Christopher Lee, MD
Dr. Christopher Lee is an Associate Professor of Clinical Radiology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. He is an expert in cardiothoracic radiology, with a particular interest in lung cancer. In 2012, along with colleagues from thoracic surgery, pulmonary medicine, and oncology, Dr. Lee developed and initiated the USC Lung Cancer Screening Program. As the principal investigator of USC’s various lung cancer screening grants, Dr. Lee oversees all aspects of the “Healthy Lungs, Healthy Life” screening program and related research projects.
Meet the Team
Bhushan Desai, MBBS, MS
Bhushan Desai, MBBS, MS is an Assistant Professor and Director of Clinical Research in the Department of Radiology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC (KSOM). He completed his medical education from India in 2007 and joined the KSOM to gain specialized training in clinical research. He completed his training in Clinical Research from USC with focus on patient oriented translational research. He has extensive practical experience in imaging research and has been involved in numerous projects in collaborations with colleagues in the Department of Radiology as well as other departments at KSOM and other schools at USC.
Beringia Liu, MPH
Beringia is the Lead Clinical Research Coordinator for the Lung Cancer Screening Program at USC. She received both her undergraduate and Master of Public Health degree from the University of Southern California and has since worked in the fields of lung cancer and colorectal cancer research, health, nutrition and environmental policy. She is also a member of the American Public Health Association’s Committee on Women’s Rights and is dedicated to health justice for all communities. She believes that the Lung Cancer Screening Program is a fantastic way for current or former smokers to care for their lungs using state-of-the-art technology and the guidance of a caring team.
Yeena Lee
Research coordinator for the “Healthy Lungs, Healthy Life” Lung Cancer Screening Program at USC. She takes delight in the opportunity to work with participants and guides them through out the program process. She has witnesses many lives being saved through this program, which provides the community with access to free lung screenings.
Cherryn Parque
Clinical Research Coordinator for the “Healthy Lungs, Healthy Life” Lung Cancer Screening Program at USC. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Southern California and hopes to expand her career within the health professional field. As a bilingual speaker, she currently works with the Korean-speaking community for recruitment and early detection screenings. She enjoys the many opportunities of patient interaction that the research program provides and believes that early detection screenings are a great way for former and current smokers in the community to actively engage in their health and well-being.
Naiyu Ashley Chen
Clinical Research Coordinator for the “Healthy Lungs, Healthy Life” Lung Cancer Screening Program at USC. She earned both a Bachelor’s degree in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and a Master of Public Health with a focus in Biostatistics and Epidemiology at the University of Southern California. She enjoys having the opportunity to apply her interests in epidemiology and clinical research to the work that she does here with the Radiology Department.
Adell Adams, RT
Adell Adams, RT is the Computed Tomography Coordinator for Keck Medical Center of USC Outpatient Imaging Center. She is licensed by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist, with specialty license for CT. Adell has worked closely with Toshiba as a super user to optimize image quality and reduce radiation dose for the Toshiba Aquilion One CT Scanner used for the lung cancer screening.
Ghecemy Lopez, MEd
Ghecemy Lopez serves as Patient Navigator for the “Healthy Lungs, Healthy Life” Lung Cancer Screening Program. Through the Ronnie Lippin Patient Navigation Program at USC, she provides one-on-one support to the participants who live in the local community and who are at higher risk of cancer or are newly-diagnosed. She offers evidence-based information and connects them with resources to facilitate the patient’s journey. She evaluates any additional barriers that the patient may have and helps them find solutions. Aside from being bilingual in Spanish, Ghecemy has a strong background experience advocating for people who are linguistically and culturally diverse.
Carmina Gomez
Carmina R. Gomez is the Health Program Specialist at the Health Sciences Campus Community Partnerships through the Office of Civic Engagement. She assists the “Healthy Lungs, Healthy Life” team by assessing participant eligibility and scheduling patients. Carmina also works with Promotoras (Community Health Educators) to inform the local community about cancer prevention and health services nearby.
Zul Surani
Zul Surani is the Executive Director of Community Partnerships on the Health Sciences Campus in USC’s Office of Civic Engagement. In this role, he directs outreach and partnership activities for the Health Sciences Campus and provides coordination and leadership in implementing the university’s community priorities.
Steven Cen, PhD
Dr. Cen is an expert in research informatics and statistics with application in imaging studies and clinical trials. He is an Assistant Professor and in-house lead biostatistician for the Department of Radiology and Department of Neurology at Keck School of Medicine of USC. He has been the biostatistician/co-investigator for over 30 NIH/Industry funded research projects. He has coauthored over 60 peer-reviewed papers, including publications in New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA, BMJ, and American Journal of Public Health.
Ruth Vergara, MSW
Ruth Vergara is a Clinical Research Coordinator in the Department of Radiology at the Keck School of Medicine. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of California, San Diego and is currently completing her dual master’s degree in Social Work and Public Health at the University of Southern California. She has been working in the field of research since 2010 and enjoys the opportunities for patient interaction that research provides. She currently assists with recruitment and patient outreach for the “Healthy Lungs, Healthy Life” Lung Cancer Screening Program.
Cary Krug
Cary Krug is a Research Coordinator for the “Healthy Lungs, Healthy Life” Lung Cancer Screening Program at USC. He is currently completing his Master of Public Health at USC, with a focus in Biostatistics and Epidemiology. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Molecular Genetics at Michigan State University, and hopes to combine his interests in genetics and epidemiology to study infectious diseases. He enjoys the opportunity to work with patients in the radiology department, and to assist in providing the community with access to free lung screenings.
Phillip Guichet
Phillip Guichet is a Project Assistant for the “Healthy Lungs, Healthy Life” Lung Cancer Screening Program at USC. He assists the program staff with several aspects of running the program but works primarily behind the scenes on associated research projects. He is currently finishing his 4th year of medical school at the Keck School of Medicine of USC after which he will be completing his medical residency in Interventional and Diagnostic Radiology.
