Faculty

Amir A. Hakimi, MD is a Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Fellow at the University of California, Irvine. He completed his undergraduate education at the University of California, Los Angeles, received his medical degree from the Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, and completed Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery residency at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. Dr. Hakimi is actively involved in research focused on surgical innovation, medical education, and the application of emerging technologies to improve patient care. He has presented his work at national meetings and remains committed to advancing the field through clinical research and education.

Amir Karam, MD, is a double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon whose practice is focused on facial rejuvenation. He graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from the University of California, San Diego, with degrees in biochemistry and anthropology, and received his medical degree from the UC Irvine School of Medicine, where he was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha. Dr. Karam completed residency training in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at UC Irvine, followed by fellowship training in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery through the UC Irvine fellowship program. His clinical interests center on comprehensive facial rejuvenation, including face and neck lifting, blepharoplasty, and facial fat transfer. Dr. Karam has authored more than 20 peer-reviewed scientific publications and contributed to more than 25 surgical textbook chapters. He is an author and co-editor of Rejuvenation of the Aging Face and lectures nationally and internationally on facial aging and rejuvenation surgery.

Babak Azizzadeh, MD, FACS, is a double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Director of the CENTER for Advanced Facial Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills, and an internationally recognized authority in facial nerve disorders, facial paralysis, and facial reanimation. He serves as Clinical Chief of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and is an Associate Clinical Professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.  Dr. Azizzadeh completed his undergraduate education at UCLA and received his medical degree from the UCLA School of Medicine. He subsequently completed residency training in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at UCLA, followed by fellowship training in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Harvard Medical School. His clinical practice encompasses comprehensive facial rejuvenation, facelift and necklift surgery, rhinoplasty, and complex facial reconstruction, with particular expertise in the treatment of facial paralysis and synkinesis. A major focus of Dr. Azizzadeh’s academic career has been advancing the understanding and surgical treatment of facial nerve disorders. He is the founder and director of The Facial Paralysis Institute and has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, textbook chapters, and major reference works addressing facial plastic surgery and facial nerve reconstruction. He lectures and teaches extensively throughout the United States and internationally. Dr. Azizzadeh is President-Elect of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS)and has held numerous national leadership positions within the specialty. He is also deeply committed to fellowship education and serves as a director of an AAFPRS-accredited Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship. Through his clinical practice, scholarship, leadership, and mentorship, Dr. Azizzadeh has made substantial contributions to contemporary facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Brian J.F. Wong, MD has been a member of the University of California, Irvine since 1990, progressing through every academic rank from intern, resident, and fellow to clinical instructor, and ultimately to his current roles as Professor, Vice Chair, and Fellowship Director in the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. His career reflects sustained excellence in academic medicine, surgical innovation, and national leadership. Dr. Wong’s clinical practice is focused on rhinoplasty and facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. He developed and directs the UC Irvine Rhinoplasty Course, a nationally recognized educational program, and has chaired more than a dozen major CME courses for UC Irvine Otolaryngology in Palm Springs and Disneyland. He served as Co-Course Director for the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) Rhinoplasty Course in 2019 and 2024 in Orlando. Internationally, Dr. Wong has been invited to lecture at the World Health Organization, Tsukuba University (Japan), Asan Medical Center (Korea), and the Royal College of Surgeons (London), with additional invited presentations across Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Since joining the UC Irvine faculty in 1997, Dr. Wong has maintained continuous extramural funding from the NIH as Principal Investigator on seven grants, as well as support from the Department of Defense, for research focused on disorders of the head, neck, and upper airway, including facial reconstruction. His cumulative funding exceeds $15 million. Technologies developed in his laboratory have advanced from concept to commercialization, resulting in the founding of two companies and multiple industry collaborations nationwide.  Dr. Wong has received national recognition across otolaryngology, facial plastic surgery, biomedical engineering, and biophotonics. He is a Fellow of SPIE, serves as Group Vice President of the AAFPRS, and is in his second term on its Board of Directors. He served as Editor-in-Chief of Lasers in Surgery and Medicine for a decade, as a Senior Examiner for the American Board of Otolaryngology, and on an NIH study section for over 14 years. Dr. Wong has mentored more than 200 trainees across all levels, and he considers the education of residents and fellows his greatest professional achievement.  Dr. Wong was born and raised in Los Angeles, studied biomedical and electrical engineering at the University of Southern California and Oxford University, earned his MD at Johns Hopkins University, and completed his residency and fellowship training at UC Irvine.

