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Timothy L. Jackson, PhD, FRCOphth, is Professor of Retinal Research at King’s College London and Consultant Vitreoretinal Surgeon at King’s College Hospital. His key area of research interest is the investigation of novel drugs and surgical devices for retinal disease, particularly age-related macular degeneration.

He is Chief Investigator on a number of national and international non-commercial trials, leads one of the UK’s largest NIHR/MRC-funded randomized controlled trials of a retinal device and heads Europe’s largest non-commercial vitreoretinal trial.

Professor Jackson leads medical student teaching in ophthalmology for King’s College London, is Editor-in-Chief of the Moorfields Manual of Ophthalmology, served on NICE’s Interventional Procedures Advisory Committee for 10 years, and is the first or senior author on more than 150 peer-reviewed publications and 12 book chapters.

Charles C. Wykoff, MD, PhD, is Director of Research at Retina Consultants of Texas; Chairman of Research, Retina Consultants of America; Deputy Chair of Ophthalmology for the Blanton Eye Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital; and Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology, Weill Cornell Medical College. He received his baccalaureate from MIT, PhD from Oxford University while on a Marshall Scholarship, MD from Harvard Medical School and completed his retina fellowship at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute where he served as Chief Resident/Co-Director of Ocular Trauma and received a Heed Fellowship and the Ronald G. Michels Award.

Dr. Wykoff is passionate about translational research and accelerating drug and device development. He has published over 325 peer-reviewed manuscripts and serves on multiple scientific and medical advisory boards, safety monitoring committees, and global steering committees for endeavors spanning the innovative process from early to late-stage developments. He serves on the ASRS Executive Committee and Board of Directors, is a founding member of the Ophthalmology Retina Editorial Board, and a past President of the Vit-Buckle Society for which he is an Emeritus member of the Board of Trustees. 

Dr. Wykoff is a member of the NEI Audacious Goals Steering Committee and has been awarded multiple Achievement, Honor and Senior Honor Awards including the ASRS Young Investigator and the AAO Secretariat Awards.  His guiding philosophy is to build and strengthen innovative, ethical teams focused on developing new approaches to improving outcomes for patients with blinding diseases.

David R.P. Almeida, MD, MBA, PhD, FRCSC, DABO, is a highly accomplished vitreoretinal surgeon and researcher with extensive experience in ophthalmic and vitreoretinal studies. As President and CEO of Erie Retina Research and The Centers for Advanced Surgical Exploration (CASEx), Dr. Almeida leads innovative clinical research initiatives across multiple international sites.

Dr. Almeida’s academic background includes an Honors Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto, a PhD in pharmaceutical research from the University of Szeged, and an MBA in healthcare management from the George Washington University. He completed his ophthalmology residency at Queen’s University and a fellowship in vitreoretinal diseases and surgery at the University of Iowa.

With over 300 peer-reviewed publications and more than 250 presentations at major conferences, Dr. Almeida is a recognized thought leader in his field. His research interests span age-related macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease, complex surgery, and practice efficiency. As Principal Investigator, he has led over 80 clinical trials across all phases of development on three continents.

Dr. Almeida’s leadership extends beyond his clinical practice. He serves as President of Erie Eye Research and Chairman of the Board of Directors for ACCESS FOR ALL (nonprofit). His role as Chief Technology Officer for SurgTech.AI demonstrates his commitment to advancing technological innovations in ophthalmology.

Recognized for his expertise, Dr. Almeida has received numerous awards, including the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) Honor Award and has been named to The Ophthalmologist Power List Top 50 Rising Stars in Ophthalmology. His unique clinical expertise, research acumen, and business insight make him an invaluable asset to complex research and development programs. 

Margaret Chang, MD, MS, graduated summa cum laude in piano performance from the University of Washington at age 18. She received her MD and MS in biostatistics from Columbia University, where she was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. She went on to the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins for both her residency and fellowship, where she was awarded the Society of Heed and Michels fellowships.

Dr. Chang is a senior partner at Retinal Consultants of Sacramento. She is a member of the medical leadership board of Retinal Consultants of America and is on the steering committee of multiple clinical trials.

Gemmy Cheung, MBBS, FRCOphth, FAMS, MCI,is the Arthur Lim Professor in Ophthalmology at Duke-NUS Medical School, National University of Singapore (NUS). She is the Head of the Medical Retina Department, Singapore National Eye Center, and Director of Translation Clinic Research at the Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI). Her research interests focus on Asian retinal diseases, specifically age-related macular degeneration (AMD), polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) and myopic macular degeneration.

Professor Cheung has published over 300 peer-reviewed articles mostly in age-related macular degeneration and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy. She has contributed to major clinical trials with anti-VEGF therapies in AMD and PCV. She serves on the executive committee of the Asia-Pacific Vitreoretinal Society, the International Retinal Imaging Society and the Macula Society. She has given >200 invited lectures internationally, including the Gabriel Coscas Lecture, the Neil Della Lecture, Optic UK Lecture and the APVRS Constable Lecture. Professor Cheung has received several prestigious awards, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology Secretariat Award, the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Senior Achievement Award, the Nakajima Award, and the Outstanding Service in Prevention of Blindness Award. 

