Ivan J. Suñer

Education/Training | Professional Training | Scientific Presentations
Organizations and Participation | Teaching Responsibilities | External Support

Education/Training:

1. High School, Antilles High School, 1984, Diploma
   Ft. Buchanan, PR, Valedictorian

2. Undergraduate,Harvard University,1988, B.A.
   Cambridge, MA, Magna cum laude

3. Medical School, Yale University,1992, M.D.
   New Haven, CT

Scholarly Societies:

• American Academy of Ophthalmology
• The Retina Society
• American Society of Retina Specialists
• Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
• American Board of Ophthalmology

Professional Training and Academic Career:

Norwalk Hospital/Yale University School of Medicine                                            
Internship-Internal Medicine - 1992-1993
 
University of Miami-Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
Residency in Ophthalmology - 1993-1996

U.S. Air Force-Scott Air Force Base, IL
Chief of Ophthalmology - 1996-2000                                    

Washington University-St. Louis
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology - 1997-2000

Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center                              
Staff Ophthalmologist - 2000-2002
                                                 
University of Miami-Bascom Palmer Eye Institute                          
Fellowship-Vitreoretinal Diseases and Surgery - 2000-2002

University of Miami-Bascom Palmer Eye Institute                          
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology - 2000-2005

Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center                           
Chief of Ophthalmology Section - 2002-2005      
Associate Chief of Surgery Service - 2003-2005

Duke Eye Center-Duke University Medical Center
Associate Professor of Ophthalmology - 2005-present

Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center 
Chief of Ophthalmology Section  - 2005-present
Associate Chief of Surgery Service

Papers and Publications:

1.         Refereed Journals:

1. Ramírez-Rivera J, Suñer-Doran IJ. False unilateral hyperlucent lung: a trapped lung with persistent pneumothorax. Bol Asoc Med P Rico 1987;79:247-250.
2. Rakic P, Lidow M, Meinecke D, Suñer I. Intrinsic and extrinsic determinants of cerebral cortical areas. Cold Spring Harbor Symposium 1990;55:83.
3. Rakic P, Suñer I, Williams RW. A novel cytoarchitectonic area induced experimentally within the primate visual cortex. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1991;88:2083-2087.
4. Suñer I, Rakic P. Numerical relationship between neurons in the lateral geniculate nucleus and primary visual cortex in macaque monkeys. Vis Neurosci 1996;13:585-590.
5. Greenfield DS, Suñer IJ, Miller MP, Kangas TA, Palmberg PF, Flynn HW. Endophthalmitis following filtering surgery with mitomycin. Arch Ophthalmol 1996;114:943-949.
6. Greenfield DS, Miller MP, Suñer IJ, Palmberg PF. Needle elevation of the scleral flap for failing filtration blebs after trabeculectomy with mitomycin C. Am J Ophthalmol 1996;122:195-204.
7. Suñer IJ, Greenfield DS, Miller MP, Palmberg PF. Hypotony maculopathy following filtration surgery with mitomycin C. Ophthalmology 1997;104:207-215.
8. Suñer IJ, González C. Congenital absence of meibomian glands in the Setleis forceps marks syndrome. J Ped Ophthalmol & Strabismus 1997;34:378-380.
9. Suñer IJ, Meldrum ML, Johnson TE, Tse DT. Necrotizing fasciitis after cosmetic blepharoplasty. Am J Ophthalmol 1999;128:367-368.
10. Espinosa-Heidmann DG, Suñer IJ, Hernandez EP, Frazier WD, Csaky KG, Cousins SW. Age as an independent risk factor for severity of experimental choroidal neovascularization. Invest Ophthal Vis Sci 2002;43:1567-1573.
11. Espinosa-Heidmann DG, Suñer IJ, Hernandez EP, Monroy D, Csaky KG, Cousins SW. Macrophage depletion diminishes lesion size and severity in experimental choroidal neovascularization. Invest Ophthal Vis Sci 2003;44(8):3586-3592.
12. Suñer IJ, Espinosa-Heidmann DG, Marin-Castaño ME, Hernandez EP, Pereira-Simon S, Cousins SW. Nicotine increases size and severity of choroidal neovascularization, Invest Ophthal Vis Sci 2004;45(1):311-317.
13. Miller DM, Espinosa-Heidmann DG, Legra J, Dubovy SR, Suñer IJ, Sedmak DD, Dix RD, Cousins SW. The association of prior cytomegalovirus infection with neovascular age-related macular degeneration, Am J Ophthalmol 2004;138:323-328.
14. Espinosa-Heidmann DG, Suñer IJ, Catanuto P, Hernandez EP, Marin-Castaño ME, Cousins SW. Cigarette smoke-related oxidants and the development of sub-RPE deposits in an experimental animal model of Dry AMD. Invest Ophthal Vis Sci 2006;27:729-737.
15. Bearelly S, Mruthyunjaya P, Tzeng JP, Suñer IJ, Shea AM, Lee JT, Kowalski JW, Curtis LH, Schulman KA, Lee PP. Identification of patients with diabetic macular edema from claims data: a validation study.Arch Ophthalmol. 2008. 126:986-989.
16. Friberg TR, Gupta A, Yu J, Huang L, Suner I, Puliafito CA, Schwartz SD. Ultrawide angle fluorescein angiographic imaging: a comparison to conventional digital acquisition systems.Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging. 2008;39:304-311. 

