Breadcrumb Home Departments Medicine Rheumatology Our Expert Team Rheumatology Our Expert Team Sub-navigation Sub-navigation Rheumatology About Us Contact Us How You Can Make a Difference News & Events Patient Care Research Fellowship Fellows Salary/Benefits Sample Schedule Training Sites Our Expert Team Chief Christina Charles-Schoeman, MD Chief of Rheumatology / Professor of Medicine Research Interests: Myositis, Rheumatoid Arthritis Dr. Charles-Schoeman graduated magna cum laude with a BS degree in Chemistry from Yale University. She completed her medical degree and training in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology at UCLA where she also earned her Master of Science degree in Clinical Research through the Specialty Training and Advanced Research (STAR) Program. Full Time Clinicians Thanda Aung, MD, MS Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine Research Interest: Gout, Osteoporosis Dr. Aung graduated from the Institute of medicine (1) Burma, in 1998 and later trained in Internal medicine and Geriatric medicine in Liverpool, United Kingdom. There she specialized in Orthogeriatrics for years with strong interest in Osteoporosis, while receiving Master of Science in Geriatric medicine from Keele University School of Medicine, MRCP and FRCP titles from the Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh. Ramandeep Bains, MD Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine Research Interest: General Rheumatology Medical Board Certifications - Internal Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine, 2014 Rheumatology, American Board of Internal Medicine, 2017 Fellowship - Rheumatology, Olive View-UCLA Medical Center Internal Medicine GME, 2015-2017 Residency - Internal Medicine, Alameda County Medical Center - Highland Campus, 2011-2014 Degree - St. George's University School of Medicine/Grenada, MD, 2011 Kristal S. Choi, MD Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine Research Interest: General Rheumatology Dr. Kristal Choi is a general rheumatologist who practices in Santa Monica. She enjoys treating the full spectrum of rheumatic diseases, including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, vasculitis, myositis, scleroderma, gout, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. She is also skilled in musculoskeletal ultrasound and ultrasound-guided joint and soft tissue injections. Karla M. Criner, MD Clinical Instructor Research Interest: General Rheumatology Tamara G. Dahhan, DO Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine Research Interest: Rheumatology, Osteoporosis and Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Dr. Dahhan earned her medical degree at Western University of Health Sciences. She completed her residency in Internal Medicine and her fellowship in Rheumatology at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center. Dr. Dahhan is board certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology. In her free time she enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending quality time with family. Lauren M. Freid, MD Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine Research Interest: General Rheumatology Medical Board Certifications - Internal Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine, 2017 Fellowship - Rheumatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 2017-2019 Residency - Internal Medicine, Temple University School of Medicine, 2014-2017 Degree - Jefferson Medical College, MD, 2014 Mark E. Hall, MD Clinical Instructor Research Interest: General Rheumatology Medical Board Certifications Internal Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine, 2018 Fellowship Rheumatology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 2018-2020 Residency Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 2015-2018 Degree Texas Tech University-Paul L Foster School of Medicine, MD, 2015 Marian Kaldas, MD Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine Research Interest: Rheumatology Dr. Marian Kaldas is a Southern California native and has been part of the UCLA family since her high school years when she won a scholarship for doing over 1000 hours of hospital volunteering. She received her undergraduate degree in Neuroscience at UCLA, her medical degree from the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine and completed her internship, residency and fellowship in Rheumatology all with UCLA. Tanaz A. Kermani, MD Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine Research Interests: Rheumatology, Vasculitis Dr. Kermani received her medical degree from New York Medical College. She completed her residency in internal medicine and fellowship in rheumatology at Mayo Clinic, Minnesota. She then stayed on at Mayo Clinic and pursued an additional 2 years of clinical and research experience in the field of vasculitis through a prestigious fellowship awarded by the Vasculitis Clinical Research Consortium. Yaqoot Khan, DO Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine Research Interest: General Rheumatology Dr. Yaqoot Khan graduated with a DO degree from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2001. After completing her Internal Medicine residency and a Rheumatology Fellowship at NYU Langone Hospital- Long Island, she pursued a post-doc research fellowship at the same institution. Maryann Kimoto, DO Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine Research Interest: General Rheumatology Medical Board Certifications - Internal Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine, 2017 Fellowship - Rheumatology, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, 2017-2019 Residency - Internal Medicine, Allegheny General Hospital, 2014-2017 Degree - Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine at Seton Hill, DO, 2014 Kathleen Kolstad, MD, PhD Clinical Instructor Research Interest: intersection of rheumatology and dermatology as well as women's health and rheumatic disease Dr. Kate Kolstad is a general rheumatologist who practices in the Santa Barbara/Montecito area. She enjoys treating the full spectrum of rheumatologic conditions. She started her career as a basic scientist, completing her PhD in Molecular Cell Biology at UC Berkeley. Eric Liu, MD Clinical Instructor Research Interest: