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, cooking, road-tripping, and enjoying all the fun activities of Southern California! 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 10-year old girl). He hopes to participate in many international medical humanitarian missions in the future.

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: Characterizing HIE risk categories to identify the most weighted contributor in determining outcomes.

Residency: Rutgers Health Children’s Hospital of New Jersey
Medical School: St. George’s University of Medicine, Grenada

Bio:  Biajal was born and raised in New Jersey but excited to make this transition to west coast life at LLU. Fitness and health are big parts of her life but when she has extended time off, you'll find her on the next flight out of the US to try cuisines around the world. 

Research: TBD

Residency: Loma Linda University Health
Medical School: Loma Linda University School of Medicine

Bio: Peter was born in Pohang, South Korea, but moved to Brentwood, Tennessee when he was 5 years old. He attended Southern Adventist University and then moved to Loma Linda in 2016 for medical school, followed by Pediatrics residency. During residency, he got married to his wife, an Oncology Pharmacist at LLU.
Although he wouldn't necessarily describe himself as a foodie, he loves to eat and loves exploring new restaurants with his wife. He is a sucker for Korean BBQ and is always down for a BBQ outing. If he has the energy, he also likes to play basketball.  He was first introduced to the NICU as a senior medical student, and after just 2 weeks knew that was where he wanted to be and has not looked back since. Throughout his years at LLU, he’s had so many opportunities to learn from all of the patients, families, and staff/faculty.

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: Dexmedetomidine for pain control in neonates undergoing gastrointestinal surgeries.

Residency: Loma Linda University Health
Medical School: Loma Linda University School of Medicine

Bio: Andrei was born and raised in Romania for the first decade of his life, then moved to Montreal, Canada. He moved down to California in 2015 to attend Loma Linda University School of Medicine and loved it so much that he stayed on as a resident, chief resident, and now a fellow here at LLU.

He has always loved physiology (as well as pathophysiology by extension) and neonatal/infant pathology, so he was naturally drawn to the NICU. Outside of work, his favorite past times are eating out and travelling (especially to warm, sunny beaches). Other than that, he enjoys cooking, working out, and spending time with loved ones (especially when food is involved!).

Research: TBD

Residency: Kaiser Permanente LAMC
Medical School:  Sackler School of Medicine, Israel

Bio: Shaina was born and raised in Southern California. She grew up in LA and went to UC San Diego for undergrad and graduate school. She loves sunny beach cities and adventures, so decided to go to Tel Aviv University for medical school where she had an amazing time! After such an incredible experience, she was thrilled to come back home to LA for residency.
She loves the outdoors and is in continuous pursuit of clear skies and beautiful nature. In her free time, she loves to hike or go to the beach. On her more restful days, she enjoys the simple pleasures of gardening or just sitting outside with a good book and a cup of matcha.
She is also a huge fan of dancing- if there is music playing, she is probably moving! She has dabbled in many different types of dance; she grew up dancing at her family’s Persian parties, enjoyed hip hop and dancehall during college and medical school, and most recently she has been learning salsa and swing dancing. “It is such a fun form of expression and can be so liberating.”

Research: TBD

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 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: MIRNA in Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy study.

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: 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: Post Ligation Syndrome after PDA closure.