Bryan Brandon, MD, is a double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon practicing in Orange County, California, and a member of the volunteer faculty at the University of California, Irvine. He earned his undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering, cum laude, from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and his medical degree from the UC Irvine School of Medicine. Dr. Brandon completed residency training in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he received the Harold C. Pillsbury Leadership Award as an outstanding chief resident. He subsequently completed fellowship training in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery under Vito Quatela, MD, in Rochester, New York. His clinical interests encompass facial rejuvenation, facelift surgery, rhinoplasty, hair restoration, and minimally invasive aesthetic procedures. Dr. Brandon is an integral part of the UC Irvine Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship, contributing substantially to the clinical and surgical education of fellows and residents. He remains active in clinical research and humanitarian reconstructive surgery.

Corey S. Maas, MD, FACS, is a double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon based in San Francisco and a nationally recognized leader in facial aesthetic surgery and minimally invasive rejuvenation. He received his medical degree from the University of Florida and completed residency training in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco, followed by fellowship training in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Maas subsequently joined the UCSF faculty, where he served as Chief of the Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. His clinical and academic interests encompass facelift and necklift surgery, rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, facial fat grafting, laser and energy-based treatments, neuromodulators, and injectable fillers. He has authored numerous scientific publications and textbook chapters and lectures extensively nationally and internationally. Dr. Maas is a Past President of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and remains deeply involved in fellowship training, clinical research, surgical education, and advancement of facial aesthetic surgery.

Grace Lee Peng, MD, FACS, is a double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon practicing in Beverly Hills, California, and Co-Director of an American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) fellowship. She received her medical degree from the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California and completed residency training in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at Los Angeles County + USC Medical Center, where she served as Chief Resident. She subsequently completed fellowship training in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery under Paul Nassif, MD, Babak Azizzadeh, MD, and Guy Massry, MD. Her clinical interests include comprehensive facial rejuvenation, facelift and necklift surgery, primary and revision rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, and reconstructive facial surgery. Dr. Peng has authored peer-reviewed publications and presented her work nationally. She serves as an attending surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and remains actively involved in fellowship education, surgical mentorship, clinical scholarship, and international humanitarian reconstructive surgery.

Harry Ching, MD, is a double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon practicing in Las Vegas, Nevada, with a clinical focus on aesthetic and reconstructive surgery of the face and neck. He completed his undergraduate education at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), graduating summa cum laude, and subsequently received his medical degree from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, where he was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha. He completed residency training in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Dr. Ching completed fellowship training in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of California, Irvine, where he received advanced training in rhinoplasty, facial rejuvenation, and reconstructive facial surgery. He subsequently joined the faculty at UNLV, serving as Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery and remaining actively involved in resident surgical education. His clinical interests include primary and revision rhinoplasty, functional nasal surgery, deep-plane facelift and necklift surgery, blepharoplasty, and comprehensive facial rejuvenation. Dr. Ching has authored peer-reviewed publications, presented his research nationally, and serves as an expert reviewer for Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine. He remains actively engaged in academic medicine, surgical education, and advancing contemporary techniques in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Jacob Boeckmann, MD, is a double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon practicing in Orange County, California, and an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at the University of California, Irvine. He received his medical degree with honors from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, where he subsequently completed residency training in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. He then completed fellowship training in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at UC Irvine. Following fellowship, Dr. Boeckmann received the Jack R. Anderson Prize for Scholastic Excellence for achieving the highest combined score on the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery examination. His clinical interests include facial rejuvenation, facelift surgery, rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, and minimally invasive facial aesthetic procedures. Dr. Boeckmann has authored scientific publications and textbook chapters, serves as a journal reviewer, and is actively involved in the education of residents, fellows, and practicing physicians.

