President
Doheny Professional Alumni Association
Greetings!
Spring has officially arrived, and with it comes a vibrant and exciting season for Doheny Eye Institute.
First, a heartfelt thank you to all who joined us for our Annual CME Conference and the Distinguished Alumnus Dinner. It was a true pleasure to reconnect with longtime colleagues, welcome new faces, and share knowledge with fellow members of the Doheny Professional Alumni Association (PAA). Your presence helped make these events memorable and meaningful.
We also recently hosted the 15th annual RIMR conference, founded by the late Doheny President, Stephen J. Ryan, MD. This year’s gathering brought together leading experts from around the globe to explore promising advances in our shared mission to better understand and treat age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We were especially proud to see strong participation from Doheny alumni, whose continued contributions to the field underscore the lasting impact of our training programs and collaborative research culture.
Looking ahead, this year’s ARVO Annual Meeting holds special significance for Doheny. Dr. SriniVas R. Sadda, Director of Artificial Intelligence & Imaging Research at Doheny and Professor of Ophthalmology at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, will complete his impactful tenure as ARVO President — a role in which he played a key part in shaping the conference agenda. We hope to see many of you at our annual Breakfast Forum and Alumni Reception. More details on Doheny’s presence at ARVO are included below.
Thanks to the continued generosity of dues-paying members like you, we’ll soon be announcing this year’s recipients of the Doheny Professional Alumni Association Research Awards, granted to trainees who presented outstanding work selected for ARVO. These monetary awards recognize excellence in research and celebrate the next generation of leaders in ophthalmology.
We are also thrilled to share that this June, we will host a clinic grand opening and open house at Doheny Eye Center Pasadena. All alumni are warmly invited to attend and experience firsthand how the Doheny legacy of excellence in patient care continues to thrive in our new space. More information is forthcoming.
In this newsletter, you’ll find faculty updates and more details on our expanded presence in Pasadena. As always, we welcome your own updates, whether personal milestones or professional achievements. Please share them with us so we can feature your news in future communications.
Thank you again for your steadfast support. I look forward to staying connected and seeing many of you throughout the year.
Warm regards,
Doheny at ARVO 2025: Innovation, Leadership & Connection
The ARVO Annual Meeting is just around the corner — May 4–8 in Salt Lake City— and Doheny will be at the forefront once again! SriniVas R. Sadda, MD, FARVO, concludes his impactful term as ARVO President, having helped shape this year’s theme: “i3: Imagining Innovation and Intelligence in Vision Science.”
More than 25 Doheny scientists and clinician-scientists will present cutting-edge research across posters, papers, on-demand sessions, and symposia. Don’t miss featured minisymposia by Kaustabh Ghosh, PhD (May 5, 9:09 a.m.) on mechanobiology in diabetic retinopathy and Yuhua Zhang, PhD (May 6, 1:45 p.m.) on adaptive optics imaging in AMD.
Join us for two signature Doheny events at ARVO:
Doheny-UCLA Breakfast Forum
May 4, 6:30–8:00 a.m., Hyatt Regency Salt Lake City
Topic: “Oculomics: Accelerating Discovery of Systemic Disease Mechanisms” moderated by Dr. Giulia Corradetti, and hosted by Dr. Yuhua Zhang and Dr. Deborah Ferrington
Doheny & UCLA Stein Alumni Reception
May 5, 6:00 p.m., Le Méridien Salt Lake City Downtown
Reconnect with fellow alumni and colleagues over great food, drinks, and lively conversation — plus, hit the dance floor for one of ARVO’s most spirited social gatherings.
We’ll be in Booth #1025
Stop by Booth #1025 at the ARVO Expo to say hello and catch up on the latest from Doheny!
Doheny Presentations at ARVO 2025
Doheny Eye Institute will have a strong presence at the ARVO 2025 Annual Meeting, taking place May 4–8 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Many of our faculty, trainees, and researchers will be presenting cutting-edge work across a range of vision science topics. Selected program highlights are featured below, with a more comprehensive list of Doheny-affiliated sessions.
