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Residency Program
UCI ENT Residency | Meet our Residents
PGY-5
Eric Abello, MD
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Undergraduate Institution: University of California, Santa Barbara
Medical School: Rush Medical College
Interests/Hobbies: Being outside, biking, running, hiking, skateboarding, surfing, video games, hanging out with friends and family
Research Interest(s): Surgical outcomes of orbital floor fractures, conservative vs. surgical management of facial trauma, effects of technological advances in otolaryngology diagnosis
Elaine Martin, MD
Hometown: Mansfield, MA
Undergraduate Institution: Boston College
Medical School: Georgetown University School of Medicine
Interests/Hobbies: Running, hiking, yoga, cooking, trying new restaurants
Research Interest(s): Otology/neurotology, sinus and skull base surgery, head/neck surgery
Isaac Obermeyer, MD
Hometown: Mankato, MN
Undergraduate Institution: University of St. Thomas (St. Paul)
Medical School: University of Minnesota
Interests/Hobbies: Golf, hiking, beach, guitar
Research Interest(s): Survival and outcomes based research
PGY-4
Benjamin Bitner, MD
Hometown: Deweyville, UT
Undergraduate Institution: Brigham Young University
Medical School: UC Irvine School of Medicine
Interests/Hobbies: Backcountry skiing, paddle boarding, road biking, sculpting, horticulture and botany
Research Interest(s): Ultrasound utility in otolaryngology, head and neck oncology, surgical outcomes in rhinology and skull base surgery
Ashley Lonergan, MD
Hometown: Gilford, NH
Undergraduate Institution: University of New Hampshire
Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine
Interests/Hobbies: Cycling, embroidery, classical novels, singing
Research Interest(s): Nasal polyposis, facial reconstruction, neurogenic cough
PGY-3
Khodayar Goshtasbi, MD
Hometown: Irvine, CA
Undergraduate Institution: UCLA
Medical School: UC Irvine School of Medicine
Interests/Hobbies: Growing a family
Research Interest(s): Medical devices and technology, skull base surgery
Khodayar Goshtasbi
"I went to UCI for medical school even before ranking. It was absolutely clear to me how great the surgical training was, how dedicated the faculty were to resident education and mentorship, and how well the residents worked well together in a fulfilling environment. SoCal is hands down the best place to get your residency training while also enjoying your life and starting or growing a family."
Monica Trent, MD
Hometown: Simi Valley, CA
Undergraduate Institution: University of California, Los Angeles
Medical School: UC Irvine School of Medicine
Interests/Hobbies: Long-distance running, hiking, backpacking, traveling, cooking, crafting, and plant propagation
Research Interest(s): Head and neck oncology, Surgical outcomes in rhinology and skull base surgery, Women in Otolaryngology
Monica Trent
"The UCI Otolaryngology department has allowed me to grow immensely both as a physician and individual, largely due to the mentorship it fosters at all levels. As a junior resident, there are senior residents who guide me and teach me important clinical and surgical skills, as well as those who also provide me with emotional support. My co-residents are extremely flexible and supportive, and always willing to share advice or lend help where needed. Finally, my attendings have served as some of the most influential people I have ever had the opportunity to work with and are excellent teachers who have allowed for graduated surgical and clinical autonomy with appropriate oversight. I ranked UCI, my home program, very highly because I felt valued and accepted by all the residents, attendings, and ancillary staff. My attendings were willing to take the time to prepare me for residency and would even call me to discuss my goals and provide insights about the UCI program. The residents were welcoming and inspiring and were great clinicians and surgeons who were also supportive and enjoyable to spend time with. And finally, the nurses, surgical technicians, medical assistants, program coordinator, and other staff are incredibly competent and kind individuals who want to help us and see us succeed professionally."
Sina Torabi, MD
Hometown: Rancho Mirage, CA
Undergraduate Institution: University of Southern California
Medical School: Yale School of Medicine
Interests/Hobbies: Tennis, rap music, soap carving, video games, traveling, hiking and traveling to hike
Research Interest(s): Healthcare economics, policy, and utilization, medical education, HPV and vaccination, facial plastic surgery and trauma, rhinology
Sina Torabi
"Hands down the best people. Who you work with is probably the most important thing about a 5-year surgical residency program. Bottom line is that you spend a lot of time working and training. Working with attendings who truly care about you and your education, who treat trainees with grace and respect, makes it that much easier to learn how to be a good surgeon. Working with residents who care for each other, teach each other, and treat each other with kindness is paramount for my happiness. Let's not forget about some of the supporting and instrumental staff for patient care and out education! For example, the surgical techs we work with every day are spectacular at their jobs and laugh with us in the OR every day. Shout out to our program coordinator - Sun - who makes sure we are well fed at every education conference and encourages us to express any concern we may have. Overall, this is a really special place for learning and camaraderie. SoCal has so much to offer, and I can truly spend my time off well. I love spending time in nature, so I spend many of my weekends hiking in the various beautiful spots from Malibu to San Diego. OC itself has some amazing hiking spots, like Crystal Cove. When I moved out here, I picked up surfing, so if I am not hiking then you can find me in the water! If nature isn't your thing, we have some spectacular restaurants with literally every possible ethnic type of food, from Iranian to Cambodian. You could go to a new restaurant every time you go out and still have delicious food. Honestly, I could go on and on about the benefits of Southern California. I greatly appreciate the fact that I can truly enjoy and experience this place."
PGY-2
Brielle Crovetti, MD
Hometown: Las Vegas, NV
Undergraduate Institution: University of Texas at Austin
Medical School: Baylor College of Medicine
Interests/Hobbies: Spending time with my family, running, hiking, water sports, snow sports
Research Interest(s): Head/neck surgery, facial plastic surgery and trauma
Derek Liu, MD
Hometown: Holmdel, NJ
Undergraduate Institution: University of California, Berkeley
Medical School: Keck USC
Interests/Hobbies: Cooking, weightlifting, snowboarding, music
Research Interest(s): Translational medicine, surgical devices, healthcare disparities and outcomes
Derek Liu
"Despite Zoom interviews, I could tell the culture and people of UCI Otolaryngology were special. Faculty were genuine as well as down-to-earth, and the residents obviously enjoyed spending time with each other. I knew that I would get a diverse and comprehensive training in a variety of practice settings, but I was most excited to learn in such a welcoming and supportive environment. Living in Orange County was a huge bonus."
PGY-1
Joel Feier, MD
Hometown: Menlo Park, CA
Undergraduate Institution: Middlebury College
Medical School: University of Vermont
Interests/Hobbies: Rock climbing, running, baking, drums, piano
Research Interest(s): Neck ultrasound, global otolaryngology, machine learning/AI, qualitative methods
Morcos Nakhla, MD
Hometown: North Attleboro, MA
Undergraduate Institution: Brown University
Medical School: UCLA
Interests/Hobbies: Escape rooms, video games, spending time with friends & family, trying new food, soccer
Research Interest(s): Something meaningful
Tasha Nasrollahi, MD
Hometown: Fresno, CA
Undergraduate Institution: University of Southern California
Medical School: California Northstate University College of Medicine
Interests/Hobbies: Time with friends and family, baking, beach days, coffee, pilates, dogs
Research Interest(s): Otology, facial plastic surgery, trauma
UC Irvine Department of Head & Neck Surgery
101 The City Drive South
Pavilion II
Orange, CA 92868