Meet the Team

Dr. Bharath Chakravarthy, MD, MPH
Program Director

Dr. Chakravarthy, Professor of Emergency Medicine and Public Health at UC Irvine, specializes in health services research addressing disparities in mental health and substance use. As Director of the EMRAP program, his work focuses on combating the opioid epidemic through innovative strategies, including online peer health models and regional care integration linking emergency and primary care. With over 80 peer-reviewed publications and $3.58 million in grant funding, his research transforms care delivery for vulnerable populations, including the homeless, pregnant individuals, and those re-entering society. He is also a dedicated mentor to students, residents, fellows, and junior faculty, shaping the next generation of leaders in medicine.

Dr. Soheil Saadat, MD, MPH, PhD
Research Specialist

Dr. Soheil Saadat is an Epidemiologist and Research Specialist in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of California, Irvine. He has over two decades of experience in advancing health sciences through teaching and research. He has extensive expertise in study design, data analysis, and public health research. His research focuses primarily on injury prevention, contributing significantly to advancements in public health and healthcare. Dr. Saadat has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles. His work reflects an impressive h-index of 41 on Google Scholar and 28 on Scopus. He is also a dedicated mentor. He has trained hundreds of undergraduate and numerous postgraduate students. His research prioritizes promoting equity in healthcare.

Dr. Shahram Lotfipour, MD, MPH
Program Advisor

Dr. Shahram Lotfipour is Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine (EM) and Public Health at UC Irvine, Director of the Center for Trauma and Injury Prevention Research, Managing Editor for the Western Journal of Emergency Medicine: Integrating Emergency Care with Population Health (WestJEM.org) and the Clinical Practice and Cases in Emergency Medicine (CPCEM.org).  Dr. Lotfipour has a special interest in the medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder and alcohol & drug screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment and traffic injury prevention. 

Jennifer Holford
Administrative Coordinator

Jennifer Holford is a seasoned Administrative Assistant III at UC Irvine Medical Center, bringing over 14 years of experience in the healthcare industry. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration and Management from Golden West College and is certified in Adult Mental Health First Aid. Jennifer is a backbone of the program in almost all of its functions, always creating a kind and warm environment.

Salman Mushtaq
IRB Specialist

Salman Mushtaq, a former member of the Emergency Medicine Research Associate Program (EMRAP), now helps the program improve its research activities, especially with IRB approvals and related processes. He works closely with EMRAP to make research projects run more smoothly and helps train new researchers on proper study procedures. His experience as an EMRAP alumnus allows him to understand the program’s needs and contribute effectively to its research goals.

Marco Esteban
Food Insecurity liaison

Serving as a program coordinator, I work to enhance the Emergency Medicine Research Associates Program (EMRAP) through three pillars: fostering research skills development, enriching the clinical experience of the research associates, and building our community and culture that is like no other. Outside the emergency department, you can find me cooking with friends, playing volleyball, or tumbling down ski slopes. Reach out to us at emrapcoords@gmail.com anytime- we’re always looking forward to meeting you!

Yihan Wang
CADSI / TCASI | AMS liaison

I’ve had the privilege of calling many places home, including Beijing, Massachusetts, New York, Hunan, Virginia, and, most recently, California. I’m finishing my bachelor’s in neurobiology this Fall, 2024. I’m grateful for the interconnectedness and what feels like an unlimited resource of mentorship that EMRAP has fostered! I have a parakeet named Jim, and you probably won’t be able to find me in my free time because I’ll be hiking or backpacking in the wilderness!

Niyati Reddy
Scanning Culture | Naltrexone liaison

I am a fourth-year Biological Sciences and Medical Anthropology student at UCI. I am drawn to emergency medicine because of its principle of providing treatment to all patients, no matter their background. I am so grateful to be a part of a program where, through our studies, we can contribute to creating a more accessible and accommodating environment for patients and support the voice of patients in their care. In my free time, I love to listen to music, make tea, and go on walks with friends!

