Dr. Ariel Perez Carbajal
Dr. Perez leads the functional medicine approach at the Immunotherapy Institute, with specialized training across integrative oncology, hyperthermia, and advanced cellular therapies. He graduated from the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UBC) as a general practitioner, then completed his functional medicine certification at the Institute for Functional Medicine — finishing at the top of his class.
For Lyme patients, his role encompasses comprehensive clinical oversight: designing the treatment architecture, interpreting epigenetic and diagnostic data, and ensuring each protocol element is calibrated to the patient's individual physiology. His certification in hyperthermia from Germany's Heckel Academy gives him direct certified expertise in one of the program's most advanced modalities.
- Graduate, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UBC)
- Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner — Institute for Functional Medicine (ACCME®)
- Certified in Hyperthermia — Heckel Academy, Germany
- Certified in Medical Ozone Therapy — Medical Society for Ozone
- Certified in Bioenergetics — Vega Academy, Germany
- Certified in Applied Kinesiology — Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara
- Member, National Board of General Practitioners · Tijuana Association of GPs
Dr. Alfonso Martinez
Dr. Alfonso Martinez obtained his MD from the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California in 2008 and entered functional medicine in 2013, recognizing early that treating symptoms without addressing root causes was insufficient for complex chronic conditions. He became an IFM Certified Practitioner in 2014 and joined the Immunotherapy Institute shortly after, where he has practiced ever since.
His advanced IFM training spans cognitive decline, detoxification, cardiometabolic function, GI health, hormonal balance, and energy metabolism — a breadth that maps directly onto the multi-system nature of chronic Lyme disease. Within the program he brings deep integrative expertise to the ongoing assessment and management of each patient's case.
- MD — Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (2008)
- IFM Certified Practitioner — Institute for Functional Medicine (2014)
- Advanced Training: Reversing Cognitive Decline — IFM
- Advanced Modules: Detox, Cardiometabolic, Energy, GI, Hormone — IFM
- Attending Physician, Hospital Ángeles Tijuana (2013–present)
Dr. Christian Andres Meraz Real
Dr. Meraz brings an unusual depth of perspective. His path in medicine began in nursing — years in clinical settings in San Diego before medical school at Universidad Xochicalco in Tijuana. That combined background gives him a ground-level understanding of what patients experience throughout the care process, not only from the physician's vantage point.
He completed his medical degree in 2017, then began functional medicine practice in 2018 at Hospital Ángeles Tijuana. In the Lyme program, Dr. Meraz coordinates day-to-day clinical care — monitoring treatment response, communicating directly with patients, and ensuring continuity between every element of the protocol throughout each patient's stay.
- Médico Cirujano General — Universidad Xochicalco, Tijuana (2017)
- Nursing Degree — PIMA Medical Institute, San Diego (2004–2008)
- Pediatric Care Diploma, San Diego (2009)
- Functional Medicine Practice — FMA Hospital Ángeles Tijuana (2018–present)
- Board Certified Licensed Physician of Mexico
Nancy Miranda
Nancy Miranda specializes in physiotherapy for patients undergoing advanced medical treatment, with over six years of experience in oncology rehabilitation. Her work focuses on preserving function, managing the physical toll of intensive protocols, and supporting patients through every phase of recovery.
For Lyme patients, her role addresses dimensions beyond the primary therapies: mobility, neuromuscular function, lymphatic circulation, respiratory support, and the fatigue that accompanies intensive treatment. Her certifications in myofascial release, lymphedema management, and neuromuscular bandaging are directly relevant to the Lyme patient population where pain, joint involvement, and nervous system strain are consistent features. She is a professor at Universidad de Durango's Tijuana campus.
- Degree in Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation — Universidad del Valle de Fuerte, Los Mochis
- Certified in Global Myofascial Release
- Certified in Post-Cancer Breast Lymphedema Management
- Certified in Neuromuscular Bandage
- Diploma in Neuropropioceptive Facilitation
- Diploma in In-Hospital Kinesitherapy — Oncological Patients
- Professor, Universidad de Durango — Tijuana Campus
- Member, College of Physiotherapists and Rehabilitators of Baja California
Paola Elizabeth Mireles Benavides
Paola Mireles is a licensed nutritionist from Mexicali, Baja California, who completed her clinical training in Tijuana and her social service at the General Hospital of Tijuana — where she gained hands-on experience in nutritional care across multiple hospital areas, including intensive care for adult and pediatric populations. She graduated with honors, reflecting the academic dedication she brings to her clinical practice.
