Our Team | Team Kipow Orange County

Our Team!

Hillary Zieve, MD

Candice Taylor, MD MPH

Candice Taylor, MD MPH

Team KiPOW KiPOW OC Co-Founder

Faculty Advisor,
Pediatrician, CHOC Medical Group

UCI/CHOC Pediatric Residency Program Associate Program Director

Dr. Zieve practices pediatrics at Clinica Para Ninos and CHOC Boys and Girls Club. Dr. Zieve received her Medical Degree from University of California, Irvine School of Medicine. She completed

Team KiPOW KiPOW OC Co-Founder

Faculty Advisor,
Pediatrician, CHOC Medical Group

UCI/CHOC Pediatric Residency Program Associate Program Director

Dr. Zieve practices pediatrics at Clinica Para Ninos and CHOC Boys and Girls Club. Dr. Zieve received her Medical Degree from University of California, Irvine School of Medicine. She completed residency and served as a Chief Resident at the UC Irvine/CHOC pediatric residency program, and now is an Associate Program Director of the program. She currently sits on the board of the AAP-OC chapter as a Member At Large and Co-Chairs the Young Physician Committee. Dr. Zieve is passionate about primary care, preventative medicine, and more specifically pediatric obesity management, nutrition, and healthy weight loss. She lives in Irvine, CA with her husband, 2 children and dog.

Candice Taylor, MD MPH

Candice Taylor, MD MPH

Candice Taylor, MD MPH

Faculty Advisor

Candice Taylor Lucas, MD, MPH is a general pediatrician and Health Sciences Associate Clinical Professor in the UC Irvine School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics. She completed her undergraduate degree, and masters in public health at the University of California, Los Angeles. She then matriculated to the Keck School

Faculty Advisor

Candice Taylor Lucas, MD, MPH is a general pediatrician and Health Sciences Associate Clinical Professor in the UC Irvine School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics. She completed her undergraduate degree, and masters in public health at the University of California, Los Angeles. She then matriculated to the Keck School of Medicine, at the University of Southern California and subsequently completed pediatric residency with the UCLA Tri-Campus Pediatric Residency Program, where she also served as a chief resident. She then went to New York University School of Medicine / Bellevue Hospital Center where she finished a fellowship in academic general pediatrics and primary care research prior to joining the UC Irvine Department of Pediatrics in 2013. Dr. Taylor Lucas is currently Co-Director for Leadership Education to Advance Diversity for African, Black and Caribbean communities (LEAD-ABC), Associate Program Director for the UC Irvine/CHOC Children’s Pediatric Residency Program, and faculty affiliated with the UC Irvine Pediatric Exercise and Genomics Research Center (PERC). During her tenure as faculty with the UCI School of Medicine she has been the recipient of awards such as the American Academy of Pediatrics – Orange County Chapter Young Physician of the Year, the 2019 UC Irvine School of Medicine Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award, and the 2020 UC Irvine Humanism in Medicine Faculty Award. Her advocacy and research focus on early life physical activity, early childhood obesity prevention, maternal-child health disparities, and diversity, equity and inclusion in medicine. She is a faculty advisor for Team KiPOW OC, serves on the UC Irvine School of Medicine Clinical Faculty Equity and Diversity Committee, is a Faculty Advisor for the UC Irvine Center for Medical Humanities, co-chair for the retention sub-committee of the Association of Pediatric Program Directors Underrepresented Minorities in Pediatric Graduate Medical Education learning community, and volunteers as a member of the Board of Directors for two nonprofit organizations – Shared Harvest Fund- myCovidMD, and Raising Compassionate Leaders.

Mandy Nguyen, MS4

Mohammed Aftab, MS3

Mohammed Aftab, MS3

Team KiPOW OC Co-Chair

Mandy is a fourth year medical student at UCI. Having grown up and completed undergrad in Orange County, she is always looking to give back to her community. She loves spending time outdoors hiking, playing tennis, skiing/snowboarding, and getting steps in at Disneyland. She also loves cooking (and eating) with fri

Team KiPOW OC Co-Chair

Mandy is a fourth year medical student at UCI. Having grown up and completed undergrad in Orange County, she is always looking to give back to her community. She loves spending time outdoors hiking, playing tennis, skiing/snowboarding, and getting steps in at Disneyland. She also loves cooking (and eating) with friends and family!

Mandy’s passion for service, kids, and mentoring drew her to working with KiPOW, and she is grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact on these students. Her favorite part of KiPOW is playing freeze tag with the kids at lunch!

