Our Physicians

Rifaat Salem M.D., Ph.D.
Medical Director and Founder

A graduate of University of Southern California Medical School, Dr. Salem earned a doctorate in Neuroendocrinology from University of California, Los Angeles. He held two National Institute of Health Fellowships in Neuroendocrinology and performed breakthrough research which helped establish the mechanism of certain steroid hormones. Dr. Salem has published numerous scientific research articles in the leading national and international fertility journals. This research has been instrumental in advancing the understanding and treatment of infertility.

Dr. Salem acquired his extensive clinical experience in infertility and microsurgery at institutions such as the University of British Columbia, Stanford, The Microsurgical Institute of San Francisco, and Pacific Fertility Center of San Francisco. He was also medical director and one of the founders of Pacific Fertility Center Torrance for six years. He has Master's Degrees in both Biochemistry and Physiology. He is a member of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

Please feel free to contact him with any inquiries via phone at (310) 376-7000 or e-mail.

Sohila Zarandy, M.D., F.A.C.O.G., F.A.C.S.
Reproductive Endocrinologist and Infertility Specialist

Sohila Zarandy, M.D., F.A.C.O.G., F.A.C.S. was born in Tehran, Iran and graduated from Tehran University Medical School. Dr. Zarandy did her postgraduate in surgery in England. She did her internship in Mercy Hospital and Medical Center of Chicago. She finished her residency at Hangmann Medical College of Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Zarandy did a year of fellowship in Perinatal Medicine in Beth Israel Hospital and Harvard Medical School and stayed on as Faculty (Clinical Instructor). She completed her fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and infertility at the University of Illinois, in Chicago. Dr. Zarandy is a member of the several prestigious medical societies, including The American College of OB-GYN and The American College of Surgeons. She has given lectures around the country and has done several research projects.

Dr. Zarandy held the position of Clinical Instructor at Harvard Medical School for three years. She did her fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at University of Illinois in Chicago, during which time she held the title of Assistant Professor. Dr. Zarandy was also an Assistant Professor of OB/GYN at Loyola University of Chicago. Her most recent position was at Case Western Reserve Medical School where she was Clinical Assistant Professor while she had her own private practice.

Dr. Zarandy is married to a Neuro-Radiologist and has three children, one of which is currently in medical school. Her sister and brother are also practicing physicians. Along with English, Dr. Zarandy also speaks fluent Farsi.

Maher Abdallah, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.
Irvine Medical Director
Reproductive Endocrinologist

Dr. Abdallah is double board certified in Reproductive Endocrinology/Infertility and Obstetrics/Gynecology. He served as an assistant professor and medical student clerkship director at the University of Louisville before joining PRC. His professional interests include IVF, PGD, genetic testing, donor oocytes and surrogacy. Dr. Abdallah has extensive experience with Laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, tubal reversals, proximal tubal cannulation and unblocking fallopian tubes. He is currently involved in research to better understand implantation and new surgical techniques. Dr. Abdallah has performed hundreds of IVF procedures with phenomenally high pregnancy and delivery rates.

Dr. Abdallah earned his undergraduate degree from Manhattan College (Biochemistry-Cum Laude) and his M.D. from Upstate Medical University at Syracuse, N.Y. He earned his fellowship In Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at University of Louisville where he was winner of Teaching Fellow of the Year in 2000.

After fellowship, Dr. Abdallah joined the faculty at the University of Louisville as an assistant professor and medical student clerkship director. He is winner of the national American Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics (APGO) Award in 2005 And University of Louisville Teacher Of The Year Award in 2004-2005. Dr. Abdallah was Primary Investigator on a research grant to understand implantation and co investigator of an NIH grant to understand recurrent miscarriage, endometriosis and IVF implantation.

Dr. Abdallah published over eight manuscripts in peer reviewed journals during 2005-2006 and presented over 30 abstracts at national meetings during 2002-2006. He is also the author of book chapters on Operative Laparoscopy in internationally known textbooks. Dr. Abdallah is currently involved in extensive research on how hormone replacement therapy affects breast cancer and the cardiovascular system.

Dr. Abdallah is a member of American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology, American Society of Reproductive Medicine, Society of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, and the American Association of Gynecological Laparoscopist. Dr. Abdallah enjoys travel and sports. He is married and resides in Irvine.

Mazin Abdullah, M.D.
Glendale Medical Director
Reproductive Endocrinologist

Dr. Zhihong Yang, D.V.M., MSc, Ph.D.
Senior Laboratory Director

Dr. Yang has studied in the areas of reproductive physiology and biomedicine in the United States, Canada and China. Upon completing his education, Dr. Yang has been working and conducting research in the field of reproductive technologies for more than fifteen years. Dr. Yang is a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. He has published his studies in national and international journals and meetings over the years. He is also a recipient of international academic awards. He has been actively involved in international academic exchange programs and served as education committee member. Dr. Yang was former full-time clinical professor at University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine prior to joining Pacific Reproductive Center.

Tayyab Rahil, PhD., HCLD, ELD (ABB)
Scientific Director

Dr. Rahil received his PhD degree from University of Minnesota after completing a series of studies on sperm-oocyte interaction and early embryo development in vitro. He did his postdoctoral fellowship at the Center for Research on Reproduction and Women’s Health, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. During fellowship, he worked on NIH funded projects to study the molecular causes of male infertility.

Dr. Rahil has almost 20 years of mammalian gamete biology experience. He has presented his work on gamete biology and early embryonic development in vitro at various scientific forums including meetings of Society for the Study of Reproduction, American Society of Reproductive Medicine, and Pacific Coast Reproductive Society. One of his areas of interest is production of developmentally competent embryos in vitro. His expertise includes blastocyst culture, gamete/embryo micromanipulation (ICSI, AH, embryo biopsy and fixation), preservation of fertility, and establishment of clinical reproductive laboratories. Using his skills, he has successfully contributed to various fertility clinics throughout the country.

Dr. Rahil is board certified as High Complexity Laboratory Director (HCLD), Embryology Laboratory Director (ELD), and Supervisor (Embryology and Andrology) by the American Board of Bioanalysis (ABB). He is member of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, American Association of Bioanalysts, and College of Reproductive Biology.

“Helping people make families remains my passion,” says Dr. Rahil.