Faculty & Staff

Chair

Mark S. Litwin, MD

Mark S. Litwin, MD

Urology| Urologic Oncology

Chair, Department of Urology. Professor of Urology, Health Policy & Management, and Nursing. He trained at Harvard and specializes in testicular, bladder, prostate and kidney cancer. Dr. Litwin’s research focuses on improving quality of care, quality of life, and equitable access to care in urologic oncology. He created and directs IMPACT, a state-funded program that provides free medical care statewide for low-income, uninsured men with prostate cancer.

UCLA Faculty and Providers

Anne L. Ackerman, MD

Anne L. Ackerman, MD

Urology| Urogynecology

Associate Professor of Urology and Director of Research, Division of Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Ackerman joined the Medical Scientist Training Program and received her medical degree at Yale. She completed her Urology residency and Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery fellowship at UCLA. Dr. Ackerman specializes in the treatment of men and women with incontinence, voiding dysfunction and pelvic floor disorders, with a particular interest in geriatric urology.

Juan J. Andino, MD, MBA

Juan J. Andino, MD, MBA

Urology| Andrology

Assistant Clinical Professor of Urology. Dr. Andino completed his M.D. and residency at University of Michigan, and Male Reproductive Medicine and Surgery fellowship at UCLA. He specializes in the evaluation and management of men’s health, sexual dysfunction, male infertility and fertility preservation. His academic focus is on telehealth, health policy and advocacy to translate research into real-world change. He is committed to and receives support for JEDI initiatives at UCLA and beyond.

William Aronson, MD

William Aronson, MD

Urology| Urologic Oncology

Professor of Urology, Chief of Urology at Olive View UCLA Medical Center and Chief of Urologic Oncology, Veterans Administration West Los Angeles. His clinical specialties are Prostate Cancer and General Urology. His clinical and laboratory research focuses on treatment of advanced prostate cancer and diet and lifestyle factors for chemoprevention and treatment.

Chad Baxter, MD

Chad Baxter, MD

Urogynecology| Urology

Associate Clinical Professor of Urology. Dr. Baxter completed his M.D. at Loma Linda University School of Medicine, urology residency at Penn State University, and fellowship training in Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery at UCLA. Previously the Director of Pelvic Health and Reconstructive Surgery at North Shore – Long Island Jewish Health System in New York, Dr. Baxter’s clinical interests are in male and female voiding dysfunction, urinary incontinence and general adult urology.

Carol Bennett, MD

Carol Bennett, MD

Urology

Professor of Clinical Urology, Chief of Urology, West Los Angeles VA Healthcare Center and Henry E. Singleton Chair in Urology at UCLA. Her research interests are focused on the treatment of neurogenic bladder disorder, sexual dysfunction, and infertility. Currently a board member of the American Foundation of Urologic Diseases, and the Pfizer/AUA Visiting Professorships in Urology. Dr. Bennett is also a Professor at David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA.

Dr. Bergman

Jonathan Bergman, MD

Associate Professor of Urology and Family Medicine and holder of the Mark S. Litwin, M.D., Endowed Chair in Mentorship. Dr. Bergman attended Yale University, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa and summa cum laude with a degree in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology. He attended UCLA Medical School and graduated as an Alpha Omega Alpha member in 2005. He completed UCLA Urology residency in 2011 and completed a Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholarship.

Jeremy M. Blumberg, MD

Jeremy M. Blumberg, MD

Kidney Transplant Surgery| Urology

Associate Clinical Professor of Urology and Chief of Urology at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. Dr. Blumberg received his MD from The George Washington School of Medicine. He completed his residency training at the Kaiser Permanente program in Los Angeles, followed by a 2-year fellowship in Kidney Transplantation at UCLA. His clinical interests are in kidney transplantation, complex kidney surgery for both benign and oncologic causes, penile cancer, testis cancer, and trauma.

richard boxer

Richard Boxer, MD

Urology

Clinical Professor of Urology. Dr. Boxer graduated from medical school with high honors and completed his urology training at UCLA. He is a national leader in telemedicine and health policy. Dr. Boxer has a tele-urology clinic consulting with patients in California. He has been a health policy adviser to the White House, was appointed to the Board of the National Cancer Institute, represented the US at the World Health Organization, and was twice a finalist for Surgeon General of the US. 

