Faculty

Program Co-Directors

Diana V. Do, MD

Byers Eye Institute

Diana V. Do, MD, is Professor of Ophthalmology and Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs at the Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University.

She is an internationally recognized physician who specializes in the surgical and medical treatment of retinal disorders. Dr. Do is a board-certified ophthalmologist and is an expert in the management of age related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, vein occlusion, retinal detachment, macular hole, infections, cataract, and epiretinal membrane. She incorporates state-of-the-art treatment options for her patients while treating each individual with compassion and dignity. Her goal is to provide the highest level of care for each patient. She has been selected as a “Top Doctor” in the Bay Area, and she has been voted as one of the “100 Top Women in Ophthalmology” in the Ophthalmologist Power List.

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Prithvi Mruthyunjaya, MD, MHS

Byers Eye Institute

Prithvi Mruthyunjaya MD, MHS is Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at Stanford Univeristy, member of the Vitreoretinal Surgery Service and is the new Director of Ocular Oncology at the Byers Eye Institute. He is a board certified ophthalmologist who has completed two prestigious fellowships: the first in Vitreoretinal Surgery at Duke University and the second in Ocular Oncology at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, England.

He cares for patients with conditions related to cancer of the eye in both adults and children–either benign, pre-cancerous, or eye cancer. These conditions include ocular melanoma, hemangioma, cancers from other parts of the body which spread to the eye, Coats’ disease, retinoblastoma, iris tumors (melanoma, cysts, metastatic lesions) and tumors of the conjunctiva including melanoma, and squamous cells carcinoma. He also manages the eye related side effects of chemotherapy treatments. He is an expert in using the most advanced diagnostic tests to make a personalized treatment plan for every patient. With his expertise in retinal surgery, he treats patients with a variety of advanced techniques including small instrument tumor biopsy, vitrectomy, and radiation therapy.

As a retinal surgeon, he manages complicated retinal diseases including retinal detachment, macular holes, epiretinal membranes, and diabetic eye disease.

His approach to any patient is to provide customized care for every patient and works closely with other experts at the Stanford Cancer Institute. Dr. Mruthyunjaya is actively involved in research in ocular cancer imaging, genetics, and new modalities of tumor biopsy.

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Quan Dong Nguyen, MD, MSc

Byers Eye Institute

Born in Saigon, Vietnam, and immigrated with his parents and three brothers to the United States in 1980, Dr. Quan Dong Nguyen currently is Professor of Ophthalmology at the Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine.

After completing his education in 2001, Dr. Nguyen joined the faculty at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, as Assistant Professor and then Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and Director of Medical Education. In 2013, he was appointed as the McGaw Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology and the Inaugural Director of the Stanley M. Truhlsen Eye Institute, and Assistant Dean for Translational Research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

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Stephen Smith, MD

Byers Eye Institute

A Vitreoretinal Surgeon and Clinical Assistant Professor in Ophthalmology at the Byers Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, at the Stanford University School of Medicine. His goal is to put the needs of his patients first, and this commitment to patient-centered care dictates his approach to both his clinical and surgical care.

Dr. Smith received a Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular Biology and earned his MD – graduating with distinction – from the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine. He completed his internship at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeon’s Bassett Medical Center. Dr. Smith was an ophthalmology resident at University of Michigan’s Kellogg Eye Center, consistently rated among the top 10 ophthalmology programs in the country. At University of Michigan he received numerous awards, including the Aizman Award, which is given to the resident who achieved the most significant scholarly achievement during residency with highest distinction in clinical excellence. Following a 2-year adult and pediatric vitreoretinal surgery fellowship at Stanford University’s Byers Eye Institute, he joined the vitreoretinal faculty on a part-time basis.

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2023 Faculty

Robert B. Bhisitkul, MD, PhD

UCSF Health San Francisco, CA

Dr. Robert Bhisitkul is an ophthalmologist and retina specialist who provides medical and laser treatment for macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and other retinal diseases. He also performs surgery on macular hole and macular pucker (conditions that cause blurred or distorted vision), retinal detachment and complications of diabetic eye disease.

Bhisitkul recruits patients to participate in UCSF clinical trials on novel therapies for macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, and also for studies on long-term outcomes for treatments such as surgically implantable devices that deliver medication. He also conducts research on retinal disease mechanisms and surgical innovations. With the USCF Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, he is collaborating on a project to develop a bioengineered polymer device for ocular drug delivery.

Bhisitkul earned his medical degree at Stanford University School of Medicine and his doctoral degree in neurosciences at Yale University. He completed a residency in ophthalmology and a vitreoretinal fellowship at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts Eye and Ear.