Looking Back: Highlights from the 2025 Annual CME Conference and Distinguished Alumni Dinner
On March 29, more than 90 ophthalmologists, fellows, and trainees gathered at Doheny Eye Institute’s Pasadena campus for the highly anticipated 2025 Annual CME Conference. This full-day event brought together Doheny alumni and Doheny-UCLA faculty for a compelling program that spotlighted groundbreaking research and advances across the spectrum of ophthalmic subspecialties.
The conference was packed with insightful presentations, spirited discussions, and two standout keynote lectures:
The Irvine Memorial Lecture was delivered by Baruch Kupperman, MD, PhD, Steinert Professor and Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at the UC Irvine School of Medicine and Director of the Gavin Herbert Eye Institute. Dr. Kupperman shared timely insights drawn from his cutting-edge work in retinal disease and translational science.
The Doheny Distinguished Alumnus Lecture featured David Hwang, MD, FACS, Professor and Vice Chair at UCSF’s Department of Ophthalmology, Pearl T. Kimura and Samuel J. Kimura MD Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology, and Associate of the Francis I. Proctor Foundation. Dr. Hwang’s talk reflected the depth and breadth of his expertise in corneal surgery and ocular surface disease.
That evening, the focus shifted from learning to celebration as alumni and faculty came together at the elegant Valley Hunt Club for the Distinguished Alumni Dinner, honoring Dr. Hwang as the 2025 Doheny Distinguished Alumnus. The event was a warm, joyful occasion filled with camaraderie, shared memories, and heartfelt tributes.
A leader in corneal and refractive surgery, Dr. Hwang has shaped the field through decades of innovation, research, and mentorship. His work has advanced surgical techniques, improved patient outcomes, and inspired countless ophthalmologists. His career is a shining example of the Doheny mission in action — combining scientific excellence with a profound commitment to education and patient care.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s CME Conference and Alumni Dinner such a memorable success. We look forward to seeing you at our future events as we continue to celebrate and grow the Doheny legacy.
Dr. Deborah Ferrington Named President of AUPO’s Research Directors Council
We’re proud to announce that as of April 2025, Deborah Ferrington, PhD, Doheny’s Chief Scientific Officer, has been appointed President of the Research Directors Council (RDC) within the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO).
The RDC is a distinguished group of five elected research leaders from academic ophthalmology institutions across the country. Together, they address key issues shaping vision science research and spearhead educational initiatives that support and elevate research leadership in the field.
Dr. Ferrington’s appointment is a testament to her impactful leadership and continued dedication to advancing ophthalmic research at both Doheny and beyond.
15th Annual RIMR Conference Continues a Legacy of Scientific Collaboration in AMD
From March 26–28, more than 100 of the world’s foremost vision scientists, engineers, and innovators convened in Southern California for the 15th Annual RIMR (Ryan Initiative for Macular Degeneration) Conference—an immersive, solutions-driven meeting dedicated to tackling the most urgent challenges in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) research. The conference was established by the late Stephen J. Ryan, MD, visionary founder of the initiative and former President of the Doheny Eye Institute.
Unlike traditional conferences, RIMR is designed to spark fresh thinking and interdisciplinary breakthroughs. Participants prepare in advance with cross-disciplinary tutorials that allow them to speak the “language” of unfamiliar fields—laying the groundwork for productive, boundary-breaking discussions once onsite.
Throughout the three-day program, attendees worked in task-based groups to tackle unresolved questions and bottlenecks in AMD research, particularly in the area of dry AMD. The collaborative findings were then synthesized into actionable proposals for new studies and future directions.
We were proud to see Doheny alumni among the distinguished participants, including Jennifer Chao, MD, PhD, now at the University of Washington, and Pearse Keane, MD, FRCOphth, now at Moorfields Eye Hospital—each contributing their expertise to help drive progress in AMD research.
