Our residents, the centerpiece of the department, are compassionate, collegial, accomplished both inside and outside of the hospital, and truly represent the best and brightest in medicine. Hardly a day goes by when they do not fail to inspire us and contribute to a culture of unparalleled inquiry, creativity and collegiality. The opportunity to nurture their individual career development is a tremendous privilege and a responsibility that we take extremely seriously at UC Irvine.

Our residents are encouraged to think critically, challenged to venture "outside the box" and pushed to achieve more than they think they can on their own. By imparting them with self-confidence and providing them with the steadfast foundation for lifelong learning, we aim to help our residents attain their full potential as healers, investigators, scientists and leaders in medicine. We are incredibly proud of our department and residency program. Get to know us, and you'll see why.

Nahid Navin Howard, DO, radiation oncology resident

Nahid Navin Howard, DO

Nahid Navin Howard will begin her training at UC Irvine in July 2027. Matriculating in 2026 with an osteopathic medical degree from the Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Howard will also graduate this spring with an MPH from George Washington University's Milken Institute of Public Health. She also holds an MS degree in biomedical sciences from Western University. Howard is a member of the Gold Humanism Honor Society and a recipient of several service- and merit-based scholarships and awards from professional societies such as ASTRO, ASCO and the Association of Black Women Physicians. Outside of work, Howard enjoys yoga, strength training and hiking as well as spending time with her Yorkshire terrier, niece and siblings.

Zachary Wright, DO, new Radiation Oncology resident, stands in front of a U.S. flag and his U.S. Navy unit flag, in naval uniform.

Zachary Wright, DO

Zachary Wright will begin his training at UC Irvine in July 2026. After graduating in 2021 from the Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Wright completed a transitional year residency at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego. He then served as a general medical officer at the lieutenant rank and attained certification as a naval aviation medical examiner for the U.S. Navy. He holds several Navy certificates and awards for service and excellence in his duties. Wright is passionate about surfing and also enjoys snowboarding, hiking and backpacking in his free time.

Headshot of Bilal Shaikh, Radiation Oncology Physician Residency Program resident

Bilal Shaikh, MD

Bilal Shaikh will begin training at UC Irvine in July 2026. Matriculating in June 2025 with his medical degree from the University of Kentucky and previously a BA in political science also from the University of Kentucky, Shaikh will bring his passion for leadership and teamwork honed by a tenure as Vice President of the University of Kentucky student body and organizer for a number of wellness and charity events as a medical student. He has also advocated for mental health and partnered with the University of Kentucky Violence and Intervention Prevention Center and the Behavioral Health Center. As a student researcher, Shaikh developed an interest in stereotactic radiosurgery. In his spare time, he enjoys MCing weddings for friends and family, studying football coaching practices, reading about political and economic philosophies, and spending time with his family and his cat, Bentley.

Andrea Inda, MD, physician resident

Andrea Cervantes Inda, MD

Andrea Cervantes Inda is a first-year trainee in the residency program. Inda was born in Anaheim, California and graduated with a BS degree in psychobiology from UCLA. She went on to obtain her medical degree from Northeast Ohio Medical University. During medical school, Inda was a NEOMED Summer Research Fellow performing research on advanced care planning, and as president of the LMSA, undertook the NEOMED Social Justice Pathway working with local underserved populations. Inda looks forward to learning her chosen field of radiation oncology. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, especially trips to the zoo with her little one, regularly going to live music concerts and has gone sky diving. We are looking forward to seeing Inda in July 2025 following completion of her prelim year in medicine at Summa Health Akron City.

Krishna Hanubal, MD, Radiation Oncology resident

Krishna Hanubal, MD

Krishna Hanubal is a second-year trainee in the residency program, hailing from Florida where he obtained both his undergraduate degree (microbiology) and medical degree from the University of Florida. During medical school, Hanubal participated in outreach missions to the Dominican Republic and domestically to the houseless population during the first year of the pandemic. New to the field, Hanubal is still developing areas of interest in radiation oncology and has enjoyed getting many brachytherapy cases under his belt in just his first rotation. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, Vedic studies and watching basketball and football.

a photo of Akul Munjal, MD, physician resident

Akul Munjal, MD

Akul Munjal is originally from Atlanta, Georgia. He attended Augusta University in Augusta, Georgia and received his bachelor’s degree in cell biology. He attended medical school at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, Georgia. During his time in medical school, he conducted research on racial disparities in hypertension. Prior to joining the UC Irvine Radiation Oncology Residency program, Munjal completed his preliminary year in General Surgery at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City. After work, he enjoys riding his bike, reading non-fiction and attending sporting events.

Jino Park, MD, Radiation Oncology resident

Jino Park, MD

Jino Park was born in South Korea and raised in Philadelphia as a die-hard Eagles fan. He graduated from Cornell University with a degree in biomedical engineering, where he also played linebacker on the Sprint football team. He subsequently attended the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, during which he helped develop MyPlayRx, an interactive mobile application designed to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors among children in Northeast Pennsylvania. Park completed his internship at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia. His clinical and research interests include genitourinary, gastrointestinal, and head and neck malignancies, as well as palliative applications of radiation oncology. Outside of work, he enjoys following Philadelphia sports and rooting for the Tush Push, singing along to Odesza, and spending time with his wife, Sarah, and their dog, Cookie.

Nicholas Peterson, MD, Radiation Oncology resident

Nicholas Peterson, MD

Nicholas Peterson was born in Los Angeles. He received his undergraduate degree at Yale University and his medical degree at the California Northstate University College of Medicine. Peterson is currently in his fourth year of the residency program. His medical interests include sarcoma, brachytherapy and genitourinary and gynecology oncology. Outside of the residency program, you can find Peterson riding bikes or trail running.

Many of our UC Irvine Radiation Oncology Physician Residency graduates have gone into academic and community practice at desirable locations in California and throughout the country.

Meet Our Alumni