Up Close and Personal with 2003 Award Winners

Alessandro A. Castellarin, MD

Born and raised in Verona Italy, he graduated first in his class from the University of Verona School of Medicine in Verona, Italy, where he completed an Ophthalmology Residency summa cum laude. After several years of research and teaching in Italy, he moved to the United States where he completed an Ophthalmology Residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, where he served as a chief resident. He completed his vitreoretinal fellowship training at Emory University. Since 2004 has been in private practice and he is currently a senior partner at California Retina Consultants, Santa Barbara, Ca. He has been a clinical investigator, principal investigator, or reading center investigator in numerous NIH and pharmaceutical company sponsored clinical trials.

He lives in Santa Barbara with his wife Stephanie, and his kids Francesca and Luca.

Diana V. Do, MD

I am Professor of Ophthalmology and Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs at the Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine. In addition to my surgical practice, I am a physician-scientist who focuses on collaborative clinical trials investigating novel treatments for retinal diseases and ocular inflammation.

Before joining Stanford, I was Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the Wilmer Eye Institute, the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. At Hopkins, I was Head of the Retina Fellowship Training Program. After my tenure at Johns Hopkins, I was recruited to serve as Vice Chair of Education and Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine.

Having grown up in San Francisco, I have enjoyed returning to Northern California with my husband (Quan Dong Nguyen MD) and my 3 young daughters (Alex, Olivia, and Maddie). We enjoy biking, swimming, and exploring the outdoors.

Prithvi Mruthyunjaya, MD

I am currently an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and Radiation Oncology at the Byers Eye Institute at Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA where I also serve as the retina fellowship program director. Before coming to Stanford, I served on the faculty at Duke Eye Center. Along with practicing vitreoretinal surgery, I am an ocular oncologist and focus my practice on pediatric and adult intraocular and surface tumors.

My research focuses on genetic and surgical aspects of ocular tumor treatments.

My wife and I are the proud parents of 2 delightful high schoolers and I enjoy time in my garden and travelling. I have had the pleasure of training 13 previous RGM winners and my award is a personal highlight in my career.