2024
Anas Abusaid
MBBS, MMED (OPHTH)
CL Clinical/Epidemiologic Research
Affiliated Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, China
"I have a passion for geography, especially excelling in memorizing world maps, countries, and their capitals."
Alexandra Zamitalo
BS, MS
Glaucoma
University of South Florida, United States
"I'm representing my university at the regional 3-minute thesis competition this year."
Jeremy Tan
BSci, MD, MMed
Glaucoma
City, University of London, United Kingdom
"The Interstellar OST helps inspire my research brain."
Pratima Suvas
PhD
Immunology/Microbiology
Wayne State University, School of Medicine, Detroit, United States
"I love traveling and spending time with my family and our three-year-old pomsky."
Irene Santiago Tierno
BS, MS
Retinal Cell Biology
University of California, Los Angeles, United States
"When I travel to new places, my favourite pastime is scuba diving. Once, two small seals swam dancing around me. If I could have a superpower, it would be breathing underwater."
Tanu Parmar
PhD
Retinal Cell Biology
Albert Eye Research Institute, United States
"I was 11 years old when I published my first book on poetry."
Emily Nettesheim
BS
Retina
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, United States
"I traveled to Churchill, Canada to see polar bears and learn how to drive a Tundra Buggy."
Yu Ting Li
BM, MSc, MPH
Clinical/Epidemiologic Research
Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, China
"I once had a challenging 6-hour night hiking in the mountain, navigating with mere wave sound and no light. When reaching the endpoint of the path I was greeted with a stunning sunrise, making the whole journey worthwhile."
Syed Adeel Zaidi
BSc, MSc, PhD
Retinal Cell Biology
Augusta University, United States
"I'm a big fan of board games, Sci-Fi movies, and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen."
Walter Wu
PhD
Visual Psychophysics/Physiological Optics
The Ohio State University College of Optometry, United States
"Photographic Irony: Despite my visual impairment, I enjoy photography and travel—because who says you need 20/20 vision to appreciate a blurry sunset or capture a once-in-a-lifetime shot of your fingers?"
Cydney Wong
BS
Glaucoma
Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, United States
"I am a 2-time US national champion in synchronized figure skating."
Sierra Sparks
BEng
Visual Neuroscience
University of Oxford, United Kingdom
"I row with the Oxford University Boat Club, trialling for the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race."
Charukesi Sivakumar
BS
Retinal Cell Biology
University of Michigan, United States
"I own a disc signed by one of the leading Female Professional Disc Golfers, Ohn Scoggins, after her win at the Toboggan course in Milford, Michigan! I am also a part of the University of Michigan Disc Golf Club team, and love spending time on disc golf courses near and far."
Ebenezer Owusu
OD
Cornea
University of Houston, United States
"I am a massive soccer enthusiast, with unwavering support for Arsenal FC."
Carol Morris
BS
Retinal Cell Biology
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, United States
"I love to hike and I hope to one day hike the entire Appalachian Trail."
Randolph Kwaw
OD
Eye Movements/Strabismus/Amblyopia/Neuro-ophthalmology
University of Houston, United States
"Music holds a special place in my heart and I love listening to it regularly."
Shruthi Karnam
PhD
Glaucoma
University of California Berkeley, United States
"I enjoy spending time with my toddler, listening to the Huberman Lab podcast, gardening and traveling."
Grace Borchert
MD, MMed (Ophth), BBiomed(Hon), BMedSci
Retina
University of Oxford, United Kingdom
"I enjoy flying, particularly when in the cockpit."
Antoinette Antwi
OD
Cornea
University of Houston College of Optometry, United States
"I am fascinated by the beauty of nature and hence a fan of landscape art and photography."
Noor-Us-Sabah Ahmad
MBBS
Eye Movements/Strabismus/Amblyopia/Neuro-ophthalmology
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, United States
"Acting is one of my favorite hobbies; I've enjoyed working in theatre plays during medical school!"