Bhisitkul has received the Achievement Award of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He has published more than 60 papers in clinical and scientific journals. He serves on the editorial board of American Journal of Ophthalmology Case Reports and has served as associate editor of the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Bhisitkul is an associate examiner for the American Board of Ophthalmology and has served on the exam committee of Kuwait’s ophthalmology board.

David Boyer, MD

Retina Vitreous Associates Medical Group Beverly Hills, CA

Dr. David Boyer is a world-renowned clinician, surgeon, and educator. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Illinois at Champaign, IL, after which he completed a medical degree at the Chicago Medical School. In 1976, he finished his residency at the Los Angeles County -USC County Medical Center.

A year long retinal surgery fellowship at the Wills Eye Hospital, in Philadelphia, completed his training. He is currently a leading investigator for various national clinical trials on retinal diseases and serves as an advisor for multiple research, educational and charitable institutions.

David M. Brown, MD

Retina Consultants of Texas Houston, TX

Dr. David M. Brown is a world-renown Medical and Surgical Retina Specialist and clinical trial specialist. He is the only Texas Medical and Surgical Retina Specialist elected to all three retina honor societies (Retina Society, Macula Society, and Club Jules Gonin). He is a 5th generation native Texan (from Deer Park, Texas) and he has pioneered research and treatment in the areas of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, and retinal vein occlusion.

Kimberly A. Drenser, MD, PhD

Associated Retinal Consultants Royal Oak, MI

Dr. Drenser has had a distinguished academic career, having received a Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics & Microbiology in addition to her medical degree from the University of Florida, Gainesville. She completed her post-doctoral work at UC San Francisco in 1999, and has received numerous academic honors and awards. She has been with Associated Retinal Consultants since completion of her fellowship in 2005.

Dr. Drenser’s special interest is in translating laboratory science into practical treatments for retinal diseases. She established and serves as Director of the Pediatric Retinal Disease Molecular Genetics Laboratory on the Royal Oak campus. She has authored co-authored a number of peer-reviewed publications and book chapters, and has spoken at numerous national and international ophthalmologic meetings.

Dr. Drenser is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Medical Association and the Association in Research of Vision and Ophthalmology.

Peter K. Kaiser, MD

Cleveland Clinic Cleveland , Ohio

Peter K. Kaiser, M.D. is the Chaney Family Endowed Chair for Ophthalmology Research and a Professor of Ophthalmology at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine. As an NIH grant funded investigator, Dr. Kaiser leads a team involved in the evaluation of vascular biology in AMD and diabetic retinopathy, and is actively involved in numerous clinical trials. He is Editor-in-Chief of Retinal Physician, Associate Editor of International Ophthalmology Clinics, and serves on the editorial boards of several other publications. Dr. Kaiser received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School, completed his internal medicine internship at Massachusetts General Hospital, an ophthalmology residency at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, and a vitreoretinal fellowship at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute.

Eleonora M. Lad, MD, PhD

Duke Eye Center Durham, NC

Eleonora (Nora) Lad, MD, PhD is a clinician scientist and retinal ophthalmologist with the primary goal of developing novel strategies for early diagnosis and treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Dr. Lad specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of macular diseases, such as AMD, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal vascular diseases. She is involved in clinical trials and innovative therapies for the treatment of macular diseases. Dr. Lad is committed to providing the highest level of evidence-based patient care.

Dr. Lad’s career goal is to translate her doctoral training in neuroscience into developing innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for AMD. Her research interests are the following:
1) investigating the role of neuroinflammation and abnormal protein aggregates in the pathogenesis of AMD and developing relevant treatments
2) visual function testing in dry AMD with the goal of establishing functional endpoints for future clinical studies in early AMD
3) elucidating the use of novel retinal imaging biomarkers for early diagnosis of aging diseases (AMD and Alzheimer’s disease), including through the use of artificial intelligence (machine and deep learning).  On these studies, she is collaborating with an interdisciplinary team of investigators from Ophthalmology, Geriatrics, Computer Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.

Dr. Lad is the recipient of the VA Merit Award I01, Patient-Oriented Research Career Development (K23) Award from the National Eye Institute, the 2016 Research to Prevent Blindness Ernest & Elizabeth Althouse Special Scholar Award, the 2016 ARVO/Alcon Early Career Clinician-Scientist Research Award, Heed Foundation award, and Duke Institute for Brain Sciences incubator award, among others. She is a member of the Macula Society, Retina Society, American Academy of Ophthalmology, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, International Society for Eye Research, Society of Heed Fellows, Society for Neuroscience and American Society for Neural Therapy and Repair.

