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Division of Cardiovascular Medicine Division of Cardiovascular Medicine

Fellows - Cardiovascular Diseases

First Year Fellows

  • Theodore B. Curran, MD

    Theodore B. Curran, MD

    Hometown: Hollis, NH
    Undergraduate: University of Southern California
    Medical school: Dartmouth
    Residency: University of Washington

    Career interests: Academic Medicine, Preventive Cardiology, Advanced Imaging
    Research interests: Development and validation of technologies for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases
    Research publications: view publications

    Hobbies: Freediving, surfing, skiing, playing guitar, eating spicy food
  • Jessica Hong, MD

    Jessica Hong, MD

    Hometown: San Diego, California
    Undergraduate: University of California, Berkeley
    Medical school: University of California, San Francisco
    Residency: University of California, Los Angeles

    Favorite aspects of the program: High clinical volume across multiple health systems, service to a diverse patient population, training in complex and advanced physiology, proximity to multiple research institutes and academic/industry collaborators, cutting-edge clinical and basic science research

    Career interests: General Cardiology, Basic Science
    Research interests: Molecular underpinnings of cardiac inflammation and fibrosis, synthetic biology, multi-omics
    Research publications: view publications

    Hobbies: Hiking and camping, outdoors time with family, yoga
  • Melody Huang, MD

    Melody Huang, MD

    Hometown: San Jose, CA
    Undergraduate: UC Berkeley
    Medical school: Harvard Medical School
    Residency: Massachusetts General Hospital

    Career interests: Women's cardiovascular health, cardio-obstetrics

    Hobbies: music, weight lifting, exploring new places by foot
  • Apurva Khedagi, MD, MS

    Apurva Khedagi, MD, MS

    Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
    Undergraduate: Stanford University
    Medical school: Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
    Residency: Duke University

    Favorite aspects of the program: Outstanding clinical training and culture with a diverse population, along with exceptional opportunities within preventive cardiology in a beautiful city!

    Career interests: Prevention, Advanced Imaging
    Research interests: Heart disease in South Asians, Health Disparities
    Research publications: view publications

    Hobbies: Reading fiction, painting, anything outdoors, and spending time with friends, family, and my cat!
  • Emily Margolin, MD

    Emily Margolin, MD

    Hometown: Tiburon, CA
    Undergraduate: UC Berkeley
    Medical school: University of Southern California
    Residency: UC San Diego

    Favorite aspects of the program: At UCSD, fellows receive robust clinical training to become well-rounded cardiologists, supported by attendings who love to teach and are leaders in their field. I am excited about the unique, hands-on experience in caring for patients with advanced heart failure and the opportunity to serve underserved populations, while also rotating at a top-tier quaternary care center.

    Career interests: Advanced Heart Failure; General Cardiology
    Research interests: Optimizing heart failure management to improve clinical outcomes; social determinants of health in cardiovascular care; patient-reported outcomes
    Research publications: view publications

    Hobbies: When I am not working, I love to practice yoga, go on hikes and spend time at the beach
  • Rebecca Ocher, MD

    Rebecca Ocher, MD

    Hometown: San Diego
    Undergraduate: UC Berkeley
    Medical school: UC Riverside
    Residency: UCLA

    Favorite aspects of the program: I was drawn to UCSD for the rigor of the training this program provides at a wide variety of clinical sites, in addition to the incredible mentorship from world-renowned faculty at UCSD.

    Career interests: Preventive Cardiology; General Cardiology; Women's Cardiovascular Health
    Research interests: Mitral Regurgitation; Preventive Cardiology; POTS; Sex Differences in Cardiovascular Care and Outcomes
    Research publications: view publications

    Hobbies: I enjoy playing pickleball, tennis, hiking and jogging by the beach.
  • Shelief Robbins-Juarez, MD

    Shelief Robbins-Juarez, MD

    Hometown: San Diego
    Undergraduate: University of Southern California
    Medical school: Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
    Residency: Duke University

    Favorite aspects of the program: Phenomenal clinical training with wide exposure to complex pathologies and a diverse patient population, outstanding research opportunities, and incredible faculty and fellows in the best (my home) city!

