Meet the Fellows

Kristin Boulier, MD

Track: STAR Fellow
Residency: Stanford
Medical School: University of Virginia

Elizabeth Hutchins, MD

Track: STAR Fellow
Residency: Harbor-UCLA
Medical School: Columbia

I grew up in Santa Barbara and then moved to NYC for 10 years where I did both undergrad and medical school. For residency, it was back to Southern California at Harbor UCLA. I am so happy to be part of the UCLA Bruin family now as a fellow. We have such a great community and the academic environment is excellent. In my spare time I love to be outside, play tennis and squash, and enjoy west LA!

Akintunde Akinkuolie, MBBS, MPH

Track: STAR Fellow
Residency: Massachusetts General
Medical School: University of Ibadan - College of Medicine

I come from Ondo city which is on the west of Nigeria and known for cocoa export. My clinical trek began in a neighboring city at the University of Ibadan where I developed my interest in cardiology. Exploring the drivers of the contrasting outcomes of patients who start out with the same disease process ignited my pursuit of academic medicine. After graduate school on the east coast, I embarked on research with the purpose of translating emerging mechanistic paradigms in lipoprotein biology and inflammation into patient care. This experience also strengthened my passion for bedside oriented research which led me to Massachusetts General Hospital for residency. The UCLA Cardiology interview convinced me that here I will develop into a thoroughly well-rounded clinical cardiologist and convinced me that I will not lack the excitement that comes with learning the intricacies of managing acute and stable cardiac conditions. In addition, the STAR program is the best platform for me to advance my research interest in Bioinformatics in relation to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. My day-to-day clinical growth, immersion in purposeful mentorship, and unbridled interactions with all my attendings, have all been fulfilling. The scope of resources available for my development to become a clinician-scientist has truly been unmatched. Complementing these is the vibrant social scene in West Los Angeles that includes cultural diversity, beautiful beaches accessible all year round, and truly the best street tacos. Without a doubt, my favorite aspect thus far is the friendships that I have formed not only within my fellowship class, but also within the entire program. There is always a friend to discuss a clinical case, share life experiences, or explore town together.

Warren Tai, MD

Chief Fellow

Track: STAR Fellow
Residency: Vanderbilt
Medical School: University at Buffalo

Isaac Dreyfus, MD

Track: Clinical Fellow
Residency: Columbia University
Medical School: Albert Einstein

I was born and raised on the east coast where I completed medical school and residency. Although I have no connection to the West Coast or Los Angeles, my interview day at UCLA made it clear that this was the place I wanted to be for my cardiology training. The camaraderie amongst the fellows and faculty, commitment to fellow education, and breadth of clinical and research training were evident, and all have been borne out in my day-to-day experience.  My wife and I have loved exploring Los Angeles, and I love training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (moderately poorly) and playing tennis (poorly)

Michael Jiang, MD

Track: Clinical Fellow
Residency: Northwestern University
Medical School: UC San Diego

I was born in Chicago and moved to the Bay Area when I was six years old. I attended UCSD for medical school, after which I moved to Chicago to complete my residency and chief resident year at Northwestern University. I'm now thrilled to return to serve the patients of my home state for fellowship. UCLA truly stood out to me for the diversity of its clinical training, the robust research infrastructure, and the incredibly supportive faculty and co-fellows - all while getting the opportunity to be close to family and enjoying a world-class city like LA! Outside of work, you can find me exploring the city's food scene, going on hikes, and enjoying the beach.

Armando Martinez, MD

Chief Fellow

Track: Clinical Fellow
Residency: UC San Diego
Medical School: UC San Diego

A little about myself: I have lived all over California from San Diego to Sacramento and several places in-between. I went to USC for undergrad and loved every second of it. After undergrad I moved back to Fresno worked as an MA for a cardiologist while applying to med school. I then went down to San Diego for medical school and residency. Now I am back in LA and excited about all the city has to offer.

Francisco Medrano, MD

Track: Clinical Fellow
Residency: University of Pennsylvania
Medical School: Universidad de San Carlos

Daniel O'Brien, MD

Chief Fellow

Track: Clinical Fellow
Residency: UCLA
Medical School: USC

I am a California native and grew up in Granite Bay, a suburb in the Sacramento area. I moved to Los Angeles to start my undergraduate education at UCLA, and have been in the Los Angeles area for all of my medical training. As a resident at UCLA, I was able to see first-hand how well trained our cardiology fellows are. The UCLA cardiology fellowship provides exposure to a wide variety of health systems and patient populations between our three main clinical sites, leaving fellows prepared for any future career path. In addition, there is a strong culture of medical education with opportunities to teach interns, residents and medical students. I am excited to train with such an amazing group of co-fellows and work closely with such supportive faculty mentors. Outside of the hospital, you can find me playing golf, attending local concerts, and supporting all of my favorite professional sports teams.

