Clinical Research Team
The UCLA Institute of Urologic Oncology (IUO) was established to offer urologic-cancer patients comprehensive care and early access to the most advanced treatments available. The IUO’s scientists and physicians develop new ideas to redefine treatment options and launch innovative clinical trials. The clinical research team includes faculty, clinical research nurses, laboratory staff, study coordinators, regulatory coordinators, and fund managers.
Meet Our Team
Nazy Zomorodian, RNC, MSN, CUNP, CCRC
IUO CTU Director
Director of the IUO Genitourinary Oncology Clinical Trials Unit and Adjunct Assistant Professor and Nurse Practitioner for the Department of Urology. Nazy Zomorodian received her BS and Masters of Science in Nursing from the Hahnermann University in Philadelphia. Currently working on her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at UCLA, Ms. Zomorodian is certified by the Association of Clinical Research Professionals as a Clinical Research Coordinator and is a certified Nurse Practitioner in both Urology and Oncology. She has extensive experience in managing and conducting cancer research and has worked closely with UCLA's urologic and medical oncology principal investigators in basic research for over 20 years. In addition, Ms. Zomorodian regularly instructs physicians, fellows, residents and nurses on all aspects of clinical trials for kidney, prostate and bladder cancers.
Kyle Crisostomo, LVN
Fusion Biopsy Operator
Kyle von Crisostomo is a Licensed Vocational Nurse who has been working with UCLA’s Clark Urology Department since 2018. He is currently a part of Dr. Leonard S. Marks’ multi-disciplinary team, which is focused primarily on low to intermediate risk prostate cancer. Kyle holds a certification in the operation of the Artemis fusion device and is currently assisting as the main clinical nurse and fusion biopsy operator for the patient care under Dr. Marks’ practice.
Merdie Delfin, RN
Nurse Practitioner
Merdie Delfin is a nurse practitioner and research coordinator who joined Dr. Marks's research team in 2016. She graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and a minor in Biology. She then went on to obtain her nursing license and graduated with a Master's Degree in Nursing from the University of San Francisco. Merdie has worked in various inpatient, outpatient and research settings at Kaiser San Francisco, NYU Langone Medical Center and New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical College. In 2018, she acquired a California nurse practitioner license and American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She currently assists Dr. Leonard Marks in managing studies and patients' clinical needs involving MRI/US fusion biopsies, active surveillance of prostate cancer, focal therapy (HIFU, cryoablation and focal laser ablation) and micro-ultrasound imaging.
Ankush Sachdeva
Clinical Trials Program Manager
Mr. Sachdeva joined the UCLA Institute of Urological Oncology in 2014 to help expand and continue to grow the clinical trials program. He is committed to conducting high-quality research and assisting the physicians in their care of the patients. As the Clinical Trials Manager, he supervises the team, oversees daily operations, and serves as a resource to patients, colleagues, and investigators for all matters related to clinical research. Mr. Sachdeva has experience in a variety of medical specialties including medical oncology, radiation oncology, orthopedics and neurosurgery. Passion for patient care and quality research remain his primary focus.
Samantha “Sam” Gonzalez, M.A.
Database Manager
Ms. Gonzalez joined the UCLA Institute of Urologic Oncology in 2021. She received her Bachelor’s degree from UCLA in Anthropology & Egyptology and her Master’s degree from Missouri State University in History. She is currently assisting Dr. Leonard S. Marks’s prostate cancer research studies, including active surveillance and low to intermediate-risk prostate cancer treatment. Ms. Gonzalez holds a strong passion for patient care and research.
Randy Caliliw
Staff Research Associate – Lab Manager
Mr. Caliliw first joined UCLA in 1994, working in the multidisciplinary research laboratory of Dr. Arie Belldegrun. Mr. Caliliw works with several principal investigators, fellows, residents, medical students and undergrads on clinical, research lab and animal studies. In his lengthy career, Mr. Caliliw has addressed a broad range of responsibilities from lab equipment maintenance to running experiments. Most recently, he is working with the Institute’s Clinical Trials Unit. Mr. Caliliw is committed to ensuring that research labs are well maintained to conduct high-quality research and is an invaluable contributor to the research conducted. Mr. Caliliw has co-authored several scientific and medical papers related to prostate, bladder and kidney cancer in the effort to develop immunotherapy cancer vaccines.
Contact Us
If you are interested in joining a clinical trial or would like more information on our clinical trials, please contact Nazy Zomorodian at (310) 794-3550.