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I pursued a career as a physician-scientist because curiosity, discovery, and purpose have defined every stage of my education and professional journey. From my earliest training, I was driven by a desire to understand the complexities of biological systems, the mechanisms behind disease development, and how science can be translated into meaningful patient outcomes. This commitment to excellence and innovation continues to guide my work, both in advancing discovery and in providing care to help patients preserve or regain vision, profoundly impacting their quality of life.

Early in my training, I was drawn to the retina because it uniquely bridges scientific discovery, technological innovation, and patient care. The retina offers a direct window into living neural and vascular tissue, revealing insights into both ocular and systemic health while sitting at the crossroads of neuroscience, vascular biology, metabolism, aging, and cutting-edge imaging. It also demands precision and artistry in surgery. This convergence of discovery, innovation, and clinical practice inspired my pursuit of ophthalmology and vitreoretinal surgery.

As a vitreoretinal specialist, I am deeply motivated by the ability to look directly into living neural tissue through advanced imaging and magnification, interpreting retinal disease in real time to inform clinical and surgical strategies. I draw continual inspiration from my patients, integrating firsthand clinical experiences into my research to develop more personalized treatment approaches for current and future generations.

At the heart of my approach is a commitment to cultivating trust in the patient–doctor relationship. Retinal diseases are often complex, chronic, and emotionally challenging, which is why I prioritize listening closely, clearly explaining findings, and collaborating with patients throughout their care journey. My goal is not only to treat disease, but to help patients preserve their vision, independence, and overall quality of life.

Clinically, I specialize in the medical and surgical management of retinal and macular conditions, including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vascular disease, macular holes, epiretinal membranes, retinal detachment, and inflammatory or infectious retinal disorders. I am recognized for expertise in treating the most complex retinal detachments, including advanced diabetic tractional detachments and proliferative vitreoretinopathy, along with challenging surgical revisions and cases requiring second opinions.

In addition to my clinical practice, I serve as Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Ophthalmology, where I lead multidisciplinary initiatives focused on discovery, innovation, and precision medicine. My work integrates clinical medicine, microbiome, nutrition imaging, data science, and systems-level research in a bench-to-bedside and bedside-to-bench approach—generating research questions from clinical observations and translating laboratory and data-driven discoveries into improved patient care.

A key aspect of my research is understanding how systemic factors drive retinal disease while using the retina as a surrogate window to broader systemic health issues. My work emphasizes identifying modifiable drivers of vision loss, such as nutrition, systemic health, medications, and the gut microbiome, particularly in age-related macular degeneration and other retinal conditions. By combining retinal imaging with molecular, metabolic, and clinical data, I aim to use the eye as both a diagnostic tool and a therapeutic gateway to enhance overall human health.

My commitment to innovation extends to developing non-invasive treatments. I pioneered a topical therapy for selected macular holes, offering patients a means to preserve vision without surgery. Additionally, I spearheaded research on the protective effects of metformin in macular degeneration, progressing from population-level analyses to translational validation and paving the way for clinical trials.

My work has earned national and international recognition for advancing translational research and innovative strategies in retinal disease. Through my dual role as a physician-scientist and leader in clinical trials, I connect patients with the latest therapies and investigational treatments, ensuring their care reflects the cutting edge of scientific knowledge. I view clinical care and research as inseparable pursuits, striving to deliver the highest standards of care today and offer solutions that shape the future of retinal medicine.

I specialize in retinal and macular diseases and is passionate about combining innovation, discovery, and personalized patient care to improve vision and overall health.