Our Team
Leadership Team
Dr. Tracy Clark completed her medical education at Vanderbilt University Medical School and underwent pediatric training at the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles.
For over a decade, Dr. Clark worked alongside Food Allergy Institute Founder, Dr. Inderpal Randhawa, as a Pediatric Hospitalist at Miller Children’s Hospital in Long Beach. There, Dr. Clark gained extensive experience and expertise in treating a multitude of pediatric conditions. In 2018, Dr. Clark focused her career on helping children overcome their severe food allergies at the Food Allergy Institute.
As Vice President of Clinic Operations, Dr. Clark plays a pivotal role in upholding our exemplary quality of care at the Food Allergy Institute's two Southern California locations. Her commitment to driving patient outcomes, fostering a positive and collaborative clinic environment, and pushing forward innovative solutions underscores her invaluable contributions to the field of pediatric medicine and food allergy treatment.
As an inspiring and respected clinical leader, Dr. Clark strives to continually improve clinical operations and empower patients to lead the fullest lives possible. “I love giving the gift of food, adventure, and the freedom for patients to live their best life.”
As the Chief Operating Officer at the Food Allergy Institute, Anoop Lohara leads operational strategy that drives sustainable organizational growth and expands access to life-changing food allergy treatment. He also serves as the Chief Financial Officer at TPIRC, FAI’s parent organization dedicated to advancing treatment for rare diseases.
Throughout his 25-year career, Anoop has held leadership roles at Advantage Solutions (Leonard Green portfolio company), Bank of America, Amgen, and top consulting firms, including Ernst & Young. His expertise spans operations, finance, and technology strategy, with a focus on building systems that drive innovation and long-term impact.
Known for his thoughtful and steady leadership, Anoop provides the operational foundation for FAI’s continued momentum. What motivates him most is seeing the tangible results of his work every day.
“It is rare to find an opportunity where you can see, on a daily basis, the impact your work has in changing people's lives for the better. At FAI, our growth goes hand-in-hand with helping more children overcome their life-threatening food allergies.”
Bringing over 20 years of experience in financial management, Brian Kim serves as the Chief Financial Officer at the Food Allergy Institute (FAI), where he leads the organization’s financial strategy, planning, and growth initiatives.
Before joining FAI, Brian held senior leadership roles across a range of industries, including Senior Manager of Strategy and Finance at Chipotle, FP&A Principal at SCAN Health Plan, and Vice President of Private Equity and Venture Capital at Kline Hawkes.
At FAI, Brian champions transparency, cross-functional collaboration, and data-driven decision-making. With a deep belief in FAI’s disruptive mission, he focuses on scaling its impact and expanding access to its transformative food allergy solution.
“FAI's mission is especially meaningful because it can help deliver hope to families that have struggled with the emotional and physical toll of living with food allergies. Its outcome-based and data-driven approach provides families with the simple reassurance that is often absent in health care today.”
The Team Behind The Science
Herman Sandhu is the Senior Software Manager at the Food Allergy Institute, where he pioneers the intersection of healthcare and technology. As one of the minds behind the machine learning software that powers FAI’s Tolerance Induction Program® (TIP), Herman leads a team of data scientists in transforming complex clinical data into personalized treatment plans.
With a Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration and a Master’s in Information Systems, Herman blends engineering, analytics, and automation to enhance the safety, efficiency, and precision of TIP treatment. A founding team member since 2012, he brings both technical leadership and a deeply patient-centered spirit to everything he does.
Having personally lived with food allergies, Herman is profoundly connected to FAI’s mission of achieving Food Freedom for all. He understands firsthand the fear and isolation that can come with avoidance-based approaches and is committed to building solutions that change that narrative.
“The most fulfilling part of working at FAI is the impact the work has on our patients in real-time. Being on the receiving end of families’ love and gratitude—before, during, and after treatment—is a reward few experiences can match, especially in a professional capacity. I’m honored to contribute to a solution that many never thought possible for a problem they feared would haunt them for life.”
