pensacola/Sacred Heart Hospital
Medical School: Dayanand Medical College (IN)

Bio: Steffi grew up in the state of California. She received her medical degree in Dayanand Medical College, India and completed her pediatric residency in Pensacola, Florida. She enjoys balancing her professional life by spending her free time with her folks. She also enjoys reading novels, focusing on fitness, spending time with her cats and exploring new restaurants. 
Research: Patent ductus arteriosus.

Residency: University of South Alabama
Medical School: Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences

Bio: Chaitra “Chai” (latte) was born and raised in Mysore, India. After medical school she traveled around New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and Texas for about a year doing rotations and research before pediatric residency. In her free time, Chai loves to go on solo trips and try new cuisines. Korean is her favorite cuisine (she can eat Bulgogi and Sundubu Jigae all day every day).  She loves to watch Korean serials, read webtoons, and visit beaches often with an ice cream in her hand. It always gives Chai immense satisfaction to take care of the tiny humans, for it is challenging and rewarding. 

Research: TBD

Residency: Albert Einstein Medical Center
Medical School: St. George's University School of Medicine

Bio: Krystel is from the US Virgin Islands and is passionate about decreasing infant mortality in the at risk minority groups. She is an avid writer, reader, baker, and dog mother who loves to explore, enjoy life, relax, and spread the healing ministry of Christ. When she is not at work she enjoys hiking, shopping, enjoying local restaurants, and binge watching her favorite shows. 
Research: Identifying/decreasing perinatal risk factors that increase maternal and fetal morbidity/mortality in the African American population as well as the augmentation of severe IUGR.

Residency: Woodhull Medical & Mental Health Hospital
Medical School: Medical University of Warsaw (PL)

Bio: Izabela enjoys art, music, language, culture, history and museums. Locally she loves the outdoors - hiking in the mountains, relaxing on the beach, and curling up to a good book with a warm cup of coffee.  
Research: Neurologic sequelae and abating complications of cognitive immaturity in extremely premature patients.

Residency: Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
Medical School: Rowan Univ. School of Osteopathic Medicine

Bio: April went to college wanting to pursue architecture until she stumbled upon a summer volunteering position at a local NICU that she discovered her love for neonatology and the rest is history. On her days off, she enjoys biking, running, and anything outdoors with her family and dog. She loves photography, discovering different coffee shops and collecting coffee mugs, and anything that has to do with the show Friends!

Research: breastmilk, nutrition, growth 

Residency: LAC + USC
Medical School: Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern Univ.

Bio: Srina was born in India but has lived in Southern California for majority of her life! Her favorite thing to do is to spend quality time with the people she loves over a delicious meal. She loves curling up with a good book (ideally while it’s raining outside, though that doesn’t happen too often here) or watch a binge-worthy show. She loves yoga, it helps her feel centered. When she’s craving an adventure, she loves to travel when life allows, especially as a passenger on her husband’s motorcycle! Nature is her happy place and she feels her best when she is surrounded by trees, waves, or in the presence of a stunning sunset.

Research: Functional Echo, POCUS

Residency: University of Toledo
Medical School: University of Queensland SOM+

Bio: Caroline will tell people that she is from Bay Area, California, but she has been exploring places for the past couple years. She went to Australia for medical school, spent two years in New Orleans for clinical rotations, before completing her residency in Ohio. Caroline believes life is definitely a circle, bringing her back to Southern California for fellowship. She and her family are thrilled to write her next chapter in Southern California. Outside of work, she and her husband both love to cook and eat. The pandemic has definitely put a hold on her biggest passion – road trips but resuming now that they are surrounded by great scenic natures in Southern California.

Research: TBD