MASLD Team

Veeral Ajmera, MD

Dr. Veeral Ajmera is Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and Medical Director of Liver Transplantation at the University of California, San Diego. He is a board-certified transplant hepatologist and cares for patients with acute and chronic liver disease. Dr. Ajmera completed Internal Medicine residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital at Harvard University and Gastroenterology and Transplant Hepatology fellowships at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). At UCSF he also completed a Master’s Degree Program in Clinical Research. Dr. Ajmera is a current member of the UCSD MASLD Research Unit where he collaborates with a multidisciplinary team of experts on research in non-invasive biomarkers, genetics and patient factors associated with disease severity and prognosis. He is a recipient of an American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) Clinical and Translational Research Award and an NIDDK K23 Career Development Award for his work on the non-invasive assessment of patients with MASLD. He is a co-investigator for adult hepatology for the NIDDK-sponsored MASH Clinical Research Network and Liver Cirrhosis Network.

Monica Tincopa, MD, MSc

Dr. Monica Tincopa is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University of California, San Diego. She is board certified in internal medicine, gastroenterology, transplant hepatology and obesity medicine. Dr. Tincopa obtained her medical degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She completed internal medicine residency at Johns Hopkins and Gastroenterology and Transplant Hepatology fellowships at the University of Michigan (UM). While at UM, Dr. Tincopa also obtained a Master's degree in Health and Healthcare Research. Her research interests involve health disparities and MASLD, with a specific focus on MASLD within the Hispanic/Latino population. Dr. Tincopa cares for patients with both acute and chronic liver disease and evaluates and cares for patients in need of liver transplantation. Dr. Tincopa is a current member of the UCSD MASLD Research Unit where she collaborates with experts on clinical risk prediction modeling and non-invasive testing for chronic liver disease as well as lifestyle interventions and optimization of metabolic conditions in liver disease. She is a recipient of an American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) Clinical and Translational Research Award and a grant from Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Dr. Tincopa is a co-investigator for adult hepatology for the NIDDK-sponsored MASH Clinical Research Network.

Federica Tavaglione, MD, PhD

Dr. Federica Tavaglione is postdoctoral researcher and endocrinologist from Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Italy. Her principal area of research focuses on the risk stratification and non-invasive assessment of MASLD. Her past work includes the development of the Fibrotic NASH Index (FNI), a blood-based biomarker that identifies fibrotic steatohepatitis by combining AST, HDL, and HbA1c. Developed in collaboration with the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, FNI recently exhibited a strong performance in the prediction of fibrosis resolution after bariatric surgery. Dr. Tavaglione joined Dr. Loomba's MASLD Research Center team to pursue cutting-edge research and will be developing novel non-invasive biomarkers for the classification of steatotic liver disease subcategories (MASLD, MetALD, ALD). In her spare time, Dr. Tavaglione enjoys travelling, exploring nature and the wide outdoors, and photography.  

Luis Antonio Diaz Piga, MD

Young Youn Cho, MD

Dr. Young Youn Cho is a Gastroenterology Specialist and Associate Professor at Chung-Ang University Hospital in Seoul, South Korea. He trained as a specialist in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology at Seoul National University Hospital. As a clinical researcher, his interests include cohort studies, public big data, and microbiome research. Dr. Cho joined the MASLD Research Center team in 2024 to gain expertise in top-tier medical research. He is currently investigating ways to improve non-invasive diagnostic tools for MASLD patients and exploring the association between cardiovascular risk factors and liver-related outcomes in MASLD patients.

Egbert Madamba, MD

Egbert has a Bachelors of Science in Chemistry and a Medical Doctorate degree. He joined the MASLD Research Center in 2018. He is interested in understanding the etiology and progression of MASH. Outside of the research setting, Egbert enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Paula Hall (Trusewicz), MPH

Harris Siddiqi, B.S.

Harris received his B.S. in Human Biology from UC San Diego and joined MASLD Research Center team in 2022. He is interested in the physiological and genetic mechanisms of disease as well as incorporating precision medicine in disease intervention. Harris plans to pursue a career as a physician. Outside of the lab, Harris enjoys traveling and playing competitive sports such as tennis and basketball.

Diana Cortez-Moreno, B.S.