Wayne G. Brisbane, MD

Wayne G. Brisbane, MD

Urologic Oncology| Urology

Assistant Professor of Urology. Dr. Brisbane received his medical degree from Loma Linda University School of Medicine. He completed a General Surgery internship and Urology residency at the University of Washington. He completed his Urologic Oncology fellowship at UCLA, focusing on prostate cancer. His research includes advanced prostate cancer imaging with Micro-Ultrasound, MRI, and PSMA PET scans. 

Karim Chamie, MD

Karim Chamie, MD

Minimally Invasive Urology| Urology| Urologic Oncology

Associate Professor of Urology and Society of Urologic Oncology Fellowship Director. He attended Medical School at USC and completed Urological training at UC Davis. Dr. Chamie then completed a SUO certified fellowship in Urologic Oncology at UCLA. His primary research interests are health services research and clinical trials in bladder cancer. His clinical interests include all areas of urologic oncology, with a particular emphasis on bladder cancer and robotic surgery.

Arnold I. Chin, MD, PhD

Arnold I. Chin, MD, PhD

Minimally Invasive Urology| Urology| Urologic Oncology

Professor of Urology and Medical Director, Urology-Westwood. Dr. Chin completed his M.D., Ph.D. and Urology residency training at UCLA. His clinical expertise includes urologic oncology and renal transplantation. He performs open, laparoscopic, and robotic-assisted surgeries for patients with all urologic malignancies including bladder, kidney, and prostate cancer.

Nicholas M. Donin, MD

Nicholas M. Donin, MD

Urology| Urologic Oncology

Staff Physician and Voluntary Assistant Clinical Professor of Urology. After graduating from Harvard University, he received his medical degree from Columbia University in New York City and completed his internship and residency at New York University. He then completed a 2-year Urologic Oncology Fellowship at UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine. His clinical and research interests include Urologic Oncology and minimally invasive robotic surgery.

Matthew D. Dunn, MD

Matthew D. Dunn, MD

Endourology and Stone Disease| Urology

Associate Clinical Professor of Urology. Dr. Dunn earned his medical degree from Keck School of Medicine of USC. He subsequently completed his Urology Residency at LAC + USC Medical Center and fellowship training in Endourology and Laparoscopic Surgery at Washington University/Barnes Jewish Hospital. He has an expertise in minimally invasive surgery, specifically endoscopic management of all types of urinary diversions and complex kidney stones as well as laser management of BPH.

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Richard M. Ehrlich, MD

Urology

Professor Emeritus of Urology. Dr. Ehrlich completed his medical degree from Cornell University. He has served as president of both the Society for Pediatric Urology and the American Academy of Pediatrics Urology Section as well as other leadership positions in the David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA. His clinical interests include general urology and pediatric urology.

Sriram V. Eleswarapu, MD, PhD

Sriram V. Eleswarapu, MD, PhD

Andrology| Urology

Assistant Clinical Professor of Urology, Director of Andrology Research. Dr. Eleswarapu earned his MD at Baylor College of Medicine and PhD from Rice University. He completed urology residency at the Vattikuti Urology Institute at Henry Ford Hospital and andrology fellowship at UCLA. Dr. Eleswarapu is a surgeon-scientist with expertise in male infertility, low testosterone, erectile dysfunction, Peyronie’s disease, testicular microsurgery, testicular pain, and penile implant surgery. 

Stanley Frencher

Stanley Frencher Jr., MD, MPH

Urology

Associate Clinical Professor of UCLA Urology, Director of Urology and Chair of Perioperative Services Department at Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital (MLKCH) and UCLA Urology Director of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Dr. Frencher received his MD from Albert Einstein College of Medicine and concurrently his MPH as a Macys Scholar from Columbia University's Mailman School for Public Health.

