Dinner with Dr. Ashkan Monfared and Mrs. Ashley Foster-Monfared. Dr. Monafred is the director of Otology and Neurotology at The GW Medical Faculty Associates. He completed his medical training, residency and fellowship at Stanford University Medical Center. Previously he has served as staff surgeon in Otolaryngology at Stanford University Hospital, Veteran Administration Hospital and Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. As an accomplished researcher in the areas of acoustic neuroma and inner ear imaging he has authored several peer-reviewed scientific papers and book chapters. He is the co-principal investigator of a multi-center prospective study on large acoustic neuromas (vestibular schwannomas) known as Acoustic Neuroma Subtotal Resection Study (ANSRS). His other current research interests are inner ear physiology, otologic simulators, image guidance surgery, and resident education. Since 2004 Dr. Monfared has been active in international humanitarian medical missions. He is on the board of directors of Global ENT Outreach, a non-profit humanitarian organization providing assistance and education with otologic surgeries in many developing countries. He has served in Ethiopia, El Salvador, Belize, Peru, and the American Samoa. Dr. Monfared is a trained classical pianist and fluent in Persian.