Mohammed Aftab, MS3

Mohammed Aftab, MS3

Mohammed Aftab, MS3

Team KiPow OC Co-Chair

Volunteer Coordinator Hello everyone! I am a third year medical student at UC Irvine. I graduated as a double major in Health Science and Biological Science from California State University, Fullerton. I have grown up in Orange County and love being involved in community efforts that improve the lives of people

Team KiPow OC Co-Chair

Volunteer Coordinator Hello everyone! I am a third year medical student at UC Irvine. I graduated as a double major in Health Science and Biological Science from California State University, Fullerton. I have grown up in Orange County and love being involved in community efforts that improve the lives of people in a place that I have called home for so long. Endeavoring to improve the health of kids is one of my greatest passions in life, and Team KiPOW allows me to help further this cause. From my very first time volunteering with Team KiPOW, I knew this was going to be a significant experience that I remain involved with throughout my medical training and beyond!

Serinee Tran

Anvesh Macherla, MS2

Austin Davis, MS2

Volunteer Coordinator Co-Chair

Hello everyone! My name is Serinee, and I graduated from UC Irvine with a degree in Biological Sciences. I have grown up in Orange County my entire life and love being able to impact my community through Team KiPOW. It has truly been one of the greatest experiences that I have been a part of because it comb

Volunteer Coordinator Co-Chair

Hello everyone! My name is Serinee, and I graduated from UC Irvine with a degree in Biological Sciences. I have grown up in Orange County my entire life and love being able to impact my community through Team KiPOW. It has truly been one of the greatest experiences that I have been a part of because it combines my two passions together: working with kids and health! I love being able to teach nutrition education in a fun, interactive way and seeing the positive impact that we have on the kids. In my free time, I love to go outdoors, cook healthy foods, find new coffee shops, and spend quality time with my family and friends.

Austin Davis, MS2

Anvesh Macherla, MS2

Austin Davis, MS2

Volunteer Coordinator Co-Chair

Hey everyone! My name is Austin and I am currently a second-year medical student at UC Irvine. I graduated from UC San Diego in 2018 with a degree in human biology. I am originally from Orange County and I love that I can give back to the community that I grew up in. I love playing volleyball, watching movi

Volunteer Coordinator Co-Chair

Hey everyone! My name is Austin and I am currently a second-year medical student at UC Irvine. I graduated from UC San Diego in 2018 with a degree in human biology. I am originally from Orange County and I love that I can give back to the community that I grew up in. I love playing volleyball, watching movies, and finding new places to eat. My favorite thing about Team KiPOW is that we can mentor such a cool group of kids and have such a positive impact on their health and nutrition so early in their childhood. I love sitting and hanging out with the students at lunch while simultaneously being able to teach them about healthy lifestyle habits that they can use for the rest of their lives.

Anvesh Macherla, MS2

Anvesh Macherla, MS2

Anvesh Macherla, MS2

Volunteer Coordinator Co-Chair

Hey! My name is Anvesh Macherla a second year medical student at UC Irvine. I have been in Southern California my whole life, growing up in San Diego, doing my undergrad at UC San Diego, and now attending medical school in Irvine. I love playing sports like soccer and basketball and I’m really interested in

Volunteer Coordinator Co-Chair

Hey! My name is Anvesh Macherla a second year medical student at UC Irvine. I have been in Southern California my whole life, growing up in San Diego, doing my undergrad at UC San Diego, and now attending medical school in Irvine. I love playing sports like soccer and basketball and I’m really interested in teaching and that’s what interested me in Team KiPOW! I like the idea of teaching kids about a healthy lifestyle while they’re young so they can carry these lessons throughout their lives. I’m glad I can be a part of Team KiPOW and I look forward to the fun times with the kids!

Maddie Morgan, MS1

Maddie Morgan, MS1

Anvesh Macherla, MS2

Volunteer Coordinator Co-Chair

Hi! My name is Maddie and I am a first year medical student at UCI. I graduated from Middlebury College in Vermont in 2018 and am very excited to attend med school in California. I am originally from the Bay Area, and being a college athlete, am very passionate about fitness and health. Outside of school,

Volunteer Coordinator Co-Chair

Hi! My name is Maddie and I am a first year medical student at UCI. I graduated from Middlebury College in Vermont in 2018 and am very excited to attend med school in California. I am originally from the Bay Area, and being a college athlete, am very passionate about fitness and health. Outside of school, I love to run, play soccer, cook and explore new beaches in OC. I am excited to be a member of KiPow and hope to make a positive impact on the kids I work with in a meaningful way.