General Rheumatology Dr. Liu grew up here in Los Angeles and graduated from St. George's University for my medical degree. I completed my residency and rheumatology fellowship at SUNY Upstate University Medical Center. My interest is in general rheumatology and its wide variety of rheumatic diseases. I completed the USSONAR training course and have an interest in applying and incorporating musculoskeletal ultrasonography for patients. William J. Martin, MD Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine Research Interest: Rheumatology Dr. Martin grew up in Washington State. He attended the College of William and Mary in Virginia. Upon graduation, Dr. Martin was a Peace Corps volunteer in Tanzania for two years where he taught high school chemistry and biology. Later Dr. Martin attended medical school at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science/Chicago Medical School, in North Chicago, Illinois, graduating in 2006. Geraldine M. Navarro, MD Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine Research Interest: Rheumatology Dr. Geraldine Navarro earned her medical degree from UCLA School of Medicine. She completed her internship and residency in internal medicine at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center. She completed her fellowship in rheumatology at UCLA School of Medicine. Sravani Penumarty, MD Clinical Instructor Research Interest: General Rheumatology Dr. Sravani Penumarty practices general rheumatology at Westwood. She treats a wide spectrum of conditions, including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis, myositis, vasculitis, gout, and connective tissue diseases. She frequently performs joint and trigger finger injections. She also specializes in doing skin biopsies for rheumatic skin conditions. Olga N. Popel, MD Assistant Clinical Professor Research Interest: Rheumatology Medical Board Certifications: Internal Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine, 1985 Rheumatology, American Board of Internal Medicine, 1988 Fellowship: Rheumatology, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, 1983-1985 Rheumatology, Southern California System of Clinics California, 1985-1986 Residency: Internal Medicine, St. Mary's Medical Center, 1979-1983 Degree: University of North Dakota Medical School, MD, 1979 Rania M. Shammas, MD Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine Research Interest: Rheumatology Dr. Rania Shammas is a board certified rheumatologist and an assistant clinical professor of rheumatology at UCLA. She was born and raised in Los Angeles. She completed her undergraduate studies at UCLA and then went to Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons for medical school, where she was part of the Gold Humanism in Medicine Honor Society and received the Joseph Garrison Parker Award for arts in medicine. Mihaela B. Taylor, MD Clinical Professor of Medicine Research Interest: Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Dr. Taylor received her M.D. degree from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila in Bucharest, Romania, and completed her rheumatology fellowship at Loma Linda in June 2004. Benedict K. Tiong, MD Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine Research Interest: Rheumatology Dr. Ben Tiong completed medical school at New York Medical College and did his internship and residency in internal medicine at Harbor-UCLA. He completed rheumatology fellowship at UCLA. Dr. Tiong completed his undergraduate education at UCLA and grew up in Los Angeles. He practices general rheumatology and treats the full spectrum of diseases, including Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome, Spondyloarthritis, Osteoarthritis, and Lupus. Linh Y. Truong, MD Clinical Instructor Research Interest: General Rheumatology Dr. Linh Truong is a general rheumatologist practicing at UCLA Westwood and Santa Monica clinics. She enjoys She enjoys treating the full spectrum of rheumatic diseases, including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, vasculitis, myositis, scleroderma, gout, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis. Chen Xie, MD Clinical Instructor Research Interest: General Rheumatology Dr. Chen Xie practices general rheumatology in downtown LA and at the Veterans Affairs Los Angeles Ambulatory Care Center. He enjoys caring for patients with all types of autoimmune and joint conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, spondyloarthropathies, lupus, vasculitis, and scleroderma. Howard H. Yang, MD Clinical Instructor Research Interest: Rheumatology Dr. Howard Yang is a Southern California native and grew up in Orange County. He received his medical degree from St. George's University. He completed his internal medicine training in University of Hawaii on the beautiful island of Oahu. He developed his interests in rheumatology and later completed his rheumatological training in Loma Linda University. Lisa Zhu, MD Clinical Instructor Research Interest: General Rheumatology Dr. Lisa Zhu is a general rheumatologist who practices in Encino. She enjoys treating the full spectrum of rheumatic diseases, including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, vasculitis, myositis, scleroderma, gout, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis. Researchers/Clinicians Sangmee Bae, MD Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor Research Interests: Myositis, Rheumatoid Arthritis Dr. Bae received her medical degree from Yonsei University College of Medicine in South Korea. She came to UCLA where she started out her research in rheumatology and remained for her training in both internal medicine and rheumatology. She is an active researcher in inflammatory myositis and a member of the International Myositis Assessment and Clinical Studies Group. Ernest Brahn, MD Professor of Medicine Research Interest: Rheumatoid Arthritis Dr. Brahn received his MD degree with Honors from the University of Chicago in 1978, and did his internal medicine residency at the University of California Medical Center, San Francisco. He then completed a rheumatology & immunology fellowship at Harvard Medical School/Brigham and Women's Hospital, and continued on as a member of the Harvard Medical School faculty prior to joining UCLA in 1986.
