Retina Today (RT): When did you first know that you wanted to become a retina specialist?
I was first introduced to the world of ophthalmology by my dad, a retina specialist whose passion for his work is infectious. I grew up watching him edit surgical videos, travel the world for conferences, and maintain lifelong friends in the field. This sparked my own interest, and he remains my biggest inspiration.
As a resident, I was drawn to the field of retina because of its connection to systemic disease and surgical complexity, but it was ultimately the mentorship of the retina faculty at the Cole Eye Institute that solidified my decision. Their dedication to patient care, passion for research and innovation, and genuine investment in my development confirmed that retina was the path for me.
RT: Who do you look up to as mentors in the field?
I am fortunate to have many mentors who have shaped both my professional path and personal growth. Among the most influential have been faculty at Cole Eye, including Sunil Srivastava, MD; Katherine Talcott, MD; Aleksandra Rachitskaya, MD; Peter Kaiser, MD; and Dan Martin, MD, as well as my fellowship mentors at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, including Dean Eliott, MD; John Miller, MD; Elizabeth Rossin, MD, PhD; and Mohammad Dahrouj, MD, PhD.
I am especially grateful to Nimesh Patel, MD, who changed the trajectory of my career by sparking and supporting my interest in pediatric retina, and to Inês Laíns, MD, PhD, who has been not only my biggest advocate and mentor during fellowship but also a trusted friend. Having someone with whom I can openly discuss challenges and share successes is invaluable.
RT: What has been one of the most memorable experiences of your fellowship thus far?
We recently hosted applicants for our fellowship interview day, and it was a wonderful time to pause and reflect on the last year and a half of training. I presented a complex surgical case of a pediatric combined tractional and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with a full-thickness macular hole due to hemangioblastomas in Von Hippel Lindau disease, which was a reminder of how much I’ve grown as a surgeon. But my favorite part of the day was sharing a slideshow of photographs and memories with my co-fellows. I feel lucky to have trained with an incredible group of people who are now lifelong friends and colleagues.
RT: What advice can you offer to residents who are considering retina?
View challenges and failures as opportunities for growth, lean on and support your peers, and seek out mentorship. Always remember that your priorities, goals, and interests are unique to you—so stay true to yourself. These are things I constantly have to remind myself!