Melissa played an integral role in building FAI's diagnostic laboratory from the ground up—establishing core collection workflows, centralized scheduling, and specialized training programs in pediatric phlebotomy. Before joining FAI, she served as a Phlebotomy Processing Coordinator in a high-volume tier-one trauma center and provided mobile phlebotomy care across diverse patient communities. She holds her California CPT-I licensure from Kaplan College.
In her role, Melissa bridges laboratory accuracy and compassionate patient care. She works closely with internal clinical teams and national mobile phlebotomy partners to expand access to safe, high-quality diagnostic testing for families everywhere.
Peter Ngo is the Laboratory Manager at Aperture Immunodiagnostics, the in-house laboratory supporting the Food Allergy Institute. With over 17 years of experience in laboratory diagnostics, including a decade leading allergy testing for the West Coast at Quest Diagnostics, Peter oversees all lab functions, from infrastructure to execution.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from UC San Diego and completed graduate studies in Network and Communications Management at DeVry University.
The diagnostics developed by his team form the foundation of every TIP treatment plan, ensuring each is personalized, precise, and safe. Under his leadership, FAI has built one of the largest allergy specialty labs in the world, redefining diagnostic standards through innovation and patient-first design.
Peter is especially proud of how the lab connects directly with the families it supports, bringing greater meaning to every sample processed. “Working in standard laboratories, all we get to see are test tubes and patient samples. Here, I get to put a face with the patient sample I am testing, and that really creates a personal connection in what I am doing and the meaningfulness behind why we do this.”
With over a decade of experience in food science, Shin Nagane serves as the Manager of Research and Product Development at the Food Allergy Institute’s in-house Food Laboratory.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from UC Irvine and a Master of Science degree in Food Science and Technology from Chapman University. Before joining FAI, Shin spent nine years in the plant-based food industry, leading research and development for new products and process optimization.
At FAI, Shin is responsible for developing and refining ready-made food doses that ease the burden of at-home preparation while ensuring accurate, safe dosing for patients undergoing TIP treatment. Drawn to FAI’s groundbreaking approach, moving beyond avoidance to address food allergies at their root, Shin brings a spirit of curiosity and innovation to everything he creates.
“At FAI, I am able to make a difference through producing products that help patients progress through the program to achieve food freedom.”
Mariana holds an Associate Degree in Business Administration from Cerritos College and has spent over a decade leading teams across regulated production environments. Throughout her career at organizations like Nutrilite Products Inc., she has spearheaded site-wide training systems, developed standard operating procedures, and built audit-ready manufacturing environments through collaborative leadership and empathy.
Bilingual in English and Spanish, Mariana is passionate about creating a supportive, high-trust environment for her teams. She focuses on bridging cross-functional operations so that every team member has the resources, coaching, and support they need to succeed.
Patient Care Team
Dr. Kapoor is a Board-Certified Pediatrician specializing in pediatric urgent care, bringing clinical efficiency, diagnostic precision, and an empathetic approach to fast-paced clinical environments. In her clinical practice, Dr. Kapoor manages a broad spectrum of acute and chronic pediatric conditions, including respiratory exacerbations, severe allergic reactions, infections, and minor trauma.
Dr. Kapoor earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her pediatric residency at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in Valhalla, New York. Her background includes extensive hands-on experience in high-volume urgent care centers, where she conducts rapid patient assessments, performs procedural care such as laceration repairs and complex wound management, and interprets preliminary diagnostic imaging in collaboration with radiology teams.
At the core of Dr. Kapoor’s practice is a commitment to evidence-based, family-centered care. She works closely with multidisciplinary care teams and families to communicate clearly, ensuring parents feel informed, supported, and confident at every step of their child's treatment.
Dr. Severs earned her BS from UCLA, M.Ed. from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and MD from the University of Michigan. She completed her pediatric residency at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Before joining FAI in 2022, she worked as a NICU hospitalist at Magee-Women's Hospital in Pittsburgh and UC San Diego, and previously taught high school science.
