Our Team

Directors

Karl Csaky, MD, PhD

Dr. Karl Csaky leads a world-class team at the Retina Foundation, where he is pioneering advances that are reshaping the future of vision science. With a focus on age-related macular degeneration (AMD), inherited retinal disorders, and pediatric eye conditions, Dr. Csaky has positioned the Foundation as a global leader in cutting-edge research and patient care.

David G. Birch, PhD

Dr. David Birch’s research concentrations include genetic eye diseases, macular degeneration, electrophysiology and visual function testing. Dr. Birch has revolutionized retinal disease research with groundbreaking achievements. He pioneered PC software for recording retinal electrical signals, advancing ERG use in measuring cone function and photoreceptor activity in macular disease. Dr. Birch enhanced perimetry devices to measure rod visual fields, now integral in clinical trial assessments. In collaboration with Dr. Gabriel Travis, he created the first model of Stargardt disease and embarked on a collaboration with Dr. Steven Daiger to identify genetic causes of inherited retinal degenerations.

Eileen E. Birch, PhD

Since joining the Retina Foundation in 1982 as one of its first research scientists, Dr. Eileen Birch has been at the forefront of groundbreaking discoveries that have reshaped our understanding of children’s vision and development. She also holds a faculty appointment as adjunct professor of ophthalmology at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

Yi-Zhong Wang, PhD

Dr. Yi-Zhong Wang specializes in visual science and physiological optics, concentrating his research on shape perception, perceptual organization, aging, amblyopia and macular degeneration. His work benefits numerous Retina Foundation labs as he is uncovering improved diagnostic tools for multiple eye issues.

Srinivasa R. Sripathi, PhD

Dr. Srinivasa R. Sripathi leads stem cell research to provide innovative solutions for vision restoration. He is also an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Ophthalmology at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

Mark Pennesi, MD, PhD, FARVO

An internationally recognized expert in inherited retinal diseases (IRDs), Dr. Mark Pennesi is leading groundbreaking research on gene therapy and gene editing. After starting his career at the Retina Foundation as an intern, he came home to Dallas and joined the Retina Foundation in 2024 to find innovative solutions to vision loss and expand access to patients worldwide.

Amy Johnson

An esteemed leader in philanthropy, Amy Johnson has implemented transformational change in development practices and community engagement across North Texas and beyond, furthering the missions of the organizations she has served.

Naomi Emmett, MBA

Naomi Emmett is an esteemed financial executive with extensive experience in finance, accounting, and operations. With a focus on educational and nonprofit sectors, Ms. Emmett currently serves as CFO/Chief Business Officer for the Retina Foundation of the Southwest.

Adnin Ashrafi, PhD

Alison Takacs, MS

Ann Mungioli

Amy Johnson

Brooke Koritala

Christina Cheng-Patel, CCRP

Cindy Baillie

David Birch, PhD

Destiny Coleman

Dhiraj Dokwal, PhD

Doris Lambracht-Washington, PhD

Eileen Birch, PhD

Eli Trauner

Eric Vasquez

FNU Sonali

Grant Koenigsman

Jessica Clark

Jennifer Herrera

Jency John

Karl Csaky, MD, PhD

Katherine Juroch, MS

Kaylie Jones, MS

Martin Klein, MS

Mark Pennesi, MD, PhD., FARVO

Naomi Emmett, MBA

Naresh Rajendran, PhD

Natalia Feliz

Natalie Gilbert, CPA

Neha Tandon, PhD

Paige Grona Kennedy

Rachel Murray

Rachel Yoken

Reed Jost, MS

Sanchareeka Dey, PhD

Shana Risinger

Shelby Crookall

Srinivasa Sripathi, PhD

Yi-Zhong Wang, PhD

Reed Jost, MS

Christina Cheng-Patel, CCRP

Brooke Koritala

Adnin Ashrafi, PhD

Naresh Rajendran, PhD

Doris Lambracht-Washington, PhD

Sanchareeka Dey, PhD

Alison Takacs, MS

Neha Tandon, PhD

Jessica Clark

Katherine Juroch, MS

Paige Grona Kennedy

Natalia Feliz

Abigail Hernandez

Cindy Baillie

Rachel Murray

Georgia Durham

Chelsea Hamilton

Kirsten Locke, CRA, FOPS

Martin Klein, MS

Kaylie Jones, MS

Eric Vasquez

Jennifer Herrera

Development

Amy Johnson

Finance and Administration

Naomi Emmett, MBA

Natalie Gilbert, CPA

Jency John

Shana Risinger

Ann Mungioli

Business Operations

Cindy Baillie

Shana Risinger

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