Find a Top Neurosurgeon Near Me in Rowland Heights, CA – Book an Appointment Instantly

About Dr. Farin

Azadeh Farin, MD, FAANS, FACS, is a fellowship-trained and board-certified neurosurgeon at FARINeurosurgery, with experience in a wide range of neurosurgical procedures. She provides expert care in Los Angeles and Orange countries to patients in and around Long Beach, Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, Hermosa, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Huntington Beach and Torrance, CA. Dr. Farin is proud to be among only 200 female neurosurgeons in the United States.

After graduating as high school valedictorian from her class of 700 students, Dr. Farin attended Yale University, where she double-majored in Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry and Economics. Azadeh then won the title of Miss Greater Los Angeles USA and was a Finalist at the Miss California USA Pageant. 

Azadeh then worked at McKinsey & Co., an international management consulting firm, traveling worldwide to develop corporate strategy for CEOs. She earned her MD from the University of California San Diego, where she won the Whipple Memorial Endowed Scholarship and presented her research nationally. Her research continued at Columbia University where she investigated brain tumor growth patterns and established a model for testing anti-tumor drugs. 

Her research has earned her lead authorship for several manuscripts published in prominent medical journals. She completed her internship in General Surgery and residency in Neurosurgery at the University of Southern California (USC). She was the first woman in over 25 years to graduate from USC Neurosurgery. She served as Clinical Instructor of Neurosurgery at Keck School of Medicine at USC and LA County-USC Medical Center. Dr. Farin completed a fellowship in complex spine surgery and spinal deformity/tumors at UCSF, receiving the Congress of Neurological Surgeons Spine Research Award, granted to only one fellow in the US. 

In 2010, Dr. Farin won the Avicenna Award of Excellence. She has guest reviewed for the journal Neurosurgery and consulted for Grey’s Anatomy. She was recently granted a full patent by the US Patent and Trademark Office for her spinal device invention. Dr. Farin has published several dozen manuscripts, articles, and book chapters. 

Outside the hospital, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three children.

Board-certified neurosurgeon Ali H. Mesiwala, MD, FAANS, takes a solution-based approach to determine anatomic and functional abnormalities and then treats them with leading-edge technologies and integrative medicine.

At his four offices in Newport Beach, Marina del Rey, and Rancho Cucamonga, California, he focuses on helping all of their patients return to their normal lives, getting back into motion as quickly as possible.

The team treats a vast array of neurological conditions. After intensive neurological exams and diagnostic testing, they recommend the best nonsurgical treatments for each person's unique health care needs. They recommend surgery when symptoms are severe or persist despite conservative care.

Patients seek Dr. Mesiwala for his expertise in brain and spine surgery, as well as peripheral nerve surgery and artificial disc replacement surgery. 

He's an expert in complex brain and skull base surgeries, and he has the most experience in artificial disc replacements on the West Coast, including multi-level operations and all types of spinal decompressions.

Dr. Mesiwala is a leader in the field of minimally invasive sacroiliac (SI) joint surgery and has performed endoscopic cranial and spinal surgery since 2004. No matter where pain originates, patients get relief after he performs neuromodulation surgery.

After earning a Bachelor of Science in biomedical engineering and electrical engineering from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, Dr. Mesiwala received his Doctor of Medicine from the University of California, San Francisco. 

Then he finished his neurological surgery residency at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington.

He completed his skull base and cerebrovascular fellowships at the University of Washington, International Neuroscience Institute in Hannover, Germany, and the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

As a respected researcher specializing in the development of novel technologies and minimally invasive techniques for brain and spine surgery, Dr. Mesiwala holds multiple patents for medical devices used in spinal surgery. 

In addition to his private practice, Dr. Mesiwala is the faculty surgeon for various artificial disc operations and spinal fusion operations with innovative techniques. He's a fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (FAANS).

.

Ramin Javahery, MD, FAANS, is a board-certified neurosurgeon at Coast Neurosurgical Associates in Long Beach, California. His education began at UCLA where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in English Literature.

