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Class of 2025

Meet the Residents

  • Juliet Alla, MD

    Juliet Alla, MD

    Hometown: Newton, MA
    Undergraduate / Medical School: Oberlin College / Oregon Health & Science University
    Favorite thing about UCSD: Excellent training with dynamic residents and warm faculty
    Favorite thing to do in San Diego: Outside, on the water, with a coffee (in that order)
    Fun fact: I've swum in the Antarctic and it's simultaneously awful and awesome
    Favorite taco in San Diego: Are there even bad tacos here?
  • ​Deema Anaam, MD

    ​Deema Anaam, MD

    Hometown: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
    Undergraduate / Medical School: Alfaisal University
    Favorite thing about UCSD: The friendly environment.
    Favorite thing to do in San Diego: Food, Food, and coffee.
    Fun fact: I moved to 7 states in less than 5 years!
    Favorite taco in San Diego: Taco Stand
  • Rashid Barnawi, MD

    Rashid Barnawi, MD

    Hometown: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
    Undergraduate / Medical School: King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Medicine
    Favorite thing about UCSD: Diversity and inclusion
    Favorite thing to do in San Diego: Jet skiing and pretty much any water sport! pick-up soccer and nightlife
    Fun fact: I won the first place prize in an art contest amongst all high schools in my city
    Favorite taco in San Diego: Lucha Libre
  • Erika Castro, MD

    Erika Castro, MD

    Hometown: San Antonio, TX
    Undergraduate / Medical School: Rice University / University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
    Favorite thing about UCSD: Friendly coresidents and excellent teaching from faculty
    Favorite thing to do in San Diego: Go to the beach; La Jolla shores is lots of fun!
    Fun fact: My goal is to visit at least one public park in every state
    Favorite taco in San Diego: Taco Stand
  • Mansur Ghani, MD (T32)

    Mansur Ghani, MD (T32)

    Hometown: West Hills, CA
    Undergraduate / Medical School: Yale University / Yale SOM
    Favorite thing about UCSD: Amazing mentors and the collegial and supportive environment
    Favorite thing to do in San Diego: Hiking and cycling
    Fun fact: I enjoy astronomy and astrophotography
    Favorite taco in San Diego: City Tacos
    Twitter
  • Edward (Ted) Koellhoffer, MD, PhD (T32)

    Edward (Ted) Koellhoffer, MD, PhD (T32)

    Hometown: Byram, NJ
    Undergraduate / Medical School: Boston College / McGovern Medical School at UT Health
    Favorite thing about UCSD: The collegial atmosphere, endless research opportunities, and world-class training
    Favorite thing to do in San Diego: Spending time outdoors in the amazing SoCal weather, whether it's going to the beach, watching the sunset, or taking our dog to the park
    Fun fact: In high school I was the oompah band leader in our school's German Folk Club
    Favorite taco in San Diego: Yet to be determined
    Twitter
  • Claire Meriwether, MD

    Claire Meriwether, MD

    Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
    Undergraduate / Medical School: Duke University / UCSD
    Favorite thing about UCSD: Too many to name... I loved being a medical student here, and am thrilled to be continuing here for my residency!
    Favorite thing to do in San Diego: Early morning farmers' market followed by coffee + the beach
    Fun fact: I have played the violin since I was 4 years old
    Favorite taco in San Diego: Puesto
  • Luis Monterroso, MD

    Luis Monterroso, MD

    Hometown: Upland, CA
    Undergraduate / Medical School: Rice University, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
    Favorite thing about UCSD: The faculty, community, and focus on resident wellness
    Favorite thing to do in San Diego: Going to Petco Park!
    Fun fact: I love spending time with my older brother doing car maintenance. We're both huge Subaru enthusiasts and I am a proud owner of a 2005 World Rally Blue WRX "Blobeye"
    Favorite taco in San Diego: Taco Stand
  • Alton Skaggs, MD

    Alton Skaggs, MD

    Hometown: Temecula, CA
    Undergraduate / Medical School: UC San Diego / UC Davis
    Favorite thing about UCSD: : Culture, faculty, weather, and proximity to the ocean
    Favorite thing to do in San Diego: Surfing, hiking, camping, and spending time with my kids
    Fun fact: When I started medical school, I was open to every specialty except for radiology
    Favorite taco in San Diego: Los Tacos
  • Matthew Zabel, MD, PhD (T32)

    Matthew Zabel, MD, PhD (T32)

    Hometown: Simi Valley, CA
    Undergraduate / Medical School: South Dakota State University / California Northstate University School of Medicine
    Favorite thing about UCSD: Location, location, location, and the people
    Favorite thing to do in San Diego: Surf and rock climb
    Fun fact: Played NCAA Division 1 baseball
    Favorite taco in San Diego: Juanitas
    Twitter