Jennifer I. Lim, MD, FARVO, FASRS

llinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, University of Illinois at Chicago  Chicago, Illinois

Dr. Jennifer Lim is the Director of the Retina Service at UI Health. Dr. Lim is involved in both the clinical treatment and research aspects of retinal and vitreous diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, and age-related macular degeneration, and she has been the principal investigator in dozens of clinical trials for various retinal diseases. Dr. Lim has performed more than 6,000 vitreoretinal surgeries, and she is one of the few surgeons in the United States to perform implantation surgery for the Argus II retinal prosthesis, which can restore vision in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a rare eye disease that causes damage to the retina, resulting in loss of vision. She is the Marion Schenk Chair for Research of the Aging Eye at the University of Illinois College of Medicine.

Session 2 Faculty 2022

Carl C. Awh, MD, FASRS

Tennessee Retina Nashville, TN

Dr. Carl Awh (pronounced “Oh”) is an internationally recognized clinician, surgeon, and educator. He completed a fellowship in Vitreoretinal Surgery and Research at the Duke University Eye Center with Dr. Robert Machemer, the “father of modern vitreous surgery.” Dr. Awh began his career as an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Johns Hopkins University, where he was Director of the Retina Service at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore and the founding co-director of the Johns Hopkins Microsurgery Advanced Design Laboratory. In 1994 he moved to Nashville to join Tennessee Retina (then Retina Vitreous Associates).

Dr. Awh’s special interests include macular surgery, macular degeneration, and the development of surgical devices and techniques. He is an active investigator in industry-sponsored and National Eye Institute-sponsored clinical trials, holds twelve U.S. patents for retinal surgical devices and treatments, and has designed dozens of instruments in widespread use by vitreoretinal surgeons. He is a consultant to numerous ophthalmic companies and has lectured in over twenty countries and on every continent (except Antarctica!). He serves on the Executive Committee and is the President of the American Society of Retina Specialists. He is a past member of the board of EURETINA, the European Retina Society.

Dr. Awh has been named one of the Best Doctors in America every year since 2007 and is the recipient of Honor Awards from both the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Retina Specialists.  In 2004, he received the Senior Honor Award of the American Society of Retina Specialists. In 2015, he received the Senior Achievement Award of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He is an Associate Examiner for the American Board of Ophthalmology and is the founding Director of the Retina Fellows’ Forum, an annual national educational meeting for vitreoretinal specialists-in-training. Dr. Awh was inducted as an inaugural member of the Retina Hall of Fame in 2017.

Dr. Awh is happily married and is the father of three children. He enjoys golf, running, and travel.

David M. Brown, MD

Retina Consultants of Texas Houston, TX

A world-renown Medical and Surgical Retina Specialist and clinical trial specialist. He is the only Texas Medical and Surgical Retina Specialist elected to all three retina honor societies (Retina Society, Macula Society, and Club Jules Gonin). He is a 5th generation native Texan (from Deer Park, Texas) and he has pioneered research and treatment in the areas of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, and retinal vein occlusion.

With more than 300 scientific papers and abstracts written on related topics, Dr. Brown has been a continuous election as one of the “Best Doctors in America” from 2007 – 2018 and has received the honor as one of the “Texas Super Docs” from 2009 – 2018. Dr. Brown serves as the consultant retina specialist for NASA for all ongoing and long-term space flight astronauts.

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Audina M. Berrocal, MD

Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Miami, FL

Audina Berrocal, M.D., is a pediatric retina specialist and world-leader in the medical and surgical management of retinopathy of prematurity and pediatric vitreoretinal disorders. Berrocal has been instrumental in the description and management of pediatric retinal disorders.  She has advanced the use of fluorescein angiography in pediatric vitreoretinal disorders improving outcomes.  She has also taken care of an inner-city neonatal Intensive Care Unit weekly for the past 20 years preventing blindness among the premature.  Furthermore, she has been the first surgeon to treat the youngest patient in the United States with the first FDA-approved gene therapy.  She has continued this novel, curative surgical treatment among children with Leber’s congenital amaurosis.  Not only is she a unique clinician and outstanding surgeon, but she devotes time to teaching and the support of women in the field of ophthalmology and retina. Dr. Berrocal was named to the Ophthalmologist Power List 2022.

