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Department of Surgery Department of Surgery
  1. Department of Surgery
  2. Divisions
  3. Acute Care Surgery
  4. Education
  5. Fellowship Programs
  6. Current Fellows

Current Fellows

  • Mariam Astarabadi, MD

    Mariam Astarabadi, MD

    Acute Care Surgery Fellow

    Undergraduate Institution: UC Irvine
    Medical School:     University of Arizona - Tucson
    Residency:     University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson
    MS:     Applied Cognition and Neuroscience, University of Texas at Dallas
    Clinical Interests:     Trauma, emergency general surgery and surgical critical care
    Why UC San Diego?     I loved the collegiality and team dynamics within the department and felt that mentorship here would help me become a better trauma surgeon. I also wanted to train at a great volume trauma center that served refugee and border populations, which are dear to me.
    What do you like about San Diego?     Southern California is home to me and I am so excited to be back! Also, the great weather for outdoor activities, beaches, and the best food!
  • Briana DiGiore, MD

    Briana DiGiore, MD

    Acute Care Surgery Fellow

    Undergraduate Institution: CUNY Hunter College
    Medical School:     University at Buffalo JSMBS
    Residency:     University at Buffalo JSMBS
    Clinical Interests:     Comprehensive care of critically ill and injured patients, trauma systems development and emergency general surgery
    Why UC San Diego?     It’s a place known for clinical and academic excellence, strong critical care and trauma resuscitation. A rigorous yet supportive environment that allows for growth.
    What do you like about San Diego?     The weather, beaches, food, hiking and so many other outdoor activities
  • Emily Byrd, MD

    Emily Byrd, MD

    Pediatric Surgical Critical Care Fellow

    Undergraduate Institution: Eastern Oregon University
    Medical School: Albert Einstein College of Medicine
    Residency: Oregon Health and Science University
  • Riley Brian, MD

    Riley Brian, MD

    Surgical Critical Care Fellow

    Undergraduate Institution: Harvard University
    Medical School: University of Chicago
    Residency: UCSF
    Clinical Interests: Acute care surgery, surgical education, clinical communication
    Why UC San Diego? The fellowship program at UC San Diego offers exceptional training spanning the spectrum of acute care surgery, from critical care and trauma to burn and emergency general surgery. Across these fields, the teamwork truly stands out. Our division members are always going out of their way to support one another and help the fellows grow while providing the highest quality care for our San Diego community.
    What do you enjoy about San Diego? Running through Balboa Park, spending time at Torrey Pines, and getting incredible food in any part of the city!
  • Jaclyn Kliewer, MD

    Jaclyn Kliewer, MD

    Surgical Critical Care Fellow

    Undergraduate Institution: UC Irvine
    Medical School: American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine
    Residency: HCA Florida Kendall Hospital
    Clinical Interests: Robotic surgery, acute care surgery, critical care
    Why UC San Diego? I wanted to come back to my home state of California and have always loved Southern California. UC San Diego was the perfect program for me because they have a high volume of complex trauma, SICU and EGS, as well as a rigorous academic component. I feel I’m getting an excellent hands-on experience here and will leave feeling confident to start my journey as an attending.
    What do you enjoy about San Diego? I enjoy the beautiful sunny weather, the beaches and food scene in San Diego. I also like being a short flight away from my family in Fresno. 
  • Jeremy Miller, MD

    Jeremy Miller, MD

    Surgical Critical Care Fellow

    Undergraduate Institution: Washington and Lee University
    Medical School: University of Kentucky
    Residency: University of Illinois Chicago/Mount Sinai Hospital Medical Center
    Clinical Interests: ICU and trauma
    Why UC San Diego? I chose UC San Diego for its strong academic culture and the division’s robust research program, which will help me keep building on my own clinical research. The depth of surgical critical care experience, caring for high-acuity trauma, burn, and emergency general surgery patients, is exactly the foundation I want for a career in acute care surgery.
    What do you enjoy about San Diego? The beaches!