Kevin O'Fee, MD

Track: Clinical Fellow
Residency: Washington University
Medical School: Saint Louis University

It feels wonderful to be back in SoCal and to have the opportunity to train at UCLA (one of my first medical experiences was as a volunteer at RRMC!). All the faculty and fellows are approachable, kind, and passionate about always doing best by their patients. I feel fortunate to be able to care for Angelenos at multiple hospitals across the city and to do so alongside an excellent and fun group of co-fellows. Every day I find myself learning so much and I am confident by the end of training UCLA will have prepared me to be an excellent cardiologist! 

Varayini Pankayatselvan, MD

Chief Fellow

Track: Clinical Fellow
Residency: Beth Israel Deaconess
Medical School: University of New Mexico

I was born and raised in Las Cruces, New Mexico and completed medical school at University of New Mexico School of Medicine. For residency, I ventured out to Boston at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. I am thankful to be at UCLA cardiology for many reasons, including its world-class training, incredible people, and great weather so I can play tennis year-round.

Robert Pedicini, MD

Track: Clinical Fellow
Residency: UCLA
Medical School: Tufts University

I grew up in Boston, MA and completed all of my education, including medical school, in Massachusetts. I had never been to LA before, but I was so impressed with UCLA during my residency interviews that I decided to roll the dice and move across the country despite not knowing anyone here. The education I received during my residency at UCLA was amazing, but the main reason I wanted to stay for fellowship was the amazing colleagues and friends I get to work with every day. Outside of work you can find me exploring LA's amazing food scene, hiking, or at a music show. 

Aleesha Shaik, MD

Track: Clinical Fellow
Residency: Mount Sinai
Medical School: Drexel University

I grew up in New Jersey and completed all of my education and training thus far on the East Coast. When applying for cardiology fellowship, I was looking for a program with strong clinical training, an emphasis on equitable care, and leaders in preventative cardiology. I have found all of these and so much more here at UCLA. Through the four sites that we rotate through, we care for a very diverse patient population and encounter a wide variety of pathology, which is essential for training. Despite working in different hospitals, the camaraderie between all the faculty is unparalleled and sets the tone for one of the most collegial and friendly training programs I have ever seen. I have also been able to pursue my passion for health policy and public health during fellowship with the support of our program leadership. While I will always love Broadway, crab cakes, and the New England fall foliage, sunny California and the best co-fellows I could've asked for have stolen my heart. 

Daniel Yazdi, MD

Track: Clinical Fellow
Residency: Brigham and Women's Hospital
Medical School: UCLA

I was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA and had my undergraduate, graduate, and medical training at UCLA before moving to Boston for internal medicine residency and San Francisco to help lead a cardiovascular-based digital health start-up. I chose UCLA because of the incredible camaraderie among the fellows and attendings, the diverse clinical training, being close to family and friends, and the amazing LA weather. Outside of the hospital, my wife and I explore the LA food scene, enjoy all the day-cations southern california has to offer, and spend quality time with family and friends.

Christopher Lee, MD

Track: Clinical Fellow
Residency: University of Pennsylvania
Medical School: University College of Dublin

I was born and raised in Cork, Ireland. I attended medical school at University College Dublin. In Los Angeles, I play football and surf on the weekends. I love exploring the food and cultural scene that LA has to offer. During my time off, I'll be visiting friends and family in Ireland and France. I am very excited that LA is a host city for the FIFA World Cup in 2026. My research interests are in cardiovascular genetics and prevention. UCLA provides a combination of clinical and academic excellence in a rewarding and diverse training environment.

David Madnick, MD

Track: Clinical Fellow
Residency: Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Medical School: Temple University

I grew up in Los Angeles, just a short drive from the UCLA campus. I moved to Philadelphia for medical school and stayed for residency. When applying for fellowship, I was looking for a program with rigorous and diverse clinical training experiences, access to a robust research infrastructure, and a supportive training environment. I was thrilled that UCLA Cardiology checked all of these boxes and allowed me to return back home to Southern California. When I’m not at work, I like to spend time with family and friends, hike with my dog, and explore restaurants in different neighborhoods. 

