Retina Today: When did you first know that you wanted to become a retina specialist?
More than a decade ago, when I was a medical student at the University of Pennsylvania, I spent a day shadowing Joshua L. Dunaief, MD, PhD, in his retina clinic where I was inspired by the life-changing effect of anti-VEGF injections and the strong longitudinal relationships he formed with his patients. I also shadowed Benjamin J. Kim, MD, in the OR and was astounded by the precision necessary for retina surgery and the ability to visualize a crucial part of the central nervous system. My residency at Stanford clinched my decision to pursue retina. I loved the intellectual rigor of being a diagnostician, and I realized that the dilated fundus examination is one of the most powerful examinations in medicine because the retina can harbor signs of many systemic diseases.
RT: Who do you look to as mentors in the field?
I am thankful for mentors from my residency and fellowship at Stanford, particularly Prithvi Mruthyunjaya, MD, MHS, and Carolyn K. Pan, MD, who inspired and supported me from day one. I am indebted to our incredible teachers and surgical gurus at Stanford, including: Diana V. Do, MD; Steven Sanislo, MD; Charles DeBoer, MD, PhD; Loh-Shan Bryan Leung, MD; Theodore Leng, MD; Chase A. Ludwig, MD, MS; Ramsudha Narala, MD; Stephen Smith, MD; Ehsan Rahimy, MD; G. Atma Vemulakonda, MD; Karen M. Wai, MD; Quan Dong Nguyen, MD, MSc; Darius M. Moshfeghi, MD; Natalia F. Callaway, MD; Vinit B. Mahajan, MD, PhD; Edward H. Wood, MD; Ira H. Schachar, MD, MSc; and Mary Elizabeth Hartnett, MD. Their collective clinical acumen, surgical prowess, and compassion have shaped me into the physician I am today. I have also been mentored by senior residents and retina fellows who inspired me with their strong knowledge base and work ethic.
RT: What has been one of the most memorable experiences of your fellowship thus far?
Dr. Mruthyunjaya and Sunil Srivastava, MD, created the Cole Eye Institute and Byers Eye Institute Surgical Retina Rounds for fellows to present surgical cases. During the 2024 AAO annual meeting in Chicago, I presented a difficult case of intraocular foreign body removal, ruptured globe repair, and retinal detachment repair complicated by subfoveal perfluoron. By sharing and discussing one of my most challenging surgical moments with a live audience, I experienced the camaderie of our retina community. It was a moment of reflection on my journey—how much I had grown, and become part of a community defined by mentorship, shared challenges, and a deep commitment to patient care.
RT: What are you hoping to accomplish once you are in practice?
I hope to provide the same high-quality, compassionate patient care that I would want for my own family members. As an academic clinician-scientist, I plan to lead a laboratory to develop new disease insights and therapeutics to help fill the unmet needs in our field.
RT: What advice can you offer to residents who are considering retina?
The training is intense, but rewarding. As your knowledge and experience grow, hold fast to your compassion, accessibility, and willingness to listen. Even in a fast-paced clinic, the rapport you build with your patients will make a lasting effect. Residents and fellows are not only learners but also vital members of the care team, adding value to every encounter.
