First Aid Step 1 Express Videos Authors

Sean is a resident in otolaryngology—head & neck surgery at the University of California, San Francisco. Originally from Davis, Calif., he graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a degree in molecular and cell biology, and then went on to medical school at the University of California, Irvine, graduating in 2013. During medical school, he was granted a one-year research fellowship at UCSF by the American Otological Society, where he investigated virally mediated gene therapy for genetic forms of deafness. Sean is also the former Editor-in-Chief of the Firecracker USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 study tools, specializing in preparing medical students for their board exams. When he is not running around the hospital, Sean enjoys cooking, working out, and practicing yoga.

Ryan graduated from Stony Brook University with a double major in biology and sociology. He worked as a critical care advanced EMT for several years before beginning medical school in 2016. Outside of the classroom, Ryan’s interests are running, lifting weights, and cooking.  

Stephen graduated from North Carolina Central University in 2010 with a degree in biology. While at NCCU he filled his time doing science, playing varsity tennis, and studying jazz music. After graduating, he moved to Boston to go to school for an inordinately long time. Stephen completed two years of medical school at Harvard recently earned a PhD in neuroscience from MIT. When not solving the mysteries of the brain, Stephen enjoys reading, playing sports, and being a musician.

Sarina earned her bachelor's degree at New York University, where she studied media, communications, and psychology. She is currently taking a gap year to conduct clinical research in dermatology. Sarina is a recent first-time Mommy and intends to take advantage of the time outside of her work to be with her husband and her baby boy; cook her way through The New York Times Cook Book; and host weekend dinner parties for her fellow med students.

Originally from Madison, Wis, Kevin attended college at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus, where he majored in neuroscience. Kevin is currently a third-year student at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, where he served as class president and spends much of his free time teaching first-year students in the cadaver and clinical skills labs. In his spare time, Kevin enjoys trail running and jiu-jitsu. 

Spencer is from Salem, Ore, and studied nursing prior to attending the University of Portland. He graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and minors in Spanish and philosophy. After traveling to East Africa and scribing for 2 years in an emergency department and radiation oncology clinic, Spencer entered Oregon Health & Science University and is looking forward to beginning his residency in interventional radiology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. He also contributed to the Cardiovascular Questions and Answers team for the ScholarRx Curriculum. In his spare time Spencer enjoys performing stand-up comedy and cooking

Dan was born and raised in Mississippi. He attended Mississippi College, where he played baseball and obtained a degree in biology. After graduation he attended William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine, where he met his wife and graduated in 2015. He is currently an internal medicine resident at Magnolia Regional Health Center. In his spare time Dann enjoys spending time with his wife and recreational sports.

Pete was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio and is currently a third-year medical student at Saint James School of Medicine on the St. Vincent campus. He earned his undergraduate degrees from Baldwin-Wallace University in 2010, majoring in philosophy with minors in biology and neuroscience. Pete has previously worked as a laboratory assistant at the Veteran Affairs hospital in the neuroscience department as well as multiple years at a residential treatment facility for children in the local area. While on the island, Pete acted as anatomy TA for 3 semesters and discovered his love for teaching then. He has a lust for travel and seeing the world and thoroughly enjoys hiking, camping, and cycling. Pete also operates a YouTube channel dedicated to short, simple lectures revolving around Step 1 material.

Jeff is a graduate of the MD/PhD program at Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, earning his PhD by studying the molecular biology of aging. He has worked on and led a variety of First Aid projects beginning in 2009, including First Aid Flash Facts, First Aid for the USMLE Step 1, and First Aid Step 1 Express video course. He is enjoying his second year as a resident in pathology at UCSF. In addition to biology and medicine, Jeff enjoys biking, rock climbing, and playing the guitar.

Arjun grew up in Southern California and attended the University of California, San Diego before heading to Long Island to trade his sun tan for a fake tan. He earned his medical degree at Stony Brook University School of Medicine, then went back west for residency at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas. Arjun enjoys singing and playing the ancient instrument of his people: the bass guitar. He can also be spotted regularly at the gym trying to stay in shape.

Kevin grew up in Sunnyvale, Calif., and graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2011 with a degree in molecular biology. He spent one year working as a molecular biologist for a biotechnology company and then enrolled in the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine. After graduation, he began a residency in general surgery at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Outside of medicine, Kevin spends his time staying active with skiing and hiking and enjoys rooting on his Bay Area sports teams.

Nick is from Peoria, Ill, and graduated from The University of Vermont in 2012, where he majored in biology. He attended medical school at Kansas City University, graduating in 2016. He is currently in orthopedic surgery residency training at McLaren Macomb Regional Medical Center, a teaching hospital of Michigan State University's statewide campus system in Mount Clemens, Mich. In his spare time, Nick enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and visiting the Coney Island restaurants of Detroit.