2026 Patient Summit

Johnese Spisso, MPA

President | UCLA Health
CEO | UCLA Hospital System
Associate Vice Chancellor | UCLA Health Sciences

Johnese Spisso is a nationally recognized academic healthcare leader with more than 30 years of experience, and oversees all operations of UCLA’s hospitals and clinics as well as the health system’s regional outreach strategy. She served key leadership roles at UW Medicine for 22 years and prior to UW, worked as a registered nurse for 12 years at UC Davis Medical Center where she climbed up the ranks. Spisso is active in community leadership and has served as the Los Angeles Community Chair for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Light the Night Walk as well as the Los Angeles Community Chair for the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Luncheon. She has received numerous awards and recognition throughout her career, recently being named to Modern Healthcare’s Top 25 Most Influential Women Leaders in 2019, LA Business Journal’s 500 Most Influential Leaders in Los Angeles in 2020, Modern Healthcare’s Top 50 Clinical Leaders of 2020 in the U.S., and the Los Angeles Business Journal Women of Influence Award for Health Care in 2021 and 2022.

Anjay Rastogi, MD PhD

Akash Anand, MS, CGC

Board Certified Genetic Counselor

Akash Anand is a board-certified genetic counselor at Natera and an alumnus of UCLA's M.S. in Genetic Counseling program. In his current role, he supports patients and healthcare providers in navigating renal genetics, interpreting kidney gene panel results, and understanding how genetic insights may guide kidney care. He also contributes to research and is dedicated to improving outcomes for individuals living with kidney disease through increased access to genetic testing and counseling.

Alexandra Taylor

Physician Assistant

Alexandra Taylor is a Physician Assistant who has spent 10 years caring for patients in emergency, urgent, and primary care settings. She’s also a patient herself. Alexandra was diagnosed with a genetic kidney disease in 2015. With no family history of kidney disease, her early symptoms were dismissed by doctor after doctor. When she finally met Dr. Rastogi and the CORE Kidney team, she learned firsthand how much empathy and genuine support can change a patient’s entire experience and outlook. Her own road to diagnosis, and her life with kidney disease since, has shaped how she practices today, with a focus on patient education and advocacy.

Brandy Hughes, MA

Executive Director | Chapters Family Treatment Center
Founder | Global Kidney Health

Brandy Hughes is a clinical psychologist as well as the founder and CEO of many organizations. She also became a living kidney donor in 2014, an experience which directed her towards advocating for kidney health awareness and donation. Brandy has worked as a Circle of CORE ambassador and founded and directed Global Kidney Health. Through these experiences, she has impacted the lives of those living with kidney disease and has increased awareness in the community. 

Connie Rhee, MD MSc

Professor, Department of Medicine | UCLA Health

Dr. Connie Rhee is a nephrologist and physician-scientist who leads a robust research program centered on the intersection of kidney disease, endocrinology/metabolism, and nutrition. Prior to joining UCLA and the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Dr. Rhee served as a faculty member and in multiple leadership positions at the University of California Irvine (UCI), including interim chief, director of clinical and translational research, medical director of dialysis, and associate fellowship program director in the division of nephrology, hypertension, and kidney transplantation. She also served as the Department of Medicine’s Vice-Chair of Clinical Research at UCI. Her contributions to the field have been recognized with several major professional society awards, including the National Kidney Foundation—Council of Renal Nutrition Dr. Joel D. Kopple Award (2020) and the American Society of Nephrology Midcareer Distinguished Mentor Award (2023).

Giv H. Bateni, MD, MPH, FACC

Assistant Professor, Cardiology | Loma Linda University Medical Center

Dr. Giv Bateni is an assistant professor of cardiology and a non-invasive cardiologist with board certifications in echocardiography, nuclear cardiology, and cardiac CT practicing at Loma Linda University Medical Center. He specializes in advanced echocardiography, with particular expertise in complex valvular heart disease, structural heart interventions, and interventional echocardiography. He also has a strong clinical focus on preventive cardiology, aiming to reduce cardiovascular risk through early detection and individualized management strategies. 

Gabriel Munoz

MD Candidate | UC Riverside School of Medicine

Gabriel Munoz is beginning medical school at UC Riverside School of Medicine. Though his background began in sales, he later discovered his passion for medicine and joined the CORE Kidney team as a volunteer, where he would eventually rise to becoming a clinical research coordinator for the organization. During this time, Gabriel gained a strong understanding of clinical research and worked alongside experts in the medical field. This discipline led to his acceptance into medical school, where he will continue his journey towards becoming a physician.