Robert B. Bhisitkul, MD, PhD

University of California San Francisco San Francisco, CA

Dr. Robert Bhisitkul is an ophthalmologist and retina specialist who provides medical and laser treatment for macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and other retinal diseases. He also performs surgery on macular hole and macular pucker (conditions that cause blurred or distorted vision), retinal detachment and complications of diabetic eye disease.

Bhisitkul recruits patients to participate in UCSF clinical trials on novel therapies for macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, and also for studies on long-term outcomes for treatments such as surgically implantable devices that deliver medication. He also conducts research on retinal disease mechanisms and surgical innovations. With the USCF Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, he is collaborating on a project to develop a bioengineered polymer device for ocular drug delivery.

Bhisitkul earned his medical degree at Stanford University School of Medicine and his doctoral degree in neurosciences at Yale University. He completed a residency in ophthalmology and a vitreoretinal fellowship at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts Eye and Ear.

Bhisitkul has received the Achievement Award of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He has published more than 60 papers in clinical and scientific journals. He serves on the editorial board of American Journal of Ophthalmology Case Reports and has served as associate editor of the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Bhisitkul is an associate examiner for the American Board of Ophthalmology and has served on the exam committee of Kuwait’s ophthalmology board.

Margaret Chang, MD, MS

Retinal Consultants Medical Group Sacramento, CA

A native of Chicago, Dr. Chang prepared for her future career in retinal surgery by starting piano lessons at the age of 4, and performed a Mozart piano concerto with the University of Houston orchestra at the age of 8.

After moving to Seattle, she began her studies at the University of Washington at the age of 14, graduating Phi Beta Kappa and summa cum laude with a major in piano performance. She then headed east to Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons where she was awarded her medical degree and elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. While at Columbia, she received a full-tuition scholarship to earn her masters degree in biostatistics at the Mailman School of Public Health.

Following internship at the University of Pennsylvania, she became a resident in Ophthalmology at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins. There she first met her future colleagues, Drs. Tony Tsai and Robert Equi. She continued at Wilmer for her retina fellowship, where she was the inaugural Mary Hutcheson fellow. She garnered many accolades at Johns Hopkins, among them the prestigious Society of Heed and Michels fellowships.

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Wiley Chambers, MD

U.S Food and Drug Administration Silver Spring, Maryland

Victor Chong, MBChB, MPhil, MD, FRCS, FRCOphth

University of Oxford Oxford, UK
Professor Victor Chong is the Head of Department of Oxford Eye Hospital, a part of the Oxford University Hospitals. He graduated from the University of Glasgow Medical School with the Neil Arnott Prize, ophthalmic trained in Moorfields Eye Hospital, London and retinal fellowship trained in the Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Hospital, London under Professors Phil Luthert and Alan Bird, and in the Centre of Macular Degeneration, University of Iowa, USA under Professors Greg Hageman and Ed Stone.

His team was the first to describe systemic complement activation in patients with age-related macular degeneration. He is currently the co-chair of the UK Medical Retina Group, co-chair of the UK Amsler Club, Deputy President of the FAN Club, member of the Scientific Committee and Research Committee of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists and EURETINA respectively.

He is the Editor of Focus and Associated Editor of Eye, both official journals of the Royal College. He has published over 100 publications with 3 books and 18 book chapters. His main research interests are biomarkers of macular diseases, matrix biology, retinal imaging and vascular stem cell therapy.

Lori-Ann Christie, PhD

Visionary Ventures Newport Beach, CA

Lori-Ann Christie has 20+ years’ experience in academic and industrial research and drug development. In 2021, she joined Visionary Ventures, an ophthalmology-focused venture firm, where she identifies investment opportunities, conducts diligence, and provides guidance to portfolio companies. Previously, she was Director, Eye Care Research at Allergan/AbbVie. She received her B.Sc. from McGill University and her Ph.D. from University of Toronto. She is an expert in preclinical pharmacology and has authored publications on retinal disease models, age-related neurodegeneration, and stem cell therapeutics

Dilraj Grewal, MD

Duke Eye Center Durham, NC

Dilraj Grewal, MD is a Duke vitreoretinal surgeon and Moorfields uveitis trained ophthalmologist, specializing in patients with complex medical and surgical problems of the back of the eye, known as the retina, as well as patients with inflammation in the eye or uveitis. I use the latest diagnostic and therapeutic methods along with a collaborative team effort with colleagues across Duke Eye Center and the Duke Rheumatology and Immunology division to develop the optimum treatment plans for patients with uveitis. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with the family, traveling, watching sports, and landscape photography.

