Current UCSD Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellows

We could not possibly be any prouder of our UCSD Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellows!!! While their accomplishments and accolades are stellar, it is their empathy, compassion, humanity, dedication, humility, honesty, passion, integrity, courage, patience, optimism, high moral standards, and interpersonal strengths that make them truly special and unique human beings. They work tirelessly to take care of our underserved youth and families, who often have nowhere else to turn.

Fellows, you inspire us as faculty to be the best versions of ourselves!

First Year Fellows 

Liliana Cousins, M.D.

(Traditional Track) 

Dr. Liliana Cousins brings a wealth of rich experiences, a service-oriented mindset, and a passion for equity into every space she enters. Some of her inspiring past experiences include serving in the Rural Underserved Opportunities Program through the University of Washington, the Yale Parenting Center in New Haven, assisting teens working towards their GEDs who had to leave traditional high school, providing free legal clinics at the DC Employment Justice Center for maltreated individuals, and serving as a GED tutor for incarcerated adolescents. Outside of medicine, Dr. Cousins is a highly accomplished violinist who has played in both formal and community settings that emphasize musical fusion. We hope to hear her play! She also spent some time in Seattle supporting local theater and arts projects. Dr Cousins’ letter writers commented that, “She has been an exemplar of professionalism, maturity and warmth, with her commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion evident throughout, performing at a much higher level than is typical for her PG year. I have rarely felt so moved by a trainee, as she beautifully conveys her wisdom and maturity, measured and thoughtful approach, and of course her deep commitment to this work.”  On a personal note, Dr. Cousins embodies a rare combination of wisdom, maturity, and safety. Her work ethic is as impressive as the quality is impeccable, and she truly leaves no stone unturned for her patients. Go, Dr. Cousins!

Dahlin Jackson, D.O.

(Community Track)

Maria Cristina Palomares Castillo, M.D.

(Traditional Track)

 Dr. Palomares Castillo brings with her a global mental health perspective, an aptitude for creating a sense of community and bringing people from diverse backgrounds together, and for nurturing future generations. It came as little surprise when her letter writers conveyed that she had “adopted several PGY-Is, taking them under her wing.” Some of her inspiring past experiences include working as a Social Service Physician for the Secretary of Health and Human Services of Monterrey (Mexico), leading to a Social Service Award, and serving on the Mexican Red Cross Medical Brigade. Some of her other inspiring past experiences include teaching English to low-income children, being highly active in her residency (LGBTQIA+ therapy group, Wellness Committee, BigSib/LittleSib Mentorship program). She was also a New York Psychoanalytic Institute Fellow. Dr. Palomares Castillo’s letter writers wrote that, “She is often referred to as one of the best residents ever! All attendings reached out to the PD personally commending her performance as on par with a fellow.” All of her letter writes commented on how she is a pillar of support for junior trainees, learners, patients, and their families. On a personal note, Dr. Palomaro Castillo’s warmth, compassion, and caring nature just radiate forth and simply cannot be missed. In a field of empaths, it truly is special to stand out for how deeply you care. Go, Dr. Castillo!

Jacqueline Tasarz, M.D.

(Community Track)

We were thrilled when we learned that our UCSD Community Track Psychiatry Resident, Jacqueline Tasarz, was interested in pre-matching into our fellowship! Dr. Tasarz has received nothing but the absolute highest praise at every stage of her residency training and now fellowship at UCSD. She comes across as driven, dedicated, committed, mature, and 100% all-in when it comes to child and community mental health. Some of her inspiring past experiences include developing expertise in Neurodevelopmental Disorders (Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine and the UCSD LEND Program), serving at the UCSD and UC Davis free clinics, contributing to Students Supporting Survivors of Human Trafficking and Women Leading Healthy Change, and mentoring first-generation Polish students. Her letter writers commented that she “is an exceptionally strong psychiatry resident with a strong fund of knowledge, outstanding dedication, compassion, and exemplary skills, in addition to her warm, enthusiastic, and deep personal commitment to the underserved. She is the single resident who comes to mind first when I think about a ‘good fit,’ as she possesses the unusual combination of being flexible, hard-working, and open to new experiences, viewing every encounter as an opportunity for learning.” On a personal note, Dr. Tasarz has an infectious inner drive and holds herself to an impressively high standard. While she works super hard, she also laughs at our dad jokes =) Go, Dr. Tasarz!

Christine Wahlmeier, D.O.