David Eichenbaum, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist, fellowship-trained in diseases and surgery of the vitreous and retina. He is a partner and Director of Research at Retina Vitreous Associates of Florida, a multi-MD sub-specialty vitreoretinal private practice, and has been in practice since 2007. He completed the Medical Honors Program at the University of South Florida, earning his undergraduate and medical degree in Tampa. He completed his Ophthalmology residency at the University of South Florida, where he served as Chief Resident, and completed his two-year Surgical Retina fellowship at Tufts New England Eye Center and Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston.

Dr. Eichenbaum has served as principal investigator in over 90 Phase 1 though Phase 4 clinical trials, has published over 70 articles in professional journals, published multiple textbook chapters, and regularly presents his work at the American Society of Retinal Specialists, American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Association of Research and Vision in Ophthalmology, and at the invitational Retina Society meeting. He moderates at the Vit-Buckle Society and teaches nationally, providing continuing medical education on clinical science as well as common retinal diseases such as macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease, and retinal vascular occlusions. Dr. Eichenbaum serves on numerous Clinical and Scientific Advisory Boards and on National Executive Steering Committees for both commercial and pipeline products.

Dr. Eichenbaum is a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, sits on the Board of the Florida Society of Ophthalmology, is serving as President of the Florida Society of Ophthalmology for 2023-2024, and has served as Past President of the Tampa Bay Ophthalmic Society. Dr. Eichenbaum received the American Society of Retina Specialists Senior Honor Award in 2023, earned recognition as the Guest of Honor at the New England Ophthalmological Society in 2022, received the Alumnus of the Year award, Morsani College of Medicine at the University of South Florida Department of Ophthalmology in 2022, was designated a Fellow of the American Society of Retina Specialists in 2021, received the American Society of Retina Specialists Honor Award in 2020 and the Michael R. Redmond, MD Outstanding Young Ophthalmologist Award from the Florida Society of Ophthalmology in 2015. Dr. Eichenbaum has been appointed as a Collaborative Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine and teaches at a monthly retina conference for the Ophthalmology department with his partners. He received the David D. Donaldson Clinical Faculty Teaching Award from the Department of Ophthalmology in 2015.

Robyn Guymer, AM, is Deputy Director of the Center of Eye Research Australia (CERA), the Head of Macular Research at CERA, and Professor of Ophthalmology at Melbourne University. She is also a senior retinal specialist at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.

Professor Guymer is a clinician scientist who leads a team of researchers primarily investigating age-related macular degeneration (AMD), researching genetic and environmental risk factors for AMD and predictors of response to treatments for late AMD. She is currently investigating new strategies for treating early stages of AMD and is working to identify novel imaging and functional biomarkers and surrogate endpoints to improve the feasibility of conducting early intervention trials.

Professor Guymer has been a principal investigator in many industry-sponsored trials, serves on several pharmaceutical advisory boards, and participates in the Mactel consortium, the Beckman/Ryan AMD initiative (USA) and the International Classification of Atrophy (CAM) group. She is a member of the Macular Society and an inaugural fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences. She was named a Member in the General Division in the 2018 Queen’s Birthday Honors List, recognized for her significant service to medicine as a clinician, academic and researcher in the field of ophthalmology, particularly AMD. She was also awarded the NHMRC’s 2016 Elizabeth Blackburn Fellowship for the top ranked female research fellowship in clinical medicine.

Arshad M. Khanani, MD, MA, FASRS, is Managing Partner, Director of Clinical Research and Director of Fellowship at Sierra Eye Associates, and Clinical Professor at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine.

Dr. Khanani is dedicated to advancing innovative treatment options for patients suffering from retinal diseases. Over a decade ago, he established the clinical research department at Sierra Eye Associates, which has since evolved into one of the foremost clinical research sites nationwide. With a wealth of experience, he has assumed the role of principal investigator for more than 120 clinical trials, consistently ranking as a top enroller in the nation across multiple Phase 1-3 trials. Notably, Dr. Khanani recently chaired the Phase 3 GATHER2 steering committee for IZERVAY™, playing a pivotal role in IZERVAY’s approval for geographic atrophy. His contributions extend to over 100 authored or contributed scientific publications in prominent ophthalmology journals.

Dr. Khanani actively participates as a member of national and international clinical trial steering committees, in addition to serving on scientific advisory boards. Dr. Khanani also serves as the lead principal investigator for multiple national and global clinical trials. He is often sought after as a guest speaker and lecturer at prestigious national and international gatherings. In pursuit of advancements in vitreoretinal care, Dr. Khanani initiated the Clinical Trials at the Summit (CTS) meeting, aiming to foster dialogue on clinical trial execution, design, and data analysis.

