Meet our Orange County Physician Scientists

In opening its visionary comprehensive cancer center in Orange County, City of Hope is creating a national model for delivering breakthrough research and pioneering treatments. Welcome to City of Hope Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center – the most advanced comprehensive cancer center in Orange County. Here, patients receive fully integrated, multidisciplinary cancer care — from prevention through survivorship — in one convenient location. Orange County residents can now access world-renowned treatment, research and cancer cures close to home.

Meet some of the world’s most acclaimed physician-scientists — with expertise in lung, breast, gastrointestinal, gynecological, genitourinary, blood cancers and more – assembled from across the country. They’re leading next-level cancer treatment and research.
City of Hope Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center
Mouchammed Agko, M.D.
Mouchammed Agko, M.D.
Plastic Surgeon

Plastic surgeon Mouchammed Agko, M.D., understands that many cancer survivors want to continue their lives after treatment without physical reminders of the disease. His goal is to help them achieve that — in addition to providing additional aesthetic improvements, if it meets a patient’s needs.

Ibrahim Aldoss
Ibrahim T. Aldoss, M.D.
Hematologist-Oncologist

Ibrahim T. Aldoss, M.D., is a hematologist-oncologist and board certified in internal medicine, medical oncology and hematology. His clinical expertise is in acute lymphoblastic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia.

Haris Ali
Haris Ali, M.D.
Hematologist-Oncologist

Haris Ali, M.D., is a hematologist-oncologist and associate professor in the Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation.

Nairi Berner, M.D.

Nairi Berner, M.D., is an Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism. Endocrinologist Nairi Berner, M.D., M.S., centers her approach to patient care on trust and partnership. 

Tanuja Bhandari
Tanuja A. Bhandari, M.D.
Radiation Oncologist

Tanuja Bhandari, M.D., is a radiation oncologist at City of Hope who is well-versed in all forms of radiation oncology, including intraoperative radiation therapy.

Azra Borogovac, M.D., M.S.

Azra Borogovac, M.D., M.S., is a hematologist at City of Hope Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center. For Dr. Borogovac, the patient is the most important part of the medical team. She sees the opportunity to provide care to people with cancer as a privilege. 

Laurie Burnette
Laurie L. Brunette, M.D.
Gynecologic Oncologist

Laurie Brunette, MD, is a board-certified gynecologic oncologist who is an expert in surgical cytoreduction of cancer and in the use of minimally invasive surgical techniques, including robotic surgery and fertility-preserving procedures.

Luke Chen, M.D.
Luke Chen, M.D.
Medical Oncologist and Hematologist

Luke Chen, M.D., is a medical oncologist and hematologist at City of Hope's Huntington Beach and Irvine Sand Canyon locations. Dr. Chen’s research has explored ways to improve treatment for prostate cancer and other malignancies.

Jennifer Chen

Jennifer Chen M.D., is a Lead Breast Imager and Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Diagnostic Radiology at City of Hope Orange County.

Jessica Cheng, M.D.

Jessica Cheng, M.D., is among the nation’s few, and Orange County’s only, fellowship-trained experts in cancer rehabilitation medicine. This is a subspecialty of physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) also known as physiatry.

City of Hope Seacliff
Laurie Burnette
Laurie L. Brunette, M.D.
Gynecologic Oncologist

Laurie Brunette, MD, is a board-certified gynecologic oncologist who is an expert in surgical cytoreduction of cancer and in the use of minimally invasive surgical techniques, including robotic surgery and fertility-preserving procedures.

Luke Chen, M.D.
Luke Chen, M.D.
Medical Oncologist and Hematologist

Luke Chen, M.D., is a medical oncologist and hematologist at City of Hope's Huntington Beach and Irvine Sand Canyon locations. Dr. Chen’s research has explored ways to improve treatment for prostate cancer and other malignancies.

DR. JOSHUA G COHEN

Joshua G. Cohen, M.D., F.A.C.O.G., F.A.C.S., is a board-certified gynecologic oncologist dedicated to offering his patients in Orange County empathy and excellence in clinical care.

Sudarsan Vishnu Kollimuttathuillam, M.D.
Sudarsan Vishnu Kollimuttathuillam, M.D.
Medical Oncologist and Hematologist

Sudarsan Vishnu Kollimuttathuillam, M.D., is a medical oncologist and hematologist at City of Hope's Huntington Beach and Irvine Sand Canyon locations. Dr. Kollimuttathuillan places a priority on offering his patients access to innovative treatments and clinical trial options.

Sand Canyon Clinic
Jessica Cheng, M.D.

Jessica Cheng, M.D., is among the nation’s few, and Orange County’s only, fellowship-trained experts in cancer rehabilitation medicine. This is a subspecialty of physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) also known as physiatry.

Christian C. Lu, M.D., M.H.S.
Christian C. Lu, M.D., M.H.S.
Assistant Clinical Professor

Christian Co Lu, M.D., M.H.S., is a patient-centric physician with 15+ years of experience in medical care. 

Headshot of Nikki Zahabi, D.O.
Nikki Zahabi, D.O.
Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Medicine

Nikki Zahabi, D.O., is an assistant clinical professor with a strong background in internal medicine and critical care in the Department of Medicine at City of Hope in Duarte, California.

Newport Beach Clinic
Monzr M. Al Malki, M.D.
Monzr M. Al Malki, M.D.
Hematologist-Oncologist

Monzr M. Al Malki, M.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation and is board certified in internal medicine, hematology and medical oncology at City of Hope.