Ryan Rokerya
ESPERTO liaison

I’m Ryan! I am on the pre-med pathway, involved in the ESPERTO study, and engaged as an Ultrasound coordinator. I am also a board member of the BioSci Student Council! I enjoy playing basketball, concerts, thrifting, or rock climbing in my free time with ESPB liaison Ryan Le.

Alyson Tsai
PE PESI liaison

Hi everyone, I’m Alyson! I’m a fourth-year bioscience student hoping to go to medical school, and I am currently serving as one of the academic coordinators, ultrasound coordinators, and PE PESI study liaisons. I enjoy drawing, skiing, and roller-skating at the beach in my free time. Beyond the fantastic academic and clinical sides of EMRAP, this organization has genuinely become one of my favorite places with my fellow EMRAPers, so we are excited to share more!

Jolie Nguyen
Food Insecurity liaison

Hi everyone! My name is Jolie Nguyen, and I’m a fourth-year Bio Sci student pursuing medical school. I was born & raised in OC and transferred last year from Cypress College. I’m one of the co-liaisons for the demographic study Food Insecurity. I’m passionate about this study because of its capability to transcend & bridge communities, with the consistent motivation that so many organizations are geared towards the same issue. Some ideas I’m passionate about involve providing & participating in free healthcare services (health fairs, medical missions), the value of sparking random conversations, and the fact that ghosts are very real. When I’m not studying, I love brunch with my family and exploring new matcha locations (try Phin Smith or Céd!). I recently started getting into break dancing with WestJEM liaison Isabella Choi!

Aayush Sachdev
Naltrexone Distribution liaison

Hello! My name is Aayush and I’m a third year Human Biology major! Joining EMRAP has been a one of a kind experience that I don’t think I could have gotten from anywhere else. Not only do I get to see what it’s like to work in the emergency department, but I’ve gotten to learn a lot from the other EMRAPers too! Right now I’m one of the liaisons for the Naltrexone study which is where we see how intervention affects the rate at which naltrexone is being prescribed for patients with alcohol withdrawal or alcohol use disorder. Outside of this I like to play tennis, listen to Michael Buble, and read and write comic books.

Krisha Thakker
Trigger Point Injection | MedEd liaison

Hi, I’m Krisha, and I’m a second year Public Health Sciences major! I joined EMRAP to gain a better understanding of the intersection between healthcare and research. I serve as the liaison for Trigger Point Injection vs. Lidocaine Patch, which aims to reduce the amount of opioids UCI’s emergency department prescribes, specifically for myofascial pain. Alongside Omid, I also serve as the liaison for the MedEd scoping review, which aims to understand how ultrasound can be integrated with medical school curriculums. This program has not only been an incredible learning experience but has also introduced me to a community of kind, supportive people I’m lucky to be around. In my free time, I enjoy learning new styles of dance, choreographing, watching shows (I love sitcoms), and reading. 

Akhil Chandekar
Street Med | LEADABC liaison

I am a fourth-year Biomedical Engineering Premedical student at UCI. Having grown up in Folsom, CA, I developed a passion for medical applications of engineering inspired by my own ACL reconstruction. I research fibrin glue drug delivery at the Beckman Laser Institute. Since my sophomore year, I have been an Emergency Medicine Research Associate (EMRAP) and lead the PRIME LEAD-ABC study. This study investigates why patients visit the Emergency Department (ED), focusing on African, Black, and Caribbean (ABC) patients. When I’m not studying or researching, I also practice Heartfulness meditation and yoga and coach soccer to preschool kids!

Isabella Choi
Factors in Non-Urgent ED Use liaison

Hi everyone! My name is Isabella, and I am a 4th year majoring in neurobiology and chemistry. This is my second year in EMRAP, and my study last year was a demographic study to explore factors that drive patients to the emergency department for nonurgent complaints. I am passionate about working for healthcare equity and learning more about prehospital care. Outside of school, I love doing graphic design and spending quality time with friends and family. Shout out to FI liaison Jolie for trying out break dancing with me. I hope I can finish my last year at UCI strong with EMRAP!

