Eye on Innovation – The Series – Dallas

KARL CSAKY, MD, PhD
Chief Executive & Medical Officer, Retina Foundation of the Southwest, T. Boone Pickens Director – Molecular Ophthalmology Laboratory and Director – Clinical Center of Innovation for AMD

Fulbright scholar and vitreoretinal specialist Dr. Csaky is the award recipient of the T. Boone Pickens Senior Scientist. Dr. Csaky offers a unique and thorough perspective as the leader of the Retina Foundation. His main area of research is age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in both laboratory and clinical settings. His lab is studying the pathogenesis of all forms of AMD, and he has an accomplished history of conducting clinical trials for AMD research. Dr. Csaky serves as a scientific advisor to large pharmaceutical companies and shares his research and treatment innovations with ophthalmologists around the world.

MARK PENNESI, MD, PhD, FARVO
Director of Ophthalmic Genetics, Retina Foundation of the Southwest Kenneth C. Swan Endowed Professor in Ophthalmology and Chief of the Paul H. Casey Ophthalmic Genetics Division, Casey Eye Institute

Dr. Pennesi's interest in degenerative retinal disorders began during college when he worked at the Retina Foundation of the Southwest under Dr. David Birch's supervision. There, he gained experience with patients and studied animal models of retinal degeneration. He later earned an M.D./Ph.D. at Baylor College of Medicine, specializing in retinal degeneration models, and completed ophthalmology training at the University of California, San Francisco. Now, as a Professor in Ophthalmic Genetics at the OHSU Casey Eye Institute, he researches novel treatments for inherited retinal diseases, focusing on drugs to enhance retinal protection.

W. STEPHEN LOVE
President and Chief Executive Officer,
DFW Hospital Council

Mr. Love is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council. He serves on the American Hospital Association’s Regional Policy Board, the Texas Hospital Association’s Trauma and Emergency Services Committee, the Coalition to Protect America’s Health Care Board of Directors, the DFWHC Foundation Board of Directors, the State Issues Forum Steering Committee, the Advisory Board of the School of Health Professions and the Health Care Committee of Collin County. Mr. Love has worked in healthcare management for 35 years, demonstrating leadership in hospital operations, finance and corporate governance.