Dr. Clara C. Chan is an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Toronto and the President of the Canadian Cornea Society. She completed her undergraduate degree at Stanford University, medical school at Queen’s University, ophthalmology residency at the University of Toronto, and her cornea fellowship with Dr. Ed Holland at the Cincinnati Eye Institute. She currently teaches fellows as part of the Toronto Cornea fellowship program, is the Director of Fellowships for the Department of Ophthalmology, and is the Medical Director of the Eye Bank of Canada, Ontario Division. She has published more than 180 peer-reviewed papers and 20 book chapters, received the American Academy of Ophthalmology Senior Achievement Award in 2024, serves on the Cornea Clinical Committee of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, and is currently a Cornea Section Editor for the Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology.

Dr. R. Rishi Gupta is a Vitreoretinal Specialist and Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He attended medical school at the University of Toronto, completed his Ophthalmology residency training at the University of Ottawa, and received his Vitreoretinal Fellowship from McGill University. Dr. Gupta actively participates in research and has over 70 publications in prominent peer-reviewed journals. He has received awards for his work in medical education, research, teaching, as well as excellence in patient care. Dr. Gupta’s recently published book, Reflections of a Pupil, was named one of the top must-have books for beginning ophthalmologists and has become required
reading in some residency programs.

Dr. Hady Saheb, is currently Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and Director of the Glaucoma Fellowship at McGill University. He is also Past-President of the Canadian Glaucoma Society, and recently Chair of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Council and a member of the Board of Directors for the Canadian Ophthalmological. He is a co-host of the EyeCan Podcast and an editor of the journal Canadian Eyecare Today. He is passionate about glaucoma and cataract surgery, glaucoma innovation and peer and learner education. He completed a 50K blindfolded run challenge to feel more connected to his patients struggling with or worried about vision loss and to raise awareness and funds for glaucoma.

Dr Saheb earned his medical degree and completed his residency at McGill University. He was then a glaucoma fellow at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, and subsequently completed a second fellowship in Novel Glaucoma Surgical Devices and Complex Anterior Segment Surgery with Dr Ike Ahmed at the University of Toronto. He also completed a Masters in Public Health at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, with an interest in Clinical Trials and Health Leadership. Dr Saheb has received several awards, published multiple peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and spoken at multiple national and international meetings. He has been awarded the best teacher award multiple times at McGill University and the University of Toronto.

Dr. Mona Koaik is a Cornea, Anterior Segment, Cataract, and Refractive Surgeon at the University of Ottawa Eye Institute, where she also serves as an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology. She received her Bachelor’s and Medical degrees from the American University of Beirut in 2014, completed her Ophthalmology residency at the American University of Beirut Medical Center, and subsequently pursued fellowship training in Cornea, External Diseases, and Refractive Surgery at the University of Ottawa Eye Institute.

Her clinical practice focuses on corneal disease, anterior segment disorders, refractive cataract surgery, ocular surface surgery, and corneal and lenticular refractive procedures. She is actively engaged in research and innovation, with a particular interest in translational research, corneal regeneration, and the integration of scientific advances into practical clinical care. Her academic work includes publications and presentations at national and international meetings, with projects spanning the medical and surgical management of corneal disease, refractive cataract surgery, and advances in corneal and lenticular refractive surgery.

Dr. Koaik was recently awarded a Junior Research Chair within the Department of Ophthalmology in recognition of her research contributions, academic trajectory, and commitment to advancing innovation in vision care. 

She is actively involved in professional organizations, including the Canadian Cornea Society and the Canadian Ophthalmological Society. She also contributes to academic leadership and mentorship, having served as Co-Chair with Sally Letson and as a Canadian Ophthalmological Society representative with the Royal College. She remains deeply involved in the supervision and mentorship of fellows in Cornea, External Diseases, and Refractive Surgery at the University of Ottawa.

Dr. Vivek R. Patel, is Vice Chair of Academic Affairs, Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology and Chief of Neuro-ophthalmology & Adult Strabismus at the University of California, Irvine, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute. He currently directs the Neuro-ophthalmology & Adult Strabismus fellowship at UCI and is co-director of their Neuro-ophthalmology & Orbital Surgery international fellowship. He serves as an American Board of Ophthalmology examiner and an Associate Editor of the Journal of Neuro-ophthalmology.  He completed medical school at the University of Saskatchewan, Ophthalmology residency at McGill University, and Neuro-Ophthalmology fellowship at the University of Southern California/Doheny Eye Institute. He is a co-author of the 3rd and 4th editions of “Walsh and Hoyt’s Clinical Neuro-ophthalmology, The Essentials,” which is widely considered one of the central textbooks in the field.