Laurie Burnette
Laurie L. Brunette, M.D.
Gynecologic Oncologist

Laurie Brunette, MD, is a board-certified gynecologic oncologist who is an expert in surgical cytoreduction of cancer and in the use of minimally invasive surgical techniques, including robotic surgery and fertility-preserving procedures.

Meet Dr. Seth A. Cohen
Seth A. Cohen, M.D.
Urologic Surgeon; Urogynecologist

Seth Cohen, M.D., is a urologic surgeon with a focus on female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery at City of Hope's community practice sites in Orange County.

DR. JOSHUA G COHEN

Joshua G. Cohen, M.D., F.A.C.O.G., F.A.C.S., is a board-certified gynecologic oncologist dedicated to offering his patients in Orange County empathy and excellence in clinical care.

Amrita Krishnan, M.D.

Amrita Krishnan, M.D., directs the Judy and Bernard Briskin Center for Multiple Myeloma Research at City of Hope's cancer research hospital, seeking to make gains in one of the most rapidly changing areas in cancer research.

Christian C. Lu, M.D., M.H.S.
Christian C. Lu, M.D., M.H.S.
Assistant Clinical Professor

Christian Co Lu, M.D., M.H.S., is a patient-centric physician with 15+ years of experience in medical care. 

Hoda Pourhassan, M.D
Hoda Pourhassan, M.D.
Hematologist-Oncologist

Hoda Pourhassan, M.D., is a hematologist-oncologist in the Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation at City of Hope.

George Semeniuk III, M.D.
George Bernard Semeniuk, III, M.D.
Medical Oncologist and Hematologist

George Bernard Semeniuk, III, M.D., is a hematologist/oncologist specializing in leukemia, lymphoma and hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Wade Smith, M.D.
Wade Smith, M.D.
Medical Oncologist and Hematologist

Wade Smith, M.D., is a medical oncologist specializing in breast cancer at City of Hope Orange County and Duarte.

Dr.Tin Tang  profile image
Tingting Tan, M.D., Ph.D.
Medical Oncologist and Hematologist

Tingting Tan, M.D., Ph.D., is a medical oncologist and assistant clinical professor in the Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research at City of Hope.

Long Beach Elm Clinic
Christian C. Lu, M.D., M.H.S.
Christian C. Lu, M.D., M.H.S.
Assistant Clinical Professor

Christian Co Lu, M.D., M.H.S., is a patient-centric physician with 15+ years of experience in medical care. 

Karla-Olmedo
Karla Olmedo, M.D.
Hematologist-Oncologist

Karla Olmedo, M.D., is a rising star in hematology/oncology. Dr. Olmedo is driven by the pursuit of advances in immunology and the promise of cell therapy in effectively fighting cancer. 

Krushangi Patel, M.D., medical oncologist
Krushangi Patel, M.D.
Medical Oncologist

Dr. Patel is a medical oncologist at City of Hope's Long Beach Elm and Long Beach Worsham locations.

N Simon Tchekmedyian, M.D.
Nerses Simon Tchekmedyian, M.D., FACP
Medical Oncologist and Hematologist

Nerses Simon Tchekmedyian, M.D., FACP, is a medical oncologist and hematologist at City of Hope's Huntington Beach, Irvine Sand Canyon, Long Beach Elm locations. Dr. Tchekmedyian is also a clinical professor in the Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research.

Lihong Wu, M.D.
Lihong Wu, M.D.
Medical Oncologist and Hematologist

Lihong Wu, M.D., is a medical oncologist and hematologist at City of Hope's Long Beach Elm and Worsham locations. Dr. Wu has made it her mission to help others triumph over cancer. She prides herself on being there for her patients and finding the best possible treatments for them.

Long Beach Worsham Clinic
Christian C. Lu, M.D., M.H.S.
Christian C. Lu, M.D., M.H.S.
Assistant Clinical Professor

Christian Co Lu, M.D., M.H.S., is a patient-centric physician with 15+ years of experience in medical care. 

Andrew Nguyen, M.D.
Andrew Nguyen, M.D.
Surgical Oncologist

Specializing in bioengineering and tumor micro-environment in cancer development and progression, Andrew Nguyen, M.D., is an assistant clinical professor in the Division of Surgical Oncology in the Department of Surgery at City of Hope.

Karla-Olmedo
Karla Olmedo, M.D.
Hematologist-Oncologist

Karla Olmedo, M.D., is a rising star in hematology/oncology. Dr. Olmedo is driven by the pursuit of advances in immunology and the promise of cell therapy in effectively fighting cancer. 

Krushangi Patel, M.D., medical oncologist
Krushangi Patel, M.D.
Medical Oncologist

Dr. Patel is a medical oncologist at City of Hope's Long Beach Elm and Long Beach Worsham locations.

Lihong Wu, M.D.
Lihong Wu, M.D.
Medical Oncologist and Hematologist

Lihong Wu, M.D., is a medical oncologist and hematologist at City of Hope's Long Beach Elm and Worsham locations. Dr. Wu has made it her mission to help others triumph over cancer. She prides herself on being there for her patients and finding the best possible treatments for them.

Headshot of Nikki Zahabi, D.O.
Nikki Zahabi, D.O.
Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Medicine

Nikki Zahabi, D.O., is an assistant clinical professor with a strong background in internal medicine and critical care in the Department of Medicine at City of Hope in Duarte, California.