Isla P. Garraway, MD, PhD

Isla P. Garraway, MD, PhD

Urologic Oncology| Urology

Professor of Urology at UCLA and Director of Urologic Research, Attending Urologist, Greater Los Angeles-VA Medical Center. Dr. Garraway's primary clinical and research focus is on prostate cancer. She is a member of the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and heads a laboratory investigating prostate development and carcinogenesis.

Kiran Gollapudi

Kiran Gollapudi, MD

Urologic Oncology| Urology

Associate Clinical Professor of Urology. Dr. Gollapudi received his MD from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He subsequently completed his residency in Urology at UCLA and went on to complete a fellowship in Minimally Invasive Urology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. His clinical interests include urologic oncology, kidney stones, and minimally invasive surgery for benign and malignant diseases. Dr. Gollapudi has a strong interest in medical student and resident education.

Hans A. Gritsch, MD

Hans A. Gritsch, MD

Kidney Transplant Surgery| Urology

Surgical Director of Kidney Transplantation and Clinical Professor of Urology.  Dr. Gritsch trained at UCLA, Harvard and Univ. of Pittsburgh.  He leads one of the largest kidney transplant programs in the nation with a very active living donor exchange program. He has expertise in the transplantation of adult and pediatric patients with complex urinary reconstruction.

Stuart Holden, MD

Stuart Holden, MD

Urologic Oncology| Urology

Clinical Professor of Urology and Co-Director, UCLA Institute of Urologic Oncology. Dr. Holden is recognized as an expert in prostate cancer research throughout the medical community. His dedication to patient care led to him being named medical director of the Prostate Cancer Foundation. Prior to joining UCLA, Holden was the director of the Louis Warschaw Prostate Cancer Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and the first holder of the Warschaw, Robertson, Law Families Chair in Prostate Cancer.

Kathy Huen, MD, MPH

Kathy Huen, MD, MPH

Pediatric Urology

Assistant Clinical Professor of Urology. Dr. Huen earned her medical degree from Emory University. She completed her urology residency at UCLA and her pediatric urology fellowship at Children’s Hospital of Orange County/ UC Irvine. Dr. Huen cares for infants, children and adolescents with hydronephrosis, vesicoureteral reflux, spina bifida, hypospadias, undescended testes, and differences in sex development.  She performs minimally invasive genital and urinary reconstruction.

Rajiv Jayadevan, MD

Rajiv Jayadevan, MD

Andrology| Urology

Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor of Urology. Dr. Jayadevan earned his undergraduate degree from Brown University. After a year teaching English in Indonesia as a Fulbright scholar, he earned his medical doctorate from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Dr. Jayadevan completed his urology residency training and fellowship in andrology at UCLA. His clinical work includes all aspects of andrology and men’s health, erectile dysfunction, infertility, and Peyronie’s Disease.

Ja-Hong Kim, MD

Ja-Hong Kim, MD

Minimally Invasive Urology| Urology| Urogynecology

Clinical Professor of Urology, Division of Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Kim completed her MD at Baylor College of Medicine, Urology residency training at Cleveland Clinic, and Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery fellowship at UCLA. Her clinical areas of interest include voiding dysfunction, vaginal prolapse, and genitourinary reconstruction. She performs pelvic floor reconstruction, laparoscopic, and robotically-assisted surgery.

Steven E. Lerman, MD

Steven E. Lerman, MD

Pediatric Urology

Clinical Professor of Urology, Judith and Robert Winston Chair in Pediatric Urology, director of Clark Morrison Children's Urological Center at UCLA and Chief of the Division of Pediatric Urology. Dr. Lerman helped to advance the use of laparoscopic surgery in children with great success. He participates in clinical trials investigating new treatments for urological conditions in children. He has advanced the use of minimally invasive techniques in the treatment of vesicoureteral reflux.

Mark S. Litwin, MD

Mark S. Litwin, MD

Urology| Urologic Oncology

Chair, Department of Urology. Professor of Urology, Health Policy & Management, and Nursing. He trained at Harvard and specializes in testicular, bladder, prostate and kidney cancer. Dr. Litwin’s research focuses on improving quality of care, quality of life, and equitable access to care in urologic oncology. He created and directs IMPACT, a state-funded program that provides free medical care statewide for low-income, uninsured men with prostate cancer.