Rachel Ohman, MD

Track: Clinical Fellow
Residency: UCLA
Medical School: UCLA

I am an ocean lover from San Diego who grew interested in medicine while an undergraduate at University of Chicago, developed a passion for the integration of research, clinical care, and health disparities while at the NIH, and returned home to California for medical school and residency training at UCLA. I am thrilled to be staying at UCLA for cardiology fellowship. Our program’s rigorous and balanced clinical training, dedicated faculty, diverse patient population, and palpable sense of community are undeniable. I have felt supported and inspired by the genuine camaraderie and teamwork among my amazing co-fellows. Our program has many opportunities for me to explore my career interests in cardio-oncology, heart failure/heart transplant, and health disparities. Outside of the hospital I love to hike and go to the beach with my husband, infant daughter, and Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Michael Raddatz, MD, PhD

Track: STAR Fellow
Residency: UCLA
Medical School: Vanderbilt University

I grew up in Austin and completed my MD and PhD at Vanderbilt where I studied inflammatory mechanisms of calcific aortic valve disease. I moved to Los Angeles for residency at UCLA, and I'm excited to continue my training in a fellowship program with an incredible breadth of clinical experiences and opportunities through the STAR program to take advantage of world-class science across the translational spectrum at UCLA and partner institutions. In my spare time, you can find me at the beach or on the basketball court.

Giuliana Repetti, MD

Track: STAR Fellow
Residency: UCLA
Medical School: University of Arizona College of Medicine Tucson

I am a native Los Angelino, but have moved back and forth across the country multiple times before returning home to complete residency at UCLA and now cardiology fellowship. My passion for basic science started as an undergraduate studying the molecular and cellular basis of neurodegenerative disease, however it persisted through medical school when I completed a Sarnoff Cardiovascular Research Fellowship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in the lab of Dr. Christine Seidman and Dr. Jonathan Seidman investigating the biomechanics of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Now at UCLA, as part of the STAR program I am able to pursue a career as a physician-scientist and take advantage of the broad range of research pursuits at the university. I came to UCLA because of its rigorous clinical and research training, and to learn from world-class faculty. Indeed, training at UCLA’s diverse sites as both a resident and a fellow has been a unique and challenging experience, that has molded me into the distinct academic physician I hoped I would become. 

Shaundeep Sekhon, MD

Track: Clinical Fellow
Residency: Northwestern
Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine

I have been fortunate to spend my life and clinical training years on the east coast, midwest, and now in Los Angeles. I was drawn to UCLA for multiple reasons: the breadth of clinical training at different sites, the supportive faculty and leadership, and living close to my family. I am interested in clinical cardiology as well as leadership within academic medicine and I am confident that UCLA can help me reach the career I desire while having fun along the way. 

Shaitalya Vellanki, MD

Track: Clinical Fellow
Residency: George Washington University
Medical School: Louisiana State University New Orleans

I was excited to venture out to the west coast to explore a new part of the country for fellowship training. The UCLA faculty and fellows stood out to me during the interview season as incredibly friendly people who were passionate not only about cardiac diseases but also the advancement of healthcare delivery across various patient populations. UCLA offered me an opportunity to care for the most culturally and socioeconomically diverse patient populations in Southern California, and I knew this would provide me with a well-rounded training experience as I pursue a career in Preventive Cardiology. Serving at UCLA, among colleagues and faculty who are committed to both patient care and medical education and scholarship, motivates me to better understand the communities of patients in need of heart health education and find ways to empower my patients to reduce their cardiac risk factors. Los Angeles is also such an entertaining city, and when I’m not working, I love to try new restaurants, explore new neighborhoods, go hiking, or take a sunset walk along one of the many beautiful beaches!

Daniel Wang, MD

Track: Clinical Fellow
Residency: UCLA
Medical School: Weill Cornell

I was born in China and spent my early childhood in Singapore, before moving to Vancouver, Canada for high school. I then spent eight years in New York before the gorgeous SoCal sun drew me to Los Angeles for residency at UCLA. I was absolutely thrilled to stay at UCLA for fellowship - the rigor of clinical training, warm and supportive faculty and co-fellows, and fantastic research infrastructure are without comparison. Outside of work, you can find me and my partner wandering around LA malls, marathoning horror movies, and chasing after our puppy (Moose) and our pet rats (Tomato and Potato). 

Edward Wang, MD

Track: Clinical Fellow
Residency: UCSD
Medical School: Harvard Medical School

I was born and raised in Cupertino, CA and went to UC Berkeley for college. Afterwards, I attended Harvard for medical school before returning to California to complete my residency at UC San Diego. I am thrilled to be here at UCLA as I continue my journey towards becoming a cardiologist. Outside of work, I enjoy photography, playing video games, fostering kittens, and hiking.

Joseph Wong, MD

Track: Clinical Fellow
Residency: UCLA-Olive View
Medical School: Vanderbilt

I was born in the Philippines and moved to the island of Guam where I spent most of my childhood. Looking for more opportunities, my parents moved my family to the United States. I completed medical school in Nashville and residency as well as Chief Residency at UCLA-Olive View. I am fortunate enough to continue training here at UCLA where I can continue to serve this amazing and unique community while learning from incredibly talented, enthusiastic, and passionate educators, mentors, and colleagues. Outside of work, I like spending time with family and friends, practicing photography, and staying physically active.

