April 2026
Join us April 20 for Ask the Doctor: A Conversation with Dr. SriniVas Sadda
Learn how cutting-edge research and artificial intelligence are changing the future of retinal care.
The support of the community makes it possible for Doheny Eye Institute to advance life-changing vision research and drive important breakthroughs in retinal care. On Monday, April 20, we invite you to join us for a special presentation with world-renowned retina specialist SriniVas R. Sadda, MD, FARVO, Director of Artificial Intelligence & Imaging Research at Doheny Eye Institute and Professor of Ophthalmology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.
Dr. Sadda will share the latest advances in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), including how artificial intelligence is transforming diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment. You’ll have the opportunity to hear directly from one of the world’s leading retina experts and ask questions about this rapidly evolving field.
Dr. Sadda holds the A. Ray Irvine Jr., MD, Endowed Chair in Clinical Ophthalmology. His research focuses on retinal image analysis, advanced imaging technologies, and clinical trial innovation, supported by multiple National Institutes of Health grants. He has also been consistently recognized on the Best Doctors of America list.
Event Details
- When: Monday, April 20, from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
- Where: Doheny Eye Institute, 150 N. Orange Grove Blvd., 2nd Floor Conference Center, Pasadena, CA 91108
Complimentary parking will be provided, and light refreshments will be served.
Welcome to Our New Chief Development Officer, Alicia Cleaver
A seasoned leader in philanthropic strategy joins Doheny to help advance the future of vision research.
We are pleased to welcome Alicia Cleaver as Doheny Eye Institute’s new Chief Development Officer. She officially joined Doheny on March 30 and will play a key role in advancing the Institute’s strategic priorities and fundraising efforts across development and communications.
Alicia brings nearly two decades of experience advancing philanthropy across leading academic and medical institutions, including the University of Michigan, Lehigh University, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, and Occidental College.
We are confident Alicia’s expertise, leadership, and deep knowledge of the fundraising landscape will be a tremendous asset as Doheny continues to grow and expand its impact.
Alicia looks forward to connecting with our community of supporters in the coming weeks and months. If you would like to reach out sooner, she welcomes you to connect at .
The Luminaires “Timeless Elegance” Benefit Supports Vision Research
On March 13, the Luminaires, an organization dedicated to supporting Doheny Eye Institute through philanthropy, welcomed 270 attendees to their annual benefit, raising awareness and vital support for Doheny’s innovative research. This year’s theme, “Timeless Elegance,” was reflected in every detail of the luncheon at the Langham Huntington Hotel in Pasadena.
The event also honored valued members of the Lamp Society, composed of members who have supported Doheny for 25 years or more.
During the afternoon, guests enjoyed a Robert Ellis Boutique fashion show, a gourmet luncheon, shopping with local vendors, and time to connect with fellow supporters who share a commitment to giving the gift of sight.
A highlight of the luncheon was the presentation of the Vision Award to Mary Catherine Cooper in recognition of her 25 years of leadership, significant contributions to the community, and longstanding support for Doheny and the Luminaires.
Doheny CEO Marissa Goldberg, Chief Scientific Officer Deborah Ferrington, PhD, and Benjamin Bert, MD, were in attendance to personally thank guests, share more about Doheny’s mission, and highlight its groundbreaking vision research.
We are tremendously grateful to Luminaires President, Jinny Dalbeck, and Benefit Chairs Jennifer Cooper and Peggy Schmid for organizing such a beautiful afternoon. We also thank the members of the Lamp Society for their unwavering support, and all who attended and contributed to advancing Doheny’s mission.
Looking Ahead to ARVO 2026: A Leading Global Gathering in Vision Research
From May 3–7, thousands of the world’s leading vision scientists and ophthalmologists will gather in Denver for the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting. Reinforcing Doheny’s leadership in vision research, more than 15 Doheny scientists, clinician-scientists, and research fellows have been selected to present their work. During the meeting, we will once again host the Doheny-UCLA Breakfast Forum and our Annual Alumni Reception.