Leonard S. Marks, MD

Leonard S. Marks, MD

Urology| Urologic Oncology

Professor of Urology. Dr. Marks received his M.D. and M.A. degrees from the University of Texas and completed urology residency at UCLA. He is inaugural holder of the DeKernion Chair in Urology. Dr. Marks is principal investigator of NIH RO1 grants. He leads a multi-disciplinary research collaborative involving urology, radiology, pathology, and bioengineering. He is internationally known for his prostate cancer research in active surveillance, targeted biopsy, and focal therapy.  

Jesse N. Mills, MD

Jesse N. Mills, MD

Andrology| Urology

Clinical Professor of Urology Dr. Mills received his medical degree from the University of Iowa College of Medicine. He completed his urology residency at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and a fellowship in microsurgery and male reproductive medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. He is recognized as a leader in male fertility, hypogonadism, erectile dysfunction, Peyronie's disease, and microsurgery. Dr. Mills has also authored multiple book chapters and journal articles.  

Nima Nassiri, MD

Nima Nassiri, MD

Kidney Transplant Surgery | Urology

Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor of Urology. Dr. Nassiri received his medical degree from UCLA. He completed his urology residency training at the University of Southern California and his fellowship in kidney transplantation at UCLA. His clinical interests include adult and pediatric kidney transplantation and general urology. Dr. Nassiri’s academic interests are in immunological tolerance among kidney transplant recipients and in novel approaches to bladder substitution.

Gladys Y. Ng, MD, MPH

Gladys Y. Ng, MD, MPH

Trauma and Reconstructive Urology| Urology

Associate Clinical Professor of Urology. Dr. Ng earned her medical degree from Albany Medical College and her Masters in Public Health from Yale University. She subsequently completed her Urology Residency at UCLA and fellowship training in Genitourinary Reconstruction at Emory University. Dr. Ng is the Surgical Director for the UCLA Gender Health Program. Her clinical and research interests include urologic reconstruction with a focus on male and female pelvic conditions, and general urology.

Victor W. Nitti, MD

Victor W. Nitti, MD

Urology| Urogynecology

Professor of Urology and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Chief of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery. He completed his medical degree at Rutgers New Jersey Medical, urology residency at SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn NY, and fellowship in female urology, neurourology and reconstructive urology at UCLA. He is an authority in urodynamic techniques, medical and surgical therapies for urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic reconstructive surgery and voiding dysfunction.

Stephanie C. Pannell, MD, MPH

Stephanie C. Pannell, MD, MPH

Urology

Staff Physician and Voluntary Assistant Clinical Professor of Urology. Dr. Pannell earned her medical degree from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and then completed her urology residency at UCLA. She also obtained a Master of Public Health degree in Epidemiology from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. Her clinical interests include diseases of the prostate, bladder, and kidneys, and she specializes in open, endoscopic, laparoscopic, and robotic surgeries.

Allan J. Pantuck, MD

Allan J. Pantuck, MD

Urology| Urologic Oncology

Professor of Urology and Vice Chair of Academic Affairs for Urology. Dr. Pantuck specializes in urologic cancers and has a long standing interest in kidney, prostate, bladder cancers, developing new treatment strategies through basic and clinical research and in the study of nutritional approaches to their prevention and treatment.

Parth M. Patel, MD

Parth M. Patel, MD

Endourology and Stone Disease| Urology

Assistant Professor of Urology. Dr. Patel is a fellowship-trained urologist in comprehensive care of kidney & bladder stones, urinary issues caused by enlarged prostate, and obstruction of the kidneys or ureters. He performs advanced surgical procedures such as PCNL, HoLEP, as well as robotic & endoscopic surgeries for UPJ obstruction and ureteral strictures. Dr. Patel's clinical research is in ejaculation-sparing prostate procedures and quality improvement in kidney stone surgery. 

Aydin Pooli, MD

Aydin Pooli, MD

Urology

Assistant Clinical Professor of Urology. Dr. Pooli completed his urology residency at University of Nebraska Medical Center and urologic oncology fellowship training at UCLA’s Institute of Urologic Oncology. His primary research interests include working on gene expression protocols for high risk prostate and kidney cancers. His clinical work focuses on patient-centered management of urologic cancers as well as delivery of targeted therapies and tailored surgical procedures.

