Our Fellows
First Year Fellows
John Cheng MD,
Undergrad: University of California, Berkley
Medical School: USF-Health Morsani College of Medicine
Residency: UCLA
Dr. John Cheng earned his undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley. His interest in the retina took shape while working as an ophthalmic technician and scribe in a retina practice in the Bay Area, where he learned to capture and interpret a range of retinal images. He went on to earn his medical degree from the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, where he was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha. Dr. Cheng then completed his ophthalmology residency at UCLA Stein Eye Institute and received the department’s Resident Teaching Award. His research has covered retinal detachment repair, retinal imaging, and unusual retinal conditions; he has also studied the role of residents in ophthalmic surgery. He is now continuing at Stein as a vitreoretinal surgery fellow, bringing together his longstanding interest in retina, research, and teaching. His hobbies outside of work include trying out new restaurants in southern California and spending time with his wife.
Mike Wolek, MD
Undergrad: The College of New Jersey
Medical School: Stony Brook University
Residency: Case Western Reserve University
Dr. Michael Wolek completed his undergraduate studies at The College of New Jersey, where he majored in Biology and minored in Economics and Public Health. During his time there, he served as President of the TriBeta Biology Honors Society and received several awards for his research, including the Becton-Dickinson Award for Excellence in Biology. He went on to earn his medical degree from the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, where he was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha and served as Finance Director for the student-run free clinic. He also received a grant from the New York Academy of Medicine to pursue a quality improvement initiative.
Dr. Wolek completed his ophthalmology residency at Case Western Reserve University, where he received multiple travel grants to present his research and was recognized for Best Research Presentation at the department’s research day symposium. His research interests include developing innovative techniques for secondary intraocular lens surgery and exploring the use of artificial intelligence for screening and prognostication in retinal diseases. He is excited to continue his training at UCLA Stein Eye Institute and looks forward to learning from the many different surgical approaches and perspectives of the retina faculty.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Wolek enjoys staying active through running, road cycling, and tennis. He also enjoys fishing, exploring new places, and wine tasting.
Sean Yuan, MD,
Undergrad: University of California, Berkley
Medical School: Washington University of St. Louis
Residency: University of California, Irvine
After a rewarding experience playing professional soccer in Mexico, Itzam pursued higher education at Colorado State University-Pueblo, attending on a soccer scholarship. He went on to complete his medical degree and residency at the University of Colorado. Throughout his training, Itzam embraced leadership opportunities that aligned with his goal of contributing to academic medicine, including serving as the inaugural chief resident and being an active member of the University of Colorado’s curriculum steering committee.
Itzam’s research interests are broad and focuses on three key areas: understanding the complement system in eye conditions, developing innovative medical education curriculums, and addressing healthcare disparities. Itzam is known for his ability to build strong connections with patients and for his dedication to empowering others to achieve their aspirations.
In his free time, Itzam enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, salsa dancing, and staying active through soccer.
Second Year Fellows
Meghana Kalavar, MD, MHS
Undergrad: John Hopkins University
Medical School: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Residency: Havener Eye Institute OSU
Dr. Meghana Kalavar completed her undergraduate studies at Johns Hopkins University, where she studied Public Health and Bioethics. She went on to earn a Master of Health Science from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health before attending the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, where she graduated with Research Distinction and received a merit scholarship. She completed her ophthalmology residency at The Ohio State University Havener Eye Institute, where she received the Excellence in Residency Award, and is now completing her vitreoretinal surgery fellowship at the UCLA Stein Eye Institute.
Dr. Kalavar has authored or co-authored 40 peer-reviewed publications, with research interests spanning retinal therapeutics, artificial intelligence in ophthalmology, diabetic retinopathy, surgical outcomes, and access to ophthalmic care. She has presented her work nationally and internationally, including at the American Society of Retina Specialists and the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology. At UCLA, she particularly values the breadth of surgical training, exposure to complex retinal disease, and the opportunity to learn different approaches to patient care and surgery from a diverse group of retina faculty.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Kalavar enjoys spending time with friends and family over good food and wine, traveling and exploring new places, trying new workout classes with her husband, and getting outdoors for a hike whenever she can.
Brian Soetikno, MD, PhD
Undergrad: Washington University of St. Louis
Medical School: Northwestern
Residency: Stanford
Dr. Soetikno earned his undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, followed by his MD and PhD, also in biomedical engineering, at Northwestern. He then completed his internship and ophthalmology residency at Stanford, where he also earned a Master’s in Clinical Informatics and pursued research in retinal imaging and artificial intelligence. What he values most about the UCLA fellowship is the breadth and depth of surgical training, coupled with the autonomy to take ownership of patient care. Rotating between Stein Eye and LA County’s VA and safety-net hospitals offers both a high volume of cases and a wide range of complex pathology, from routine retinal detachments to advanced diabetic disease and challenging re-operations, along with a remarkably diverse patient population. Outside the hospital, Dr. Soetikno enjoys exploring LA’s dining scene with his wife Jessie, spending time at the park with his daughter Kaia and their dog Hiro, and staying active through working out and martial arts.
Former Fellows
Alejandro "Itzam" Marin, MD
Undergrad: Colorado State-Pueblo
Medical School: University of Colorado
Residency: University of Colorado
2024-2026
Current Practice: University of Colorado
Cherilyn Palochak, MD, Capt USAF
Undergrad: University of California - Berkeley
Medical School: Chicago Medical School
Residency: San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium (SAUSHEC)
2024-2026
Current Practice: San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium (SAUSHEC)
Prashant Tailor, MD
Undergrad: Georgia Institute of Technology
Medical School: Medical College of Georgia
Residency: Mayo Clinic
2024-2026
Current Practice: University of North Carolina
Adrian Au, MD, PhD
Undergrad: University of Southern California
Medical School: Case Western Reserve
Residency: UCLA
2023-2025
Current Practice: UCLA
Blake Fortes, MD
Undergrad: University of Miami
Medical School: Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
Residency: Mayo Clinic
2023-2025
Current Practice: Retina Group of Florida
Albert Liao, MD, MS
Undergrad: Princeton University
Medical School: Emory University School of Medicine
Residency: Emory Eye Center
2022-2024
Current Practice: Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston
Jiwei Sheng, MD
Undergrad: University of Maryland, College Park
Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine
Residency: Baylor College of Medicine/Cullen Eye Institute
2022-2024
Current Practice: Retina Group of Washington
Former Fellows
We look forward to meeting you!
Contact information:
Debbie Sato
Academic Programs Administrator
100 Stein Plaza, Rm 2-132
Los Angeles, CA 90095
(310) 825-4617