2025 CO Architects Promotions
We are pleased to announce our new principal, associate principals, senior associates and associates for 2025!
Parini Mehta, AIA, LEED AP
A passionate healthcare architect for 20 years, Parini has led transformative projects for mission-driven clients such as Cedars-Sinai, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, Scripps Health and Kaiser Permanente. She is a steering committee member and past co-chair of AIA|LA’s Healthcare Committee, and was honored with the AIA-AAH’s “Best 40 Under 40” award. Parini advocates for diversity in design through positions on the University of Michigan Taubman College Alumni Council and the A+D Museum’s Board of Directors, and through volunteer work for NOMA, Ladders for Success, ACE Mentor Program and other local organizations. Parini also leads CO's Architectural Discovery Program, a month-long opportunity for high school students to learn foundational skills and foster their curiosity about a career in the industry. She earned a Master of Architecture from Sci-Arc and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Michigan.
Ben Bye, AIA
Ben is a talented designer with over 11 years of experience in the programming, planning and design of new buildings and renovations that support collaboration, innovation and discovery. He brings a thoughtful and engaging approach to design, ensuring the client’s vision and goals are met. His portfolio of projects includes higher education, science & technology, health sciences education, and healthcare facilities in California and throughout the US. A member of the firm since 2014, Ben earned a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Oregon.
Emilio Todescato, AIA
Emilio’s designs integrate the built environment with nature, context, and technology to create beautiful buildings that inspire, connect and encourage exploration. He is skilled at translating complex program requirements into responsive design solutions that are sustainable and stand the test of time. Since joining CO Architects in 2020, his experience has ranged from complex replacement medical centers to higher education research and teaching facilities. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Oregon.
Edgar Beltran
Edgar Beltran has 15 years of experience as a laboratory planner for teaching, research and engineering facilities for public and private clients across the US and internationally. A member of CO’s San Diego office since 2018, he earned a Bachelor of Architecture from Woodbury University.
Chun Liu, AIA, LEED AP, BD+C, WELL AP
Chun is a skilled project manager and architect with a diverse background on large, complex healthcare and academic projects throughout the US and abroad. She holds a Master of Architecture from Washington University in St. Louis and a Bachelor of Engineering in Urban Design from Chongqing University. She joined CO in 2021.
Megan Marsh, LEED AP
Megan has over 15 years of experience on projects spanning higher education, healthcare, corporate and residential. Since joining CO in 2022, she has played a key role in projects for Rutgers University, Montana State University, and Scripps Health. She holds a Master of Science in Interior Design from Pratt Institute and a Bachelor of Business Administration from St. John’s University.
Justin Owens, AIA
A member of the Los Angeles office since 2014, Justin excels at collaborating with all disciplines to achieve cohesive architectural design for healthcare, science & technology and higher education clients. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Woodbury University.
Eddie Valdez
Since joining CO Architects in 2018, Eddie has coordinated several complex medical and health sciences education and healthcare projects across the US for clients such as Montana State University, the University of Pennsylvania, Scripps Health and UCLA. He received a Bachelor of Architecture from the NewSchool of Architecture + Design.
Barbara Abecassis, LEED AP BD+C
Barbara joined CO in 2023 as a senior designer for a new 300,000-sf research tower for an academic medical center. She holds a Master of Architecture and a Bachelor's in Environmental Design from the Ecole Nationale Superieure de Cachan / La Sorbonne in France.
Priti Arneja, LEED AP
Priti has over 20 years of experience in the design and management of diverse projects, including K-12, higher education, healthcare, residential and commercial. She holds a Master of Architecture from Sci-Arc and Bachelors of Architecture from Kamla Raheja Institute for Architecture and Environmental Studies in India.
Marc Dobbs
Marc brings years of experience in office management and human resources to his role as Los Angeles office manager at CO Architects. Born and raised in Los Angeles, he holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Morehouse College and a Human Resources Management Certificate from Loyola Marymount University.
Aizeder Iriondo, LEED GA
Aizeder joined CO Architects in 2020 and has been an integral part of the UCI Health – Irvine Medical Center project. She earned a Master of Architecture from the University of Oregon and a Bachelor of Architecture from Universidad José Antonio Páez in Venezuela.
Mahyar Naghshvar
Mahyar brings a keen interest in collaborative approaches to design that improve building performance and socio-cultural relevance to his work on healthcare projects at CO. Prior to joining the firm in 2021, Mahyar earned a Master of Architecture from SCI-Arc and a Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies from UCLA.
Lori Short
As CO Architects’ Director of Employee Experience, Lori creates a cohesive and consistent employee experience and firm culture by enabling processes that support continued employee support, engagement and growth. She joined CO in 2022 and holds a Bachelors in Organizational Management from the University of La Verne.
Colton Stevenson, RA
Colton joined CO Architects in 2022 and brings an interest in envelope design, sustainability and building performance to the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center Redevelopment team. Colton holds a Master of Architecture and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture Studies from Louisiana Tech University.
Onur Tasan, RA, NCARB
Onur joined CO Architects in 2022 as a member of the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center Redevelopment team. He studied Global Sustainability at UCLA and earned a Bachelors of Architecture from Maltepe University in Turkey.
