Shiley Eye Institute alumni have utilized their top-notch training to launch successful careers across many areas, including clinical practice, research, education, and advocacy.
A big thank you to the Shiley faculty for their personal investment in us. They both inspired and forwarded my clinical / research interests. UCSD Ophthalmology Residency shaped my career trajectory, and it has been the solid foundation I've built upon wherever I go.
My glaucoma fellowship at the UCSD Shiley Eye Institute more than expanded my grasp of advanced cutting-edge glaucoma diagnostic and treatment knowledge. It provided me an opportunity to begin to test and explore innovation beyond the very edge of understanding and has become a foundation for my career.
The UC San Diego Ophthalmology residency program is where world class research, high quality and hands-on training by leaders in the field, and a broad range of ocular pathology come together. UC San Diego is a unique program to introduce trainees to the world of Ophthalmology.
The time I spent at SEl with Drs. Korn and Kikkawa during my fellowship had a tremendous influence on my academic career, professional character and personal life. I learned so much from them, had a great time and made lifelong friendships with many of the wonderful people that make up the SEI family!
Training as a resident and fellow at UCSD shaped me into the physician that I am today. I could not be more grateful for the chance to have trained at Shiley.
My time at SEl included two of the best and most stimulating years of my life. Dr. Kikkawa and Dr. Korn taught me cutting-edge oculoplastics and how to be an incredible mentor, and I always think of them when I teach and mentor my own residents and fellows at Bascom Palmer.
The residency program has grown tremendously since I trained with David Worthen, Perry Binder, Mike Goldbaum and Marge Seybold. I always will be grateful for their excellent training and confident that the quality of the program is at the highest level.
I am grateful for the outstanding training, exceptional teachers, and lasting friendships that defined my residency. As a faculty member at Shiley, it is a privilege to work with residents and fel- lows, and I strive to promote the pursuit of clinical excellence, comassionate patient care, and groundbreaking research that was instilled in me when I was a resident.
I am incredibly grateful for the strong basic science education and expert clinical and surgical training that I received as a resident at the UCSD Shiley Eye Institute. Not only did the program lay the foundation for a successful clinical career, and my current work with the American Board of Ophthalmology, but it also fostered and supported my personal development as a leader and future advocate for my colleagues and profession.
I am glad I had the opportunity to train at the Shiley Eye Institute for my residency and fellowship. During my residency, I had an unparalleled clinical and surgical experience and had the opportunity to be a key part of multiple research efforts. In my fellowship, I became comfortable independently managing complex patients. Now that I'm in practice, I am grateful for experiences I have had and mentorship I continue to have from UCSD as I now feel comfortable managing any patient that comes through my door.
The world class faculty and the unparalleled clinical training at UCSD Ophthalmology prepared me to become the best doctor that I can be. The mentorship and treasured friendships from UCSD taught me how to be the best person that I can be. As I look back fondly, I cannot imagine a better place where I could have trained. The weather wasn't too bad either!
I am forever grateful for my time at the Shiley Eye Institute as a medical student, ophthalmology resident, and glaucoma fellow. Dr. Weinreb and the faculty's mentorship and teaching are dear to me in the clinic, operating room, and beyond. Thank you!
I am proud to have trained at the Shiley Eye Institute at UC San Diego. As a resident, I was mentored by world leaders in ophthalmology and oculoplastics, conducted innovative research, and participated in a robust clinical and surgical program. I am grateful for this quality training and will draw on my Shiley experiences throughout my career.
My 2 year fellowship at Shiley without question was professionally the best time of my life. I learned from opinion leaders on a daily basis. It made me a better doctor and person. I am especially grateful to David Granet, MD and Shira Robbins, MD, who personally are responsible for making me the pediatric ophthalmologist that I am today.
UCSD Ophthalmology Residency was phenomenal. Not only did I receive outstanding clinical and surgical experience, but I was also able to participate in cutting-edge research. This has given me amazing opportunities in the pursuit of an academic career. I am incredibly proud to be a Shiley graduate!
I have gotten the greatest experience and wonderful knowledge from the Shiley Eye Institute Oculoplastics Fellowship program and my preceptor, Don O. Kikkawa, MD. I have everything today because of the training from Shiley Eye Institute.
When I look back, I will remember my time at UCSD during my ophthalmology residency as one of the most pivot points in my life. I gained essential clinical and surgical knowledge to treat eye disease. But more importantly, I acquired the mindset to solve problems in a collaborative manner that will help me for the rest of my life. I am eternally grateful for my faculty mentors and time at the Shiley Eye Institute. Heartfelt thank you!
The UCSD Department of Ophthalmology strives to deliver the highest caliber and most suitable ophthalmology fellows. Each program places a high emphasis on providing subspecialty training for clinical ophthalmology and research. We take pride in the education and bond created.