Drawn to FAI by its mission and life-changing results, Dr. Severs is passionate about helping patients and families feel seen, supported, and empowered to reach their treatment goals.
“I enjoy coming to work and seeing the positive changes that are being made in our patients' lives every day. I love seeing patients conquer foods that previously caused them harm and hearing stories about patients being able to travel, go to camp, go to friends' houses, and go out to ice cream or pizza with no worries.”
Dr. Priyanka Vakati graduated with honors in Biochemistry, Pharmacology, and OBGYN from Osmania Medical College. Dr. Vakati is well-versed in an array of medical sciences and received her pediatric training from SUNY Downstate Medical Center in New York.
In 2021, before joining the Food Allergy Institute (FAI), Dr. Vakati was awarded the Louis Bartochesky Award for Excellence in Clinical Care and Teaching by Christiana Health Care. During her time at Christiana Health Care, Dr. Vakati held titles such as Director of Medical Education and Chair of Pediatrics at Bayhealth Medical Center.
Driven by a passion for improving patient outcomes for those with food anaphylaxis, Dr. Vakati joined the FAI team to help push food allergy treatment forward.
“It has always bothered me as to why there is not much progress in the treatment of kids with severe food allergies. Learning about FAI and the ground-breaking research using AI in developing treatment plans, it felt like, finally, there was a light and hope at the end of the tunnel. Nothing is more gratifying than being a part of a kid's journey of attaining food freedom.”
With a Bachelor's in Molecular Biology from Occidental College, and a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, Christina Choi serves as Senior Provider Manager and a dedicated leader amongst our clinic team. Although originally from Michigan, Christina has resided in Southern California for the last 20 years.
Prior to the Food Allergy Institute (FAI), Christina Choi gained patient experience by working at a pediatric clinic as a medical assistant before eventually becoming a Physician’s Assistant.
Having a brother with numerous untreated food allergies sparked Christina’s interest in joining the FAI team. In her role at the Food Allergy Institute, Christina strives to make positive impacts on food allergy patients. “I love being part of the pioneering team at FAI in paving the way to food freedom - I know I am part of bigger achievements for the world of food allergies and want to see how far we can go.”
As a Physician Assistant and lead provider at the Food Allergy Institute (FAI), Karlee Long helps manage complex cases and guides a team of clinicians to ensure consistent quality of care.
Karlee earned her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences with Honors from UC Irvine and her Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Chapman University. Before joining FAI, she worked as an EMT, medical assistant in orthopedics, and volunteered at Hoag Hospital.
Joining the Food Allergy Institute team in 2022, Karlee brings a compassionate and positive warmth to every patient she treats.
“I love being around kids every day & being able to form connections with them as they grow up. We see our patients frequently and for many years, and it's so special to be able to watch patients grow up and reach remission for their food allergies. The work we do here really does change lives, and I'm grateful that I get to be a part of that every day.”
Katarina Lum is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Lead Provider at the Food Allergy Institute, where she guides a team of providers and supports care plan decisions for TIP patients. She plays a key role in reviewing complex cases and ensuring families receive consistent, high-quality care.
Katarina earned a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from San Jose State University and both her BSN and MSN from Emory University. Since joining FAI in 2021, she has been drawn to the Institute’s unique, data-driven approach to treating food allergies and the real, lasting outcomes it delivers.
Her work is driven by a desire to help families live free from fear and to restore a sense of normalcy, connection, and confidence through food.
“What I enjoy most about my work at FAI is witnessing the moment when a child safely eats a food that once posed a life-threatening risk. Seeing the joy, relief, and pride on the faces of both the patients and their parents—especially during that first successful food introduction or graduation visit—is incredibly rewarding.”
Andrew graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from UC Irvine and a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from California Baptist University in Riverside, California.
Inspired by Food Allergy Institute’s innovative treatment approach and mission to treat food anaphylaxis, which the healthcare system has long neglected, Andrew Kang joined the FAI team in 2020 and quickly became a well-loved provider among patients. Working his way up from physician assistant to Senior Provider Manager, Andrew is a collaborative leader with a passion for improving patient outcomes alongside his fellow colleagues.