Track: Clinical Fellow
Residency: UCLA

Track: Clinical Fellow
Residency: UCLA
Medical School: UPenn

I grew up in Baltimore then attended Amherst College, where I majored in art history while playing on the lacrosse team. After finishing med school at UPenn, I traded in my winter coat for the warm weather and residency and chief residency at UCLA. I'm so excited and honored to continue my fellowship training in a program with such diverse academic opportunities, rigorous clinical experiences, commitment to medical education, and such incredible individuals. In my spare time, you can find me surfing, running, trying new paella recipes, and exploring all that LA has to offer with my partner. 

Track: Clinical Fellow
Residency: Emory

Track: Clinical Fellow
Residency: UT Southwestern Medical Center
Medical School: University of Southern California

I was born in Yerevan, Armenia and moved to the San Francisco Bay Area when I was two years old. I attended USC for medical school, after which I moved to Dallas, Texas where I completed my residency and chief residency at UT Southwestern Medical Center. I am thrilled to return to Los Angeles and join the UCLA cardiology fellowship! The diversity of training facilities, clinical rigor, and research opportunities are all reasons why UCLA stands out as an outstanding training program. In my spare time, I love taking my puppy on hikes, hosting charcuterie nights, or unwinding at a fitness class. 

Track: Clinical Fellow
Residency: Vanderbilt

Track: Clinical Fellow
Residency: UCLA-Olive View

Track: Clinical Fellow
Residency: Cornell
Medical School: Dartmouth

I grew up in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and completed all my education and training on the East Coast. I attended Columbia for undergrad before spending a couple years working in health policy research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, then moved north for medical school at Dartmouth, and back to NYC for residency at Cornell. I'm so excited for this new chapter on the West Coast and can't wait to spend my time outside of the hospital exploring the food scene and local hikes with my husband and larger-than-life (75 lb!)  pup, Bamba. 

Track: Clinical Fellow
Residency: Northwestern
Medical School: Northwestern

After having the opportunity to engage in clinical research at Harbor UCLA as a high schooler, I was determined to become a UCLA trained Cardiologist. I left Los Angeles for the east coast for college, later moving to Chicago for medical school and residency at Northwestern University. I am honored to be returning home to serve my fellow Angelinos and complete my Cardiology training as a Bruin! In my free time you can find me exploring coffee shops and dog parks with my pup.

Track: Clinical Fellow
Residency: Massachusetts General Hospital
Medical School: UC San Diego

Hi! I'm Tori. I grew up in Carlsbad and Bonsall (a small town in San Diego) where we had dogs, chickens, cats, and horses. I went to UC Berkeley (Go Bears!) for undergrad then back down to San Diego for a couple gap years followed by medical school. Having spent my whole life in California I ventured out to Boston to do residency training at MGH. It was such a fun adventure seeing the incredibly vibrant leaves in the spring and fall and exploring the northeast with my husband and our two dogs, Bella and Gunny. Now very excited to have returned to Southern California and look forward to exploring all that LA has to offer!

Track: STAR Fellow
Residency: UCLA
Medical School: UCLA

I was born in Shanghai, China and moved to the US at age 6. I grew up in Fremont, California and went to college at UC Berkeley. I then ventured a little south to UCLA to complete my MD and PhD. During my PhD, I studied intravascular lipolysis and fatty acid metabolism under Dr. Stephen Young. I was fortunate to stay at UCLA for residency and now cardiology fellowship. The amazing people at UCLA, the rigorous clinical training, and the vast breath of world-class research has kept me here for my entire medical training. Now, as part of the STAR program, I am thrilled to continue my pursuit of becoming a physician-scientist at an institution that not only excels in both the clinical and research aspects of cardiology, but also provides a collaborative, fun, and supportive environment to work. Outside of work, you can find me playing tennis or taking my corgi Rex out on (short) hikes.

Track: STAR Fellow
Residency: Massachusetts General Hospital
Medical School: UCLA

I grew up outside of Chicago and went to Stanford University for undergraduate, where I majored in Biomechanical Engineering. After graduating, I joined the UCLA-Caltech Medical Scientist Training Program to complete my M.D./Ph.D. During my Ph.D., I studied neural mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of arrhythmias and heart failure. I then went east to complete my internal medicine residency at Massachusetts General Hospital in the Stanbury Physician Scientist Pathway. I was excited to return home to UCLA for my fellowship training as a part of the Specialty Training and Advanced Research (STAR) program given the rigorous clinical training and cutting-edge research opportunities. Outside of the hospital or lab, you can find me spending time with my family and newborn son or exploring LA’s vibrant food scene.