Cardiology

Meet the Fellows

PGY-7

Giuliana Repetti, MD

Giuliana Repetti, MD

Chief Fellow

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. 

Michael Raddatz, MD

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.

PGY-6

Kinan Bachour

Kinan Bachour, MD, MBA

Chief Fellow
 
Track: Clinical Fellow
Residency: UCLA
Medical School: Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
 
I am originally from Syria and spent my early years in the Middle East before moving to Los Angeles at age 17 to attend college — a place that quickly became home. After completing both medical and business school at Dartmouth, I returned to UCLA for my Internal Medicine residency and am thrilled to now continue my training here as a Cardiology fellow.
 
What drew me back to UCLA — and kept me here — is the incredible sense of community, the clinical rigor across four diverse sites, and the deep commitment to mentorship. During fellowship, I’m excited to explore my interests in entrepreneurship, health systems, and innovation. Outside of medicine, you’ll find me on the soccer field, at the beach, or eating my way through LA’s amazing food scene.
Beda Cha, MD

Beda Cha, MD

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. 

Lilas Dagher

Lilas Dagher, MD

Track: Clinical Fellow
Residency: Emory

Angela Duvalyan

Angela Duvalyan, MD

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. 

Kristoff Foster

Kristoff Foster, MD, MA

Track: Clinical Fellow
Residency: Vanderbilt

Karam Gill

Karam Gill, MD

Track: Clinical Fellow
Residency: UCLA-Olive View

Xuchen Hu

Xuchen Hu, MD, PhD

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.

Raina Jain

Raina Jain, MD

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. 

Bianca Lavelle

Bianca Lavelle, MD

Chief Fellow

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.

Pradeep Rajendran

Pradeep Rajendran, MD, PhD

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.

Victoria Speck, MD

Victoria Speck, MD

Chief Fellow

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!

PGY-5

David Agdashian

David Agdashian, MD

Track: Clinical Fellow
Residency: UCSD
Medical School: George Washington University
 
I grew up in Los Angeles and attended USC for undergrad. After college, I moved to Washington, DC, where I worked in Congress and at the NIH before attending medical school at George Washington University. I completed my internal medicine training and chief residency at UC San Diego, where I was fortunate to learn from dedicated mentors and care for a diverse patient population. Now back in LA for fellowship, I feel lucky to serve our patients in such a supportive, dynamic, and inspiring cardiology program. Outside of work, I enjoy playing basketball, exploring LA’s golf courses, and trying to catch the latest award-season contenders at the movies.
Samuel Bruce

Samuel Bruce, MD

Track: Clinical Fellow

Residency: Columbia

Medical School: Columbia
 
I was born and raised in Southern California and studied physics at UC Berkeley as an undergraduate. After seven amazing years in New York City at Columbia for medical school and internal medicine residency, I am thrilled and honored to return home to sunny LA for UCLA cardiology fellowship. Outside the hospital, you can find me running, eating tacos, watching old movies, rooting for the Lakers, and exploring the outdoors. 
Liz Ghandakly

Elizabeth Ghandakly, MD, JD

Track: Clinical Fellow
Residency: Cleveland Clinic
Medical School: George Washington University

I grew up in Toledo, Ohio and attended The Ohio State University for undergrad as well as for law school (Go Bucks!), at which time my parents left Ohio’s snowy winters behind and moved out to California. Practicing corporate law brought me to Washington, DC, but a deep interest in medicine kept calling my name. I dipped my toes into medicine by working on public health legislation while obtaining a Masters in Bioethics at Johns Hopkins University, and ultimately completed my career transition with medical school at George Washington University and Internal Medicine residency at Cleveland Clinic in the Clinician Educator Track. I am excited to join my family out here on the Best Coast and learn from UCLA’s world-class Cardiology faculty while treating a diverse patient population and continuing to advocate for my patients on health policy issues. Outside of the hospital, you can find me competing in the occasional triathlon, waking up my family for early-morning, dog-friendly 5ks, or trying to stand up on a surfboard.

Lloyd Harvey

Lloyd Harvey, MD, PhD

Track: STAR Fellow
Residency: UCLA
Medical School: University of Pittsburgh

I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, where I completed my MD and PhD at the University of Pittsburgh-Carnegie Mellon University Medical Scientist Training Program. My research has leveraged large, multidimensional genomic and metabolomic datasets to define a role of lysosomal control in sterol metabolism at the level of the endothelium in pulmonary arterial hypertension. I moved to Los Angeles for residency and fellowship as part of the STAR PSTP, drawn by the unparalleled support and enthusiasm for physician-scientist career development. Outside of science and scrubs, you’ll find me moonlighting as a reluctant outdoors enthusiast, outfitting my Italian Greyhound Rupert in his latest look, or sipping a gin martini somewhere trendy enough to have a waitlist.