Now in its 15th year, RIMR has catalyzed hundreds of collaborative research projects, generated millions in federal research funding, and led to numerous high-impact publications. It remains a powerful engine for innovation—and a testament to the global commitment to eliminate vision loss from AMD.
Photos taken at RIMR 2025
Support the Future of Ophthalmology — Renew or Join the Doheny Professional Alumni Association Today!
If you haven’t yet renewed your annual membership with the Doheny Professional Alumni Association (PAA), now is the perfect time to do so. As a member, you’ll enjoy exclusive benefits — like complimentary registration for one CME conference and invitations to alumni receptions and special events throughout the year.
More importantly, your dues make a real impact. Every contribution directly supports the next generation of ophthalmologists and vision scientists through scholarships, educational materials, and fellow-focused programming. Among these initiatives are the Doheny Professional Alumni Association Research Awards, which recognize outstanding research presentations and help propel Doheny-trained fellows onto the national stage.
Be part of the legacy. Renew or join today and invest in the future of eye care, discovery, and innovation.
Doheny Eye Center UCLA Pasadena Has a New Home at 150 N. Orange Grove Blvd.
Doheny Eye Institute is thrilled to announce the official relocation of Doheny Eye Center UCLA Pasadena to our beautiful new clinic space at 150 N. Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91103 — right on the Doheny campus!
To celebrate the opening of this state-of-the-art facility, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on March 4, bringing together leadership from Doheny and UCLA, along with local officials. Pictured left to right: Angel Padilla, Dr. Alfredo A. Sadun, Dr. Bartly J. Mondino, Dr. Anne L. Coleman, Marissa Goldberg, Dr. Vikas Chopra, Dr. Anthony J. Aldave, and Patrick Goldsworthy.
Now housed in a purpose-designed, first-floor clinic space, Doheny Eye Center UCLA Pasadena is home to more than 19 world-class physicians representing a wide range of ophthalmic subspecialties — including retina, cornea, glaucoma, pediatric ophthalmology, neuro-ophthalmology, and oculoplastics. With unmatched expertise, our physicians are equipped to diagnose and treat even the rarest and most complex eye conditions.
This June, we will host a special clinic grand opening and open house, and all Doheny alumni are warmly invited to attend. It’s a unique opportunity to reconnect and experience firsthand how the Doheny legacy of excellence in patient care continues to grow in our new Pasadena location.
More details coming soon!
Expand Your Expertise with Doheny CME
Doheny CME courses are immersive, practical, and designed to keep you at the forefront of ophthalmic innovation.
Mark your calendar for two upcoming events you won’t want to miss:
- September 27, 2025: 7th Annual Doheny-UCLA Glaucoma Symposium, featuring this year’s hands-on theme: Glaucoma Surgical Techniques – Didactics plus Dry-Lab & Wet-Lab Instruction
More details coming soon!
- January 31, 2026: 4th Annual Doheny-UCLA International Retina Symposium
More details coming soon!
Deming Sun, MD, Named Professor Emeritus
We’re proud to announce that Deming Sun, MD, has been named Professor Emeritus in the Department of Ophthalmology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. In this new role, Dr. Sun will continue to contribute as a part-time scientific advisor to the Doheny research team.
A respected clinician-scientist, Dr. Sun spent over 17 years at Doheny advancing our understanding of autoimmune disease and inflammation. His groundbreaking work — including early discoveries on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in autoimmune pathogenesis—has shaped the field and earned recognition in top journals like Nature.
“Dr. Sun has been a highly valued member of our Doheny research team for many years, and has made numerous contributions to his field,” said Marissa Goldberg, CEO of Doheny. “While we are highly supportive of his decision to retire from his research investigations, we are honored he will remain an advisor to our scientists. His insights and knowledge will be immense assets as Doheny continues to push forward on innovative vision research.”