Theresa Heah, MD, MBA

Kriya New York City, New York

Theresa Heah is the Chief Medical Officer and President for Kriya Ophthalmology. She was most recently the Chief Medical Officer, EVP Operations for AsclepiX Therapeutics where she was responsible for the business strategy, Series A financing, R&D, clinical development, and regulatory strategy to advance the robust pipeline and led the company in bringing innovative ophthalmology and oncology products to market. Prior to joining AsclepiX Therapeutics, Dr. Heah served as Chief Medical Officer at Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation (AGTC), where she worked on developing gene therapies in ophthalmology and rare diseases. In addition to her clinical experience as an ophthalmologist, Theresa brings over two decades of Global Pharmaceutical Leadership experience, including in the core business area of ophthalmology drug development and commercialization in early-stage private-staged companies (Fovea Pharmaceuticals, AsclepiX Therapeutics), public-staged (Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Allergan) and big pharmaceuticals (Bayer Healthcare, Sanofi). She has a diverse leadership perspective across Clinical, R&S, Medical Affairs, Marketing, and Business Development. Dr. Heah led global ophthalmologic innovation with multiple successful regulatory submissions in the U.S. (7 INDs, 4 NDAs: Ozurdex, EYLEA, Rhopressa & Rocklatan), Europe, and Japan. While at Bayer, she launched EYLEA successfully into a blockbuster drug. Dr. Heah received her Doctorate of Medicine from Guy’s Kings and St. Thomas’ School of Medicine, King’s College, University of London, and her Executive Master’s in business administration from the European School of Management & Technology (ESMT), Berlin.

Nancy M. Holekamp, MD

Pepose Vision Institute Saint Louis, MO

Dr. Nancy M. Holekamp is Director of Retina Services at the Pepose Vision Institute in St. Louis. She was previously Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. Holekamp received her undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degree from Wellesley College Summa cum Laude. She received her Medical Degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Alpha Omega Alpha. Dr. Holekamp completed an internship in internal medicine and a residency in ophthalmology at the Washington University School of Medicine. Her fellowship training in vitreoretinal surgery was with the Retina Consultants in St. Louis.

Dr. Holekamp is the first in the bistate area to offer Susvimo, a novel drug delivery device that is surgically implanted and allows for continuous release of anti-VEGF, thereby reducing the frequency of intravitreal injections to only 2-3 times a year.

Dr. Holekamp is actively involved in clinical research, having been principal investigator or sub-investigator in over 35 national clinical trials dealing with age-related macular degeneration, retinal vascular occlusion, and diabetic retinopathy. Her efforts in research have resulted in 80 peer-reviewed publications, 22 book chapters, and more than 120 speaking invitations both nationally and internationally. She is a member of the major subspecialty societies, including the Retina Society and the Macula Society. She acts as a reviewer for all the major ophthalmology journals and as a consultant to numerous ophthalmic pharmaceutical companies. After 6 years on the American Academy of Ophthalmology Ethics Committee, she has developed an interest in medical ethics.

Pearse Keane, MD, FRCOphth

Moorfields Eye Hospital London, UK

Pearse A. Keane, MD, FRCOphth, is a consultant ophthalmologist at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London and an NIHR Clinician Scientist, based at the Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London (UCL). Dr Keane specialises in applied ophthalmic research, with a particular interest in retinal imaging and new technologies. In April 2015, he was ranked no. 4 on a worldwide ranking of ophthalmologists under 40, published in “the Ophthalmologist” journal (https://theophthalmologist.com/the-power-list-2015/). In 2016, he initiated a formal collaboration between Moorfields Eye Hospital and Google DeepMind, with the aim of applying machine learning to automated diagnosis of optical coherence tomography (OCT) images. In August 2018, the first results of this collaboration were published in the journal, Nature Medicine.

Christine Kay, MD

Vitreoretinal Associates Gainesville, Florida

Dr. Kay has a special interest in inherited retinal disease and is actively involved as an investigator in multiple clinical trials at VRA involving Stargardt disease, Achromatopsia, and Usher syndrome.

She was previously an Assistant Professor of at the University of Florida, and is currently Affiliate faculty at the University of South Florida.

Dr. Kay was recently inducted into Retina Society in 2017 and received an honor award from American Society of Retina Specialists in 2012.