William Wang, MS1

Maddie Morgan, MS1

William Wang, MS1

Volunteer Coordinator Co-Chair

Hi everyone! My name is Will, and I'm a first-year medical student at UC Irvine. I am originally from Glendale, CA, but went to UC Davis for undergrad. After graduating, I came back down to Southern California for medical school. I love working with KiPOW because I am very passionate about physical fitne

Volunteer Coordinator Co-Chair

Hi everyone! My name is Will, and I'm a first-year medical student at UC Irvine. I am originally from Glendale, CA, but went to UC Davis for undergrad. After graduating, I came back down to Southern California for medical school. I love working with KiPOW because I am very passionate about physical fitness, and this was a great way to be a positive influence while having fun and working with kids. It's such a rewarding experience giving back to the community and promote lasting healthy lifestyles. In my spare time, I enjoy running, cooking, and playing rugby.

Celine Phong, MS3

Maddie Morgan, MS1

William Wang, MS1

Research Co-Chair

Hi! I am currently a third year medical student at UC Irvine and also got my undergraduate degree in Human Biology at UC Irvine. Go Eaters! I love spending time with kids and am passionate about exercise, living a healthy lifestyle, and teaching, so I knew that volunteering with KiPOW was just the thing for me. My favor

Research Co-Chair

Hi! I am currently a third year medical student at UC Irvine and also got my undergraduate degree in Human Biology at UC Irvine. Go Eaters! I love spending time with kids and am passionate about exercise, living a healthy lifestyle, and teaching, so I knew that volunteering with KiPOW was just the thing for me. My favorite thing to do with the kids is to eat the healthy lunches and chat with them! When I’m not at school, I love to go to exercise classes, snowboard, and hang out with my friends and family. I also love to cook and bake, and have definitely made more nutritious meals now that I’ve learned so much from volunteering with KiPOW!

Himakar Nagam, MS2

Himakar Nagam, MS2

Himakar Nagam, MS2

Research Co-Chair

Hello! My name is Himakar, I’m a second year Medical Student at UC Irvine, and I graduated from UC Berkeley for undergrad (Go Bears). In college, I volunteered to teach children how to swim, so since then, I’ve been passionate about teaching and exercising with children. Seeing them thrive and putting smiles on the

Research Co-Chair

Hello! My name is Himakar, I’m a second year Medical Student at UC Irvine, and I graduated from UC Berkeley for undergrad (Go Bears). In college, I volunteered to teach children how to swim, so since then, I’ve been passionate about teaching and exercising with children. Seeing them thrive and putting smiles on their faces makes my day, so I’m very excited to be a part of Team KiPOW! It’s a rewarding experience which reminds me every day about why I want to help improve children’s health in the future as a pediatrician

Angelina Lo, MS1

Himakar Nagam, MS2

Himakar Nagam, MS2

Research Co-Chair

Hi! I am currently a first year medical student at UC Irvine, after studying biology and sociology at Stanford University. I’m so happy to be on the Team KiPOW! board because I love spending time with kids, both playing and teaching them about nutrition and healthy lifestyles. Having grown up in SoCal, it’s also r

Research Co-Chair

Hi! I am currently a first year medical student at UC Irvine, after studying biology and sociology at Stanford University. I’m so happy to be on the Team KiPOW! board because I love spending time with kids, both playing and teaching them about nutrition and healthy lifestyles. Having grown up in SoCal, it’s also really rewarding getting to connect with and give back to this community. Outside of school, I love hiking, exploring new restaurants, and hanging with family and friends.

David Csuka

Himakar Nagam, MS2

Emily Bernal

School Liaison

David is a third year Human Biology major at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). He is applying to medical school and aspires to become a future physician. David lives in Orange County, California and enjoys spending time with his family and friends, being outdoors in nature, and doing yoga and meditation. Dav

School Liaison

David is a third year Human Biology major at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). He is applying to medical school and aspires to become a future physician. David lives in Orange County, California and enjoys spending time with his family and friends, being outdoors in nature, and doing yoga and meditation. David’s favorite things about KiPOW are interacting with the kids, teaching them important life skills, and seeing how excited and enthusiastic they are!

Emily Bernal

Jaron Nazaroff, MS3

Emily Bernal

Emily Bernal, School Liaison

Hello! My name is Emily Bernal. I’m a third year undergraduate at UC Irvine studying Biological Sciences.

My dream is to become a doctor because I aspire to teach others about how nutrition plays a role in disease prevention! I love using this passion to teach Kipow’s fifth graders about fun, easy ways

Emily Bernal, School Liaison

Hello! My name is Emily Bernal. I’m a third year undergraduate at UC Irvine studying Biological Sciences.

My dream is to become a doctor because I aspire to teach others about how nutrition plays a role in disease prevention! I love using this passion to teach Kipow’s fifth graders about fun, easy ways to incorporate healthy eating and exercise into their days!

During my free time, I enjoy cooking healthy meals, doing yoga, and spending quality time with my friends, family, and my dog Sofie.