Gretchen Fujimura

MD-PhD Candidate | UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine

Gretchen Fujimura is an MD-PhD candidate at UCLA. She is originally from Portland, Oregon and completed her undergraduate degree at Oregon State University. She works in the lab of Dr. Karen Reue studying sex based differences in metabolism. Her current project includes working on a mouse model of Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolism (CKM) syndrome, and elucidating the effects hormones and sex chromosomes have on the development of this disease. 

Hellen Jumo

MD Candidate | UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine
Founder | Goalgetter Foundation

Hellen Jumo completed her undergraduate education at the College of Saint Rose. She has an interest in research and has been involved in several scientific publications. Hellen has been a part of the Women's Scholars Program and has also conducted research on human brain development at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital. After coming to UCLA for medical school, Hellen was drawn to studying IgA Nephropathy and pursued a Master's in Clinical Research while contributing to the CORE Kidney IgAN registry. Today, Hellen is continuing her pursuit of medicine while also being a strong advocate for education, healthcare, and creating opportunities.

Igor Kagan, MD

Physician Informaticist | UCLA Health

Dr. Igor Kagan is a nephrologist who practices in Westlake Village. His clinical interests include general nephrology, chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury, dialysis, hypertension and proteinuria. He is board certified in internal medicine and nephrology.

 Dr. Kagan is also a physician informaticist working to optimize the electronic medical record. Additionally in 2021 he was elected to the executive board of the Department of Medicine Professional Group for a 3 year term. He is also the associate program director for the general nephrology fellowship training program. 

Dr. Kagan grew up in Los Angeles and received his medical degree from the Keck School of Medicine of USC. He then completed his internal medicine training at Los Angeles County + USC Medical Center, and completed his nephrology fellowship at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in business-economics from UCLA, and was inducted into the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa and Mortar Board National Honor Society.

James Cunningham, LMFT, PsyD

Psychotherapist
Ambassador | Circle of CORE

Dr. James Cunningham plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between clinical nephrology and holistic wellness. His practice is dedicated to providing specialized mental health support for patients navigating the complexities of kidney disease, ensuring that their emotional well-being is prioritized alongside their physical health. By emphasizing CORE Kidney’s signature collaborative and multidisciplinary approach, James works to empower patients, helping them build resilience and maintain a high quality of life through integrated, compassionate care.

John C. Morrison

Kidney Education Program | UCLA Health

John C. Morrison graduated from Mount St. Mary's College in 2012 and began his nephrology nursing career with DaVita, where he worked as a Peritoneal Dialysis Nurse from 2014 to 2019. During this time, he developed expertise in home dialysis therapies and earned certification as a Certified Peritoneal Dialysis Nurse (CPDN) through the Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology (BONENT). John is also a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, recognizing academic achievement and commitment to nursing excellence. In 2022, he joined UCLA Health, where he initially worked within the Chronic Kidney Disease Comprehensive Care Management (CKD CXCM) Program. He subsequently transitioned to the Kidney Education Program, where he provides patient education and guidance on chronic kidney disease, treatment options, and kidney replacement therapies, empowering patients to make informed decisions about their care. His professional passion is helping individuals with kidney disease build the knowledge, confidence, and skills needed to successfully navigate their treatment journey and improve their quality of life. 

Kamyar Kalantar-Zadeh, MD MPH PhD

Vice Chair of Department of Medicine, Chief of Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Transplantation | Harbor-UCLA
Founder and Director | Harold Simmons Center for Kidney Disease Research & Epidemiology 
Professor of Medicine, Pediatrics and Epidemiology | UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine and Fielding School of Public Health

Dr. Kamyar Kalantar-Zadeh is a triple board certified physician specialist in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics and Nephrology with an MD degree from Germany (Bochum, Bonn, Nuremberg) and a Master's degree in public health (MPH) and PhD in nutritional epidemiology from UC Berkeley. Dr. Kalantar has authored or coauthored more than 1,000 peer-reviewed articles, 5 textbooks, and many chapters.  He has received several prestigious awards and grants including the National Kidney Foundation "Joel D Kopple" award and is named under America's Top Physicians, Top Doctors, Best Doctors and Super Doctors lists in the USA.