During his undergraduate years, Dr. Javahery also engaged in research in the field of molecular biology, publishing and presenting on theories in gene transcription. He then went on to medical school at USC and became editor in chief of the USC Journal of Medicine. He continued to engage in research activities, with a focus on glutathione transport mechanisms.

Beyond Dr. Javahery’s academic pursuits, he was also interested in humanitarian activities and organized the USC-Rwanda Relief Fund to send money to the victims of Rwandan genocide.

After graduating from medical school, Dr. Javahery remained at USC for his Internship in General Surgery. From there, he spent 6 years at the University of Miami, completing both a Neurosurgery residency and a fellowship in Spine Surgery. He then began to focus his research activities on neurosurgery & published papers on Chiari Malformations and wrote chapters in textbooks on Spine Surgery.

After completing his final year in Miami as Chief Resident, he returned to Los Angeles to do a second fellowship in Pediatric Neurosurgery at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Today he is the Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Miller Children’s Hospital, where he practices both adult and pediatric neurosurgery, as well as spine Surgery. This year he will also become the Chief of Adult Neurosurgery.

Dr. Javahery’s interest in patients extends beyond curing their diseases. He is passionate about caring for patients and is a member of the ethics committee at Long Beach Memorial. This committee is responsible for evaluating ethically complicated situations in the hospital. Dr. Javahery is also a member of American Association of Neurological Surgeons, the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, and the Children’s Oncology Group.

Dr. Ramin Javahery, is married to Dr. Jill Javahery, who also practices medicine in Long Beach. Together, they have three sons and enjoy being a part of the Long Beach medical community.

Hooshang Pak, MD, FACS, is a board-certified neurosurgeon at Coast Neurosurgical Associates in Long Beach, California. 

A graduate of Tehran University, Dr. Pak began his postgraduate training in New York City, where he completed his surgical internship at Saint Vincent Medical Center of Staten Island. He then moved to Michigan and undertook a neurosurgery residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. He also completed a year of fellowship training in microneurosurgery of cerebral vascular diseases under the supervision of James Ausman, MD, PhD.

Dr. Pak has been a diplomat of the American Board of Neurological Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He has published numerous scientific papers in neurosurgical journals and textbooks and presented papers and scientific exhibits at national and international medical meetings. Dr. Pak has also been a member of the editorial board of the international neurosurgical journal, Surgical Neurology.

Dr. Pak has been selected by his peers since 1996 as one of The Best Doctors in America, a list that contains the top five percent of the American doctors.

Abraham Rayhaun, MD, FACS, is a board-certified neurosurgeon and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is a proud member of Coast Neurosurgical Associates, a neurosurgery practice in Long Beach, California. He treats a broad spectrum of neurological disorders utilizing the latest technical modalities including neuronavigational tools, stereotaxis, and microneurosurgery.

He is particularly interested in treating patients with cerebrovascular disease and brain tumors using conservative approaches with a combination of stereotactic radiosurgery and cyberknife as well as open microsurgical techniques when necessary. Dr. Rayhaun is also specialty trained in treating complex spinal conditions with minimally invasive approaches or with instrumented fusion when required.

His undergraduate studies began at the University of California, Davis (UCD) where he conducted clinical research on aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhages of the brain. He then attended medical school at the Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons in New York, where he was awarded a full scholarship and researched the molecular biology of the articular cartilage. He graduated from medical school with honors and was recognized for high educational achievements by Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.  From there he moved to Michigan to start his neurosurgical residency under the mentorship of Dr. James Ausman and Dr. Mark Rosenblum at Henry Ford Hospital, where he focused on neurovascular disorders, brain tumors, and stereotactic procedures. After completing his chief residency year, Dr. Rayhaun spent a year focusing his attention on specialty training in complex disorders of the spine and was involved with clinical research related to treating cervical disc disease.

