Our Team

Principal Investigator Dr. Lai is a practicing general/transplant hepatologist and board-certified Physician Nutrition Specialist who specializes in caring for patients across the entire spectrum of liver disease, from diagnosis to liver transplant—and beyond.

Assistant Clinical Professor Lisa Catalli is a dedicated Nurse Practitioner specializing in liver health and has been a valued member of UCSF’s liver transplant team for over 15 years. She is also an Assistant Clinical Professor at the UCSF School of Nursing and working toward her PhD in nursing.

Assistant Professor, Medicine My academic mission is to improve quality of life and outcomes among patients living with liver disease. As a health services researcher, my interest lies at the intersection of pain management and hepatology.

Clinical Fellow My research interests focus on understanding muscle health among patients with early stages of fibrosis in metabolic-dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) through an integrative hepatology lens.

Outpatient Dietitian: Kathy Pariani is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Diabetes Education Care and Specialist. Kathy provides nutrition assessments, education and counseling to patients with chronic diseases, specifically those with liver disease, diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular risk factors.

Academic Program Manager I’m a clinical research professional passionate about improving patients’ quality of life across a range of diseases.