Kristine Sarmosyan, MD

HS Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Medicine | UCLA Health

Dr. Kristine Sarmosyan is a board certified nephrologist who practices at UCLA Health in Simi Valley. She practices general nephrology and treats full spectrum kidney diseases, including hypertension, glomerulonephritis, kidney stones, proteinuria and dialysis.

Dr. Sarmosyan earned her medical degree at Yerevan State Medical University. She completed her internal medicine residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital. She completed her nephrology fellowship at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.

Lara Al-Dandachi, MPH, RDN, BC-ADM, CDCES, CSOWM

Senior Dietitian | Gonda Diabetes Center, DGSOM.
Nutrition Director | PRO (Program for Reducing Obesity). 
Program Coordinator | DPP (Diabetes Prevention Program). 

Lara Al-Dandachi is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and triple board-certified specialist in diabetes and obesity care at UCLA Health’s Gonda Diabetes Center. She serves as Nutrition Director of UCLA’s Program for Reducing Obesity. Lara has over 20 years of experience in nutrition, diabetes prevention, and obesity care and was instrumental in coordinating UCLA’s Gonda Diabetes Prevention Program, which received full CDC recognition. A graduate of the American University of Beirut and Loma Linda University, Lara is fluent in Arabic and French.

Mahtab Mashayekhi, MD

Postdoctoral Resarch Fellow | UCLA Health

Dr. Mahtab Mashayekhi earned her Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree in Iran before pursuing a career in clinical research in the United States. She is currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Division of Nephrology at UCLA Health, where her work focuses on chronic kidney disease, cardio-kidney-metabolic disorders, glomerular diseases, and patient-centered outcomes research. She has contributed to multiple clinical studies, and systematic reviews, with a particular interest in improving kidney disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment through evidence-based research.

May Nour, MD, PhD, MBA, FSVIN

Associate Professor of Neurology and Radiology | UCLA Health
Founder and Medical Director | UCLA Arline and Henry Gluck Mobile Stroke Rescue Program 

Dr. May Nour earned her PhD in neurosciences at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, where her research focused on gene therapy for inherited retinal degeneration. She received her MD from the University of Arizona and completed her neurology residency and fellowships in vascular neurology and interventional neuroradiology at UCLA. She also holds an MBA from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She was a co-author of the landmark BEST-MSU trial and serves as site principal investigator on multiple clinical trials, including FASTEST, Ceribell  point-of-care EEG and the EMVision portable brain scanner study. Dr. Nour is dedicated to transforming emergency stroke care so that mobile stroke units become a standard of care. She serves as Secretary of the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology (SVIN) and on the board of directors of the Prehospital Stroke Treatment Organization (PRESTO).

Michelle Hwang, MD

HS Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Medicine | UCLA Health
Associate Director | CORE Kidney Program

Dr. Michelle Hwang is a nephrologist who practices in Torrance. She enjoys practicing all aspects of general nephrology, with special interest in hypertension, chronic kidney disease, kidney transplant and preventive nephrology. In addition to her outpatient activity, she also sees patients at Torrance Memorial Medical Center, Little Company of Mary in Torrance and Little Company of Mary in San Pedro. She is fluent in Korean and Japanese. 

Dr. Hwang received her medical degree from Chicago Medical School. She completed her internal medicine residency at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, and then completed her nephrology fellowship at UCLA, where she served as a Chief Fellow. She also serves as the Associate Director of CORE Kidney.

Mitra Heshmatpour, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

Family Nurse Practitioner
Founder | Pearl Healthcare Services

Mitra Heshmatpour is a Family Nurse Practitioner with a longstanding clinical background in nephrology and dialysis care. Her clinical experience spans in-center hemodialysis, home hemodialysis, patient education, care coordination, and leadership in the dialysis setting. Through Pearl Healthcare Services, she supports patients receiving home hemodialysis with a focus on education, independence, and helping patients feel confident managing their care at home.

As part of the CORE Kidney team at UCLA Health, Mitra Heshmatpour brings together advanced clinical training and more than a decade of hands-on dialysis experience. She is passionate about building meaningful relationships with patients and families, listening to their concerns, and helping them navigate kidney disease with compassion, dignity, and confidence. Her approach combines clinical experience with a genuine commitment to making kidney care more understandable and manageable.