Dr. Rayhaun is a member of the Physicians Excellence Committee at Long Beach Memorial medical center and a member of the Peer Review Committee at Los Alamitos Medical Center. These committees oversee issues related to quality of patient care at the respective hospitals. Dr. Rayhaun has served as the director of Neurosurgery at Fountain Valley Hospital, and as the chief of the Department of Neurosurgery at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center.  He is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, as well as a member of the brain tumor section.

While priding himself in being at the cutting edge of neurosurgery, his greatest interest remains treating the individual patient with empathy, expertise and professionalism.

Sheri Palejwala, MD, FAANS, is a board-certified neurosurgeon at Coast Neurosurgical Associates in Long Beach, California. 

Born and raised in Los Angeles County, Dr. Palejwala completed her undergraduate studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, with degrees in neuroscience and biology. She obtained her medical degree at St. Louis University in Missouri, and completed her neurosurgical training at the University of Arizona in Tucson. There, she spent her last years serving as Chief Resident of Neurosurgery followed by a fellowship at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona, focusing on translational and clinical research. Dr. Palejwala has published over 30 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters and has presented her findings at meetings worldwide.

Dr. Palejwala then completed an additional fellowship in endoscopic, minimally-invasive surgical neuro-oncology at the John Wayne Cancer Institute in Santa Monica, California. There, she focused on minimally-invasive microsurgical and endoscopic approaches and incorporating innovative technology and techniques into her practice.  Her clinical interests include endoscopic, keyhole, and other minimally-invasive approaches to tumors of the pituitary and skull base. 

She is a fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and an active member of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), the joint tumor section of the AANS/CNS, and the North American Skull Base Society. Outside of neurosurgery, Dr. Palejwala dedicates her time to her family, including her husband and twin daughters, and large extended family.

Dr. Palejwala looks forward to welcoming new and returning patients to Coast Neurosurgical Associates. 

Michael Kim, MD, is a fellowship-trained neurosurgeon and volunteer Assistant Clinical Professor of Neurological Surgery at the UC Irvine School of Medicine. At Coast Neurosurgical Associates in Long Beach, California, he specializes in cerebrovascular, minimally invasive, and open skull base surgery. His clinical interests include brain tumors, neuro-oncology, and complex cranial surgery. His training allows him to offer the most up-to-date and advanced care to his patients.

Board-certified neurosurgeon Ali H. Mesiwala, MD, FAANS, takes a solution-based approach to determine anatomic and functional abnormalities and then treats them with leading-edge technologies and integrative medicine.

At his four offices in Newport Beach, Marina del Rey, and Rancho Cucamonga, California, he focuses on helping all of their patients return to their normal lives, getting back into motion as quickly as possible.

The team treats a vast array of neurological conditions. After intensive neurological exams and diagnostic testing, they recommend the best nonsurgical treatments for each person's unique health care needs. They recommend surgery when symptoms are severe or persist despite conservative care.

Patients seek Dr. Mesiwala for his expertise in brain and spine surgery, as well as peripheral nerve surgery and artificial disc replacement surgery. 

He's an expert in complex brain and skull base surgeries, and he has the most experience in artificial disc replacements on the West Coast, including multi-level operations and all types of spinal decompressions.

Dr. Mesiwala is a leader in the field of minimally invasive sacroiliac (SI) joint surgery and has performed endoscopic cranial and spinal surgery since 2004. No matter where pain originates, patients get relief after he performs neuromodulation surgery.

After earning a Bachelor of Science in biomedical engineering and electrical engineering from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, Dr. Mesiwala received his Doctor of Medicine from the University of California, San Francisco. 

Then he finished his neurological surgery residency at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington.

He completed his skull base and cerebrovascular fellowships at the University of Washington, International Neuroscience Institute in Hannover, Germany, and the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

As a respected researcher specializing in the development of novel technologies and minimally invasive techniques for brain and spine surgery, Dr. Mesiwala holds multiple patents for medical devices used in spinal surgery. 

In addition to his private practice, Dr. Mesiwala is the faculty surgeon for various artificial disc operations and spinal fusion operations with innovative techniques. He's a fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (FAANS).

.