    Career interests: Electrophysiology
    Research interests: Atrial fibrillation, anticoagulation, disparities in care for patients with AF
    Research publications: view publications

    Hobbies: English Premier League, coffee, exploring new restaurants, and spending time with family

Second Year Fellows

  • Jonathan Davis, MD

    Jonathan Davis, MD

    Hometown: Granite Bay
    Undergraduate: Cal Poly
    Medical school: Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine
    Residency: Vanderbilt University Medical Center

    Favorite aspects of the program: Strong and robust clinical training with opportunities to pursue all areas within cardiology alongside expert faculty

    Career interests: Advanced Heart Failure, General Cardiology
    Research interests: Cardiac transplantation
    Research publications: view publications

    Hobbies: Sacramento Kings Basketball, hiking, biking, volleyball
  • Gourisree Dharmavaram, MD

    Gourisree Dharmavaram, MD

    Hometown: Chicago
    Undergraduate: Univ of Illinois at Chicago
    Medical school: Case western reserve university school of medicine
    Residency: UCSD

    Favorite aspects of the program: Wonderful mentors and co-fellows as well as ample learning opportunities

    Career interests: Cardiac imaging, heart failure, general cardiology
    Research interests: CT imaging on heart failure and transplant, QI
    Research publications: view publications

    Hobbies: Trying out new coffee shops, running, reading books
  • Benjamin Hoffman, MD PhD

    Benjamin Hoffman, MD PhD

    Hometown: Gaithersburg, MD
    Undergraduate: Stanford University
    Medical school: Columbia University
    Residency: UCSF

    Favorite aspects of the program: Outstanding breadth of pathology and procedural expertise, program and University-wide dedication to research, and of course location.

    Career interests: Electrophysiology, Basic Science
    Research interests: Neural innervation and regulation of cardiac physiology
    Research publications: view publications

    Hobbies: Raising my toddler, cooking (ask me about my taco cart), Stanford Football, being outside
  • Chaitanya Malladi, MD

    Chaitanya Malladi, MD

    Hometown: San Jose, CA
    Undergraduate: California Institute of Technology
    Medical school: UC San Diego
    Residency: UT Southwestern

    Favorite aspects of the program: Clinical volume, diversity of cases, collegial relationship between faculty and fellows

    Career interests: Electrophysiology
    Research interests: Catheter ablation techniques, left atrial appendage occlusion, anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation
    Research publications: view publications

    Hobbies: Basketball, breweries, trivia, golf
  • Praneet Mylavarapu, MD MS

    Praneet Mylavarapu, MD MS

    Hometown: San Diego, CA
    Undergraduate: University of Pennsylvania and The Wharton School
    Medical school: University of California, San Diego
    Residency: University of California, San Diego

    Favorite aspects of the program: UCSD combines a high volume of complex pathology in all subspecialties of cardiology with cutting edge research. The support for artificial intelligence research in cardiology and inter-departmental collaboration to bring projects to the bedside make it a perfect research environment.

    Career interests: Advanced Heart Failure, Cardiac Critical Care, General Cardiology
    Research interests: Artificial Intelligence and Cardiology,
    Research publications: view publications

    Hobbies: Tennis, Watching football and cricket
  • Kevin Sung, MD MS

    Kevin Sung, MD MS

    Hometown: Hacienda Heights, CA
    Undergraduate: University of California, Los Angeles
    Medical school: University of California, Los Angeles
    Residency: University of California, San Diego

    Favorite aspects of the program: UCSD serves a diverse patient population, and sees a wide variety of high acuity and complex cardiovascular pathologies. Fellows get comprehensive training in all facets of cardiology, and get to work with renowned experts in their respective fields. In addition, there is strong co-fellow camaraderie, a rich research environment, and a supportive mentorship structure within the program.

    Career interests: Electrophysiology, Advanced Heart Failure
    Research interests: Novel ablation techniques, stereotactic ablation, sudden cardiac death risk stratification, ECG forward solution computational arrhythmia mapping
    Research publications: view publications

    Hobbies: Surfing, trying new restaurants, spending time with family, video games, playing with my dog
  • Iosif Taleb, MD

    Iosif Taleb, MD

    Hometown: Corfu, Greece
    Medical school: Aristotle University
    Residency: University of Utah

    Favorite aspects of the program: The program is highly regarded for its academic excellence, distinguished faculty, diverse clinical experiences, research opportunities, and collaborative environment. It provides a comprehensive curriculum and rigorous training in cardiovascular medicine, offering exposure to a wide range of cardiovascular diseases and subspecialties. We have the opportunity to learn from renowned experts, engage in research activities, and benefit from a supportive learning environment that fosters interdisciplinary collaboration.

    Career interests: Academic Cardiovascular Medicine
    Research interests: Cardiogenic shock, mechanical circulatory support, myocardial recovery
    Research publications: view publications

    Hobbies: BBQing, traveling, fishing, listening to music, and spending quality time with family

Third Year Fellows

  • Mike Ahlers, MD

    Mike Ahlers, MD

    Hometown: Le Mars, Iowa
    Undergraduate: University of Notre Dame
    Medical school: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
    Residency: University of California, Los Angeles

    Favorite aspects of the program: Expansiveness of the department into "overlap" fields, such as peripheral endovascular disease and advanced mechanical circulatory support including VA ECMO. Enthusiasm of the faculty and department to train/teach. And finally my co-fellows and living in a city as welcoming and vibrant as San Diego.