Jacob Rajfer, MD

Jacob Rajfer, MD

Andrology| Urology

Professor Emeritus of Urology and Chief of Urology, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. Head of the male infertility and male sexual dysfunction clinic, Urology. Dr. Rajfer was one of the discoverers of the mechanism by which a man’s erection occurs which led to the discovery of drugs like Viagra. Dr. Rajfer also treats men with benign and malignant prostate disorders.

Keith V. Regets, PA-C

Keith V. Regets, PA-C

Andrology| Urology

Keith Regets, PA-C completed his B.S./B.A. at Robert Morris University and his Master's in Physician Assistant Studies at Chatham University. He was previously a PA at Urology Associates of North Texas (UANT) in Arlington, Texas at the USMD Cancer Center. He has had extensive training in both general urology and urologic oncology and developed a special interest in men's health. Keith brings his knowledge of urology and expertise in men's health and fitness to The Men's Clinic at UCLA.

Robert E. Reiter, MD

Robert E. Reiter, MD

Urology| Minimally Invasive Urology| Urologic Oncology

Professor of Urology, Chief of Urologic Oncology, Director of the Prostate Cancer Program. Dr. Reiter attended Stanford Medical School, completed residency at Baylor and urologic oncology fellowship at the NCI. He is a leader in the field of prostate cancer, with interests in high-risk disease, robotic surgery, image-guided surgery and translational medicine. He is recognized for his work applying MRI imaging to diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer, and in helping develop PSMA PET imaging.

Christopher S. Saigal, MD

Christopher S. Saigal, MD

Minimally Invasive Urology| Urology| Urologic Oncology

Professor and Executive Vice Chair of Urology. Clinical practice, UCLA Westwood Campus. He is also on the staff of the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Dr. Saigal has had a longstanding clinical interest in urologic cancers and the surgical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. His research is focused on patient-centered decision support and quality of care for urologic conditions.

Kymora B. Scotland, MD, PhD

Kymora B. Scotland, MD, PhD

Endourology and Stone Disease| Urology

Assistant Professor of Urology. Dr. Scotland earned her MD from Weill Cornell Medical College & her urology residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital & her endourology fellowship at the University of British Columbia. She also earned her PhD at the Tri-Institutional Cornell/Rockefeller/Sloan Kettering MD-PhD Program. Her clinical interests include the treatment of kidney stones, benign prostatic hyperplasia & upper tract urothelial carcinoma. 

Jeremy Shelton

Jeremy Shelton, MD, MSHS

Urology

Associate Clinical Professor of Urology at UCLA. Dr. Shelton earned his Medical Doctorate from Cornell University, and his Master of Science in Health Services from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. He completed his urology residency training and a fellowship in health services research at UCLA Dr. Shelton’s interest in patient-centered care led him to spearhead the implementation of the first general urology telehealth clinic in the VA, which has now served over 1,000 veterans.

Joseph D. Shirk, MD

Joseph D. Shirk, MD

Urology| Urologic Oncology

Assistant Professor of Urology. Dr. Shirk earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin. He completed his intern year at Boston Medical Center and subsequently completed his urology residency at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and urologic oncology fellowship training at UCLA’s Institute of Urologic Oncology (IUO) and David Geffen School of Medicine. His primary research interests include the development and use of advanced, innovative imaging techniques.

Brian M. Shuch, MD

Brian M. Shuch, MD

Minimally Invasive Urology| Urologic Oncology| Urology

Associate Professor of Urology, Director of the Kidney Cancer Program, Meinhardt Chair for Kidney Cancer Research. Dr. Shuch completed medical school at NYU, urology training at UCLA, and Urologic Oncology Fellowship at the National Cancer Institute. He is an accomplished surgeon, clinical trialist, and translational researcher. He serves in leadership positions with the NCI Renal Task Force and SWOG. He runs the UCLA VHL program and manages a robust hereditary kidney cancer practice. 