Eleonora M. Lad, MD, PhD

Duke Eye Center Durham, NC

I am a clinician-scientist and retinal ophthalmologist with the primary goal of developing novel ways to diagnose and treat age-related macular degeneration (AMD). I am involved in clinical trials, including the study of innovative therapies related to macular diseases. I also specialize in treating patients with diabetic retinopathy and retinal vascular diseases. I am committed to providing the highest level of evidence-based patient care. I was awarded the Clinical Scientist Development Award from the National Eye Institute, and I received the Heed Foundation award. I am a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Society of Heed Fellows, Society for Neuroscience and American Society for Neural Therapy and Repair.

Theodore Leng, MD, FACS

Stanford Byers Eye Institute Palo Alto, CA

Theodore Leng, MD, MS, FACS received his AB in Philosophy and BS in Biological Sciences from Stanford University, graduating with Departmental Honors. He received his Masters of Science in Biological Sciences from Stanford University while conducting research at the Hopkins Marine Station in Pacific Grove, CA on cellular ion membrane channels. Dr. Leng received his medical degree from the Stanford University School of Medicine, during which he completed a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Training Fellowship.

Dr. Leng completed his ophthalmology residency at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, the highest ranked eye hospital and residency training program in the country. He was awarded the Heed Fellowship, the most prestigious national award for ophthalmologists entering a career in academic medicine. Dr. Leng returned to Stanford University to complete a fellowship in vitreoretinal diseases and surgery and was awarded the Paul Kayser International Travel Scholarship to work in Santiago, Chile. He has been a full-time faculty member of the Stanford University Department of Ophthalmology since 2010 and has been named one of “America’s Top Ophthalmologists” by the Consumers’ Research Council of America and is a Castle Connoly “Top Doctor.”

In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Leng has a vibrant clinical and basic science research program and has published over 200 peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts, book chapters and abstracts. He is frequently invited to speak at national and international meetings. Dr. Leng serves as the Associate Editor of the peer-reviewed journal, Ophthalmic Surgery Lasers & Imaging Retina.

Dr. Leng is a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American College of Surgeons, and the American Society of Retina Specialists. He is also a member of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, the Retina Society, the Macula Society, the Vit-Buckle Society, and is a board member of the Digital Ophthalmic Society. He volunteers his time as a Command Pilot for the Angel Flight West organization. Dr. Leng has served as the President of the Stanford Medicine Alumni Association to support its mission of reaching, inspiring, serving and engaging over 26,000 Stanford Medicine alumni.

Loh-Shan Bryan Leung, MD

Byers Eye Institute Palo Alto, CA

Clinical Assistant Professor at the Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University

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Cassie Ann Ludwig, MD, MS

Stanford Byers Eye Institute Palo Alto, CA

Cassie joined the lab in 2018. She completed her undergraduate degree at Duke University and then her medical school training, a Masters in Epidemiology and ophthalmology residency at Stanford University Medical School. She is interested in understanding the mechanisms of myopia and improving treatment and prevention of the resulting pathology. She worked with Dr Mahajan as a resident and will complete her surgical fellowship at Harvard’s Massachusetts Eye and Ear Institute. She continues to work with Dr. Mahajan on the molecular genetics of myopia and biomarkers of vitreoretinal disease.

Raj K. Maturi, MD

Midwest Eye Institute Indianapolis, IN

After graduating with honors from the New York University School of Medicine, Dr. Maturi completed his ophthalmology residency training at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. He then completed an additional two-year fellowship at the University of Iowa, specializing in diseases of the retina and vitreous. During this time, he received the prestigious national Heed Scholar designation.

Board certified in ophthalmology, Dr. Maturi is also a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Indiana Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Retina Surgeons and the Society of Heed Fellows. Additionally, he has served as Vice President of the Indianapolis Ophthalmology Society, a board member for Prevent Blindness Indiana, a Patient Education committee member for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and the executive director of the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network.

Dr. Maturi has published multiple articles on vitreoretinal disease in medical journals, and he is an active reviewer for many ophthalmology publications. He frequently presents new and innovative eye care information at conferences attended by his peers.

He is actively involved in research of retina topics, particularly, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, uveitis and surgical and examination techniques. As Principal Investigator, he has conducted numerous clinical trials sponsored by DRCR, the National Institutes of Health and various pharmaceutical companies in an effort to advance treatment options available to patients.

Dr. Maturi is also a Clinical Associate Professor at Indiana University where he shares his knowledge with physicians in training. He also travels biannually to train physicians in developing countries in retinal surgery techniques and serves as a consultant for Cyber-Sight, ORBIS Telemedicine.

Dr. Maturi is married with two boys, and he devotes his free time to their development.

