MD
Avnish Deobhakta is a faculty member at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, where he also serves as the Associate Fellowship Director for Vitreoretinal Surgery. He was trained at the highly regarded Bascom Palmer Eye Institute for residency and Columbia University for Vitreoretinal Surgery fellowship. He has always had a keen interest in the development of novel therapeutics and devices to treat retinal disease and ocular inflammation. To that end, he has spearheaded a number of on-going research initiatives, including new methods for reducing uveitis as well as created locally active computer models to assist in the discovery of novel small chemical formulations that treat retinal disease. It is his decade-long work on evaporative retinal tamponades that forms the basis for the current asset pipeline for Avant Sciences, Inc. In addition, he holds degrees in Economics with a minor in Computer Science from Stanford University.
MD
Paul Lee is Chief of Ophthalmology at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center in Bronx, NY and an Independent Consultant for Eye Center of NY, a premium cataract surgery practice in Manhattan. Dr. Lee has mentored more than 50 residents from Mount Sinai and New York Eye and Ear Infirmary and won numerous teaching awards. He also serves as the President of the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary Ophthalmology Alumni Association, one of the largest networks of ophthalmologists in the country. Dr. Lee is one of the founding members of the non-profit group, Save NYEEI, whose mission is to preserve and protect New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. Since early in his career, Dr. Lee has had a strong interest in entrepreneurship and invested in startups in both the medical and non-medical fields. Outside of work, Dr. Lee is an avid runner who has completed several marathons and hopes to complete all 6 of the world’s major marathons.
MD, ScD(Hon), FACS, FASRS, FARVO, CRA
Richard Rosen is the Pierce Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology Deputy Chair of Clinical Affairs, the Vice Chair of Ophthalmology Research, and the Surgeon Director and Retinal Service Chief of the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai. He has over 3 decades of experience in both the clinical and scientific setting and has won numerous awards for his clinical and research acumen. He has authored and co-authored over 100 papers and book chapters, and has presented at national and international conferences. He is a world-renowned expert, particularly in the field of ophthalmic imaging and ophthalmic medical and surgical devices. In addition, he has played a key role in both the formation and subsequent operation of numerous biotech startups throughout his career.
MS
Harriet Lloyd has been involved as a research specialist in the ophthalmic space for almost 3 decades at Cornell, Columbia, and the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai. To that end, she has been involved in various laboratory technical and administrative roles, and has managed numerous federal, research, and foundation grants. She draws from a vast array of experiences within ophthalmology and research, including those that dealt with sponsoring projects, funding initiatives, animal studies, and bench work. In addition, she has received start-up equity in existing medical device ventures due to her on-going technical and scientific expertise. She also managed the Basic Science Course in Ophthalmology at Columbia, and is currently the Director of Research Administration for the Department of Ophthalmology at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai.