Duke Ophthalmology hosted the 2026 Trainee Day Scientific Sessions on June 5 at the AERI Auditorium, bringing together residents, fellows, and research trainees to present new discoveries and clinical insights across the field. The event featured a full afternoon of podium presentations and an extensive poster session, highlighting trainee-led research aimed at advancing patient care.
A standout feature of this year’s program was the keynote address by internationally recognized physician-scientist Mark S. Humayun, MD, PhD. His presentation, Retinal Implants to Restore Sight, highlighted advances in retinal implants and the future of vision restoration. As a leader in biomedical engineering and ophthalmology, Dr. Humayun shared insights from his work developing implantable technologies designed to restore sight in patients with severe retinal disease, offering a forward-looking perspective on innovation in the field.
The event opened with the Robert Machemer Research Award lecturer, Irene Song, MD (PGY3). Song received the Machemer Resident Research Award for her study, Risk of Ischemic Optic Neuropathy after Routine Cataract Surgery: A Nationwide Study. She was mentored by Sidney Gospe, MD, PhD, and Melissa Daluvoy, MD.
Additional awards recognized outstanding trainee research across multiple categories:
- Best Research Presentation by a Full-Time Research Fellow (Poster): Impact of Systemic Neonatal Factors on the Developing Fovea in Early Preterm Infants; Syeda Fatima Abid, MD, Research Scholar; Mentor: Xi Chen, MD
- Best Research Presentation by a Full-Time Research Fellow (Podium): Surgical Implantation of Revakinagene Taroretcel-lwey for Macular Telangiectasia Type 2: The First Case in an Academic Center; Adam Snowden, Research Fellow; Mentor: Lejla Vajzovic, MD, FASRS
- Best Research Presentation by a Clinical Fellow (Poster): Iris Insertion and Trabecular Meshwork Composition in Primary Congenital Glaucoma and Normal Eyes Using Anterior Segment OCT; Jiaxing Wang, MD, Pediatrics Fellow; Mentor: Sharon Freedman, MD
- Best Research Presentation by a Clinical Fellow (Podium): Comparison of Preterm Infant Stress During Non-contact Handheld Optical Coherence Tomography and Contact Fundus Photography: A Prospective Observational Study; Angela Li, MD, VR Fellow; Mentor: Cynthia Toth, MD
- Best Research Presentations by a Resident: Geographic Distribution and Drive Times to Glaucoma Specialists in the United States: A National Geospatial Access Analysis and Drive-Time Study,” Jean Adomfeh, MD, MBA, PGY3; Mentor: Kelly Muir, MD, and “OCT-Based Differentiation of NAION and CRAO; Greg McElroy, MD, PGY4; Mentor: Can Kocasarac, MD
With participation from trainees across all levels and disciplines, Trainee Day continues to serve as a cornerstone educational event at Duke Eye Center, underscoring the department’s commitment to mentorship, innovation, and the development of future leaders in ophthalmology.