Jennifer Nguyen

Jaron Nazaroff, MS3

Jaron Nazaroff, MS3

Public Relations Co-Chair

Hi everyone!! My name is Jennifer. I am currently a 3rd year Human Biology major at UC Irvine! In the future, I hope to become a physician assistant helping underserved communities. I grew up in Orange County and I love helping out the community especially through Team KiPOW! Even though this is my first

Public Relations Co-Chair

Hi everyone!! My name is Jennifer. I am currently a 3rd year Human Biology major at UC Irvine! In the future, I hope to become a physician assistant helping underserved communities. I grew up in Orange County and I love helping out the community especially through Team KiPOW! Even though this is my first year with Team KiPOW, I have had so much fun interacting with the kids and love that I also get to help teach them important topics about nutrition! In my free time, I love to do arts and crafts! I mostly do handlettering but I also sometimes like to paint or embroider.

Jaron Nazaroff, MS3

Jaron Nazaroff, MS3

Jaron Nazaroff, MS3

Public Relations Co-Chair

Hi everyone! My name is Jaron and I am a third year medical student at UC Irvine. I attended UC Santa Cruz for my undergraduate degree in Bioengineering. I am originally from Santa Rosa, CA. I love playing and watching ice hockey. Go Sharks! My favorite part of Team Kipow is interacting with the stud

Public Relations Co-Chair

Hi everyone! My name is Jaron and I am a third year medical student at UC Irvine. I attended UC Santa Cruz for my undergraduate degree in Bioengineering. I am originally from Santa Rosa, CA. I love playing and watching ice hockey. Go Sharks! My favorite part of Team Kipow is interacting with the students! I have so much fun playing games with them at recess and it is a privilege to teach them the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle.

Dana Le

Research Chair

Hi! My name is Dana, and I am currently a first year medical student at UC Irvine. I grew up in Orange County and also completed my undergrad at UCI. KiPOW has been one of my favorite involvements--I love working with the students and bouncing off their energy and eagerness to participate and learn! I am also interested in

Research Chair

Hi! My name is Dana, and I am currently a first year medical student at UC Irvine. I grew up in Orange County and also completed my undergrad at UCI. KiPOW has been one of my favorite involvements--I love working with the students and bouncing off their energy and eagerness to participate and learn! I am also interested in culinary medicine, so teaching them about nutrition and healthy lifestyles has been super rewarding. ln my free time, I enjoy attempting new baking recipes, yoga, and exploring new restaurants and hikes/scenic spots in the area.

Nisha Narayanan, MD

Nisha Narayanan, MD

Nisha Narayanan, MD

Team KiPOW OC Founder, Pediatric EM Fellow, NYU

Dr. Narayanan received her medical degree from the George Washington University SOM with a focus on health policy. She is currently a fellow in Pediatric Emergency Medicine at NYU. Dr. Narayanan co-founded Team KiPOW! in medical school and has been thrilled to see it expand from Washington

Team KiPOW OC Founder, Pediatric EM Fellow, NYU

Dr. Narayanan received her medical degree from the George Washington University SOM with a focus on health policy. She is currently a fellow in Pediatric Emergency Medicine at NYU. Dr. Narayanan co-founded Team KiPOW! in medical school and has been thrilled to see it expand from Washington DC to Orange County thanks to its rock star team members. She is passionate about pediatric obesity, cardiometabolic health disparities, and health policy. She believes that obesity is an epidemic that must be attacked on a systems level and loves seeing Team KiPOW get kids excited about kale, their hearts beating fast, and the demise of juice. In her spare time, she enjoys running, biking, backpacking, and triathlons

Nikita Nagpal, MD

Nisha Narayanan, MD

Nisha Narayanan, MD

Team KiPOW OC Founder, Clinical Assistant Professor, NYU School of Medicine/ Bellevue Hospital Center

Dr. Nikita Nagpal received her medical degree from Sidney Kimmel Medical College, completed a fellowship in Primary Care Research - Academic General Pediatrics and is currently a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatri

Team KiPOW OC Founder, Clinical Assistant Professor, NYU School of Medicine/ Bellevue Hospital Center

Dr. Nikita Nagpal received her medical degree from Sidney Kimmel Medical College, completed a fellowship in Primary Care Research - Academic General Pediatrics and is currently a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at NYU School of Medicine/Bellevue Hospital Center.
Dr. Nagpal is interested in advocacy, research, and weight management. She enjoys participating in KiPOW because it allows her to get involved in pediatric wellness and health on a larger scale. She also enjoys sharing her love of veggies! In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, traveling, hiking, attending barre class, and spending time with friends and family.