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UCI ENT Residency | Meet our Residents 

PGY-5

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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."

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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."

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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