(Traditional Track)

Dr. Wahlmeier is the unique combination of a pragmatic dreamer: one who dares to think outside the box but then is willing to put the effort into to making these dreams a reality. Prior to medicine, she worked as a behavioral tech for a drug/alcohol rehab program. Some of her meaningful experiences include serving in multiple shelters for vulnerable populations (DV, trafficking, sexual assault, children), and as a court-mandated observer, peer mentor, editor, health literacy advocate, and Wellness Chair. Dr. Wahlmeier’s letter writers comment that she “is one of the strongest and most well-rounded resident we've had in years who leans into challenges with magical results. What sets her apart is her boundless energy and enthusiasm that permeates all she does – it is downright infectious and leads to impressive outcomes. She is the lynchpin of relationships in the department and single-handedly recruited most of our community-based lecturers. She is one of the few who dedicate extra time for collateral and doing therapy on inpatient, and even picks up shifts for her co-residents!” On a personal note, Dr. Wahlmeier is a glass half full optimists who leaves you feeling hopeful, inspired, and ready to take on the world! Her radically genuine authenticity breathes life into every room she enters. She is a true Renaissance woman, who can discuss ancient civilizations, neurotransmitters, and psychodynamic formulations in the same breath. Go, Dr. Wahlmeier!

Katherine Yoder, D.O.

Everyone fortunate enough to work with Dr. Yoder has been struck by the level of excellence she brings to work every day. Her level of dedication is at a devotion level - such is how deeply she feels her calling to heal children and families who are suffering. Some of her inspiring experiences include working in multiple free/underserved clinics, receiving both the PGY-I Outstanding Patient Care Award and the PGY-II Teamwork Excellence Award at the University of Arkansas, and serving on her residency Wellness and Recruitment Committees. Her letter writers commented that she is “by far one of the best residents in years on one of the most challenging rotations…one of the best in her class…a rare resident that checks all the boxes…an exceptionally bright and talented physician…when there is work to be done, she is always at the table. Her clinical performance consistently exceeds expectations…this is what we yearn to see in our residents – that zeal to excel. She created our residency book club, and is a “Lunch Czar” who feeds her co-residents.”  On a personal note, when Dr. Yoder is on the case, you can rest assured that the patient and family will receive optimal care. She can hold tremendous space through her empathy, while helping youth and families to learn the importance of both attachment and healthy limit setting. She analyzes cases top to bottom, and even picks up on medical findings that our medical teams missed. She is all-in! Go, Dr. Yoder!

Second Year Fellows

Ari Azani, M.D.

(Traditional Track)

Dr. Ari Azani has been deeply committed to health equity and disparities, social justice, community service, and supporting underserved communities throughout his career, and thus is a recipient of the University of Washington Service Learning Award. While in medical school, Dr. Azani served as a member of the Latino Medical Student Association, which extended support to students in not only Seattle, but also Spokane, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. Dr. Azani has also served at a free medical clinic, where part of his responsibilities included translating for Spanish-speaking families. He also championed a support program for under-represented minority applicants through the Office of Admissions, and even measured the effectiveness of the program via pre/post data. Dr. Azani has also excelled when it comes to research, amassing 10 scholarly products and serving as both an NIH Academy Fellow and an NIH Research Fellow. Lastly, Dr. Azani has utilized the power of written word and poetry as a healing force in medicine. Dr. Azani’s letter writers wrote, “He quickly became one of my favorite residents! Rather than taking a judgmental or reductionistic stance, he remained curious about the experiences of his patients, creating detailed formulations that take into account pathology, psychopharmacology, and psychosocial factors. All the while, he is an absolute joy to teach and is a great mentor to medical students because his interpersonal style is fun and creative.”  Go, Dr. Azani!

Abram Estafanous, D.O.

(Traditional Track)

 Dr. Abram Estafanous came to UCSD Medical Center/Rady Children’s Hospital for an away rotation in April of 2023 and so thoroughly impressed our faculty and fellows with his tireless work ethic and dedication, stellar interpersonal skills, and humanistic qualities that we offered him our only pre-match position this past year (typically reserved for internal UCSD residents only)! Throughout the course of this year and through many subsequent meetings with Abram, our confidence in this decision has only grown and grown. He currently serves as Chief Resident of Psychiatry for his residency program and is on the Medical Educator Track. He is also an Associate Editor for the American Journal of Psychiatry Residents’ Journal and received a Distinction in Psychiatry Award in medical school. He received a Community Health Silver Award for approximately 100 hours of service in medical school. Our very own faculty wrote that Dr. Estafanous “instantly became an essential member of our treatment team, working incessantly to master our electronic health record within a week so that he could contribute as much as possible. His work ethic is unwavering, his patient care is of the utmost quality, he has an undeniable and influential impact on both the members of our team and the children and families who he serves.” Go, Dr. Estafanous!

Jessica Kuo, D.O.

