Welcome to our 2026-27 Residents!

Nicole Kang, PT, DPT, graduated from Northeastern University in 2022 with a B.S. in Biology, where she worked as an EMT and gained experience in spinal cord injury acute rehabilitation. She then earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy at UCSF/SFSU in 2026. Throughout graduate school, Nicole participated in Parkinson’s disease clinical research and served in a leadership role within the Community Engagement volunteer program, helping to expand access to physical therapy services in the local community. Her clinical experiences inspired a passion for acute care, where early rehabilitation can help patients regain function and independence. Nicole is excited to continue her professional growth through the UCSF Acute Care Physical Therapy Residency while advancing her clinical skills and providing evidence-based, patient-centered care. Outside of physical therapy, she enjoys playing volleyball, trying new restaurants, and spending time with family and friends.     

Ava Roberston, PT, DPT, grew up in Seattle, WA, and earned her B.S. in Health Studies and Doctor of Physical Therapy degrees from Boston University. During graduate school, she developed a strong interest in neurologic physical therapy through hands on work with individuals recovering from chronic strokes and spinal cord injuries, as well as through clinical education experiences in the outpatient neurologic and acute rehabilitation settings.
Outside of the classroom, Ava served on the board of the BU Physical Therapy Association, completed research on treatment approaches for cervical and low back pain in patients with differing pain experiences, and worked as a physical therapy aide at the on campus clinic.
As a Neurological Physical Therapy Resident, Ava looks forward to expanding her experience and clinical reasoning in the treatment of patients with neurological disorders across varying stages of recovery, participating in research opportunities, and contributing to teaching within the DPT program.
Outside of the clinic, Ava enjoys cooking, exploring new restaurants in the Bay Area, and spending time outdoors with friends and family.

Olivia Simon, PT, DPT, grew up in Irvine, CA and graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in 2015 where they received a B.A. in Philosophy, Neuroscience, and Psychology. They spent the next 6 years working in consulting and tech in NYC for major media companies. Olivia decided to change careers largely prompted by their own childhood experience living with the neurologic condition CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome) and the impact PT made in their recovery. Because of this, Olivia’s interests lie at the intersection of neurological conditions, chronic pain, and anything that might be historically “overlooked” by the medical profession.

Olivia graduated from the University of Michigan, Flint in 2025, where they further developed their passion for working with people with neurological conditions. Olivia worked extensively with the University of Michigan Adaptive Sports and Fitness teams, where they helped form strength and conditioning plans for athletes participating in adaptive rowing, track and field, basketball, and tennis.

Prior to joining UCSF, Olivia worked at Pro+Kinetix, an outpatient clinic in Oakland. On Olivia’s days off, you can find them sending climbs, working their way through a new cookbook, or making linocut prints.

James Clark, PT, DPT, grew up in San Diego and graduated from New York University with a Bachelor's of Music in 2010. James produced events in the music, art, and corporate spheres in New York City for over a decade before committing to a passion for movement and completing a Doctorate of Physical Therapy at UCSF/SFSU in 2026. James is interested in helping patients develop consistent, sustainable, and enriching exercise habits that promote long-term health, injury prevention, and self-efficacy in injury management. He is excited to refine and develop his skills as a member of the clinical team at UCSF, and to share his knowledge with the next generation through teaching in the DPT program. Outside of the clinic, James enjoys competitive powerlifting and trail running, and recreational surfing and biking.

Marvin De Leon, PT, DPT, is a first-generation college graduate who earned his B.S. in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise Science from California State University, Northridge, and his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the joint program at UCSF/SFSU. During PT school, he was actively involved in mentorship, teaching, and community-based pro bono clinics serving underserved populations. His clinical interests include orthopedic and sports rehabilitation, and he is passionate about expanding access to care for Spanish-speaking patients. Outside of the clinic, Marvin enjoys weightlifting, running, and maintaining an active lifestyle.

Adrian Hernandez-Rivera, PT, DPT is a first-generation Mexican American from Monterey, CA. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with a minor in Spanish from Sonoma State University in 2021. He then completed his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree through UCSF/SFSU in 2026. Before beginning physical therapy school, Adrian worked as a physical therapy aide in Santa Rosa where he served a large underserved Spanish-speaking population. His experience inspired him to participate in outreach programs providing pro-bono physical therapy services through the UCSF Community Clinic and Clínica Martín-Baró while in graduate school. During that time, he also pursued his passion for education by teaching anatomy as a graduate student instructor at UC Berkeley and co-leading a Spanish medical terminology elective for his physical therapy peers. Adrian's clinical interests include treating a broad range of orthopedic conditions, vestibular rehabilitation, myofascial decompression therapy, and running injury prevention and rehabilitation. Outside the clinic, he enjoys practicing in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, playing golf, spending time with family and friends, and searching the Bay Area for the best slice of pizza.

Erica Zee, PT, DPT, graduated from San Diego State University in 2021 with a B.S. in Kinesiology. She then received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Southern California in 2026. During her time at USC, she enjoyed serving as an Analytical Anatomy tutor for first-year DPT students and volunteered with Special Olympics Southern California and the Spinal Injury Games at Rancho Los Amigos.
Her professional interests include orthopedic physical therapy, sports and musculoskeletal injury rehabilitation and prevention, and pelvic floor physical therapy. After spending several years in Southern California, she is excited to return home to San Francisco to complete UCSF’s Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency Program. She hopes to utilize residency to deepen her understanding of musculoskeletal disorders, strengthen her clinical reasoning skills, and expand her expertise in treating a wide variety of orthopedic conditions. Outside of the clinic and classroom, she enjoys knitting/crocheting, reading, learning new languages, and playing volleyball and tennis.

Brenna Deasy, PT, DPT, MPH, grew up in Oceanside, CA in north San Diego county. She earned her Bachelor of Science In Psychology with a Specialization in Human Health from UC San Diego in 2022 and her Doctor of Physical Therapy and Master in Public Health degrees from Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois in 2025.

Brenna has been interested in pelvic health physical therapy since her first exposure when shadowing in her undergraduate studies after hearing a loved one share her experiences with pelvic floor dysfunction following childbirth. Her passion for pelvic and reproductive health grew throughout PT school as she completed a clinical rotation in pelvic health, a pelvic health elective and continuing education courses, as well as interning with a local birthing equity and advocacy group in the Chicagoland area.

As a Women's and Pelvic Health Resident, Brenna is looking forward to growing the skills she has developed as a practicing pelvic health physical therapist to create a safe and welcoming environment for people of all identities and abilities to receive care as well as empower patients with the confidence and skills needed to address pelvic dysfunction. When not in the clinic, Brenna enjoys exploring the city, trying new restaurants, enjoying live music, and spending time with friends and family.
 

Nicole Anderson, PT, DPT
I attended University of Central Florida for both undergraduate and graduate studies. I grew up in south Florida and am very excited to move to the west coast. I am a huge sci-fi/fantasy nerd and some of my hobbies include art, video games, and yoga.