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Resident & Student Moderators
Theodore Nguyen, BS - Co-Lead Producer
Ted Nguyen is a fourth-year medical student at the University of California, Irvine currently in a research year with Dr. Brian Wong and Dr. Edward Kuan. 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. He spends his free time with his Corgi, working out, and likes to boast that he was once a record-holding powerlifter.
Katelyn Dilley, BS - Co-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. Katelyn enjoys playing volleyball, cooking, and retrying foods she does not like in her spare time.
Donggyoon Hong, BS - Co-Producer
Donggyoon received bachelor's and master's degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the Cooper Union in New York. Currently with Dr. Wong’s lab at Beckman Laser Institute and Dr. Ahuja's lab at Children's Health Orange County, Donggyoon is working on enhancing the manufacturing process of the OCT probe. He meditates every day and has been an avid opera enthusiast, having watched more than 30 repertoires!
Milind Vasudev, BS - Co-Producer
I am a third-year medical student at UC Irvine interested in 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.
Jonathan Pang, BA - Co-Producer
Jonathan is a second-year medical student at the University of California, Irvine with a degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology from Rice University. His research interests include skull base surgery outcomes, head and neck cancer metabolism, and global surgery. To help address health disparities locally, he co-founded a clinical observership program for undergraduate students who are underrepresented in medicine and developed a mobile app addressing food insecurity by leveraging food waste redistribution efforts. When he’s able to escape medicine, Jonathan enjoys hiking and all things outdoors, trying new cuisines, and keeping up with San Francisco Bay Area sports.
Amir Hakimi, MD - Resident 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.
Arash Abiri, BS - Student Moderator
Arash Abiri is a fifth-year MD/PhD student currently pursuing a PhD in biomedical engineering. He is interested in applying into otolaryngology, with research interests in point-of-care diagnostics, wearable health, and big data analytics. In his free time, he enjoys playing volleyball and racquetball.
Hamzah Ahmed, BS - Student Moderator
K. Hamzah Ahmed 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 4th-year medical student at the UCI School of Medicine and a current otolaryngology residency applicant. In his free time, you can find Hamzah either reading, spending time with his nephew, or rooting on his beloved New England Patriots.
Lauren Michelle, BA - Student Moderator
Lauren is an MD/MBA student at the University of California, Irvine applying this year to Otolaryngology residency. Her research interests include outcomes in free flap head and neck surgery, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, economics and cost-effectiveness in otolaryngology, and female representation in ENT. Lauren enjoys running marathons, dabbling in photography, climbing the Peloton leaderboard, exploring local coffee roasters, and spending time with her husband and two sons.
Mike Warn, BS - Student Moderator
Mike Warn is a second-year medical student at the University of California, Riverside. He is interested in applying into otolaryngology with research interests in rhinology, head and neck surgery, and otology. In his free time, he enjoys being outdoors at the beach or lake with his wife, daughter, and dogs, and occasionally emerges from collegiate soccer retirement to strain a muscle while playing for the intramural team.
Ellen Hong, BA - Student Moderator
Ellen Hong is a third-year medical student at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine interested in applying into otolaryngology. 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 bouldering.
Michael Oca, BS - Student Moderator
Hi my name is Michael Oca! I am a MS1 at UCSD School of Medicine. I grew up in OC and went to UC Irvine for undergrad. Some of my hobbies include surfing, playing basketball, and cooking!
Diego Razura, BS - Student Moderator
Diego Razura is a medical student in between his second and third year of medicine. He left his home institution at ETSU-Quillen College of Medicine to pursue a research year at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, where he's combining his passion for research and medicine. He received his BS from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville in 2019. Diego’s interest involves using engineering to improve the field of otolaryngology. When he is away from the lab and school, he enjoys hiking, exercising, and exploring the many things California offer.
DBethany Ho, BS - Student Moderator
Bethany Ho is a third-year medical student at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. She graduated from Villanova University where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Chinese. During her time there, she dedicated herself to help organize the Student-Run Emergency Housing Unit of Philadelphia. Currently, her research interests including upper airway stimulation and hearing aid accessibility. In her free time, Bethany enjoys snowboarding, exploring new restaurants, and snuggling with her Newfoundland pup.
David Shan, BS - Student Moderator
David Shan is a second-year medical student at the University of California, Irvine. He was born in New Haven, Connecticut (home to America’s best pizza) and graduated from Columbia University in 2019 with a degree in Neuroscience and Behavior. He can’t seem to commit to one hobby and enjoys ultimate frisbee, aquascaping, scuba diving, skiing, and fishing.
Shannen Guarina, BS - Student Moderator
I am a first-year medical student at the University of California, Irvine. I graduated from California State University Northridge with a B.S. in Cellular and Molecular Biology. I am currently doing research in Dr. Brian Wong’s lab at the UCI Beckman Laser Institute. In my free time, I like hiking with my two dogs, crocheting, collecting, and reading comic books.
Kelsey Roman, BS - Student Moderator
Kelsey Roman is a third year medical student at the University of California, Irvine. She has research interests in skull base surgery, head and neck cancer, and women in otolaryngology. In her free time, she enjoys drawing, rock climbing, and designing charcuterie boards.
