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Almothana Al-kasabera
Hometown: Madaba, Jordan
Medical School: Faculté de médecine de Constantine
Residency: Griffin Hospital
Why Nephrology: I was drawn to nephrology because of its unique combination of complex physiology, continuity of care, and the opportunity to build long-term relationships with patients. What fascinates me most is how the kidney interfaces with nearly every organ system, playing a central role in fluid balance, electrolyte regulation, acid-base homeostasis, and blood pressure control. This interconnection provides a comprehensive understanding of both physiologic and pathophysiologic processes across the body. Nephrology also offers the chance to manage a wide spectrum of conditions, from acute critical illness to chronic, longitudinal care, making it both intellectually rewarding and clinically impactful.
Hobbies/Interests: Soccer, hiking, camping and travel
Plans After Fellowship: I am keeping my career plans open, with a strong interest in pursuing a hybrid clinical and academic role. I am also considering opportunities for further subspecialization within nephrology, such as transplant nephrology and glomerulonephritis (GN). -
Evelyn Gandhi
Hometown: Gualan, Zacapa, Guatemala and San Diego, CA
Medical School: Universidad Rafael Landivar
Residency: Southwest Healthcare Medical Educational Consortium
Why Nephrology: Nephrology, to me, is the philosophy of medicine in its purest form. It asks us to pause and think deeply about cause and consequence. Each patient’s kidneys represent a universe of hidden dialogues between fluid and solute, immunity and self. It exists where science meets ethics—deciding when to start dialysis, whether to pursue transplantation, or when the gentler path is comfort. What draws me most is that there is rarely a single right answer, only the answer that best honors each patient’s values, dignity, and humanity. Nephrology demands both the precision of a scientist and the heart of a philosopher, and it is in that balance that I find my calling.
Hobbies/Interests: Caring for my plants, creating new dishes in the kitchen, traveling, and antique shopping.
Plans after Fellowship: I am considering specializing in glomerulopathies or transplant nephrology. -
Jamie Greathouse
Hometown: Macomb, Illinois
Medical School: Rocky Vista University, Denver CO
Residency: UHS Socal
Why Nephrology: My path to nephrology has been anything but conventional, coming from a background of theater, nutrition, and biochemistry. I love exploring the why behind the what, and nephrology is full of those interesting physiological puzzles, looking for the one small shift in the body that can set off a chain reaction across many different systems. What captures my passion in the end are the patients. Chronic disease can be a long emotional and physical journey, I want to be the person that can carry some of that weight beside them. Nephrology is the amazing specialty that gives me both things I care about most, endlessly interesting science and the chance to be someone a patient can always count on.
Hobbies/Interests: Anything centered around the ocean; swimming, surfing, spending the day with my husband/friends on the beach, exploring new restaurants and new places to try matcha.
Plans after Fellowship: Still pondering. -
Emma Mulligan
Hometown: Boulder, CO
Medical School: Boston University
Residency: University of California San Diego
Why nephrology: I love being intellectually challenged and thinking through problems utilizing physiology. Within internal medicine, nephrology was what ignited my neurons the most! I enjoyed the patient relationships, intellectual challenges, complex coordination, and team-based nature of nephrology through my nephrology focused residency rotations. Nephrology research here at UCSD convinced me that through clinical research I could improve the care of my patients and continue to explore the unknown within nephrology.
Hobbies/Interests: Exploring the outdoors with my family, word puzzles, kung fu, tai chi, Dungeons & Dragons
Plans after fellowship: academic nephrology; keeping an open mind on what within academic nephrology will be my focus
Nephrology Fellows
First-Year Clinical Fellows
Second-Year Clinical Fellows
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Neha Bijjala
Hometown: Cerritos, CA
Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences
Residency: Scripps Mercy Hospital
Why Nephrology: My passion for nephrology began before medical school, when I led research focused on disparities in kidney transplantation among Hispanic patients. I saw how language barriers and medical mistrust limited access to care. During my residency, I was drawn to the complexity of the kidneys and the challenge of interpreting their signals across diverse clinical settings. I chose nephrology because it combines intricate physiology with the opportunity to build lasting, trust-based relationships with patients, particularly those navigating chronic illness and difficult decisions.
Hobbies/Interests: Traveling, trying out new restaurants, going on hikes with my dog, cooking
Plans After Fellowship: Undecided. -
Matan Khanian
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Medical School: St. George's University
Residency: Atlantic Health- Overlook Medical Center
Why Nephrology: My interest in Nephrology sparked early on in Residency. I was amazed by the immense understanding of medicine and teaching by the nephrologists I met. I found Nephrology to be a key aspect of medicine, and an integral part of patient's care. The required vast knowledge of Internal Medicine along with continuity of care accommodates practice in multiple settings- from an acute setting such as ICU to routine outpatient follow-up where a close relationship is formed with the patients. My interest further solidified after immersing myself into the friendliness, openness and latest developments of the field at ASN Kidney Week.
Hobbies/Interests: Marine life, Scuba diving, authentic cuisines
Plans After Fellowship: Exploring the possibility of Interventional Nephrology, but keeping an open mind. -
Daniel Mai
Hometown: Riverside, CA
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Auburn Campus
Residency: University of New Mexico School of Medicine
Why Nephrology: I like Nephrology because of the pathology that we see as well as the degree of overlap that it has with general internal medicine and the intersection with other various subspecialties. From the ICU, the floor, clinic, and dialysis units, there is so much variety in the settings in which we practice and the cases that we encounter.Hobbies/Interests: Hiking, going to the beach, trying new restaurants, drumming, rewatching old sitcoms, watching youtube traveling vlogs/videos.
Plans After Fellowship: Unsure, but I am interested in interventional nephrology. -
Richard "Ray" Ragasa
Hometown: Cainta, Philippines; Ontario, California
Medical School: University of the Philippines College of Medicine
Residency: University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital, Southwest Healthcare Medical Educational Consortium
Why Nephrology: Nephrology is such an under-appreciated field. Not many people realize that nephrologists are one of the most hardworking doctors and smartest teachers. I argue that there wouldn't be any other model physician besides the nephrologist. They are the most altruistic advocates for their inevitably long-term patients. In a more personal sense, the grit, attention to detail, and breadth of knowledge of all the nephrologists I have met before are simply worth all emulation.
Hobbies/Interests: Postcard collection, swimming, baking, learning languages, yoga, karaoke, drag, ancient history documentaries
Plans After Fellowship: Community general nephrology in the Riverside-San Bernardino area, possibly specialization in hypertension or glomerular diseases -
Philip Thomas
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Medical School: Midwestern University – Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: University of Illinois Chicago
Why Nephrology: I was initially intimidated by Nephrology but then had a rotation in medical school with an amazing mentor who laid the pathology out and showed me how interesting it was- from the bread-and-butter AKI/CKD to complex glomerular disease. I gained more experience in residency including a longitudinal clinic and saw how I was able to build meaningful relationships with these patients and how much they come to trust their Nephrologists. It continues to excite me, and I know I can have a fulfilling career in the field.
Hobbies/Interests: Now that I’m in San Diego I’ve already discovered a love for the beach and boogie boarding. Outside of that I love the outdoors in general, exploring with my dog, playing music, and finding new restaurants with my wife.
Plans After Fellowship: I would like to pursue general nephrology, whether that be in the academic or private setting.