Clinical Nutrition

Meet our Expert Team

The UCLA Center for Human Nutrition team is a leader in both research and clinical care settings with the goal of advancing knowledge and treatment in variety of nutrition-related health issues including obesity, metabolic disease, cardiovascular disease and cancer.  By understanding the effects of nutrients on the human body through research, we aim to translate this to the clinical practice in the care of our patients.

Leadership

Zhaoping Li, MD
Zhaoping Li, MD
Division Chief of Clinical Nutrition
Zhaoping Li, MD
Vijaya Surampudi, MD, MS
Vijaya Surampudi, MD, MS
Clinical Chief
Vijaya Surampudi, MD, MS
Woman wearing a green shirt against a blue background.
Gail Thames
MSO, Division Administrator

Emeritus Faculty

David Heber
David Heber, MD, PhD
Co-Founder of UCLA Center for Human Nutrition
Vay Liang Go
Vay Liang Go, MD
Co-Founder of UCLA Center for Human Nutrition

Clinical Faculty

Michael C. Garcia, MD
Michael C. Garcia, MD
Assistant Clinical Professor
Michael C. Garcia, MD
Dave K. Garg, MD
Dave K. Garg, MD
Assistant Clinical Professor
Dave K. Garg, MD
Courtney DeCan, MD, MPH
Courtney DeCan, MD, MPH
Clinical Instructor
Courtney DeCan, MD, MPH
Natalie Bransky
Natalie Bransky, MD
Clinical Instructor/Fellow
Steven Tan, MD
Steven Tan, MD
Associate Physician Diplomate
Berkeley N. Limketkai, MD, PhD
Berkeley N. Limketkai, MD, PhD
Gastroenterology/IBD/Clinical Nutrition
Berkeley N. Limketkai, MD, PhD
Jenny J. Kim, MD, PhD
Jenny J. Kim, MD, PhD
Dermatology/Clinical Nutrition
Jenny J. Kim, MD, PhD
Christine Goukasian, MS, RDN
Christine Goukasian, MS, RDN
Senior Dietitian
Christine Goukasian, MS, RDN
Lydia W. Chau, RD
Lydia W. Chau, RD
Dietitian
Lydia W. Chau, RD
Hannah H. Shin, NP
Hannah H. Shin, NP
Nurse Practitioner
Hannah H. Shin, NP
Anna Balioukova, NP
Anna Balioukova, NP
Nurse Practitioner
Anna Balioukova, NP

Basic Scientist

Headshot of Jieping Yang wearing glasses and a green blouse
Jieping Yang, PhD
Lab Director
On Kei Lei
Onkei Lei
Post Doc
Hila Zelicha
Hila Zelicha, PhD
Post Doc

Lab Staff

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Jianjun Huang
Lab Tech
UCLA Health logo on a sand-colored background with a circular sun rising in the right corner.
Rupo Lee
Lab Tech, Chemistry
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Mario Vega
Senior Lab Tech, Microbiology/Immunology

Basic Research Staff

Irene Gilbuena, LVN, Clinical Nutrition
Irene Gilbuena, LVN
Nurse Coordinator
Jeraldine Guzman
Jeraldine Guzman, RN
Medical Assistant, Study Coordinator
Headshot of Monica Arana wearing a grey shirt
Molica Arana, MPH
Lead Study Coordinator
Headshot of Kimberly Ramirez wearing a grey sweater
Kimberly Ramirez
Study Coordinator
Kevin Kim, Study Coordinator, Clinical Nutrition
Kevin Kim
Study Coordinator
Woman with long blonde hair wearing a gray blazer and a gold necklace.
Shauna Davis, MS, RDN, LD
Dietitian
Shauna Davis, MS, RDN, LD

Administrative Staff

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Mayara Bledsoe
Fund Manager
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Puneet (Pri) Samra
Administrative Assistant/Purchaser