Patricia Weng, MD

Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics Nephrology | UCLA Health
Medical Director | Pediatric Kidney Transplant Program

Dr. Patricia Weng received her medical degree at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She completed her pediatric residency at Yale New Haven Children's Hospital in Connecticut and her fellowship training in Nephrology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where she studied the genetics of vesicoureteral reflux and renal dysplasia. Prior to joining UCLA, Dr Weng was an assistant professor of pediatric nephrology at the New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital. Dr. Weng is interested in research involving the genetics of pediatric kidney disease and transplant outcomes. She is also the program director for the fellowship training program and is the Interim Medical Director for Pediatric Kidney Transplantation.

Rachana Srivastava, MD

HS Associate Clinical Professor, Division of Pediatric Nephrology | UCLA Health
Medical Director of Pediatric Dialysis | UCLA Health

Dr. Rachana Srivastava received her medical school degree from the University of Delhi in India in 2002. She completed her residency in Pediatrics at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn New York and completed her Pediatric Nephrology Fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children Hospital in Houston in 2013. Before coming to UCLA, Dr Srivastava was Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine/ Children's Hospital of San Antonio where she served as Medical Director of Pediatric Dialysis Unit as well as Nephrology Rotation Director for Pediatric Residency Program. 

Her clinical interests include caring for patients with End Stage Kidney Disease; Hypertension and critical illness who require renal replacement therapy. Dr Srivastava provides outpatient clinical care at the Children's Health Center (200 Medical Plaza, Westwood) as well as UCLA Olive View Medical Center. Dr Srivastava currently serves as Associate Medical Director of pediatric dialysis at UCLA. Dr. Srivastava is board-certified by the American Board of Pediatrics in General Pediatrics and Pediatric Nephrology.

Ramy M. Hanna, MD

Associate Professor of Medicine, Director of Glomerular Disease Clinic | UC Irvine School of Medicine
Fellow | American Society of Nephrology
Member | National Kidney Foundation

Dr. Ramy M. Hanna is a nephrologist with clinical expertise in glomerular disease, CKD, and transplantation. His research interests include glomerulonephritis, podocytopathies, atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome/thrombotic micro‑angiopathy, hyponatremia management and theoretical modeling, and medical informatics. He is actively engaged in clinical research and has numerous peer‑reviewed publications. He serves as a principal investigator on clinical trials focused on rare and complement‑mediated kidney diseases. Dr. Hanna received his medical degree from UCSD School of Medicine. He completed his internal medicine residency and nephrology fellowship at Olive View–UCLA Medical Center.

Ramya Malchira, MD

HS Associate Clinical Professor, Division of Nephrology | UCLA Health
Medical Director | DaVita Valencia Dialysis
Curator for Proceedings of UCLA DOM on Cureus & Associate Editor of DOM Clinical Insights

Dr. Ramya Malchira is a dual board-certified Nephrologist and Internal Medicine physician practicing in Santa Clarita. She serves as the Clinical Lead for UCLA Santa Clarita, Medical Director at DaVita Valencia Dialysis, and provides inpatient care at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital. Academically, she is a curator for the Proceedings of UCLA DOM on Cureus and associate editor of DOM Clinical Insights. Her clinical interests include chronic kidney disease management,  glomerulonephritis, home dialysis and kidney disease education and awareness.

Rana Al Rasheed, BDS

Clinical Assistant Professor, Group Practice Director | Department of Interdisciplinary Dentistry, UCLA School of Dentistry

Supreet Sethi, MD

Transplant Nephrologist | UCLA Health

Dr. Supreet Sethi graduated from the Governmental Medical College, Chandigarh, in 2008 and completed her residency in internal medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She then completed her fellowship in nephrology at Duke University Medical Center and in transplant nephrology at Cedars Sinai Medical Center.

Sean Lei, MD

HS Clinical Instructor, Department of Medicine | UCLA Health
Assistant Director | CORE Kidney Program

Dr. Sean Lei is a board-certified nephrologist practicing in Burbank. He cares for patients with a wide range of kidney conditions, including hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and transplant-related care. His practice includes both outpatient clinic visits and dialysis care. Dr. Lei is committed to delivering high-quality, individualized, and compassionate care to every patient.

Dr. Lei completed medical school at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine, followed by internal medicine residency training at the University of California - Irvine, then nephrology fellowship training at UCLA. Before joining UCLA, Dr. Lei had experience in teaching and mentoring and participated in research and academic activities within the field of nephrology. He also serves as the Assistant Director of CORE Kidney.