As a clinical leader on the Food Allergy Institute team, Andrew aspires to help FAI expand its treatment to help more patients. “The best part is being part of the journey for our families in reaching food freedom. It's not an easy journey, but seeing all the hard work they put into it when they reach remission makes it all worth it.”
Shane holds a Master of Physician Assistant Studies from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (where he was classmates with another TIP provider, Christina Choi) and a B.A. in Biology from California State University, Channel Islands. Beyond direct patient care, which includes managing co-occurring conditions such as asthma, eczema, and environmental allergies, Shane plays an active role in research and data analytics to continuously evaluate treatment safety and efficacy. He also leads the development of clinical onboarding curricula to help train new providers entering the field of specialized allergy and immunology.
With a background that includes emergency dispatch and clinical volunteer work, Shane combines a calm, problem-solving approach with a genuine commitment to patient partnership. He works closely with families at every step of their treatment journey to ensure care plans are clear, supportive, and empowering.
Earlier in her career, Natalia gained valuable hands-on clinical experience as a physical therapy aide and medical assistant, and served as a volunteer crisis counselor. Fluent in both English and Polish, Natalia is deeply committed to clear communication, active listening, and patient education. She works collaboratively with individuals and families to ensure every care plan is manageable, transparent, and tailored to help patients achieve long-term health and peace of mind.
Before making her mark as a compassionate and driven member of the FAI team, Anita pursued a career in Healthcare Consulting, focusing on quality improvement, optimization of patient safety, and access to care within provider organizations. She then shifted her focus to clinical care, driven by the opportunity to directly impact patients' lives, allowing them to live to their fullest potential.
In 2019, It was this drive that led her to the Food Allergy Institute. Drawn by FAI's cutting-edge clinical care and collaborative culture, Anita was inspired by the organization's commitment to not only treating patients' medical needs but also enhancing their overall quality of life. ”The program is nothing short of a journey, and witnessing the progress that patients make from start to finish is incredibly fulfilling!
Rebecca’s clinical experience spans pediatric emergency departments, medical-surgical units, and outpatient environments. She has managed complex care plans for pediatric patients in home settings and coordinated interdisciplinary hospice care.
Fluent in English and proficient in Cantonese and American Sign Language, Rebecca is deeply committed to delivering culturally competent, family-centered care. She focuses on understanding the whole patient—combining medical expertise with genuine empathy, open communication, and practical patient education.
Emily Dicecca is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of experience in pediatric care. As Escalation Lead at the Food Allergy Institute, she helps guide families through complex challenges in treatment, ensuring every patient receives clear, compassionate, and timely support. Emily works closely with clinical teams to streamline communication, resolve elevated cases, and empower families as they move through the Tolerance Induction Program™ (TIP).
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Sport Science with a minor in Nutrition and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Texas Tech University, as well as a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at Arlington. Before joining FAI in 2022, Emily spent 10 years as a NICU nurse at St. David’s in Austin and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
“I love watching patients meet huge milestones such as cross-contamination. Watching patients and their parents get excited about going to a donut shop or eating something new at their favorite restaurant is so rewarding!”
Lydona earned her Master of Science in Nursing (Family Nurse Practitioner) from California State University, Long Beach, and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Loma Linda University. Before transitioning into specialized allergy and immunology care, she spent nearly seven years as a pediatric oncology and hematology nurse at Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), where she provided complex clinical care, managed outpatient infusions, and educated families through critical health journeys.
At FAI, Lydona blends her extensive pediatric clinical background with a practical, collaborative approach. She actively participates in interdisciplinary team discussions and on-call support to help create safe, personalized care plans that reflect her specialized expertise and help patients achieve long-term food freedom.
Rochelle’s nursing career includes extensive hands-on experience in Level III and Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Units at Kaiser Downey Medical Center and UCLA, specializing in complex surgical care, therapeutic hypothermia, and small baby units. Her advanced clinical training spans diverse primary care, internal medicine, and urgent care settings across California and Illinois.
