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Resident & Student Moderators
Katelyn Dilley - Lead Producer
Katelyn Dilley recently graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a degree in Biomedical Engineering: Premedical. During her gap years, she will continue as a Research Specialist in Dr. Brian Wong’s Lab at Beckman Laser Institute, focusing on reshaping and clearing of the cornea; she also works as a clinical assistant. Katelyn enjoys playing volleyball, cooking, and retrying foods she does not like in her spare time.
Akarsh Lal - Co-Producer
Akarsh graduated from UCI with a degree in Biomedical Engineering: Premedical. During his gap year, Akarsh has been researching facial cartilages in Dr. Brian Wong’s Lab at Beckman Laser Institute and working as a Clinical Assistant. Akarsh frequently dabbles in chess, serious tennis, and admiring Kevin Durant’s jumpshot.
Brian Kazempoor - Co-Producer
Brian Kazempoor is a medical student at UC Irvine currently taking a gap year between his 3rd/4th year to engage in otolaryngology research. He will be applying to residency in the 2022-2023 cycle. Brian lately spends his days wishing his Lakers would play to their potential, and often heads to the courts himself to blow off steam. You can sometimes catch him at Malibu Farm Lido on the weekends, or really any other great local bar. Otherwise, Brian loves spending time with his family and hopes to make the most of his time with them before residency.
Asher Park - Co-Producer
Asher Park is a research specialist in Dr. Wong’s lab at the UCI Beckman Laser Institute. He recently completed his bachelor’s degree in Biological Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and is applying to medical school this upcoming spring. In his free time, Asher enjoys playing volleyball, woodworking, and going on camping trips.
Karthik Prasad - Co-Producer
Karthik Prasad is a 4th year UCI medical student applying into otolaryngology residency this 2021-22 cycle. He is a UC Berkeley bioengineering alum, who spent his Whitaker Bioengineering Fellowship funded research year in San Sebastian, Spain. In his free time, he enjoys fantasy football, his Peloton, and investing.
Dana Hutchison - Co-Producer
Dana is a fourth-year medical student at UC Irvine involved in research under the guidance of Dr. Brian Wong, a facial plastic surgeon with a focus on innovative surgical therapeutics and diagnostics. Prior to medical school, Dana worked in Technology Licensing at University of Southern California, where she helped translate university research into products for public benefit. She also spent time as a Disney character performer and continues to enjoy working with children. Outside of work, you can find her rescuing senior dogs, playing pickle-ball, or scuba diving.
Amir Hakimi - Student Moderator
Amir Hakimi is a resident in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience at the University of California, Los Angeles. He then graduated from Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. During medical school, he became involved in clinical and translational research under the mentorship of Dr. Brian Wong. Dr. Hakimi has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals and he developed a medical application for the iPhone to expedite the diagnosis of ocular injury.
Jack Birkenbeuel - Student Moderator
Student moderator. Full-time MD/MBA student at UC Irvine. Applying for an Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery residency position this 2021-22 cycle. Part-time sports enthusiast. New puppy dad.
Hamzah Ahmed - Student Moderator
Hamzah Ahmed is a third-year medical student planning to apply to Otolaryngology residency in the 2022-2023 cycle. He completed his bachelor’s degree at UCLA and served in the Peace Corps after graduation. Hamzah served as a health extension volunteer in The Gambia, West Africa where he led a wide range of community health projects. After finishing his service, he moved back home to California where he is currently a third-year medical student in Dr. Wong’s ENT lab at the UCI School of Medicine. In his free time, you can find Hamzah either reading, spending time with his nephew, or rooting on his beloved New England Patriots.
Ellen Hong - Student Moderator
Ellen Hong is a second-year medical student at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. She graduated from Stanford University with a BA in Classics, minoring in Human Biology. Prior to medical school, she performed research under Dr. Brian Wong, which introduced her to the field of ENT. In her free time, Ellen enjoys knitting, lifting, and karaoking.
Ted Nguyen - Student Moderator
Ted Ngyen is a third-year medical student at the University of California, Irvine. He is interested in applying into otolaryngology with research interests in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, rhinology and skull-base surgery, and head and neck surgery. In his free time, he enjoys working out and likes to boast that he was once a record-holding powerlifter.
Adwight Risbud - Student Moderator
MD/MPH student at the University of Miami (FL). SoCal native and USC alum. Enjoys traveling, playing tennis, basketball, surfing, snowboarding, and golf. Looking forward to another successful Oto Updates!