Kourous Rezaei, MD, FASRS

Illinois Retina Associates Chicago, IL

Kourous A. Rezaei, M.D., is an internationally recognized expert in the medical and surgical treatment of vitreoretinal diseases. He specializes in treating a full range of conditions, including retinal detachment, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, diabetic retinopathy, macular holes, diabetic macular edema and vitreous hemorrhage. Dr. Rezaei also serves as an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at Rush University Medical Center and is the Director of the Vitreoretinal fellowship program.  Dr. Rezaei is a voting member of the Board of Directors of the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS).  He is the delegate of ASRS at theAmerican Medical Association (AMA) and is the Chair of the International Affairs Committee at the ASRS.  Dr. Rezaei is also a member of the Retina Society and Chicago Ophthalmological Society. He has been with Illinois Retina Associates since 2005.

Se Joon Woo, MD, PhD

Seoul National University Bundang Hospital

Retina, Age-related macular degeneration, Inherited retinal disease, diabetic retinopathy, uveitis, retinal detachment, retinal vascular diseases

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Session 1 Faculty 2022

David M. Brown, MD

Retina Consultants of Texas Houston, TX

A world-renown Medical and Surgical Retina Specialist and clinical trial specialist. He is the only Texas Medical and Surgical Retina Specialist elected to all three retina honor societies (Retina Society, Macula Society, and Club Jules Gonin). He is a 5th generation native Texan (from Deer Park, Texas) and he has pioneered research and treatment in the areas of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, and retinal vein occlusion.

With more than 300 scientific papers and abstracts written on related topics, Dr. Brown has been a continuous election as one of the “Best Doctors in America” from 2007 – 2018 and has received the honor as one of the “Texas Super Docs” from 2009 – 2018. Dr. Brown serves as the consultant retina specialist for NASA for all ongoing and long-term space flight astronauts.

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Caroline Baumal, MD

Northern California Retina Vitreous Associates Boston, MA

Vitreoretinal diseases and surgery, medical retina, lasers, pediatric retina, diabetic eye disease.

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Natalia F. Callaway, MD, MS

Byers Eye Institute Palo Alto, CA
Clinical Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology at the Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University

Thomas A. Ciulla, MD, MBA

Midwest Eye Institute Indianapolis, IN

Evaluation and Management of: Diabetic retinopathy, Macular Degeneration, Macular Holes and Puckers, Macular Diseases and Dystrophies, Retinal Detachments and tears, Retinal Vascular Disorders, Retinal and Choroidal disorders and dystrophies, Intraocular Tumors

Diagnostic Ophthalmic Testing: Digital Photography, Fluorescein Angiography, Ocular Coherence Tomography, B-Scan Ultrasonography, Multifocal Electroretinography
Procedures: Retinal Laser Photocoagulation, Cryoretinopexy, Ocular Photodynamic Therapy, Pneumatic Retinopexy, Intravitreal Injections, Vitreous and Macular Surgery

Clinical Research and Extensive Clinical Trial participation focusing on pharmaceutical and surgical treatments and delivery devices for diseases and surgery of the retina such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusions, and histoplasmosis.

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Rachel M. Huckfeldt, MD, PhD

Mass Eye and Ear Boston, MA

A full-time member of the Inherited Retinal Disorders Service at Mass Eye and Ear. She is a retina specialist with expertise in inherited retinal degenerations as well as conditions including age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

Graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, summa cum laude, with a BA in Biology and Psychology. Subsequently, she earned her MD and PhD in Neuroscience at Washington University. Next, she completed her ophthalmology residency in Harvard Medical School’s Department of Ophthalmology. Before returning to Mass. Eye and Ear, she completed a postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Therapeutics for Inherited Retinal Diseases with Dr. Jean Bennett at the University of Pennsylvania, as well as a Medical Retina Fellowship at the University of Iowa. She completed a clinical and research fellowship in inherited retinal degenerations under the guidance of Dr. Eric Pierce, supported by a Foundation Fighting Blindness Clinical/ Research Fellowship Award.

Clinical Interests
Age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusions, inherited retinal degenerations.

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Nancy M. Holekamp, MD

Pepose Vision Institute Saint Louis, MO

A director of retina services at the Pepose Vision Institute in St. Louis. She was previously Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. Holekamp received her undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degree from Wellesley College Summa cum Laude. She received her Medical Degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Alpha Omega Alpha. Dr. Holekamp completed an internship in internal medicine and a residency in ophthalmology at the Washington University School of Medicine. Her fellowship training in vitreoretinal surgery was with the Retina Consultants in St. Louis.

