This year’s cohort of ophthalmic clinical fellows at Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Medicine is one of dynamic, transglobal individuals. Among them are three Wilmer alumni, two of whom are zeroing in on subspecialties such as glaucoma and medical and surgical retina; an ocular immunology fellow, who is back for a second time around in an advanced clinical capacity; and a low vision fellow, who has extended their time as a physician-scientist to explore new treatments for patients. As the year closes, we invite you to meet the current ophthalmic clinical fellows at Wilmer.

Morgan Fredell, M.D., M.B.A., Cornea and External Disease (2023–24)

What were you doing before fellowship? I was raised in Houston, Texas, and have since traveled across the country for training. I completed medical school at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, an internship at Mountain View Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada, and my ophthalmology residency at Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

What is your biggest area of interest? My biggest area of interest is surgical and medical therapeutic options for visual rehabilitation of cornea and anterior segment disease.

What has excited you the most thus far? I am very excited that Wilmer is at the forefront of treatment of corneal disease and has provided me excellent training on complex disease management.

Jacob Heng, M.D., Ph.D., Medical and Surgical Retina (2023–25)

What were you doing before fellowship? I completed my ophthalmology residency at the Yale School of Medicine, where I was chief resident in my last year of residency.      

What is your biggest area of interest? I am particularly interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms of retinal diseases to devise novel therapies and gain new insights in disease management. To this end, I completed my Ph.D. training under Jeremy Nathans. I have continued my research endeavors throughout residency and fellowship.

What has excited you the most thus far? With guidance from world-class mentors at the Wilmer Eye Institute, I am most excited to help patients with vision-threatening retinal conditions. The breadth of modern medical and surgical options to manage retinal conditions is truly breathtaking. I strive to master the science and art of applying these treatment modalities to help patients in need.

Colette Houssan, M.P.H., O.D., Low Vision (2023–25)

What were you doing before fellowship? I grew up in Millbury, Massachusetts. I received my bachelor’s degree from the College of the Holy Cross and my master’s in public health from the University of New England. Before beginning my fellowship, I completed optometry school at the Kentucky College of Optometry. I rotated through different types of practices in Baltimore, Maryland; Columbia, South Carolina; and Raleigh, North Carolina.

What is your biggest area of interest? I love the field of low vision, but my biggest area of interest focuses on the devices and technology that can enhance our patients’ function in their daily activities. It’s always exciting when one thing can make a huge difference for someone!

What has excited you the most thus far? With its research component, this fellowship has really allowed me to flourish as a clinician-scientist. Being able to further the field of low vision and explore ways to help improve care is an opportunity I will forever appreciate.

Jacob Kanter, M.D., Advanced Specialty Glaucoma (2023–24)

What were you doing before the fellowship? Before fellowship, I completed a residency in ophthalmology at the University of Chicago.

What is your biggest area of interest? My biggest area of interest is improving patient communication and the patient experience surrounding glaucoma surgery.

What has excited you the most thus far? The friendliness, collegiality and inquisitiveness of the faculty, and their willingness to give me the best experience possible, has excited me the most.

Paulina Liberman, M.D., Ocular Immunology and Uveitis (2023–24)

What were you doing before the fellowship? Before my current fellowship, I was an ophthalmologist at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and Hospital Sótero del Río, Chile. From August 2020 to June 2023, I served as chief of the uveitis division. My role included overseeing patient care, directing resident education, leading research initiatives and pioneering the establishment of Chile’s first private cornea bank.

What is your biggest area of interest? My primary interests are in the treatment of uveitis, pemphigoid and external inflammatory eye diseases. My objective is to advance diagnostic techniques and therapeutic strategies to improve visual outcomes and quality of life for affected patients.

What has excited you the most thus far? The most thrilling aspect of my career has been witnessing the transformative impact of surgical and medical treatments on patients’ lives. It is incredibly rewarding to see patients regain their sight and enhance their daily living. Additionally, the Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Fellowship Program at Johns Hopkins is unparalleled, providing the opportunity to learn from giants in the field of uveitis such as Drs. Thorne, Jabs, Burkholder and Berkenstock. Their expertise and mentorship are invaluable, making this program an exceptional environment for learning and professional growth.

Aaron Priluck, M.D., Advanced Specialty Glaucoma (2023–24)

What were you doing before fellowship? I completed an ophthalmology residency at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine — here at Wilmer.

What is your biggest area of interest? I am excited about new surgical techniques to manage glaucoma, to help minimize risk and to improve outcomes. I think there is still much to accomplish to optimize glaucoma care, and this is an exciting time to be in the field.

What has excited you the most thus far? I have really cherished learning from, and working with, all the outstanding glaucoma faculty here at Hopkins. My clinical, surgical and academic experiences here will guide me throughout my career and enable me to provide the best possible care to my future patients.

Loka Thangamathesvaran, M.D., Medical and Surgical Retina (2023–25)

What were you doing before fellowship? I completed an ophthalmology residency at Wilmer.

What is your biggest area of interest? My interest is in providing high-quality patient care both medically and surgically, especially to patients in resource-poor areas.

What has excited you the most thus far? The constant innovation in retina, both medically and surgically, has excited me the most. Getting to form meaningful relationships with my patients and mentors has also been incredible.

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The current roster of Wilmer fellows also includes:

Shazia Dharssi, M.D., Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (2023–25)

Srimathy “Mattie” Jain, M.B.B.S., M.S., Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus (2023–24)

Rabia Karani, M.D., M.P.H., Medical and Surgical Retina (2022–24)

David Lu, M.D., Cornea and External Disease (2023–24)

Jay Patel, M.D., Neuro-Ophthalmology (2023–24)

Ardalan Sharifi, M.D., Cornea and External Disease (2023–24)

Nakul Singh, M.D., M.S., Medical and Surgical Retina (2022–24)

*Learn more about the Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute clinical fellowship program here.