Sayna Norouzi, MD FASN

Associate Professor of Medicine | Loma Linda University Medical Center
Director | Glomerular Disease Clinic, GlomCon Fellowship Program, Polycystic Kidney Disease Clinic 
Founder and Director | Chinese American Rare Kidney Disease Clinic

Dr. Sayna Norouzi is an associate professor of Medicine and clinical nephrologist at Loma Linda University Medical Center and completed her fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. She is the founder and director of the glomerular diseases clinics at Loma Linda and serves as the director of the online GlomCon Glomerular Diseases fellowship program. She is also the founder and director of Polycystic Kidney Disease clinic. She has been recognized as the educator of the year for two consecutive years, and is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. Dr. Norouzi focuses on glomerular diseases and polycystic kidney disease, actively participating in various research projects and clinical trials.

Sonu Bhargava, DDS

Author | ABC Revisited

Dr. Sonu Bhargava is a kidney transplant recipient, cancer survivor, retired dentist, and patient advocate. She earned  her DDS from the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC in 2001. Her experiences with chronic illness, dialysis, transplantation, and cancer have shaped her commitment to patient education and empowerment. Having experienced healthcare as both a clinician and a patient, she advocates for care in which patients are heard, understood, and involved in decisions that affect their lives. Dr. Bhargava volunteers with UCLA’s CORE Kidney Program and is the author of ABC Revisited, which she published in 2011. Her work and advocacy reflect her belief in listening, creativity, perseverance and power of lived experiences. At the Patient Summit, she brings a personal perspective on how listening can help patients recognize their needs, communicate their concerns, and build meaningful connections with their healthcare teams.

Tara Marashi, MS

Genetic Counseling | UCLA Health

Tara Marashi graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology. She was a camp counselor at Camp Kesem, working with a team of volunteers to plan and carry out a week-long summer camp for children affected by a parent’s cancer. Tara also volunteered with CORE Kidney, engaging in patient advocacy and outreach, participating in research, and developing educational presentations on kidney disease. After graduating, Tara joined the Cancer Genetics team at UCLA as a genetic counseling assistant. In this role, she has supported patients navigating their genetic counseling journeys and helped launch programs like the Genetic Testing Station, which increases the accessibility of genetic testing for patients diagnosed with cancer. Tara is excited to start her journey at UCLA's genetic counseling program, and is looking forward to collaborating with a diverse group of students and faculty to advance her knowledge and contribute to the field.

Vinh Cam, MD

Nephrologist

Dr. Vinh Cam is a board-certified nephrologist and internist who practices in Torrance, California. He has extensive experience in managing acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, glomerulonephritis, transplant, and dialysis patients. Dr. Cam earned his medical degree from the University of California, Davis School of Medicine. He subsequently completed his internal medicine residency and nephrology fellowship at Cedars-Sinai and West LA VA Medical Centers in Los Angeles. Dr. Cam is committed to providing comprehensive, compassionate care and helping patients effectively manage their kidney health.

Yaseen Kady, PA-C

Nephrology and Endocrinology PA | SCKE-Odyssey

Yaseen Kady, PA-C, is a Physician Assistant specializing in endocrinology and nephrology in Orange County, California. His clinical interests include chronic kidney disease and lipid disorders, with a focus on providing practical, evidence-based patient care.

Yasir Qazi, MD

Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine | USC Keck School of Medicine

Dr. Yasir Qazi completed his internal medicine residency and a nephrology fellowship at the SUNY School of Medicine at Buffalo, NY. He followed this with a transplant fellowship at SUNY Downstate School of Medicine in Brooklyn, New York, and pancreas transplant fellowship at St. Barnabas in Livingston, New Jersey. He helped establish the first pancreas transplant program at Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo, New York as well as Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, California. He also established the first transplant nephrology fellowship at Keck Medical Center at USC. Dr. Qazi is extensively involved in clinical research and has been the lead and principal investigator for several clinical trials

Zahra Azadbadi, PharmD, CLS

Supervisor of Investigational Drug Pharmacy Services | UC Irvine Health

Zahra Azadbadi is the Supervisor of Investigational Drug Pharmacy Services at UC Irvine Health and a Volunteer Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Clinical Pharmacy Practice. She leads investigational drug services supporting clinical research across multiple care sites, with a focus on safe medication handling, regulatory compliance, and effective collaboration among pharmacy and research teams. Zahra also serve as the co-founder and executive director of SEEB Magazine, a Farsi-language health publication serving communities in Los Angeles and Orange County. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Southern California.