Jennifer S. Singer, MD

Jennifer S. Singer, MD

Pediatric Urology

Clinical Professor of Urology, Peter Starrett Term Chair in Medical Education in Urology, and Associate Chief Medical Informatics Officers (ACMIO) for UCLA Health. Clinical interests include adult and pediatric renal transplantation and end-stage renal disease. Special interests and training in congenital urologic anomalies. Dr. Singer's research interests include the use of transplant immunosuppression and the molecular aspects of chronic allograft rejection.

Mary Ann L. Stothers, MD, MHS

Mary Ann L. Stothers, MD, MHS

Urogynecology| Urology

Professor in Residence of Urology and OBGYN. Dr. Stothers received her medical degree and completed her residency at the University of British Columbia. She completed a fellowship in Reconstructive Urology, Female Urology, Neurourology and Urodynamics at UCLA. Her clinical practice and research intersect to focus on the diagnosis and management of lower urinary tract symptoms, dietary strategies for the prevention of urinary tract infections and integrative medicine techniques. 

Renea Michelle Sturm, MD

Renea Michelle Sturm, MD

Minimally Invasive Urology| Pediatric Urology

Assistant Professor of Urology. Dr. Sturm’s practice as a pediatric urologist focuses on the care of children with congenital defects and illnesses that involve the kidneys, bladder and genitalia. As a surgeon, she has a particular interest in minimally invasive robotic-assisted and endoscopic surgery. Her work as a basic and translational scientist is motivated by the needs of children in her care with a focus on improving monitoring and treatment for neurogenic bladder and hypospadias.

Jeffrey L. Veale, MD

Jeffrey L. Veale, MD

Kidney Transplant Surgery| Urology

Clinical Professor of Urology and Director of the UCLA Kidney Exchange Transplantation Program, Dr. Veale's National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded research focuses on altruistic donors and bridge donors in an effort to ultimately expand the donor pool. The UCLA exchange program under Dr. Veale's direction has performed more chain transplants than any other single center in the world, and pioneered the first transcontinental chain transplant in the United States.

Caroline L. Wallner, MD

Caroline L. Wallner, MD

Urology

Assistant Clinical Professor of Urology. Dr. Wallner graduated from David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and then completed her general surgery and Urology residency at Loma Linda. Her clinical interests include diseases of the prostate, urinary stone disease, erectile dysfunction, and general urology. She specializes in open, endoscopic, laparoscopic, and robotic-assisted surgeries.

Alan J. Yaghoubian, MD

Alan J. Yaghoubian, MD

Endourology and Stone Disease| Urology

Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor of Urology. Dr. Yaghoubian completed his medical degree at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He then completed his urology residency at Massachusetts General Hospital, followed by a two-year fellowship in Endourology at Mount Sinai. His clinical interests include kidney stones and BPH. His research focuses on improving clinical outcomes for kidney stone surgery and management.

 

David F. Yao, MD

David F. Yao, MD

Andrology| Urology

Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor. Dr. David Fishbein Yao completed his general urology residency at Harvard and fellowship at UCLA. He is an adult urologist trained to deal with many issues involving the kidneys, ureters, bladder, prostate, penis, scrotum, and testicles. He specializes in PSA, hematuria, BPH, overactive bladder, and vasectomy. In recognition of his clinical expertise, he has been designated as a Super Doctor.

Nazy Zomorodian, NP

Nazy Zomorodian, NP

Urology

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Urology, Director of the Genitourinary Clinical Trials and Nurse Practitioner for the Department of Urology. She received her BS and Masters of Science in Nursing from the Hahnermann University in Philadelphia and is working on her PhD in Research Nursing at UCLA. Ms. Zomorodian is also certified by the Association of Clinical Research Professional as a Clinical Research Coordinator. She has extensive experience in managing and conducting cancer research.

Emeritus Faculty

Arie S. Belldegrun, MD

Arie S. Belldegrun, MD

Professor Emeritus of Urology, Research Professor of Urology, Founding Director, Institute of Urologic Oncology. Dr. Belldegrun’s surgical expertise encompassed all aspects of urologic oncology. He authored over 400 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters in the area of localized and advanced kidney and prostate cancer. Dr. Belldegrun's research focused on the development of personalized cancer immunotherapy and targeted cancer vaccines for the treatment of kidney cancer.