As a leading neurosurgeon in Orange County, California, Christopher Duma, MD, FACS, offers the most comprehensive care for brain tumors, brain diseases, and movement disorders. At his Newport Beach neurosurgical practice, he specializes in minimally invasive surgeries using state-of-the-art technology.

Dr. Duma is board-certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Duma also serves as the medical director of the brain tumor program at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, a highly ranked academic hospital in Newport Beach, California.

Dr. Duma stays up to date on the latest neurosurgical treatments and technologies. He has even patented an immunotherapy treatment for glioblastomas, and his gene therapy and other research are an integral part of the fight against malignant brain tumors. His Newport Beach office is fully equipped with the latest computer-assisted neurosurgical technologies, radiosurgery tools, like Gamma Knife® and CyberKnife®, and the world-renowned StealthStation™ navigational surgical system.

After earning his medical degree from Stony Brook University School of Medicine in Stony Brook, New York, Dr. Duma completed his residency in neurological surgery at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC. He went on to complete a one-year fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh, Presbyterian Hospital in Gamma Knife radiosurgery and stereotactic neurosurgery. This hospital was the first in the nation to install Gamma Knife technology, and since 1990, Dr. Duma has been performing Gamma Knife radiosurgery, making him an expert in this field.

At his Newport Beach neurosurgical practice, Dr. Duma offers a variety of surgical services to address brain disease and tumors, as well as neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease. He is also skilled in regenerative treatments, like stem cell therapy, to restore patient function and improve overall health.

For a personal consultation with Dr. Duma, call the office or request a consultation online today.

Richard M. Young, MD, is a highly trained neurosurgeon with the team at Inland Neurosurgery Institute (INI) in Pomona and Arcadia, California. 

Dr. Young was born in Taiwan and came to the United States at an early age. His grandmother always predicted that he would be a doctor. Since the age of 3, he would hold her head when she had a migraine and would say, “When I get older, I will take care of you.”

Excelling in science and math, he went to college as an electrical engineering major at UC San Diego. However, his calling into medicine resulted in him graduating cum laude in biochemistry and cell biology. He continued his journey into medical school at New York Medical College in Valhalla, New York, where he discovered his passion for neurosurgery.

This passion derived from a pivotal case during medical school, where a patient was in a coma from a ruptured brain aneurysm. That same patient recovered weeks later from the brain bleed and surgery. “To have the ability to save a person’s life…that’s what I want to do.”

He completed his neurosurgical training at The George Washington University (GWU) in Washington, DC. During his training, he also spent a year as a research fellow at the National Institute of Health (NIH) – NINDS – Medical Division. After completing his residency at GWU, he came back to the west coast to UCLA for a two-year neurointerventional/neuroendovascular surgery CAST certified fellowship.

Not only has he written many articles, book chapters, poster presentations, and a journal cover for JNS-Spine, but he was also awarded the Bannister Award both for the fastest treatment time of removing a blood clot in the brain during his fellowship at UCLA. 

“Everyone knows how important the brain is, and if damage occurs to the brain, it can be devastating to that person and their family. To me, I do not see a patient but rather another human being that I am trying to help get better, like my grandmother. The reason I joined the group of neurosurgeons at Inland Neurosurgery Institute is that my colleagues share the same vision for helping people.”

During his free time, Dr. Young enjoys spending time with his family, cooking, running, and swimming.

EDUCATION

• 2016 – 2018: Interventional Neuroradiology Fellowship, University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center
• – 2016: Resident – Neurological Surgery, George Washington University Hospital
• 2013 – 2014: Research Fellow, National Institute of Health – NINDS
• 2009 – 2010: Intern – Neurological Surgery, George Washington University Hospital
• 2005 – 2009: Doctor of Medicine, New York Medical College
• 2001 – 2005: Bachelor of Science, University of California, San Diego – Revelle College

ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS

• American Association of Neurological Surgeons – Resident/Fellow member
• Congress of Neurological Surgeons – Resident/Fellow member
• North American Spine Society – Resident/Fellow member
• Phi Delta Epsilon Omicron Chapter – Colony Coordinator/Founder 2005-2006
• New York Medical College Student Senate – 1st year senator 2005-2006
• American Medical Association – Chapter Vice-President 2006-2007
• American Medical Students Association – Chapter Treasurer 2006-2007
• Gold Humanism Honor Society – Member – 2013-current

ARTICLES & JOURNALS

• Young RM, Leiphart JW, Shields DC, Caputy AJ. “Anterior cervical fusion versus minimally invasive posterior keyhole decompression for cervical radiculopathy.” Interdisciplinary Neurosurgery: Advanced Techniques and Case Management 2(4):169-176. Dec 2015. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.inat.2015.08.002
• Young RM, Shafa J, Myseros JS. “The Chiari 3 malformation and Systematic Review of Literature.” Pediatr Neurosurg 50(5):235-242, Oct 2015. DOI: 10.1159/000438487
• Young RM, Sherman JH. “Necessity for Intra-operative Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Glioma Resection.” World Neurosurg. Jul 2015. DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2015.07.023
• Young RM, Jamshidi A, Davis G, Sherman JH. “Current Trends in the Surgical Management and Treatment of Adult Glioblastoma.” Ann Transl Med 3(9):121. June 2015. DOI: 10.3978/j.issn.2305-5839.2015.05.10
• Young RM, Vyas N. “Extracranial-Intracranial Bypass for Takayasu’s Arteritis: A Case report.” Interdisciplinary Neurosurgery. Interdisciplinary Neurosurgery 1(4), 112-114. Dec 2014. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.inat.2014.10.001
• Young RM, Sherman J, Wind JJ, Litvack Z, Obrien J. “Treatment of Craniocervical Instability from a Posterior-Only Approach.” J Neurosurg Spine 21(2): 239-248. Aug 2014. DOI: 10.3171/2014.3.SPINE13684
• Young RM, Prasad V, Wind JJ, Olan W, Caputy AJ. “Novel Technique for Preoperative Pedicle Localization in Spinal Surgery with Challenging Anatomy: Technical Note.” J Neurosurg Spine 20(4): 400-403. Apr 2014. DOI: 10.3171/2013.12.SPINE13477.
• Leiphart, JW, Young RM, Shields, DC. “A Historical Perspective: Stereotactic Lesions for the Treatment of Epilepsy.” Seizure 23(1): 1-5. Jan 2014. DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2013.10.006
• Wind JJ, Young R, Saini A, Sherman JH. “The role of adjuvant radiation therapy in the management of high-grade gliomas.” Neurosurgery Clinics of North America. 23(2):247-58. April 2012. DOI: 10.1016/j.nec.2012.01.001
• Krishnan US, Taneja I, Gewitz M, Young R, Stewart J. “Peripheral Vascular Adaptation and Orthostatic Tolerance in Fontan Physiology.” Circulation. 2009 Nov 3;120(18):1775-83. DOI: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.109.854331

Ramin AmirNovin, MD, FAANS, FCNS (“Dr. A”) is an accomplished neurosurgeon and spinal surgeon at Inland Neurosurgery Institute (INI) in Pomona, California. Dr. AmirNovin has wanted to be a neurological surgeon since the age of thirteen. While volunteering at the Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, California, he witnessed a life-saving craniotomy (brain surgery) on a trauma patient, and this inspired him immensely. He double-majored in chemistry and biochemistry and graduated with the highest distinction of summa cum laude from the University of California, San Diego, where he was part of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society.

He continued his education in New York City, where he obtained his medical degree with the highest honors (Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society and Lucien Rubinstein Award) from New York University Medical School. He completed his general surgery and neurological surgery training at the prestigious Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). He also completed a two-year fellowship program for specialty training in functional/stereotactic neurosurgery at MGH.

Dr. AmirNovin has written several book chapters, numerous articles for peer-reviewed publications, and performed cutting-edge research on brain tumors, movement disorders, pain syndromes, and epilepsy.