Dr. Holekamp is actively involved in clinical research, having been principal investigator or sub-investigator in over 35 national clinical trials dealing with age-related macular degeneration, retinal vascular occlusion, and diabetic retinopathy. Her efforts in research have resulted in 80 peer-reviewed publications, 22 book chapters, and more than 120 speaking invitations both nationally and internationally. She is a member of the major subspecialty societies, including the Retina Society and the Macula Society. She acts as a reviewer for all the major ophthalmology journals and as a consultant to numerous ophthalmic pharmaceutical companies. After 6 years on the American Academy of Ophthalmology Ethics Committee, she has developed an interest in medical ethics.

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Rahul N. Khurana, MD

Northern California Retina Vitreous Associates Mountain View, CA

Dr. Khurana grew up in the Bay Area and earned a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree at Stanford University where he graduated with Honors, with Distinction and Phi Beta Kappa. He then attended the Duke University School of Medicine where he won the Humanism in Medicine award. Dr. Khurana completed his Ophthalmology Residency and Fellowship in Uveitis and Intraocular Inflammation at the prestigious Doheny Eye Institute at the University of Southern California (USC). He then finished a Fellowship in Vitreoretinal Disease at the premier Wilmer Eye Institute at the Johns Hopkins Medical Center. He won the exclusive Heed Ophthalmic Foundation and Ron G. Michels Fellowship Awards, given to the top fellows in the country.

Dr. Khurana is active with clinical research in developing new treatments for various retinal diseases. He has published over 100 peer reviewed scientific papers, been honored with numerous national awards and involved in over 90 clinical trials. Dr. Khurana has been awarded research grants from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Research to Prevent Blindness, Fight for Sight, American Academy of Ophthalmology, Allergan and Regeneron. He is also an Associate Clinical Professor in Ophthalmology at UCSF Medical Center where he teaches UCSF residents. He was recognized with the Crowell Beard Award for Excellence in Clinical Teaching. He was also independently elected into the prestigious Retina and Macula Societies. Dr. Khurana has been quoted in numerous national publications such as the New York Times, The Washington Post, Prevention Magazine, and the San Jose Mercury News on various retinal topics.

Dr. Khurana is heavily involved with the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Retinal Specialists where he serves on many committees. He currently serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Ophthalmic News and Education (ONE) Network, which serves more than 100,000 eye physicians and surgeons around the world.

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Yannek I. Leiderman, MD, PhD

Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary Chicago, IL

Associate Professor of Ophthalmology
Retina Service
Director, Vitreoretinal Microsurgery Laboratory

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Loh-Shan Bryan Leung, MD

Clinical Assistant Professor at the Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University

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Dante Pieramici, MD

California Retina Consultants Santa Barbara, CA

Graduated with honors from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and completed Ophthalmology Residency at the Wilmer Eye Institute. He receive vitreoretinal fellowship training at the Emory Eye Center in Atlanta Georgia. Dr. Pieramici has held full-time academic positions at the Yale University Eye Center and the Wilmer Eye Institute, where he served as the Assistant Chief of Service and Director of Ocular Trauma. Currently he is the Codirector of the California Retina Research Foundation, a partner of the California Retina Consultants, and Assistant Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the Doheny Eye Center in Southern California. Dr. Pieramici has published over 100 articles, 16 book chapters, and has edited 3 books on retinal diseases. He lectures nationally and internationally on retinal diseases and ocular trauma.

Dr. Pieramici’s research interests have been varied, and include clinical and basic science projects aimed at better understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of ocular diseases, so as to improve treatments for patients with age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vascular diseases, and severe ocular injuries. He has been a clinical investigator, principal investigator, or reading center investigator in numerous NIH and pharmaceutical company sponsored clinical trials. Dr Pieramici has helped in the development of new surgical techniques including limited macular translocation and 25-gauge (small incision) vitrectomy surgery. Currently he is involved in the development of new drug delivery techniques for various retinal vascular diseases.

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Lejla Vajzovic, MD

Duke Eye Center Durham, NC

 

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Jack A. Wells, III, MD

Palmetto Retina Center Columbia, SC

John A. Wells, III, MD earned his medical degree and completed his ophthalmology residency from Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA. He completed his fellowship training for vitreoretinal diseases and surgery at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, England.

Dr. Wells specializes in the treatment of vitreous and retinal diseases. He is also dedicated to the advancement of new treatments for retinal diseases through his involvement with clinical trials for the newest therapies for age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal vein occlusions.

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Yasir J. Sepah, MBBS

Byers Eye Institute Palo Alto, CA

Senior Research Scientist at the Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University

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