Fellow Alumni 2025
Justin Arnett, MD, United States, Retina & Vitreous Surgery
Malvika Arya, MD, PhD, United States, Retina & Vitreous Surgery
Marissa Shoji, MD, United States, Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Jessica Hsueh, MD, United States, Cornea & Refractive Surgery
Jonathan Peterson, MD, United States, Cornea & Refractive Surgery
Zacharia Nayer, MD, United States, Glaucoma
Briggs Hoyt, MD, United States, Glaucoma
Dario Marangoni, MD, United States, Clinical Fellow in Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus
Fellow Alumni 2024
Eman Al-Sharif, MBBS, International, Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Zachary Koretz, MD, MPH, United States, Retina & Vitreous Surgery
Kyle Bolo, MD, United States, Glaucoma
Medi Eslani, MD, United States, Glaucoma
Paul Lang, MD, United States, Cornea & Refractive Surgery
Bao han Allison Le, MD, United States, Cornea & Refractive Surgery
Aliya C. Roginiel, MD, MPH, United States, Clinical Fellow in Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus
Fellow Alumni 2023
Etienne Schonbach, MD, United States, Retina & Vitreous
Delu Song, MD, United States, Retina & Vitreous
Nicole Topilow, MD, United States, Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Elina (Man Li) Jin, MD, United States, Cornea & Refractive Surgery
Charity Lee, MD, United States, Cornea & Refractive Surgery
Kamran Rahmatnejad, MD, United States, Glaucoma
Catherine Sheils, MD, United States, Glaucoma
Nicole Jody, MD, United States, Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus
Baruch D. Kuppermann, MD, PhD United States, Retina & Vitreous
Moshe Lusky, MD International, Glaucoma
James D.N. Taylor, MD International, Glaucoma
Fellow Alumni 1991
Joseph A. Crapotta, MD United States, Retina & Vitreous
Robert D. Fechtner, MD United States, Glaucoma
Alan David Listhaus, MD United States, Retina & Vitreous
Nicolaos Mantzioros, MD International, Glaucoma
Nunzio P. Sossi, MD, PhD United States, Cornea & Anterior Segment
Fellow Alumni 1990
Andreas Dreher, MD United States, Glaucoma
Mark Loane, MD International, Glaucoma
Pamela Sample, PhD United States, Glaucoma
Lorenzo A. Tibaldi, MD International, Cornea & Anterior Segment
Barry L. Weinstein, MD United States, Cornea & Anterior Segment
Fellow Alumni 1989
Daniel J. Buckley, MD United States, Cornea & Anterior Segment
Dan Greenberg, MD United States, Glaucoma
Jeffrey G. Gross, MD United States, Retina & Vitreous
Dong Myung Kim, MD International, Glaucoma
Fellow Alumni 1988
Arturo S. Chayet, MD International, Cornea & Anterior Segment
Joseph Frucht-Pery, MD United States, Cornea & Anterior Segment
Fellow Alumni 1987
Sandy T. Feldman, MD United States, Cornea & Anterior Segment
Bruce J. Goldstick, MD United States, Glaucoma
Shyun Jeng, MD International, Glaucoma
Fellow Alumni 1986
Joel Confino, MD United States, Cornea & Anterior Segment
John F. Maher, MD United States, Cornea & Anterior Segment
Jeffrey Wasserstrom, MD United States, Glaucoma
Meet Our
Residency Alumni
Below are a few examples of recent resident alumni accomplishments.
Heed Fellows and Heed Retreat participants Medi Eslani, MD (2023) Marissa Shoji, MD (2023) Christopher Toomey, MD, PhD (2020) James Walsh, MD, PhD (2020)Sally Baxter, MD, MSc (2018) Lilangi Ediriwickrema, MD (2018) Tommy Korn, MD (2000)
Leaders in Medical Education Kyle Godfrey, MD (2017) - Ophthalmology Residency Program Director, Weill Cornell Medicine/New York Presbyterian HospitalJeffrey Lee, MD (2009) - Ophthalmology Residency Program Director, UCSD Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology and Shiley Eye Institute
Research Award Recipients Christopher Toomey, MD, PhD (2020) - 2023 Research to Prevent Blindness Career Development Award Sally Baxter, MD, MSc (2018) - 2020 NIH Office of the Director Early Independence Award
Leaders in Advocacy Diane Shiba, MD (2009) - President of the California Academy of Eye Physicians and SurgeonsLeaders in Industry David Kuo, MD (2021) - Genentech Abigail Huang, MD (2016) - Verily Life Sciences
Residency Alumni 2026
Alison Chan, MD
Skenda Jean-Charles, MD
Justin Ma, MD
Elaine Tran, MD
Residency Alumni 2025
Jimmy S. Chen, MD
Michael Saheb Kashaf, MD, MSc
Rebecca Lian, MD
Alexander Svoronos, MD, PhD
Residency Alumni 2024
George Villatoro, MD, Chief Resident 2023-2024
Rafaella Cleto Penteado, MD
Helena Gali, MD
Andrew C. H. Lin, MD
Residency Alumni 2023
Justin Arnett, MD
Jenny Hu, MD
Maya Yamane, MD
Medi Eslani, MD
Residency Alumni 2022
Aimee Chang, MD
Liane Dallalzadeh, MD
Lingling Huang, MD, PhD
Mark Lin, MD
Residency Alumni 2021
Allison Chen, M.D., M.P.H.
Adeleh Yarmohammadi, M.D.
David Kuo, M.D.
Kaileen Yeh, M.D.
Residency Alumni 2020
James Walsh, M.D., Ph.D (Jamie), Chief Resident 2019-2020
While ophthalmology is a competitive field to match in, our department has a strong track record of mentoring UC San Diego medical students interested in pursuing a career in ophthalmology. Many of them have obtained positions in the top residency training programs in the country.
Medical Student Alumni 2017
Jeffrey Tsao - UC Irvine
Matthew Haynie - University of Rochester
David Kuo - UC San Diego
Kellie Satterfield - University of Washington
Medical Student Alumni 2016
Janet Kim Duke University
Jonathan Noguchi Loyola University
Heather Chen UC San Diego
Frances Wu UC San Francisco
Joanne Ho University of Washington
Medical Student Alumni 2014
Landon Grange UC San Diego
Derek Mai UC San Diego
Medical Student Alumni 2013
Jiun Do University of Southern California
Janet Lee UC Los Angeles
Kimberly Tran Bascom Palmer Eye Institute/ University of Miami
Tyler Ofstad University of Rochester
Nicksia Hodgson UC San Diego
Brenda Nuyen UC San Diego
Medical Student Alumni 2012
Seanna Grob Massachusetts Eye and Ear/ Harvard University