Dr. AmirNovin practiced complex general neurosurgery at MGH before moving back to the West Coast to be near his family in 2007. As a board-certified, fellowship-trained neurosurgeon, he has extensive experience in the treatment of complex spine problems and tumors, brain tumors, cranial-spinal trauma, stroke, movement disorders, complex pain syndromes, Parkinson’s, and peripheral nerve diseases.

Dr. AmirNovin believes that the most important service he provides his patients is a “no-hype, no-gimmick, no-pressure approach to neurosurgery.” This is one of the major reasons he joined Inland Neurosurgery Institute, where the other physicians share a similar approach to neurosurgery. He is highly regarded by his patients and the local physicians for doing the least invasive surgery necessary to restore the patient’s health and functional status. He takes the time to explain the disease process to the patient and explains all of the risks and benefits of their various options for treating them.  Dr. AmirNovin is the Senior Partner at INI.

His patient-centered approach to neurological surgery has gained him numerous clinical recognitions based on patient and colleague reviews. He is rated as a Castle Connolly top doctor for multiple years and is routinely a '5-star' medicare participant.  

In his free time, Dr. AmirNovin enjoys spending time with his family, computer programming, skiing, and dabbling in digital photography.

EDUCATION

• 1996: Bachelor of Science in Chemistry / Biochemistry (Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Highest Honors)
• 2000: Medical Doctorate (MD) from New york University (NYU) Medical School (Alpha Omega Alpha Honors Society)
• 2000: General Surgery Internship – Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Boston, MA
• 2001-2006: Neurosurgery Residency at Harvard’s Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)
• 2005-2006: Fellowship training in Functional Neurosurgery at Harvard Medical School Center for CNS Regeneration (includes Surgery for Parkinsons, Complex pain, Image-Guided Surgery,
• Movement Disorders, and Seizure disorders)
• GAMMA Knife trained and certified 2008.
• Board Certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgeons, 2010

ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS

• American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)
• Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS)
• American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery (ASSFN)

ARTICLES & JOURNALS

• Article: Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN)
• Article: Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery for Parkinson’s Disease
• Article: PubMed.gov Articles

Catherine Peterson, MD, is an endovascular-trained neurosurgeon with advanced expertise in minimally invasive brain and spine procedures. At Inland Neurosurgery Institute, a practice with locations in Pomona and Arcadia, California, Dr. Peterson brings a deep commitment to patient-centered care and innovative neurovascular treatment strategies.

Originally from Moldova, Dr. Peterson immigrated to the U.S. in childhood, where she cultivated a strong work ethic and passion for medicine. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology with magna cum laude honors from Purdue and her medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine. She completed her neurosurgery residency at UC Davis and Detroit Medical Center, followed by a competitive endovascular neurosurgery fellowship at UCLA.

Dr. Peterson specializes in both cranial and spinal neurosurgery, with a particular focus on treating stroke, aneurysms, and complex neurovascular conditions through catheter-based techniques. Her research, including multiple peer-reviewed publications and national presentations, centers on improving outcomes in stroke care and understanding cognitive recovery following brain hemorrhage.
Recognized for her academic excellence and compassionate approach, 

Dr. Peterson received the James E. Boggan Award for Scholarly Excellence twice. She believes in a personalized, respectful approach to neurosurgical care and stays active in the field through membership in organizations like the AANS, CNS, and SNIS.

Outside the operating room, Dr. Peterson enjoys gardening, traveling, and spending time with her family in California’s outdoors.

Dr. Benjamin Ball grew up in a smaller town within the New York Tri-State area. As a young adult, he moved to Charlottesville, Virginia where he completed a double major in chemistry and biology at the University of Virginia, graduating with high honors. He remained at UVA for medical school, where his pre-clerkship GPA was top five in his class. He then completed his neurosurgical residency at the University of California, Irvine, where he spent a year completing an enfolded skull-base surgery fellowship. His surgical interests include tumors, spine, and trauma. In his free time, he enjoys watching movies, reading science fiction books, attending local comedy shows, and watching UVA Men’s Basketball dominate.