Thank you for wanting to get to know us better! We asked our residents to share some of their interests so you can learn a bit more about us. Here are some of their responses below!
PGY-4
(Class of 2024)
Erin Barletta, MD, MS
Medical School: Wayne State University School of Medicine
Hobbies/Fun Facts: Most interesting thing I've done lately: taken an improv class for fun with a CLS friend! Hobby: lately is binging ancient history documentaries and mysteries of the universe on YouTube. Favorite movie: Scooby-Doo (from 2002)
Professional Interests: Post-grad: Pediatric pathology fellowship, Boston Children's Hospital 2024-2025
Philip Petersen, MD, PhD*
Medical School: University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine
Hobbies/Fun Facts:
Professional Interests:
Augusto Cezar Schmidt, MD
Medical School: Universidade Comunitária da Regiao de Chapecó
Hobbies/Fun Facts:
Professional Interests:
Valentina Zanfagnin, MD
Medical School: University of Turin
Hobbies/Fun Facts: 100% Italian (= no pineapple on pizza). All about GYN (previous Ob/Gyn residency and a post-doc on gyn malignancies). Got married 3 times in 3 different Countries (with the same person!). Venice Beach and Getty Museum are my fav spots.
Professional Interests: 2024-25 Surgical Pathology Fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital. 2025-26 Women’s and Perinatal Pathology Fellow at Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Tiffany Lee, DO
Medical School: West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies/Fun Facts:
Professional Interests:
PGY-3
(Class of 2025)
Iver Evanger, DO
Medical School: William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies/Fun Facts: I "enjoy" running and hiking. Eating food is my passion. I'm pro travelling.
Professional Interests: Community practice
Sahar Razmjooei, MD
Medical School: Islamic Azad University, Tonekabon Branch Faculty of Medicine
Hobbies/Fun Facts:
Professional Interests:
Shuman Liu, MD, PhD
Medical School: Zhengzhou University Medical School
Hobbies/Fun Facts: A mom of 4 kids with many years of experience in medical research. Hiking, reading fiction books, playing with my kids are my favorite things.
Professional Interests: Hematopathology
Amanda Thompson, DO
Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies/Fun Facts: Dog lover. Former Environmental Scientist. Singer. Makeup enthusiast. Favorite cell: megakaryocyte.
Professional Interests: Hematopathology, Transfusion Medicine, Microbiology
Sophie Parks, MD*
Medical School: Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell
Hobbies/Fun Facts: I am a board-certified internist and I've called a rapid response in the morgue.
Professional Interests: Hematopathology, because it bridges IM and laboratory medicine nicely!
Sam Yasueda, DO
Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies/Fun Facts: History major with an emphasis on 20th century world history and the rise of fascism. Music and drumming, health/fitness, reading (fantasy/sci-fi/historical fiction/non-fiction), gaming, dancing (shuffling). I have a second degree blackbelt in Taekwondo and I am trained in a variety of weapons with my favorite being the Bo staff. My favorite foods are Japanese and Italian. I love listening to metal/hardcore music (fav bands are Spiritbox and Sleep Token). My all time favorite movie and TV show are Clue (1985) and Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Professional Interests: Pediatric pathology
PGY-2
(Class of 2026)
Alicia Cuber, DO
Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies/Fun Facts: Outside of work I love hanging out with my dog, traveling, hiking, and going to the beach!
Professional Interests: Only time will tell.
Masis Parunyan, MD
Medical School: Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Hobbies/Fun Facts: Enjoy nature (hikes, kayaking), playing board games with family, and playing Classical/Baroque music. Recently joined a community orchestra (upright bass).
Professional Interests: Medical education, AP/CP, undecided on subspecialty.
Yaping Ju, MB, PhD
Medical School: Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
Hobbies/Fun Facts: Rubbing my cat's belly and giving her head scratch, gardening, hiking, biking, LEGO and Korean food.
Professional Interests: Undecided
Stephen Phan, MD
Medical School: University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine
Hobbies/Fun Facts: Dancing (Bachata, Salsa, Breakdance), Tennis, Weightlifting, Board Games, Traveling, Clubbing, Basketball. Recently getting into DnD and MTG.
Professional Interests: Surgical Pathology + Cytopathology
Vidyadhari Karne, MBBS
Medical School: Mediciti Institute of Medical Sciences
Hobbies/Fun Facts: Embracing the captivating art of Bharatanatyam. Painting, just love colors! Can make the best homemade spice blends! Chase adventure.
Professional Interests: Surgical pathology always! Still exploring the subspeciality
Devon Pino, MD
Medical School: University of Colorado School of Medicine
Hobbies/Fun Facts:
Professional Interests:
PGY-1
(Class of 2027)
Joshua Greenwald, MD
Medical School: Drexel University College of Medicine
Hobbies/Fun Facts: Former Navy Graduate Medical Officer, Movies
Professional Interests: Pediatric Pathology, Neuropathology
Travis Smith, DO, MPH
Medical School: Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine-California
Hobbies/Fun Facts: Hobbies: PC building, PC gaming, bicycling, movies. Favorite foods: Italian, poke, boba. Interesting fact: Worked as an EMT from 2016 as a pre-med until four days after graduating med school in 2023.
Professional Interests: Interested in forensic pathology and medical education
Joel Hernandez, MD
Medical School: University of California Davis School of Medicine
Hobbies/Fun Facts: I love eating tacos, running, stretching and hitting up the gym!
Professional Interests: Undecided but leaning towards Clinical Pathology.
Kimberly Swafford, DO
Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies/Fun Facts:
Professional Interests:
Hanim Istem Ozkizilkaya, MD
Medical School: Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine
Hobbies/Fun Facts: - Hobbies and Interests: Running, yoga, strength workouts! - Favorite LA spot: Anywhere with the beach! - Fun fact: I love singing and look for people to sing together 🙂
Professional Interests: - Breast and Gynecologic Pathology Fellowships - Research related to Women's Health - Medical Education.
Agatha Tesmer, DO
Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies/Fun Facts: I love traveling, hosting game nights with friends, and trying new hobbies.
Professional Interests: Currently, I am undecided but I am excited to learn more about everything pathology has to offer!
* 2023-'24 Co-chief Residents