Bernard M. Churchill, MD

Bernard M. Churchill, MD

Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Urology and Founding director of Clark Morrison Children's Urological Center at UCLA. Previously, Chief of Urology at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada. Dr. Churchill is the 25th Recipient of the Urology Medal granted by the American Academy of Pediatrics in recognition of outstanding career accomplishments.

jean dekernion

Jean B. DeKernion, MD

Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Urology. Residency, Case Western Reserve, fellowship, National Cancer Institute. Certified by the American Board of Surgery and American Board of Urology. World leader in Urologic Oncology, co-authored the first textbook on the subject. Founder, Society of Urologic Oncology, American Board of Urology member, Chair, Department of Defense prostate cancer research program. He made significant contributions in the areas of kidney, bladder and prostate cancer.

Shlomo Raz, MD

Shlomo Raz, MD

Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Urology. Dr. Raz is a leader in developing new treatments for female urology conditions and has pioneered innovations that are standards of care worldwide for vaginal, uterine prolapse, urinary incontinence, pelvic floor disorders, voiding dysfunction, and surgical reconstruction after cancer.

J. Thomas Rosenthal, MD

J. Thomas Rosenthal, MD

Professor Emeritus of Urology. Dr. Rosenthal was a specialist in renal transplantation, and received NIH funding for participation in the first NIH sponsored clinical trials in transplantation. He also served as the Chief Administrative Officer of the UCLA Hospital System and Associate Vice Chancellor in the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

Robert B. Smith, MD

Robert B. Smith, MD

Professor Emeritus of Urology. Dr. Smith earned his MD from the UCLA School of Medicine. He served in the Air Force and Lieutenant Colonel, Chief of Urology at Lackland Air Force Base. Dr. Smith's clinical interests included the treatment of urologic malignancies and in reconstructive urologic cases.

Joint Appointments/Research/Affiliated Faculty

Paul Boutros

Paul C. Boutros, PhD

Professor of UCLA Urology, Director of Cancer Data Science for the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Associate Director of Cancer Informatics at the Institute for Precision Health, Professor of Human Genetics, and an integral member of the Institute of Urologic Oncology and the Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research. Boutros will lead the cancer center's efforts to use big data to optimize treatments for patients.

Albert J. Chang, MD, PhD

Albert J. Chang, MD, PhD

Radiation Oncology

Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology and Urology, Vice Chair of Surgical Services, Brachytherapy Service Chief for Radiation Oncology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. He received his Ph.D. in Molecular Medicine and M.D. degrees from Boston University and his residency at the Washington University. His clinical focus is on malignancies of the genitourinary & gynecological systems, specializing in high dose rate brachytherapy

Alexandra Drakaki, MD

Alexandra Drakaki, MD

Medical Oncology

Assistant Clinical Professor of Urology and Hematology/Oncology. Dr. Drakaki completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Tufts University, and her Hematology/Oncology fellowship in Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center at Harvard Medical School. She specializes in genitourinary malignancies, primarily bladder, testicular and prostate cancer. Dr. Drakaki's research focuses on identifying the therapeutic potential of novel genes named micro-RNAs that are involved in bladder carcinogenesis.

Urology Expert Team

Andrew Goldstein, PhD

Associate Professor of Urology and Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology. Dr. Goldstein studied Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Dartmouth College before earning his PhD in Molecular Biology from UCLA. Dr. Goldstein’s research is focused on defining mechanisms that regulate prostate cancer initiation, progression and treatment-resistance, supported by grants from the National Cancer Institute, Department of Defense, American Cancer Society and the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

Nestor Gonzalez-Cadavid, PhD

Nestor Gonzalez-Cadavid, PhD

Adjunct Professor of Urology, Director, Urology Research Laboratory LABioMed-Harbor/UCLA, and Professor of Endocrinology, Charles Drew University. Dr. Gonzalez-Cadavid received PhDs in Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires and London. Professor of Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Central University of Venezuela, Visiting Professor/scholar, MIT, Caltech, City of Hope, UCLA. His current research interests focus on modulation of stem cell differentiation by nitric oxide/cGMP, and myostatin.