Cecilia Chiou
ESPERTO | MD POCUS liaison

Hi everyone! My name is Cecilia, and I’m a fourth-year Human Biology major! I’ve been in EMRAP for two years now, and I love the experiences I’ve gotten, including shadowing physicians, engaging with patients, and understanding the research backgrounds of our different studies!

Amanda Fang
Pulmonary Contusion POCUS vs. CT liaison

Hi! I’m Amanda, a 3rd year Neurobiology major and Medical Anthropology minor. This is my first year in EMRAP as a co-liaison for the Pulmonary Contusion study. Still, I have been involved in research and clinical experiences since my freshman year, ultimately hoping to pursue a career as a physician-scientist! Outside of EMRAP, I like to read, draw, and spend time with family and friends, exploring new places and trying new things :).

Luke Garcia
Carotid Pulse Check | AMS liaison

Hi everyone! My name is Luke, and this is my first year working at EMRAP. What I value most about this program is the incredible community of individuals who genuinely want to build each other up. While each study has its liaisons, we all contribute to its success, which is a gratifying aspect of EMRAP. This program has opened countless opportunities for me, and I hope future cohorts will experience the same. Shout out Yoav for being the best research partner and friend! If you have questions, feel free to email me at lukedg@hs.uci.edu!

Isaac Gomez
Wrist Fracture Opioid Distribution liaison

I am in my first year in EMRAP; currently, I’m the liaison to Dr. BC’s Wrist Fracture study, which directs attention to the current opioid crisis. In my prior experience, I have worked as an EMT and lifeguard. I love to spend time with my family, lift, and play basketball with my friends. I’m also a part of the newly established SSRAG program, which aims to help EMRAPers improve their Spanish-speaking skills to accommodate the large Spanish-speaking population in the UCI ED.

Omid Haghkhah
MindRay vs. Butterfly | MedEd liaison

Hello! My name is Omid, and I’m an emergency medicine-focused undergraduate with pre-medical ambitions. I am extremely happy to have the opportunity to approach and enroll patients in our EMRAP studies and even develop some of my own. In the past, I’ve worked as an EMT here in Orange County and have been involved in student government at UCI’s campus. I am constantly seeking experiences in clinical environments and can’t wait to continue learning and growing!

Joshua Hernandez

My name is Joshua Hernandez, and I am a first-generation American and current college student majoring in Human Biology. Joining EMRAP has been one of the most rewarding decisions of my undergraduate journey, as it has provided me with invaluable exposure to the medical field. Additionally, I am a member of SSRAG, an initiative within EMRAP focused on enhancing Spanish-speaking skills to help better serve the diverse patient population in the emergency department. This experience has deepened my passion for medicine and my commitment to making healthcare more accessible to underserved communities.

Kavin Krishnam
STEMI |Street Med liaison

Hi everyone! I’m a senior human biology student with a concentration in medical anthropology. I have served as the liaison for our STEMI study, which examines how ultrasound can help detect and treat deadly occlusions and heart attacks faster. EMRAP has deepened my commitment to medicine and broadened my understanding of healthcare in America. I’m incredibly grateful for the chance to connect with patients and doctors from various backgrounds.

Ryan Le
ESPB | MD POCUS liaison

Hey I’m Ryan Le! I’m a fourth year student hoping to go to medical school one day. I joined EMRAP after gaining interest in emergency medicine research while working as a medical scribe in the emergency department. I’m currently involved as the ESPB study liaison and also with the MD POCUS study. I enjoy playing chess, skateboarding, snowboarding, and rock climbing with ESPERTO liaison Ryan Rokerya.

Shruti Marada

Hi! My name is Shruti Marada, and I’m a third-year Public Health Sciences and Business Economics student. I’ve been part of EMRAP for two years, and it has been an incredibly rewarding experience, both professionally and personally. Through my interactions with hospital staff and patients from diverse backgrounds, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of existing healthcare disparities and have had the opportunity to contribute to developing strategies to help bridge these gaps. In my free time, I love discovering new food & restaurants, attending concerts, and spending time with my friends and family.

