Yannis M. Paulus, M.D., F.A.C.S., is the Frieda Derdeyn Bambos Professor and an Associate Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and Department of Biomedical Engineering and vitreoretinal surgeon at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Medicine’s East Baltimore and Columbia locations. Dr. Paulus earned his B.S. in Chemistry and Physics from Harvard University and completed his M.D. at Stanford University School of Medicine in 2009. He completed an internship at the Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in 2010, residency in Ophthalmology at the Stanford University School of Medicine Byers Eye Institute in 2013, and Surgical and Medical Retina Fellowship at Johns Hopkins University Wilmer Eye Institute in 2015. Before returning to Wilmer, Dr. Paulus served as a surgical retina specialist and director of a research laboratory at the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center for almost 10 years, where he developed novel imaging systems, lasers, and long-lasting therapies and nanotechnologies to allow physicians to determine cellular markers of disease, enabling early diagnosis, improved treatment monitoring, and more individualized, personalized precision medicine tailored to each individual patient’s needs.

Dr. Paulus directs an active, multidisciplinary, diverse laboratory dedicated to improving the vision of patients suffering from eye diseases by developing novel minimally traumatic retinal laser therapies, photoacoustic and molecular imaging of the retina for retinal and choroidal neovascularization, nanotechnology, regenerative medicine, and novel retinal imaging systems and technologies. He is particularly interested in translating new technologies that he develops into commercially viable products and has received several entrepreneurship awards and patents in addition to starting up several companies. He has published more than 165 peer-reviewed publications in leading journals such as Nature Nanotechnology, Nature Communications, Science Advances, JAMA Ophthalmology, The Journal of Neuroscience, Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (IOVS), ACS Nano, and Light: Science & Applications. He serves on the editorial board of multiple journals and has received numerous fellowships and awards from leading international organizations, including the ARVO/Alcon Early Career Clinician-Scientist Research Award, Senior Member Designation by SPIE (International Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers), Senior Member Designation by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Senior Member Designation by Optica, Heed Ophthalmic Foundation, the Evangelos S. Gragoudas Award from the Macula Society, and the Starr E. Shulman MPA Fellow by the California Academy of Eye Physicians & Surgeons. He was recognized as Greek America’s Forty Under Forty and previously served as President of the Hellenic American Professional Society of Northern California.

Dr. Paulus received several entrepreneurship awards and patents, published more than 140 peer-reviewed publications in leading journals such as Nature Nanotechnology, Nature Communications, Science Advances, JAMA Ophthalmology, The Journal of Neuroscience, Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (IOVS), ACS Nano, and Light: Science & Applications and 8 book chapters, and consulted for several medical device and start-up companies. He has co-developed a novel, inexpensive system for providing tele-ultrasound, founded imaging companies, and investigated pattern scanning laser photocoagulation, laser-tissue interactions, and restorative retinal laser therapy to create minimally traumatic retinal laser therapy. He serves on the editorial board of multiple journals and has reviewed articles for more than 70 journals. He has received numerous fellowships and awards from the ARVO/Alcon Early Career Clinician-Scientist Research Award, Senior Member Designation by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Senior Member Designation by Optica, Heed Ophthalmic Foundation, the Evangelos S. Gragoudas Award from the Macula Society, Wilmer Research Grant, Starr E. Shulman MPA Fellow by the California Academy of Eye Physicians & Surgeons, ISER fellowship, ASCRS Foundation, International Society for Eye Research (ISER) Travel Fellowship, National Eye Institute Travel Grant, and AUPO/RPB. He is recognized as Greek America’s Forty Under Forty and served as President of the Hellenic American Professional Society of Northern California.

He actively participates in several professional organizations, including: American Medical Association, Optical Society of America, SPIE (International Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers), American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), American Physical Society, Stanford Alumni Association, Hellenic Bioscientific Association USA, Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), International Society for Eye Research, Ophthalmology Innovation Network, American Society of Retina Specialists, Michigan Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons, Michigan State Medical Society, Washtenaw County Medical Society, Society of Heed Fellows, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and the Macula Society. Most importantly, he is the adoring husband of his amazing wife Penelope and father of 5 energetic boys Achilles, Atlas, Apollo, Argo, and Ares.