Tamara Grisales, MD

Tamara Grisales, MD

Urogynecology| Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery| Gynecology

Health Sciences Associate Clinical Professor of Urology and Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Grisales completed her medical degree at University of Texas Medical School at Houston, her obstetrics & gynecology residency and her female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery fellowship at the UCLA School of Medicine.

Amar U. Kishan, MD

Amar U. Kishan, MD

Radiation Oncology

Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology and Urology. Dr. Kishan graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Molecular and Cell Biology and Public Health. He earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School, where he graduated magna cum laude from the joint Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology Program. During medical school, he was awarded a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Fellowship to study tumor metabolism in the laboratory. 

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Nicholas G. Nickols, MD, PhD

Radiation Oncology

Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology and Urology. Dr. Nickols received his M.D. from UCLA and PhD from the California Institute of Technology through the UCLA-Caltech Medical Scientist Training Program and completed his residency training in Radiation Oncology at UCLA. His clinical and research focus is prostate cancer and he conducts prospective clinical-translational trials for high-risk and metastatic prostate cancer patients.  

Steven S. Raman, MD

Steven Raman, MD

Diagnostic Radiology

Professor of Radiology and Urology. Dr. Raman is an expert in Urological Radiology, having published over 75 papers, 100 abstracts and several book chapters in this field. He has been the founding member of the UCLA Prostate Imaging Group, whose members include physicians and scientists dedicated to advancing the field of prostate imaging. Dr. Raman believes that MR imaging the best non-invasive solution for finding the most aggressive prostate cancer.

Matthew B. Rettig, MD

Matthew B. Rettig, MD

Medical Oncology

Professor of Medicine (Hematology/Oncology) and Urology and Medical Director of the Prostate Cancer Program of the Institute of Urologic Oncology at UCLA. Dr. Rettig received his medical degree from Duke University and completed a hematology-oncology fellowship at UCLA. Dr. Rettig’s clinical focus is advanced prostate cancer; he directs the prostate cancer clinical trials program. His laboratory research is aimed at developing better drugs for prostate cancer.

Amy E. Rosenman, MD

Amy E. Rosenman, MD

Urogynecology

Health Sciences Clinical Professor of Urology and Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Rosenman completed her medical degree at New York Medical College, obstetrics & gynecology residency at UCLA School of Medicine and female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery fellowship at American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Jonathan W. Said, MD

Jonathan W. Said, MD

Anatomic Pathology| Clinical and Laboratory Pathology

Professor of Pathology and Urology and Chief of Anatomic and Surgical Pathology at UCLA Medical Center. Dr. Said is an expert in the pathology diagnosis of urologic diseases, and has published extensively on neoplastic diseases of the kidney and prostate.

Tanya Stoyanova, PhD

Tanya Stoyanova, PhD

Associate Professor, Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology and Department of Urology. The Stoyanova lab develops new cancer early detection approaches and therapeutic strategies for late stage cancers. Current research areas of interest include targeted cancer therapies, antibody-based therapies for advanced prostate cancer, combination therapies for metastatic cancers, protein-based biomarkers for cancer early detection, and imaging modalities for cancer.

Christopher M. Tarnay, MD

Christopher M. Tarnay, MD

Urogynecology| Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery

Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Urology. As a urogynecologist, Dr. Tarnay focuses on the gynecological approach to urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapsed, and vaginal reparative surgery. Each year, he travels to Uganda, Africa to help lead a team of doctors and nurses, providing expertise and education to local physicians in an effort to reduce maternal deaths and treat one of the most debilitating consequences to childbirth, urinary fistulae.

Lily Wu, MD, PhD

Lily Wu, MD, PhD

Professor of Departments of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, Urology, and Pediatrics. Graduated in the inaugural class of Medical Scientist Training Program (M.D., Ph.D. program). Dr. Wu’s training ranges from clinical disciplines (pediatrics and hematology/oncology) to molecular and cellular fields (adenovirus biology, transcription regulation, gene therapy). In addition to research, she mentors undergraduates, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and clinical residents.