Her focus on oncology nutrition began early, shaped by a close family member's cancer journey and deepened through direct clinical work with oncology patients. She brings four years of oncology nutrition experience to the Lyme program, where her approach focuses on assessing nutritional status, identifying metabolic risks, and designing individualized interventions that support treatment tolerance, preserve muscle mass, prevent malnutrition, and improve quality of life throughout recovery.
- Licensed Clinical Nutritionist — Baja California
- Social Service — General Hospital of Tijuana (ICU, pediatric and adult care)
- Four years clinical experience in oncology nutrition
- Graduated with honors
- Evidence-based approach with ongoing clinical oncology nutrition training
Our programs benefit from the involvement of internationally recognized Lyme disease specialists who bring direct patient experience, specialized clinical knowledge, and deep connections in the chronic Lyme community.
Michelle McKeon, MS, CNS, LDN
Michelle McKeon is one of the most recognized Lyme disease nutritionists in the United States, with over a decade of experience guiding patients through complex tick-borne illness recovery. Her entry into the field was personal: after years of being debilitated by Lyme disease, Bartonella, Powassan virus, and Mycoplasma Pneumonia, and failing to respond to any treatment offered by leading Lyme Literate Medical Doctors, she sought whole-body hyperthermia treatment. That experience saved her life.
She earned a Master of Science in Human Nutrition at the University of Bridgeport — graduating Summa Cum Laude — and founded The Lyme Specialist, now one of the leading independent Lyme specialist practices in the US. As President of Lyme and Cancer Services (LCS), she represents hyperthermia clinics in Germany and Mexico, and has contributed to integrative Lyme literature including Bay Area Lyme Foundation publications.
"Right before leaving for treatment, I remember sitting on my kitchen floor... if hyperthermia did not work for me, I could not live like this any longer. Today I am symptom-free, off all medications, and I have my life back."
- MS, Human Nutrition — University of Bridgeport (Summa Cum Laude)
- Licensed Integrative Nutritionist (LDN) · Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS)
- Certified Mold Practitioner
- President, Lyme and Cancer Services (LCS)
- Founder, thelymespecialist.com
Christina Carter
Christina Carter joined The Lyme Specialist team following her own profound experience with hyperthermia treatment for tick-borne infections — a treatment she received personally, alongside members of her immediate family. That firsthand perspective as a patient, a mother, and a spouse whose family went through the process together gives her a depth of understanding that clinical training alone cannot provide.
She educates patients on the realities of tick-borne infections and the therapies making a genuine difference — through conferences, articles, and direct patient support. Her role in the Lyme Immunotherapy Center program reflects that same mission: ensuring patients approaching advanced Lyme treatment are thoroughly informed, emotionally prepared, and supported throughout every step of the process.
The Lyme Immunotherapy Center was built by people who recognized a gap — patients with complex chronic Lyme who had exhausted conventional options and needed a program built specifically around their situation.
Mike Barajas
Mike founded the Lyme Immunotherapy Center and directs every dimension of the program — from clinical partnerships and protocol development to the patient journey from first contact through post-treatment follow-up. His focus is on ensuring every patient receives a genuinely individualized experience, not a standardized protocol. He works directly with the medical team to align treatment plans with each patient's specific history, co-infections, and goals.
Carlos Zavala
Carlos co-founded the Lyme Immunotherapy Center alongside his role as CEO of the Immunotherapy Institute — the clinical institution within which the Lyme program operates. With over 15 years building and running the Institute's advanced medical programs, he brings the operational infrastructure, clinical relationships, and institutional expertise that allow the Lyme program to function at hospital-grade standards. His leadership ensures the facility, team, and systems are in place for safe, effective patient care.
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