Billy Kang

Po wei “Billy” Kang, MD, PhD

Track: STAR Fellow
Residency: UCLA
Medical School: Washington University in St. Louis 
 
I was born in Taiwan and immigrated to the US (Michigan) at the age of 10. I attended Johns Hopkins University for undergraduate, where I received BS and MS in biomedical engineering. I then completed my MD and PhD at Washington University in St. Louis. In my PhD, I studied regulatory mechanisms of cardiac potassium channels to identify new mechanisms underlying arrhythmia.  After medical school, I completed internal medicine residency at UCLA in the research STAR-PSTP track. I am beyond thrilled to continue training at UCLA as a cardiology STAR fellow. As an aspiring physician-scientist, I am particularly excited by the rigorous clinical training and world-class basic science expertise in electrophysiology at UCLA. Outside of work, you can find me and my wife Lily searching for tasty food throughout LA or enjoying cuddle sessions with our adorable cats (Chili and Cami).
Christopher Lees

Christopher Lees, MD

Track: Clinical Fellow
Residency: UCLA
Medical School: UCSF
 
I grew up in Thousand Oaks, California, and studied Human Biology at USC before heading to the Bay Area for medical school at UCSF. I was fortunate to return to Southern California for internal medicine residency at UCLA, where I also served as chief resident. I'm honored to stay at UCLA for cardiology fellowship and continue learning from our incredible faculty and diverse patient population. Outside the hospital, you’ll usually find me on the tennis court, exploring LA’s unbeatable food scene, or cheering on the Lakers (and yes, the Trojans too).
Han Li

Han Li, MD

Track: Clinical Fellow
Residency: NYP - Cornell
Medical School: Weill Cornell Medicine

I was born in China and moved to the US at the age of 4, ultimately growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area. I attended UC Berkeley for undergrad before venturing out to New York City, where I spent the past 8 years completing medical school, residency, and chief residency at Cornell.  I am beyond excited to come back to California for the next phase of my training! UCLA provides an unparalleled combination of world-class clinical training and cutting-edge research, all in a supportive environment while getting to enjoy the beautiful LA weather. I cannot wait to explore the city’s incredible food scene with my girlfriend while we attempt to leash-train our two cats, Taki and Beni!

Joshua Man

Joshua Man, MD, PhD

Track: STAR Fellow
Residency: UCLA
Medical School: Tufts University
 
I grew up in Arcadia, CA, and received my MD and PhD at Tufts University, where I studied mechanisms of vascular inflammation as well as vascular toxicities of cancer therapies. I was ecstatic to move back home for residency training at UCLA. I chose to continue my fellowship training here because of the supportive leadership and environment for the career development of physician scientists. Specifically, I believe that the STAR program and Division of Cardiology at UCLA have one of the best training programs for my clinical interests in advanced heart failure and research interests in immune mechanisms of cardiometabolic disease. Outside of the hospital, I enjoy exploring the endless cultural amenities in the city, trying to replicate recipes from the city’s best restaurants, and hiking the many trails across southern CA.
Melinda Song

Melinda Song, MD

Track: STAR Fellow
Residency: UCSF
Medical School: University of Michigan
 
Born and raised in Indiana, I studied at Harvard for college before returning to the Midwest for medical school. During that time, my parents moved to San Diego, which ultimately brought me to California for residency. I’m grateful to now be closer to family and excited to continue my training at UCLA, where I look forward to working with a diverse patient population and learning from distinguished clinicians and researchers. Outside of work, I enjoy staying active, traveling, and appreciating both the sunshine and vibrant food culture in LA.
Roxana Tabrizi

Roxana Tabrizi, MD

Track: Clinical Fellow
Residency: UCLA
Medical School: University of Colorado
 
Having grown up in the South Bay, surrounded by sunshine, vibrant neighborhoods, and incredible food, Los Angeles has always been my home. I earned my undergraduate degree from UCLA, where early exposure to cardiology sparked a lasting interest. To further explore the intersection of medicine and public health, I pursued a master’s in Global Medicine at USC. I completed medical school at the University of Colorado, but my heart was always set on returning to Southern California to care for the community I love.
 
I was fortunate to return to UCLA for both Internal Medicine residency and now Cardiology fellowship. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from exceptional mentors while pursuing my passion for advancing women’s cardiology. My approach to medicine mirrors my outlook on life: it’s all about balance! I enjoy spending quality time with my family, running and lifting, eating lots of ice cream, and going to music festivals. 
Kyle Udd Garnica

Kyle Udd-Garnica, MD

Track: Clinical Fellow
Residency: UCLA
Medical School: University of California San Diego

Hi, I'm Kyle. I was born in California and spent my early years roasting in the Phoenix sun before returning home to LA where I attended USC and received my undergraduate degree in Economics.  I didn’t have to stray too far for my medical training and received my MD from UCSD. After 4 years in the marginally cloudier weather, I was ecstatic to return home and complete my medicine residency as well as a chief resident year here at UCLA and even more thrilled to remain here for cardiology fellowship!  When not in the hospital, I love spending time with my wife Natalie, chasing after our two small children, Daniel and Adrian, doing home improvement projects and staying active in whatever way I can by lifting weights, hiking, running, rowing, playing basketball, or snowboarding among other things!

PGY-4