James Newman, MD, FACS, is a double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon and Founder and Director of Premier Plastic Surgery in the San Francisco Bay Area. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Baylor University and received his medical degree from the University of Texas, where he was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha. Dr. Newman completed residency training in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at Stanford University, followed by fellowship training in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Stanford, where he subsequently served on the faculty. His clinical interests encompass facial rejuvenation, facelift surgery, rhinoplasty, laser surgery, and minimally invasive aesthetic techniques. Dr. Newman has authored approximately 30 peer-reviewed publications and has delivered more than 50 national and international presentations. He is currently Co-Director of an AAFPRS Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship affiliated with the University of California, San Francisco, where he plays an integral role in the surgical and academic education of fellows.

Jonathan M. Sykes, MD, FACS, is a double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon and Professor Emeritus in the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at the University of California, Davis. He served as Director of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at UC Davis Medical Center for more than three decades, where he established a nationally and internationally recognized program devoted to clinical excellence, surgical innovation, and education in facial plastic surgery. A defining component of Dr. Sykes’s academic career has been his commitment to surgical education and mentorship. During his tenure at UC Davis, he personally trained 25 fellows in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery and more than 75 residents, many of whom have subsequently assumed leadership positions in academic and private practice. His program also served as an international destination for surgical education, hosting more than 100 visiting surgeons from around the world. He continues to teach extensively through invited lectures, courses, panels, and surgical demonstrations nationally and internationally. Dr. Sykes’s clinical and academic interests encompass comprehensive facial rejuvenation, facelift and necklift surgery, rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, brow and forehead surgery, facial volume restoration, and complex facial reconstruction. He has contributed extensively to the scientific literature and has been particularly influential in advancing the anatomical and surgical principles underlying contemporary facial rejuvenation.  Dr. Sykes is a past President of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) and served for a decade on its Board of Directors, in addition to holding numerous other national leadership positions. His longstanding contributions to education have been recognized with the AAFPRS William Wright Award, honoring excellence in teaching. Throughout his career, Dr. Sykes has combined clinical practice, scholarship, leadership, and mentorship, and he remains deeply committed to advancing facial plastic surgery and educating future generations of facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons.

Marc Levin, MD, FRCSC is a facial plastic surgeon and board-certified head and neck surgeon, and founder of Levin Facial Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills, where his practice focuses on facial rejuvenation surgery, including deep plane face and neck lifts and periorbital rejuvenation. Dr. Levin completed medical school at McMaster University and his head and neck surgery residency at the University of Toronto, followed by an AAFPRS aesthetic fellowship in Beverly Hills. He has published more than 55 peer-reviewed papers and presented at over 75 national and international meetings. His work has been recognized with the Wilfred Goodman Award in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the Kris Conrad Merit Award in Facial Plastic Surgery, and the Canadian Society of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery Fellowship Award.