Cecilia Nguyen - Student Moderator
I am a fourth-year medical student at UC Irvine, currently on my research gap year, working on projects in head and neck cancers, neurotology, and medical education. Born and raised in SoCal, I graduated from UC Irvine (Go Anteaters!) with a degree in Neurobiology and a minor in Cognitive Science. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, going to Disneyland or the beach, and playing board games with friends.
Lauren Michelle - Student Moderator
Lauren is an MD/MBA student at the University of California, Irvine planning to apply to Otolaryngology residency in the 2022-2023 cycle. Her research interests include outcomes in free flap head and neck surgery, rhinology and skull-base surgery, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, and female representation in ENT. Lauren enjoys running marathons, photography, climbing the Peloton leaderboard, exploring local coffee roasters, and going to Disneyland with her husband and two sons.
Milind Vasudev - Student Moderator
I am a second-year medical student at UC Irvine exploring different specialty interests including Head and Neck Surgery. Originally from San Jose, I graduated from UCLA majoring in Neuroscience and worked largely in disadvantaged community health. I spend my free time being in the sun, whether at the beach or on a hike, and am always interested in a game of pick-up basketball.
Kelly Hernandez - Student Moderator
Kelly is currently a second-year medical student who is pursuing her dual degree at UC Irvine. As a part of the Program in Medical Education for the Latino Community (PRIME-LC) she is committed to improving the health of underserved communities. Before joining UCI, Kelly graduated from Mount St. Mary’s University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Psychology. When she’s not in the lab, Kelly enjoys kickboxing and spending time with her dogs.
Kelsey Roman - Student Moderator
Kelsey is a second-year medical student at UC Irvine with a degree in biochemistry from UC San Diego. Her research interests include skull base surgery, head and neck cancer, and women in otolaryngology. In her free time, she enjoys drawing, rock climbing, and designing charcuterie boards.
Marn Joon Park, MD - Resident Moderator
Marn Joon Park is a clinical fellow for the division of Rhinology and Facial Plastic Surgery in the department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery in Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
Chol Ho Shin - Resident Moderator
Chol Ho Shin is a clinical fellow in the department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery at Asan Medical Center in Seoul, Korea.
Kyungwon Kwon - Resident Moderator
Kyungwon Kwon is a clinical fellow in the department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery at Asan Medical Center in Seoul, Korea.
Rupert Stadlhofer - Resident Moderator
Having acquired his medical degree at the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Austria, Dr. Stadlhofer began his specialty training at the Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at University Hospital Salzburg, Austria. After two years, Dr. Stadlhofer moved to the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), where he finished his specialty training in 2021 and joined the faculty. Here he focuses on rhinologic surgery including minimally invasive endoscopic nasal and sinus surgery as well as rhinoplasty. Furthermore, Dr. Stadlhofer is actively involved in the research group “Innovative Optical Diagnostics”.
Florian Jansen - Resident Moderator
I am a third-year resident at the University of Hamburg-Eppendorf for Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery. I graduated from the University of Duesseldorf in western Germany. During my studies I spent time abroad in teaching hospitals e.g. at the University of Melbourne, Australia, at the University of Zurich, Switzerland, and in Liuli, Tanzania. In my free time I am always interested in going surfing!
Miranda An - Logistics and Data Support
Miranda An is a 1st year medical student at UCI. She is originally from Boston, MA (currently loving SoCal life) and graduated from Cornell University. During her gap years, she spent time at Mass Eye and Ear doing research and continues to enjoy exploring `different specialties, including ENT. In her free time, she loves to catch sunrises or sunsets, do yoga, and spend time with her pet chickens (Emmie pictured here).
Naya Sterritt - Video Editor
Naya Sterritt is in her second undergraduate year studying Biomedical Engineering. She assists with research in Dr. Wong’s lab and plans to continue her education with a master’s or PhD in engineering. In her free time, Naya enjoys cooking, art, and music. She especially loves airfrying new and strange foods.
John Vu - Video Editor
John Vu is an undergraduate research assistant in Dr. Wong’s lab at UC Irvine. He is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering: Premedical at UC Irvine. He hopes to pursue a graduate degree in engineering after completing his bachelor’s degree. John enjoys playing basketball, building computers, and being a resident advisor for Hobbiton at UC Irvine.
Clara Chao - Video Editor
Clara Chao is an undergraduate research assistant in Dr. Wong’s lab at UC Irvine. She is currently a second year Biomedical Engineering: Premedical major at UCI with hopes of going on to medical school or entering the engineering industry after graduation. In her free time, Clara enjoys playing piano, currently obsessed with Studio Ghibli soundtracks, drawing, and going hiking.
UC Irvine Department of Head & Neck Surgery
101 The City Drive South
Pavilion II
Orange, CA 92868