Ashley Melgar

Hi everyone! My name is Ashley Melgar, and I am a fourth-year Microbiology & Immunology student at UC Irvine. I am in my second year in the EMRAP program, and my favorite thing is being able to interact with patients and getting the privilege to know them. I am a part of the Spanish-Speaking Research Associates Group (SSRAG) program alongside Marco Esteban, Isaac Gomez, and Joshua Hernandez. We aim to help the research associates in EMRAP strengthen their Spanish literacy so they can work with Spanish-speaking patients. I found working with my peer EMRAPers has been a wonderful experience! In my free time, I love to listen to music (I am a huge swiftie), read romantic novels, and go shopping. 

Tyler Mitchell
Behind The Wheel liaison

Friend, Brother, Son, Cat Dad, EMRAPer. Born and raised in Orange County, I was interested in joining EMRAP, given the impact of the research on my community and the field I aspire to insert myself into. When I’m not busy working, I manage my fantasy football teams, watch sports outings, find new music, or be my best dad to my cat, Iris. One goal for the end of the year is to go to at least ten concerts for artists I do not know.

Emma Perranoski
CADSI/TCASI liaison

My name is Emma, and I’m the secretary of EMRAP. I’m a 4th-year neurobiology major with a minor in psychological science, passionate about exploring the brain and treatments for mental disorders. I am also a liaison for the CADSI/TCASI study, working to identify risk factors for substance and alcohol use. Outside of the ED, you’ll likely find me bundled up reading, thrifting at Savers, or doodling in Aldrich Park!

Brandon Ton
Diastolic Heart Failure POCUS liaison

Hello! My name is Brandon, and a fun fact about me is that I love frogs! Being a part of EMRAP has been a life-changing experience, allowing me to connect with amazing people in the healthcare field and a chance to be a part of meaningful research and improve patient care. I’ve always been passionate about cardiology, and through EMRAP, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to study point-of-care ultrasound to diagnose diastolic heart failure in patients.

Mehak Traku
Pulmonary Contusion POCUS vs. CT liaison

My name is Mehak, and I am a 4th-year Public Health Sciences major. I joined EMRAP to gain hands-on experience in emergency medicine and further my understanding of patient care and knowledge of medical research. In my free time, I love to read, watch movies, go on hikes, and play the ukulele!

An Troung
MindRay vs. Butterfly liaison

Hi, I’m An Truong (she/her), a second-year Bio Sci major and Psych minor! I am one of the liaisons for MindRay vs Butterfly iQ Ultrasound, where we are developing a study that compares a new ultrasound teaching tool with traditional didactic hands-on training. I joined EMRAP to learn more about the intersection between research and emergency medicine and soon fell in love with the supportive community. I enjoy watching shows and going on road trips with friends and family in my free time!

Yoav Weber
Carotid Pulse Check | AMS liaison

Hey, I’m Yoav Weber! I’m a fifth-year applied and computational mathematics and biological sciences major. I joined EMRAP to gain clinical research experience in a fast-paced environment. I’m currently involved in the carotid study working with Luke Garcia (the goat). In my free time, I like to go to the beach, travel, and play on my Switch.

Miko Yamamoto
Diabetic Medical Nonadherence liaison

I currently works in EMRAP to explore medical nonadherence in diabetic patients! I’m interested in understanding how demographics and other factors contribute to an individual’s health experience and researching memory, cognitive decline, and aging. Besides working in the emergency department, I enjoy working for the Certified Learning Assistants Program, paddling for the UCI dragon boat team, and trying new hobbies.

Leilana Deji Yeung

Hi! My name is Leilana Yeung (She/Her/Hers), and I am currently a fourth-year Human Biology major here at UC Irvine, aspiring to become a Physician Associate. My first year in EMRAP has been a unique and rewarding experience, and I cannot wait to see what the remainder of the year has to offer in bettering the lives and healthcare needs of those around me. Outside the Emergency Department, I love film photography, playing volleyball, listening to live music, and attending concerts. A small fact about me is that I have been to 30 concerts so far this year, and I still have more planned to end the year off strong!