    Career interests: Advanced HF/Interventional/General
    Research interests: Acute MI and Cardiogenic Shock, Heart Failure, Biomarkers, Prevention
    Research publications: view publications

    Hobbies: book club, following NBA basketball, and trying new restaurants in Little Italy
  • Masihullah Barat, MD

    Masihullah Barat, MD

    Hometown: Toronto, Canada
    Undergraduate: University of Western Ontario
    Medical school: University of Hawai'i at Manoa
    Residency: University of California, San Diego

    Favorite aspects of the program: I enjoyed working with the faculty and witnessed the camaraderie between the fellows during my time here as a resident. UCSD's high volume of diverse pathology, coupled with the research opportunities made it an easy decision to continue training here.

    Career interests: Academic physician
    Research interests: Cardiac amyloidosis, giant cell myocarditis, COVID-19 in heart transplant
    Research publications: view publications

    Hobbies: Soccer, basketball, surfing, hiking
  • Adam Custer, MD

    Adam Custer, MD

    Hometown: Albany, NY
    Undergraduate: Cornell University
    Medical school: SUNY Upstate Medical University
    Residency: University of California, Los Angeles

    Favorite aspects of the program: Rigor of clinical training, procedure volume, supportive/receptive program leadership, and camaraderie of co-fellows

    Career interests: Advanced Heart Failure, General Cardiology
    Research interests: Waitlist performance metrics and outcomes, recipient/donor selection, EHR-based tools to improve appropriate aspirin/statin prescription rates
    Research publications: view publications

    Hobbies: Running and spending time at the beach
  • Sonya John, MD

    Sonya John, MD

    Hometown: Fremont, CA
    Undergraduate: UC Berkeley
    Medical school: The Ohio State University College of Medicine
    Residency: UC San Diego

    Favorite aspects of the program: UCSD provides a strong and robust clinical training program in all areas of cardiology while caring for a diverse patient population with complex pathophysiology. Here, we work with attendings who love to teach and create a supportive and innovative research environment.

    Career interests: Advanced Heart Failure, Cardiac Critical Care, General Cardiology
    Research interests: Outcomes in mechanical circulatory support and cardiac transplantation
    Research publications: view publications

    Hobbies: Peloton, dance, trying new restaurants!
  • Emily Nguyen, MD PhD

    Emily Nguyen, MD PhD

    Hometown: San Diego
    Undergraduate: University of California Irvine
    Medical school: University of Iowa
    Residency: University of Iowa

    Favorite aspects of the program: Volume and diversity of pathology, world class expert faculty that are dedicated to teaching and patient care

    Career interests: General Cardiology, Imaging, Women's health
    Research interests: Molecular mechanisms of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, cardiac metabolomics
    Research publications: view publications

    Hobbies: Cooking, baking, trying new foods and restaurants, spending time with my family
  • Revathy Sampath-Kumar, MD

    Revathy Sampath-Kumar, MD

    Hometown: Fremont, CA
    Undergraduate: University of California, San Diego
    Medical school: Wake Forest School of Medicine
    Residency: University of California, San Diego

    Favorite aspects of the program: Diverse patient population and breadth of pathology across three clinical sites. Robust mechanical circulatory support program and exposure to complex coronary interventions. Research mentorship from faculty experts.

    Career interests: Cardiac Critical Care, Interventional Cardiology
    Research interests: Interventional cardiology outcomes, bioengineering/device development, inferior vena cava diameter guided heart failure management, clinical trials
    Research publications: view publications

    Hobbies: Piano, Yoga, Women in STEM Mentorship
  • Musa Shakoor, MD

    Musa Shakoor, MD

    Hometown: Phoenix
    Undergraduate: Arizona State University
    Medical school: University of Virginia
    Residency: UT Southwestern

    Favorite aspects of the program: Collegiality, clinical volume, and excellent location

    Career interests: Interventional Cardiology
    Research interests: Lipids
    Research publications: view publications

    Hobbies: Cooking, basketball, movies

Recent Graduates

  • Alumni

    Alumni

    • Daniel Chu
    • Candace Jackson
    • Andrew Lin
    • John Power
    • Tatiana Saul
    • Omar Aldaas
    • Omid Behnamfar
    • Antoinette Birs
    • Allison Brann
    • Gary Ma
    • Bryan Wu
    • Harpreet Bhatia
    • Calvin Hang
    • Thomas Prohaska
    • Quan Bui
    • Prerana (Pre) Bhatia
    • Patrick Azcarate
    • Shahzad (Shaz) Chindhy
    • Kevin Ting
    • David Torres-Barba
    • Alayn Govea
    • Abduallah Almasoud
    • Jason Duran
    • Marin Nishimura
    • Daniel Mangels
    • Harpreet Bhatia
    • Darrin Wong
    • Htet Khine
    • Douglas Darden
    • Stephen Dickson