Dr. Khanani holds elected membership in esteemed organizations such as the Macula Society and Retina Society, in addition to being the recipient of numerous distinguished awards. In 2019, he was honored with the Nevada Business Magazine Healthcare Heroes Physician of the Year award in recognition of his unwavering commitment to the field of ophthalmology. Dr. Khanani has been bestowed with the Senior Honor Award from the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) and was also awarded the prestigious ASRS Presidents’ Young Investigator Award in 2021. Furthermore, in 2023, he was invited to deliver the esteemed Ernst Bodenheimer Memorial Lecture at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University.

David Lally, MD, is the Director of the Retina Research Institute at New England Retina Consultants in Springfield, Massachusetts. He is an attending surgeon at Baystate Medical Center and Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Massachusetts Medical School-Baystate.

Dr. Lally is a clinical trial expert who has participated as an investigator in more than 40 clinical trials for retinal diseases. He is also a scientific advisor on multiple clinical trial steering committees and medical advisory boards. Dr. Lally lectures internationally and has authored over 30 peer-reviewed journal publications including the New England Journal of Medicine, Lancet, JAMA Ophthalmology, and Ophthalmology Retina. He also serves as a manuscript reviewer for several ophthalmic journals.

In 2022, Ophthalmology Management selected Dr. Lally to the inaugural “40 Under 40” list recognizing 40 “next generation” ophthalmologists under 40 years old who have achieved excellence in their field. Dr. Lally is an active member of the American Society of Retina Specialists with a “Fellow of the American Society of Retina Specialist” award designation. Dr. Lally graduated from Vanderbilt University and received a medical degree from Jefferson Medical College. He then completed an ophthalmology residency at the Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia followed by a vitreoretinal fellowship at Tufts/New England Eye Center and Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston.

Veeral Sheth, MD, MBA, FACS, is a Chicago native specializing in diseases of the retina and vitreous. He serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois in Chicago. Dr. Sheth completed his ophthalmology residency at the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, where he was Chief Resident. He then pursued a fellowship in Retinal Surgery at the University of Chicago and earned an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

Dr. Sheth is a Partner at University Retina and Macula Associates and serves as the Director of Clinical Trials at one of the nation’s busiest clinical trial sites. He has been the principal investigator for nearly 100 clinical trials, with research interests spanning macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, vein occlusion, and surgical pathology. His work is instrumental in the development of new drugs, delivery devices, and gene therapies.

An active member of several prestigious organizations, including the American Society of Retina Specialists, Retina Society, American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, and the European Society of Retinal Specialists, Dr. Sheth is deeply engaged in his field. He also serves as Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors for Meals on Wheels Chicago.

Jason Slakter, MD, is a seasoned biotechnology entrepreneur and internationally recognized retinal disease specialist with over 35 years of experience in clinical practice. He is a partner of Vitreous Retina Macula Consultants of New York and is a Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at New York University School of Medicine.

Dr. Slakter is also the founder of the Digital Angiography Reading Center (DARC), one of the largest centers for ocular image evaluation for clinical trials of posterior segment disease with over 1,700 certified clinical sites in over 75 countries worldwide, which was sold to WorldCare Clinical in 2021 and is now part of Voiant Clinical. In his role with DARC and now Voiant, he has served as a key adviser to most of the global pharmaceutical companies conducting clinical research for ocular diseases, providing support to clinical development activities as well as regulatory submissions. He was previously Chief Executive Officer of Ohr Pharmaceuticals, a publicly traded company developing treatments for macular disease as well as Chief Medical Officer of Potentia Pharmaceuticals, which was acquired by Novartis and later formed the basis of Apellis Pharmaceuticals.

He has been the recipient of many professional awards including the Macula Society’s Richard and Hinda Rosenthal Award, the Helen Keller Manhattan League Award, and Life Achievement Honor Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Dr. Slakter serves on the scientific advisory board of multiple companies and has published more than 100 papers and book chapters.  

Adnan Tufail MBBS, MD, FRCOphth, is a Consultant Ophthalmologist at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, and Professor of Ophthalmology, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College, London.

Professor Tufail has diverse research interest from lab/translational medicine in retinal disease, to clinical trials, retinal imaging, big data, and machine learning/AI to develop optimized treatments for common and rare retinal disorders.

Dr. Zamiri is a physician-scientist with deep expertise in drug discovery and development. She is an ophthalmologist by training with clinical experience in medical retina, immunology, and inflammation.

Dr. Zamiri most recently served as the Chief Medical Officer at Complement Therapeutics and previously at Graybug Vision, where she oversaw clinical, regulatory, medical affairs and biostatistics. Prior to that, she served as Vice President, Global Head of Clinical Development and Therapeutic Area Head for Ophthalmology at Novartis Pharmaceuticals leading a group of clinical scientists and ophthalmologists that designed and executed Phase 1 to Phase 4 clinical trials with novel biologics, gene therapies, small molecules, and digital therapeutics for ophthalmic indications, such as wet AMD, geographic atrophy, retinitis pigmentosa and dry eye.

Dr. Zamiri received her medical degree from the King’s College Hospital, University of London, and did her ophthalmology residency at the North Thames Rotation, affiliated with the Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. She earned her PhD in ocular immunology for her research on the immune privilege of the subretinal space, conducted at the Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, a Harvard Medical School affiliated institute.