Doheny Research Presentations
Following a highly competitive selection process, Doheny researchers will present their work across more than 20 poster presentations and talks. Presentation topics include:
-
- New findings in dry and wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
- Retinal biochemistry and molecular biology
- Adaptive optics and molecular imaging
- Advances in optical coherence tomography
- Neuro-ophthalmology
- Applications of artificial intelligence in retinal disease
- Gene therapy for Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON)
- Advances in diabetic retinopathy
- Innovative imaging technologies
Doheny-UCLA Annual Breakfast Forum
On May 3 from 6:30 a.m. until 8:00 a.m., ARVO attendees are invited to a discussion titled, “Eye on Innovation: Cutting-Edge New Approach Methodologies (NAM) in Ophthalmology.” This forum will explore how NAMs are transforming vision research, including advances in retinal organoids, microfluidic systems, and AI-driven models.
The forum will be hosted by:
Deborah A. Ferrington, PhD
Chief Scientific Officer
Stephen J. Ryan-Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation
Endowed Presidential Chair, Doheny Eye Institute
Professor of Ophthalmology, UCLA
Roxana A. Radu, MD
Associate Professor of Ophthalmology
Vernon O. Underwood Family Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology
David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA
Principal Investigator, Jules Stein Eye Institute – UCLA
Featured speakers include:
Engineering the Human Optic Nerve on a Chip: An iPSC-Derived Microfluidic Retinal Ganglion Cell Platform
Jason Meyer, PhD
A. Donald Merritt Professor of Medical & Molecular Genetics
Director, Stark Neurosciences Stem Cell Research Group,
Indiana University School of Medicine
Building a 3D Human Model of the Outer Retina
Valeria Canto-Soler, PhD
Doni Solich Family Chair in Ocular Stem Cell Research
Director, CellSight – Ocular Stem Cell and Regeneration Research Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine
RPE Digital Twin Reveals Subtype-Specific Polarization and Mesenchymal Drift in Ciliopathy RPE Cells
Kapil Bharti, PhD
Senior Investigator, Ocular & Stem Cell Translational Research
Scientific Director, National Eye Institute
The Breakfast Forum will be held at the Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center, Mineral Hall D-E.
Annual Alumni Reception at ARVO
Calling all Doheny and UCLA alumni: mark your calendar for one of the most anticipated evenings at ARVO! We invite you to join us on May 4 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Former Saint Craft Kitchen & Taps at the Hyatt Regency Denver, for our Annual Alumni Reception.
During the evening, you’ll have the opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, expand your network, and celebrate a shared commitment to advancing eye health. The evening will feature engaging conversation, food and drinks, and lively music.
RSVP here. We look forward to welcoming our colleagues and alumni!
Recap: Annual CME Conference and Distinguished Alumnus Dinner
On March 21, more than 85 ophthalmologists and Doheny alumni from across the country gathered in Pasadena for two of our most anticipated events: the annual Continuing Medical Education (CME) Conference and the Distinguished Alumnus Dinner.
Annual CME Conference
This annual, daylong learning program focuses on advancing care and reinforces the mission of Doheny: to further the conservation, improvement, and restoration of human eyesight. Themed, “The Front Line of Vision Care: Cornea, Ocular Surface, and Refractive Advances,” this year’s conference brought together Doheny-UCLA faculty, alumni, and colleagues, both in person and virtually, with participants joining from across the country, to discuss optimizing the ocular surface, improving surgical planning, and enhancing patient outcomes.
Attendees also heard from Irvine Memorial Lecturer Kathryn Colby, MD, PhD, Chair of Ophthalmology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and Director of NYU Langone’s Eye Center. Her lecture, “Innovation in Ophthalmology: Advances in the Management of Endothelial Dysfunction,” offered insights that sparked thoughtful discussion among attendees.
The course directors were Victoria Yom, MD, Kenneth Lu, MD, and Jonathan Macy, MD. We thank them for developing an engaging program that fostered thoughtful discourse.
Distinguished Alumnus Dinner
Continuing a shared commitment to advancing the field of ophthalmology, Doheny alumni gathered to celebrate John C. Affeldt, MD, our 2026 Doheny Distinguished Alumnus. The evening brought alumni together to recognize one of their own for his outstanding contributions to the field and his impactful career.
Together, these events reflect Doheny’s commitment to advancing education, fostering collaboration, and supporting excellence in ophthalmology.