Zenab Tamer, MD, MSc

Assistant Professor, Pediatric Nephrology | UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine

Dr. Zenab Tamer is a assistant professor in Pediatric Nephrology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. She earned her medical degree from the University of Tripoli in Libya, obtained a master’s degree in pharmacology from Georgetown University, and completed her pediatric residency at Texas Tech University before joining UCLA for her fellowship in Pediatric Nephrology. Dr. Tamer’s academic interests include basic science and translational research focused on understanding and preventing the progression of kidney disease, acute care nephrology as well as advancing medical education in pediatric nephrology.

Christina Lopez, B.Acc. MBA

Manager | CORE Kidney Program

Simran Ovalekar

Simran Ovalekar graduated at UCLA with a degree in Psychobiology and now works as an associate for CORE Kidney. She was a member of the Bruin Bean Health Club during her time at UCLA and served as the club's president for the '25/'26 academic year. Simran is passionate about kidney health education, leading outreach events, seminars, and advocacy efforts. With experience in nephrology research and community service, Simran aims to raise awareness and promote wellness across campus. She plans to pursue a career as a physician.

Jennifer Nottoli

Prior to working with CORE Kidney, Jennifer worked in advertising and marketing for over 35 years. A strong client, and creative advocate, with outstanding communication skills, Jennifer developed strategies, advertising, and creative content for some of the world’s most iconic brands. Jennifer is a hard worker, who is hands-on and always works to build strong team dynamics. By the time she left Chiat/Day, Jennifer was a Global Managing Director and a member of Chiat/Day’s Global Marketing Team. After leaving Chiat/Day during the pandemic, Jennifer helped establish Grace Creative, an advertising agency focused on advertising to Women 50+. Her path to CORE Kidney comes from her strong belief and commitment to helping others. She brings her extensive marketing experience to CORE Kidney and is excited to be working with the CORE Kidney team to help patients improve their well-being.

Elida Martinez

Admin Assistant | CORE Kidney Program

Elida Martinez provides essential operational and administrative support. Known for her organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage complex scheduling, she ensures smooth day-to-day functioning. She coordinates operations that bridge clinical care, research, and community engagement. 

With a commitment to professionalism and collaboration, Elida improves healthcare delivery by implementing CORE values within UCLA Health’s vision to heal humankind, one patient at a time!

Nare Setanyan

Volunteer | CORE Kidney

Nare Setanyan graduated from UCLA in 2026 with a degree in Neuroscience and a minor in Armenian Studies. Her passion for medicine, combined with her experiences in public health, adolescent behavioral therapy, and patient care, has shaped her understanding of healthcare and strengthened her commitment to improving patient outcomes. Through her experiences working directly with patients and underserved communities, she has developed a deep appreciation for the importance of compassionate care, patient advocacy, and accessible health education. Nare is honored to be working alongside the CORE Kidney team, where she hopes to contribute to empowering patients, promoting preventive care, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families affected by kidney disease.

Alisha Chowdhary

Co-President | Neuroscience Major and Disability Studies Minor | UCLA Class of 2027

Alisha Chowdhary leads initiatives, such as her reels project, to improve patient outreach through social media and inclusive health education. She’s passionate about addressing healthcare inequities for underserved communities. Alisha hopes to be a pediatric nephrologist.

Ariv Tandon

Co-President | Psychobiology | UCLA Class of 2027

Ariv oversees research projects (SRP), clinical case studies, abstract and poster creations, manuscript writing, and other research-related initiatives. He plans to pursue a career in medicine as a physician.

Ashley Kuo

Special Projects Director | Psychobiology Major | UCLA Class of 2027

Ashley Kuo is advocating for kidney health awareness through informational social media content, educational shorts, and event promotion. She uses digital platforms to keep individuals engaged in their healthcare journeys, and is interested in exploring a career in primary care, neurology, or surgery.

Anaya Sayal

Digital Director | Public Health | UCLA Class of 2028

Anaya Sayal works on patient outreach and spreading health awareness through digital media to foster a community that bridges the gap between patients and providers through empathy and proactive engagement. She plans on becoming a pediatric gastroenterologist.

Sofia Krivitsky

Research Director | Human Biology and Society Major | Englewood Cliffs, NJ | Class of 2028

Sofia Krivitsky is currently involved in taking patient calls and connecting patients with appropriate resources to navigate their kidney journeys. She is also heavily involved in the donor project, working to support outreach initiatives and coordinate donation efforts. Sofia is interested in pursuing surgery. In her free time, Sofia enjoys going on walks and playing tennis with her friends.