(Community Track)

Dr. Jessica Kuo was the recipient of not one, not two, but three TOUCH Awards in medical for her extraordinary volunteer efforts! She spent over 200 hours volunteering at a crisis text line and participated in the Health Outreach Through Medicine and Education program as an organizer for student run healthcare clinics at a transitional homeless shelter (Central Arizona Shelter Service). She also tutored underserved children, volunteered at a food pantry,  served as Coordinator of her Residency Wellness Committee, and served as President of her Asian Pacific Medical Student Association chapter. Dr. Kuo is a member of the Sigma Sigma Phi honorary organization for academically gifted medical students, and as Academic Senior for her residency program she coordinates lectures, a PRITE Review Course, journal club, a simulation lab, and grand rounds presentations. Like many of her classmates, Dr. Kuo has a creative side, and when she isn’t teaching her cat new tricks, she can be found crocheting amigurumis and running marathons. Dr. Kuo’s letter writers stated that she “lights up any room and carries a positive attitude that exemplifies compassion and trustworthiness. She has a “spongelike” desire to learn…truly it is unusual to be so self-driven towards learning and exploration at her stage, and then to effortlessly excel masterfully in all areas. She is the ideal applicant, effortlessly rises to managing patients with attending-level complexity, and hear clinical prowess easily surpassed her level of training.” Go, Dr. Kuo!

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Kelvin Ngo, M.D.

(Traditional Track)

Like many of his incoming classmates, Dr. Kelvin Ngo is certainly a humanitarian at heart. On his interview day, he impressed us with his maturity, grounded nature, and an emotional and mental depth that is quite rare at his stage of training.  During the COVID-19 pandemic, he supported local homeless populations who were hit especially hard. As a resident, he organized toy drives for children who were hospitalized on the inpatient child and adolescent psychiatric unit so that they could remain connected to the holiday, their families, and the community. He has also served as a palliative care volunteer to help patients and their families find meaning in their remaining time through baking, decorating, playing music, and making cards. In addition, he served as a peer mentor for underserved, socioeconomically disadvantaged, and minoritized children. He remains interested in working with minorities (including LGBTQIA+ patients and families), youth with developmental disabilities, and within patient-centered systems of care. Dr. Ngo’s letter writers reported that Ngo “is that rare resident who makes my job much easier. He has been without a doubt the most diligent resident of the year and is functioning well above his level of training. His evaluations have been glowing. I was taken aback when patients would ask if they could be transferred to Dr. Ngo’s care after a mere 5 minutes in his presence!” Go, Dr. Ngo!

Heather Miura, M.D.

(Community Track)

Aloha! Dr. Heather Miura may be the only applicant who is actually downgrading in weather by moving to San Diego from the great state of Hawaii =) She, like her peers, is a humanitarian at heart, as evidenced by her induction into the Gold Humanism Honor Society. She gained valuable experience as a psychiatric technician at the Hawaii State Psychiatric Hospital for over a year prior to transitioning to medical school. She served as both the manager and junior attending at a free clinic for the Hawaii Houseless Outreach and Medical Education (HOME) Project. This experience also included organizing school supply donations for houseless youth and supporting them through holidays. Dr. Miura has also served as a PBL tutor for medical students and as Treasurer and Secretary of the Hawaii Psychiatric Medical Association, and also as a Co-President and Mentor for her department’s Mentorship Program. Lastly, Dr. Miura served as Health and Wellness Co-Chair for her residency program, and organized a number of activities and initiatives to appreciate her peers and colleagues, including organized efforts in qi-gong. She has amassed 9 scholarly products to date. Dr. Miura’s letter writers expressed that, “In full disclosure, we are doing everything we can to recruit her to our department as both a fellow and a future attending! She works with the highest degree of diligence and care.  Attendings consistently applaud her dedication and willingness to go above and beyond – even when she is off of her shift! E Como Mai, Dr. Miura!

Jennifer Yoo, M.D.

(Traditional Track)

Dr. Jen Yoo comes to our fellowship program with a wealth of experience and accomplishments! Global mental health has been a longstanding focus for Dr. Yoo. In addition to starting a global health interest group and being involved in the Global Medical Missions Alliance, she also served at a free health clinic in Tijuana for large numbers of underserved patients and families through an organization called Healing Hearts Across Borders. She was also recognized as a Fulbright Scholar Semifinalist for her work in Finland, where she received a Master’s Degree in Translational Medicine. Dr. Yoo is also an advocate at heart, serving as Co-Chair of Advocacy for the California medical Association House of Delegates and as an official Recovery Mentor through the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa.  She also worked with intellectually disables youth and their families to facilitate inclusion, and has amassed 14 scholarly products thus far! Dr. Yoo’s letter writers commented on the fact that she “stands out regarding her outstanding work ethic and exceptional diagnostic acumen. When she is on service, you can rest assured as an attending that the patients will receive nothing but the absolute best. Her medical decision-making skills are clearly far above her level of training. She has an insatiable thirst for knowledge, and very thoughtfully and intentionally involves families in care.” Go, Dr. Yoo!