Benjamin Bitner, MD - Resident Moderator
Benjamin Bitner is a third-year resident physician in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the University of California Irvine with clinical and academic interests in rhinology and skull base surgery. Benjamin is pursuing a fellowship in rhinology and skull base surgery and will be applying during the 2024/2025 application cycle. In his spare time, he enjoys the outdoors including backcountry skiing, road biking and surfing as well as pottery and sculpting.
Monica Trent, MD - Resident Moderator
Monica is a second year otolaryngology resident practicing at University of California, Irvine. In her free time, she enjoys running, hiking, backpacking and spending time with family and friends.
Elaine Martin, MD - Resident Moderator
Elaine is a PGY4 Otolaryngology- Head & Neck surgery resident at UC Irvine. She is originally from Massachusetts and went to Georgetown for medical school. She plans to pursue general Otolaryngology after graduation.
Isaac Obermeyer, MD - Resident Moderator
I am a 4th year resident at University of California, Irvine, in the department of Otolaryngology. I spent most of my life prior to residency in Minnesota, where I was active in sports and doing anything outdoors including golf, canoeing, hiking, etc. I love the warmer weather here on the west coast! My wife, son, and I enjoy watching movies, going to the beach, and taking care of our 2 dogs.
Ashley Lonergan, MD - Resident Moderator
Undergraduate: University of New Hampshire. Medical school: Tufts University School of Medicine. Currently 3rd year resident with interest in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. Hobbies include reading, embroidery, spending time with my husband and rescue dog Hugo.
Ethan Muhonen, MD - Resident Moderator
Ethan is one of the Chief Residents at UC Irvine this year. He grew up in Colorado, completed undergrad at Stanford University, then graduated with his MD from the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Following graduation he will begin a fellowship in Pediatric Otolaryngology at the Unversity of Colorado. When not in the hospital he enjoys many varieties of outdoor adventures, especially surfing and climbing.
Sina J Torabi, MD - Resident Moderator
Sina is a PGY-2 ENT resident at UC Irvine with an interest in pursuing facial plastic surgery. Aside from FPRS, his research interests include health care economics. Since moving back to California for residency, he has picked up surfing, and finds time to hike whenever he can.
Derek Liu, MD - Resident Moderator
Derek is a first-year resident at UC Irvine. After growing up in New Jersey, he studied bioengineering at UC Berkeley followed by medical school at Keck USC. He is interested in translational research and discovering new ways to apply technology to otolaryngology. Outside of work, he enjoys coffee, cooking, and music.
Carmen Chan, MD - Resident Moderator
I grew up in the DC suburbs. I went to UCLA for medical school and am currently an UCI Otolaryngology resident.
Khody Goshtasbi, MD - Resident Moderator
Khody is a second-year resident at the UCI department of otolaryngology. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience at the University of California, Los Angeles and his medical degree from UC Irvine School of Medicine.
Brielle Crovetti, MD - Resident Moderator
Brielle is currently an Otolaryngology intern at UCI. She moved from Texas after graduating from Baylor College of Medicine last Spring. Her research interests include facial trauma, pediatric otology, and oncologic outcomes in H&N SCC. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, two sons, and French bulldog!
David Thiwa - Resident Moderator
I'm a first year ENT resident at the University of Hamburg, Germany - where I mostly studied with short and long stints in Hospitals in Spain, Rwanda, Luxembourg and Senegal. My research interests are in finding good applications of machine learning to aid surgical decision making. In my free time I swim, play basketball and do brazilian jiu-jitsu. The picture shows my cute niece Noa teaching me how to dance.
Leoni Ramke - Resident Moderator
I am a first-year resident at the University of Hamburg-Eppendorf for Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery. I graduated from the University of Hamburg-Eppendorf in 2021. Next to spending time with my friends I enjoy traveling the world, hiking and horseback riding.
Lisa Schmitz - Resident Moderator
Lisa Schmitz is a second-year resident at the University of Hamburg-Eppendorf for Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery. She graduated from the University of Hamburg in 2021 and completed her doctoral degree in 2022. Next to research regarding skull base and endoscopic surgery, she is currently involved in medical education and educational research.
Friederike Meyer - Resident Moderator
Friederike Meyer is a first year clinical fellow at the department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck surgery at the University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf. Born in Greifswald, she studied medicine at the Georg August University in Göttingen and is now finishing her thesis. In her free time, Friederike enjoys climbing, baking and is part of an improvisation theatre group.
Hye Ah Joo, MD - Resident Moderator
Hye Ah Joo is a clinical fellow for the division of Otology and Neurotology in the department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery in Asan medical center.
Jangwook Gwak, MD - Resident Moderator
Jangwook Gwak 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.
Sung Seok Ryu, MD - Resident Moderator
I'm R4 in asan medical center now, and will be a clinical fellow in AMC next year.
Julius Rohrle - Resident Moderator
After graduating from medical school at the University Duisburg-Essen last summer, Julius just started his first year as a clinical fellow at the department for Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck surgery at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) and is currently finishing his thesis. He's interested in almost all kind of sports, especially in soccer, snowboarding and motorsports.
UC Irvine Department of Head & Neck Surgery
101 The City Drive South
Pavilion II
Orange, CA 92868