Julianna Cummings

Finance Director | Bioengineering Major | Edmond, OK | Class of 2029

Julianna Cummings leads financial initiatives, grant writing, and fundraising for the Bruin Beans. In particular, she works to secure funding for point-of-care testing and outreach events. Julianna is interested in pursuing a career in Anesthesiology or Orthopedic Surgery. In her free time, she enjoys trying food from local businesses and playing the violin.

Evan Schneider

Outreach Director | Biology Major and History Minor | Glendale, CA | Class of 2027

Evan Schneider is interested in strengthening the holistic nature of health care by placing an increased focus on mental health and nutrition, and leads the nutrition and patient journeys projects to serve this purpose. He is also a lead on patient calls and experience-based projects, working to connect patients with supportive community resources. Evan aspires to become a physician, and loves to cook and make music in his free time.

Saket Rao

Patient Experiences Director | Physiological Science Major | Westford, MA | Class of 2028

Saket Rao works to empower patients to become their own best advocates through his work on clinical projects and raising kidney health awareness through patient-facing projects and digital initiatives. While continuing to bridge the gap between advocacy and education, Saket is looking to pursue a career in cardiology or orthopedic surgery. In his free time, Saket also enjoys playing soccer. 

Dylan Oest

Psychobiology Major | San Marcos, CA | Class of 2027

Dylan Oest is heavily involved in the mobile clinic initiative, expanding access to point-of-care kidney screening in underserved communities. He works to implement tools such as portable urinalysis analyzers to enable early detection and bridge healthcare gaps. Dylan is passionate about pursuing a career in primary care in rural, high-need communities. Dylan enjoys hiking through national parks and spending time in nature. 

Surabhi Chinta

Human Biology and Society Major | Novato, CA | Class of 2027

Surabhi Chinta's interests lie in healthcare policy, transition healthcare resource development, and projects to improve the donor search process. She is interested in pursuing pediatric to adult transition as a pediatric physician and health services researcher. Surabhi enjoys watching the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL and is an avid fantasy footballer.

Nayeli Rodriguez

Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology Major | Reedley, CA | Class of 2028

Nayeli Rodriguez is interested in making kidney health resources accessible for all, and does so by working on the legal project to address patient advocacy and caregiving. She also creates educational content through digital reels to promote health awareness. Nayeli hopes to become an oncologist, and in her free time, she enjoys going on runs and trying different noodle shops. 

Zach Sim

Biochemistry Major | UCLA Class of 2028

Zach Sim devotes his time to building and updating the CORE Kidney website, using digital outreach to promote CORE's mission and educate patients. He works to foster an online community that stays up to date and runs effectively. In the future, he hopes to pursue a career as a physician. 

Melody Cam

Biochemistry Major | Torrance, CA | Class of 2029

Melody Cam currently serves on the social media team for CORE Kidney, creating content to raise kidney health awareness. She also works to research legal resources and strategies to improve patient quality of care, and hopes to one day become a nephrologist. Melody also enjoys playing outdoor sports, such as tennis.

Sebastian Richardson

Biochemistry Major | Palos Verdes, CA | Class of 2029

Sebastian Richardson currently works on patient calls, editing CORE Kidney Wikipedia websites, and serving in outreach events, improving resource accessibility for patients. Sebastian is passionate about pursuing a career as a physician specializing in neurology. In his free time, he likes to play ping pong and run track.

Kiera Sheth

Human Biology and Society Major | Irvine, CA | Class of 2029

Kiera (Ananya) Sheth works to connect patients with kidney and healthcare education, creating digital media for the social media team. Additionally, she works on the clinical team, contributing to clinical projects and patient calls, helping connect patients to personalized healthcare. She hopes to work with children and aspires to become a pediatric nephrologist in the future. In her free time, Kiera likes to do Bollywood fusion dance.

Suvan Yerramilli

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Major | Aurora, CO | Class of 2029

Suvan Yerramilli works on the Kidney Health Innovation and Leadership Program to educate students on healthcare careers, working with interdisciplinary teams to bridge discovery and clinical practice while emphasizing translational care. He is interested in pursuing a medical career as an anesthesiologist or nephrologist. Suvan enjoys spending time hiking and skiing.