In her role, Rochelle blends her high-level clinical expertise with a warm, supportive approach to care. She focuses on building trusting relationships with patients and families, ensuring every treatment plan is clear, collaborative, and designed to help individuals thrive.
Serving as Escalation Lead, Mia Loftus attended nursing school and became a certified Nurse Practitioner at the University of Pennsylvania.
Since 2015, Mia Loftus has worked as an RN in pediatric pulmonary medicine and honed her skills as a nurse at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Beyond her career in medicine, Mia enjoys running marathons, spending time at the beach, and gardening.
Driven to elicit real change in patient lives, Mia moved to Southern California and joined the Food Allergy Institute team in 2019. As a trusted and caring member of the clinical team, Mia guides and supports patients through their food freedom journey. “As soon as I started to learn about and form relationships with patients and their families going through TIP, I knew this was the field I wanted to work in. Witnessing real change and radical improvement in a patient’s life is not something you always have the privilege to be a part of in medicine.”
Grace’s clinical background spans high-acuity pediatric settings, including specialized experience at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital. Through her work across pediatric cardiology, intensive care, and primary care, she has developed a strong foundation in managing complex conditions while keeping care compassionate and accessible for growing families.
Alongside her clinical practice, Grace has served as nursing faculty at Mount Saint Mary’s University, mentoring the next generation of pediatric nurses. She is fluent in Korean and takes pride in building strong, supportive partnerships with patients and parents throughout their healthcare journey.
Dr. Lim earned her Doctor of Medicine (MD) from Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, a Master of Science in Global Medicine from the USC Keck School of Medicine, and a B.S. in Biological Sciences from the University of Southern California. Her clinical training includes specialized global health work at Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok and tropical medicine studies at Oxford University. She has also led advocacy initiatives focused on community health, diversity, inclusion, and cultural humility in care delivery, underscoring her commitment to equitable care.
At the heart of Dr. Lim’s practice is a commitment to building strong, supportive relationships with families. She prioritizes clear and compassionate communication in managing complex pediatric conditions and health concerns, helping every child thrive through care that is both personal and responsive.
Jocelyn’s professional background spans fast-paced urgent care settings, where she evaluated and treated adult and pediatric patients for acute illnesses and minor procedures, as well as specialized psychiatric mental health care. Her experience also includes serving as an Emergency Medical Technician and volunteering at a student-run free clinic providing care at a men's shelter.
In her practice, Jocelyn combines clinical precision with a compassionate, patient-first approach. She prioritizes active listening and clear communication, helping individuals and families feel supported, informed, and confident at every stage of their health journey.
At the heart of Zoe’s practice is a commitment to patient education and active listening. She focuses on creating a supportive, welcoming environment where families feel informed, comfortable, and confident in every aspect of their care plan.
In her free time, Zoe does ceramics and needlepoint, plays tennis, and likes to spend time at the beach.
Caitlin’s broad clinical experience spans pediatrics, primary care, and dermatology. Whether conducting well-child visits, assisting in complex procedures, or evaluating acute health concerns, Caitlin focuses on taking the time to listen, explain medical details clearly, and ensure patients feel comfortable at every step.
Caitlin brings a practical, team-oriented approach to daily clinic life. She loves collaborating with patients and their families to build personalized pathways toward better health and food freedom!
She earned her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Augsburg University, alongside a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and a Master of Public Administration from Drake University. Before joining the team as a PA, Jules spent over five years as a Clinical Pediatric Pharmacist at Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota.
In her free time, she enjoys long distance running, hanging out with her two cats, hiking with her husband, and reading.
Yoonju’s nursing career includes extensive experience in high-acuity environments, including years as a Pediatric ICU Registered Nurse at BronxCare Health System and float support across OBGYN, labor and delivery recovery, and neonatal intensive care units.
Bilingual in English and Korean, Yoonju combines rapid clinical decision-making with a warm, patient-centered approach. She focuses on building strong interdisciplinary partnerships and ensuring every care plan is safe, precise, and supportive for patients and their families.