Faculty and Researchers: Norm Zabriskie, MD; Ike Ahmed, MD; Susan Chortkoff, MD; Craig Chaya, MD; Roya Garakani, DO; Austin S. Nakatsuka, MD; Ian F. Pitha, MD, PhD; Brian Stagg, MD, MS; Rachel Simpson, MD; Barbara Wirostko, MD
Department Chairman: Jeff Pettey, MD, MBA, Professor, CEO, John A. Moran Eye Center
Program Directors: Austin S. Nakatsuka, MD, Assistant Professor and Brian C. Stagg, MD, Assistant Professor
About the Fellowship
The Pre-Residency Research Fellowship at the Alan S. Crandall Center for Glaucoma Innovation offers an immersive one-year experience designed for recent medical graduates preparing to enter ophthalmology residency. Fellows work closely with clinicians and clinician-scientists at the forefront of glaucoma innovation, gaining hands-on training in translational research and clinical investigation. Through direct mentorship, structured research projects, and exposure to patient care, fellows develop the scientific and analytical skills needed to contribute meaningfully to vision science and clinical advancement.
This program emphasizes curiosity, collaboration, and innovation in addressing the complex challenges of glaucoma and ocular disease. Fellows are integrated into the vibrant research ecosystem of the Moran Eye Center, contributing to studies that span novel surgical implants, clinical trial design, and population analytics. Graduates emerge with a competitive research portfolio, strong academic foundations, and a deep appreciation for the intersection of discovery and patient impact that defines modern ophthalmology.
Curriculum and Training
Mentorship
Each fellow is paired with a dedicated primary faculty mentor—Brian Stagg, MD, or Austin Nakatsuka, MD—for individualized guidance throughout the year. Fellows also receive direct supervision from Ian F. Pitha, MD, PhD, while conducting research in the Crandall Center’s laboratory. This ensures fellows receive both scientific direction and professional development support as they prepare for careers in ophthalmology.
We recognize one of the fellow’s core goals is to match into a competitive ophthalmology residency program. Our mentors are deeply engaged in this process, offering personalized guidance on applications, career development, and interview preparation.
In addition to their primary mentors, fellows collaborate with secondary mentors drawn from the broader glaucoma faculty at the Moran Eye Center. This provides access to diverse research interests, surgical expertise, and academic perspectives and allows fellows to tailor their experience to specific areas of interest such as biomechanics, neuroprotection, surgical techniques, and patient-centered outcomes.
Preclinical Glaucoma Implant Design
The Crandall Center collaborates with industry partners and early-stage start-ups to conduct preclinical evaluation of novel glaucoma implants and therapies. These partnerships leverage the center’s expertise in glaucoma surgery, biomaterials, and translational research to accelerate the development of innovative devices and therapeutics toward clinical application.
Our team performs a full spectrum of preclinical and translational studies, including GLP (Good Laboratory Practice)-compliant testing, ex vivo perfusion and flow models, and in vivo animal studies to evaluate safety, function, tissue response, and long-term biocompatibility. The center’s infrastructure supports regulatory-grade data collection and reporting, enabling collaboration at every stage of device and therapy development—from early prototype assessment to FDA submission preparation.
Fellows are directly involved in all phases of this process, contributing to study design, surgical procedures, data acquisition, histologic and imaging analysis, and sponsor communication. This hands-on experience provides a unique opportunity to understand the scientific, technical, and regulatory foundations of device innovation and prepares fellows for careers at the intersection of ophthalmic research, clinical practice, and industry development.
Enrichment Opportunities
Fellows can participate in a wide range of enrichment experiences throughout the year, including weekly grand rounds, resident teaching sessions, surgery observation, and submitting and presenting abstracts at national meetings.
The Moran Eye Center offers unique opportunities for local and global outreach care experiences with its Global Outreach Division, which trains physicians in low-resource countries and provides care to underserved populations in Utah and on the Navajo Nation.
Salt Lake City also hosts two notable events: The Glaucoma Masterclass and the Interventional Glaucoma Consortium. The Masterclass introduces providers to minimally invasive and emerging glaucoma therapies and treatments through didactic classes and hand-on wet labs. The Consortium is a high-level “think tank” meeting that convenes leading glaucoma surgeons, researchers, and industry partners to explore innovations in interventional glaucoma care—spanning minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), sustained-release therapies, laser treatments and next-generation drainage devices.
Application Process
Applicants should either have an MD or DO degree. In addition to your resume, which you may have already forwarded, please send the following: a personal statement, three letters of reference, US-MLE steps 1, 2, or 3 scores, and any ECFMG certificates, if applicable. If it is more convenient, you may simply forward your central application match packet.
This glaucoma fellowship is a wonderful opportunity to gain valuable knowledge in ophthalmology along with ample opportunities for publications and presentations at national/international meetings. The basic stipend is approximately $44,000 per year.
Applications for the current year are closed. The application period is expected to reopen in early 2027.
Fellowship Contact
Tiffany Hobbs–Executive Assistant to Norm Zabriskie, MD, Austin S. Nakatsuka, MD, and Brian Stagg, MD.
Email: tiffany.hobbs@hsc.utah.edu
Phone: 801-585-3071
Fax: 801-581-3357
Current Fellows
Lieu Nguyen Lowrie, MD
Lieu Nguyen Lowrie, MD, is a graduate of the University of Kansas School of Medicine.
Charissa Tan, MD
Charissa Tan, MD, is a graduate of the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine.
Alumni
Michael Jensen, MD
Meghan Sharma, MD, MPH
Catherine Johnson, MD, MPH
John A. Musser, MD, MPH
Updates From the Alan S. Crandall Center for Glaucoma Innovation
Where Glaucoma Innovation Meets Clinical Judgment
Crandall Center clinician-scientists Ike Ahmed, MD, FRCSC, and Ian F. Pitha, MD, PhD, share their perspectives on modern glaucoma care, emerging technologies, and more.
Why No. 22 Matters in Glaucoma Care — and Is It Time to Rethink It?
New research from the Moran Eye Center shows that while our understanding of glaucoma has advanced, ophthalmologists are still relying on a long-standing threshold number for eye pressure.
Advanced Glaucoma Care Comes Home
A handheld device that allows glaucoma patients to track their eye pressure at home is transforming care and research.
Lessons Learned: AMD to Glaucoma
With a new gene therapy for age-related macular degeneration in clinical trials, Gregory S. Hageman, PhD, is ready to take on glaucoma.
Education Program Resources
Contact Us
University of Utah School of Medicine
Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
John A. Moran Eye Center
Academic Office
65 Mario Capecchi Drive
Salt Lake City, UT 84132
Phone: 801-585-3719
Fax: 801-581-5806
Rachel G. Simpson, MD, Vice Chair of Education
Phone: 801-581-2352
rachel.simpson@hsc.utah.edu
Griffin J. Jardine, MD, Associate Program Director
Phone: 801-581-2352
griffin.jardine@hsc.utah.edu
Sravanthi Vegunta, MD, Associate Residency Program Director
Phone: 801-581-2352
srav.vegunta@hsc.utah.edu
Roya Garakani, DO, Associate Residency Program Director
Phone: 801-585-3071
roya.garakani@hsc.utah.edu
Meghan Johnson, Programs Manager, Academics
Phone: 801-213-4044
meghan.johnson@hsc.utah.edu
Chandler C. Thompson, Administrative Manager, Academics
Phone: 801-581-3023
chandler.thompson@hsc.utah.edu
Alexandra Ruiz, Academic Services
Phone: 801-215-6701
alexandra.m.ruiz@hsc.utah.edu