Diana received her B.S. in Public Health from UC San Diego. She joined the MASLD Research Center team in 2021. Diana’s main area of work is coordinating pharmaceutical trials for MASH and cirrhosis. She is excited about learning about how these investigational treatments affect and prevent the progression of liver disease. Outside of the lab, Diana enjoys hiking, learning to surf, watching movies and exploring new bars and restaurants in San Diego with her friends.

Wathnita Sarik

In 2012, Wathnita Sarik’s interest in biology and patient care led her to obtaining a position as a Phlebotomist for the MASLD Research Center Team. Subsequently, in 2020, Wathnita graduated from Ventura College with an AA in Sociology and got certified as a CNA for the elderly. In 2022, she rejoined the MASLD team as a Research Coordinator. Wathnita’s current goal is to contribute to the efforts of understanding the origins of liver disease and the development of preventative measures. At her leisure, Wathnita can always be caught dancing, exploring new places, or laughing with her family.

Darryl Contrano, B.S

Kaleb Tesfai

Chinar Sheth

Seth graduated with a Masters in Clinical Research from UCSD and joined the MASLD research team in 2024. He focuses primarily with cirrhotic patients and is interested in the various drug development pathways leading into clinical trials toward eventual FDA approval. He will beat anyone at fantasy football, pickleball, and is currently dedicated towards finding the perfect karaoke song. 

Jenna Roulan

Jenna Roulan graduated from Rhodes College in 2023 with a BA in Psychology. While attending college, Jenna Roulan was a research assistant for the Education Department. Her professor and her were interested in the language disparities between several international communities including Finland and Canada. From 2021-2022, she assisted her professor in writing a research paper that was presented internationally at the Paris Conference of Education in June of 2022. She aided her professor in hosting educational events on campus for various teachers around Memphis. Towards the end of her senior year, her professor and her began to investigate the Chickisaw Nation, their teaching strategies, and educational foundations.  Jenna also worked at Girls Inc. a non-profit aimed specifically for girls ages 4-18, who have experienced abuse. Through this opportunity, Jenna was able to provide comfort and educational support to young girls in the inner-city of Memphis. Jenna hopes to receive her MBA in the next few years. 

Joseph Khoury, B.S.

Joseph received his B.S. In Software Engineering from San Jose State University in 2019. He joined the MALSD Research Center in 2024. He enjoys being a part of a team that contributes to scientific advancements. Outside of the lab, Joseph enjoys spending time with friends and family, watching sporting events, and being at the lake. 

Snigdha Lokanadham, B.S.

Snigdha received her BS in Microbiology with a minor in Bioethics from UC San Diego in 2023. She joined the MASLD Research Team in 2022. She is interested in prevention and reversal of MASLD/MASH, as well as regulatory maintenance of clinical trials. She hopes to pursue a career as a physician in the future. In her free time, Snigdha enjoys reading, painting, and spending time with her loved ones.  

Michael Berman

Michael Berman received his B.S. in Human Biology at UCSD. He joined the MASLD Research Center in 2021 and is interested in pursuing a career in medicine as a physician. Michael is passionate about contributing to research that aims to develop treatment as well as resolve health disparities. Outside of his work Michael has been playing the piano and hot yoga!

Richele Bettencourt

Ricki received a M.S. in Biostatistics from UCLA and has been performing public health related research for over 30 years. She and Dr. Loomba have been collaborating since 2008, to date, co-authoring 70 academic journal articles related to all aspects of liver disease treatment and diagnosis. In her free time, Ricki enjoys anything that gets her outside, including running, cycling, ocean swimming, and pickle ball.

Mary Dalupang

Mary received her B.A. in Statistics from UC Riverside in 2015. She joined the MASLD Research Center team in 2024. Mary supports the data and lab aspects of the research center. She enjoys reading, writing, sports and spending time with her family and pets. 

Seema Singh, PhD

Seema has her PhD in Biotechnology and recently joined Dr. Loomba's team in 2017. Seema ensures that research is conducted in accordance with study protocols, as well as federal, state, institutional and regulatory guidelines. As a coordinator, Seema's priority is to provide exceptional care to her study subjects.

Asma Khan-Riches, PhD

Asma earned her PhD in Neuroscience and completed her postdoctoral training at the Department of Psychiatry at UCSD. She has extensive experience in Biotech, contributing to discovery and early preclinical development particularly contributing to due diligence efforts, IND submissions and securing funding from philanthropic organization. In 2024, she joined MASLD research center bringing her expertise in scientific writing, research communication and program management. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and painting.

Melanie Usher B.S.