Paul S. Nassif, MD, FACS, is a double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon internationally recognized for his expertise in primary and complex revision rhinoplasty, functional nasal surgery, and facial reconstruction. Based in Beverly Hills, California, Dr. Nassif has developed a practice with particular emphasis on the management of challenging nasal deformities, including patients with previous surgery, trauma, functional airway abnormalities, and complex aesthetic concerns. Dr. Nassif received his medical degree from the University of Southern California School of Medicine, graduating summa cum laude as a Dean’s Scholar and earning election to Alpha Omega Alpha. He completed residency training in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at the University of New Mexico, where he served as Chief Resident. He subsequently pursued advanced fellowship training in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Saint Louis University under J. Regan Thomas, MD, one of the specialty’s influential leaders and educators. Dr. Nassif’s clinical and academic interests encompass primary and revision rhinoplasty, nasal airway reconstruction, facial rejuvenation, and the management of complex postoperative nasal deformities. He has contributed to the medical literature, participated in national and international educational programs, and lectured extensively on rhinoplasty, revision surgery, surgical complications, and contemporary approaches to facial aesthetic surgery. He has also participated in the advanced training and mentorship of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery fellows. A Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and an active member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Dr. Nassif has maintained a longstanding commitment to surgical education and innovation. His career combines extensive experience in complex rhinoplasty with teaching, scholarship, and public education, and he remains a prominent contributor to the evolution and broader understanding of contemporary facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Rebecca G. Reynolds, MD, is a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon and otolaryngologist serving at Naval Medical Center San Diego. She received her undergraduate degree from Southern Methodist University and her medical degree from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine. Dr. Reynolds completed residency training in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at Naval Medical Center San Diego, where she developed a strong foundation in comprehensive head and neck surgery and reconstructive care. She subsequently completed fellowship training in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of California, Irvine. Her clinical interests include facial reconstruction, rhinoplasty, functional nasal surgery, facial rejuvenation, and the management of traumatic and acquired facial deformities. Dr. Reynolds has contributed to peer-reviewed publications and presented her research at national otolaryngology meetings. She currently practices at Naval Medical Center San Diego, where she provides comprehensive facial plastic, reconstructive, and otolaryngologic care within the military health system.

Richard A. Gangnes, MD, is a double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon with nearly four decades of experience in facial aesthetic surgery. He graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and received his medical degree from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. He subsequently completed his internship and residency training in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at the University of California, Irvine, with an emphasis on facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. Dr. Gangnes entered private practice in San Clemente in 1980 while joining the clinical faculty at UC Irvine. His clinical interests focus on facial rejuvenation and comprehensive facial aesthetic surgery. Throughout his career, Dr. Gangnes has maintained a strong commitment to surgical education and has been an integral part of the UC Irvine Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship, contributing extensively to the clinical and operative training of generations of fellows and residents.

Commander Roxanne C. Mickelson, MD, is a board-certified otolaryngologist and active-duty Medical Corps officer in the United States Navy. She is currently completing a Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. Dr. Mickelson earned her Doctor of Medicine from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and completed her residency in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at Naval Medical Center San Diego. She previously served as Department Head at U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka, Japan, and is currently assigned to Naval Medical Readiness and Training Command San Diego, where she serves as faculty for the Otolaryngology Residency Program and holds multiple leadership roles. Her academic interests include facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, rhinoplasty, quality improvement, and surgical education. Dr. Mickelson has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications and national presentations and is board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery and a member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Steve G. Yoelin, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist and one of the leading experts in the United States in injectable facial aesthetics, with more than two decades of experience in neuromodulators, dermal fillers, collagen stimulators, and nonsurgical facial rejuvenation. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Davis, graduating magna cum laude, and his medical degree from the University of California, Irvine. He subsequently completed residency training in ophthalmology at UC Irvine. Dr. Yoelin has played an important role in the development and clinical investigation of numerous aesthetic products and technologies. Notably, he was involved in the pioneering clinical development of LATISSE® (bimatoprost) for eyelash growth. He has served as an investigator in numerous Phase I through IV and investigator-initiated clinical trials and has authored peer-reviewed publications, scientific presentations, and patents related to aesthetic medicine. A major focus of Dr. Yoelin’s career has been physician education. He has participated in thousands of educational and industry-sponsored training programs worldwide and hundreds of continuing medical education programs. He is widely recognized for his expertise in facial anatomy, injectable techniques, patient safety, and the development and clinical application of contemporary facial aesthetic treatments.