Doheny Professional Alumni Association Honors Outstanding ARVO 2026 Presenters

For 25 years, the Doheny Professional Alumni Association has supported the next generation of vision science leaders through its research awards at ARVO. This year, four outstanding presenters were recognized for work that is pushing the boundaries of innovation and discovery.

Presented annually, these awards celebrate outstanding research and reflect the Doheny alumni community’s longstanding commitment to fostering innovation and supporting emerging leaders in vision science.

“Scientific progress depends on the creativity and rigor of emerging investigators,” said Deborah A. Ferrington, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of Doheny Eye Institute. “These awardees are advancing critical areas of vision research and contributing to new approaches that will shape the future of the field.”

Pre-ARVO Poster Awardees

Mai Alhelaly
“Predicting Visual Acuity Change by OCT and OCTA Biomarkers in Diabetic Macular Edema: A KINGFISHER Study Analysis”

This research advances our understanding of how imaging biomarkers can help predict vision outcomes in patients with diabetic macular edema, with the potential to inform more personalized treatment approaches.

Maryam Golmohammadi
“Distinct Retinal Vascular Metrics in Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) Compared with Dominant Optic Atrophy (DOA): A Deep Learning-Based Analysis”

By applying advanced analytical methods, this work improves the ability to distinguish between complex optic nerve diseases, supporting more accurate diagnosis and care.

Pre-ARVO Paper Talk Awardees

Ruixue Liu
“In Vivo Quantification of Photon Dynamics of Human RPE Autofluorescence”

This study explores novel imaging techniques to better understand retinal pigment epithelium function at a cellular level, offering new insights into retinal health and disease.

Nathan Vu
“Correlation Between Changes in Outer Retinal OCT Structure and Visual Function in Aging and Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD): Longitudinal Data from ALSTAR2”

This research examines how structural changes in the retina correlate with vision loss over time, contributing to a deeper understanding of aging and age-related macular degeneration.

“Recognizing excellence in ophthalmology has long been a priority of the Doheny alumni community,” said John A. Irvine, MD, President of the Doheny Professional Alumni Association. “These awards not only celebrate outstanding work but also help support the continued growth and success of emerging leaders in vision science.”

By recognizing these investigators, Doheny and its alumni community reaffirm their shared commitment to fostering innovation, supporting scientific discovery, and accelerating progress toward better outcomes for patients with vision-threatening diseases.