2.         Non-refereed journals:

1. Suñer IJ. How to prevent and manage infection. Rev Ophthalmol 2000;7:118-124.
2. Suñer IJ. Cataract extraction in the presence of diabetic retinopathy. Highlights of Ophthalmology 2003;31:11-14.
3. Suñer IJ. Diagnostic optical coherence tomography, Cataract & Refractive Surgery Today 2004;4:33-38.
4. Suñer IJ. Dynamic ultra widefield fluorescein angiography: Creating a new standard of care, Ocular Surgery News 2005 (supplement):1-15.
5. Suñer IJ. Age-related macular degeneration: a review. Federal Practitioner 2006 (suppl);23:4-8.
6. Experience using pegaptanib in clinical practice. Eye News 2006;13:S1.
7. Suñer IJ, Cousins SW. The biology of smoking and age-related macular degeneration, Rev Ophthalmol 2006 13:87-90.
8. Suñer IJ. Surgeons and patients benefit from 25-gauge vitrectomy surgery, Retina Times 2006 24:42.

3. Books/Monographs/Chapters in Books:

          Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee Technology Assessment and Presentation
          Measuring Quality of Life for Patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration

4. Other:

Thesis Work:

1. Suñer IJ. Studies in the purification of and the precocious induction of synthesis of juvenile hormone esterase in the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta. Honors thesis for Bachelor of Arts Degree, Department of Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 1988.
2. Suñer IJ. Influences of the lateral geniculate nucleus in the specification of primary visual cortex in Macaca mulatta. Doctoral thesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 1992.

Professional awards and special recognitions:

National Merit Scholar - 1984
Presidential Scholar - 1984
Harvard College Scholarship - 1985-1988
Bachelor of Arts, Magna cum laude, Harvard University - 1988
US Air Force Health Professions Scholarship, Yale School of Medicine - 1988-1992
Distinguished Graduate, US Air Force Officer Training School - 1996
Instructor of the Year, U.S. Air Force Physicians Assistant Training Program,
Scott Air Force Base Medical Center, Scott AFB, IL - 1999     
Meritorious Service Medal, United States Air Force - 2000
Honorable Discharge, United States Air Force - 2000
Physician Nominee, Federal Employee of the Year, Miami VAMC - 2000
Professor of the Year, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami
School of Medicine, Miami, FL - 2000-2001
First-Year Resident Teaching Award, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute,
University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL - 2001-2002
Physician Nominee, Federal Employee of the Year, Miami VAMC - 2004
Edward L. Ross Foundation Award for Macular Degeneration and Low
Vision Care - 2005
Professor of the Year, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami
School of Medicine, Miami, Fl - 2004-2005
Performance Award, Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC - 2005-2006
Performance Award, Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC - 2006-2007
Professor of the Year, Duke Eye Center, Duke University School of Medicine - 2006-2007
Professor of the Year, Duke Eye Center, Duke University School of Medicine - 2007-2008
Honor Award, American Society of Retina Specialists - 2008

Scientific Presentations at National and International Meetings

1. “Thermal injury during phacoemulsification,” American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA, 1993
2. “Hypotony maculopathy following filtering surgery with mitomycin C: incidence and treatment,” American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA, 1995
3. “Recurrent opacification after YAG capsulotomy in retinitis pigmentosa patients,” American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA, 1996
4. “Digital Imaging for Screening of Diabetic Retinopathy in U.S. Air Force: Experience with a Pilot Program,” U. S. Air Force Epidemiology Task Force, Brooks Air Force Base, TX, 2000
5. “Central Serous Retinopathy Following LASIK,” American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, 2001
6. “Nicotine Increases Severity and Size of Choroidal Neovascularization in a Mouse Model,”Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 2002
7. “Verteporfin Therapy with Delayed Light Application of Occult Choroidal Neovascularization in Age-Related Macular Degeneration,” Combined Retina Society and Vitreous Society Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA, 2002
8. “Nicotine Increases Severity of Choroidal Neovascularization in Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration,” Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA, 2003
9. “The Effects of Nicotine in Choroidal Neovascularization: Characterization of Nicotinic Receptors in Choroid and Reduction of Choroidal Neovascularization Size and Severity via Receptor Blockade,” Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 2003
10. “Nicotine increases size and severity of experimental choroidal neovascularization,” American Society of Retina Specialists Annual Meeting, New York, NY, 2003
11. “Nicotine Worsens Choroidal Neovascularization,” American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Anaheim, CA, 2003
12. “Cigarette smoke-related oxidants and the development of sub-RPE deposits in an experimental mouse model for Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration,” Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, May, 2004
13. “Nicotine worsens neovascular macular degeneration,” XIIIth International Vascular Biology Meeting, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, June, 2004
14. “Ultra-widefield angiography in the diagnosis and management of peripheral nonperfusion in diabetic retinopathy,” American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA, October, 2004
15. “25-gauge vitrectomy to deepen anterior chamber before cataract surgery in highly hyperopic patients,” American Society for Cataract and Refractive Surgery Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C., April, 2005
16. “Cigarette smoke increases severity of experimental choroidal neovascularization (CNV): role of inflammation,” Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, May 2005
17. “Ultrawide-field angiography: The association of severe peripheral retinal nonperfusion with diabetic macular edema,” 18th Congress of German Ophthalmic Surgeons, Nurenberg, Germany, June 2005
18. “The role of smoking and inflammation in choroidal neovascularization,” Retina Society Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, September 2005
19.  “Cigarette smoke and nicotine both increase recruitment of activated macrophages in early choroidal neovascularization,” Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, May 2006
20. “Relative systemic safety of differing therapies for neovascular AMD,” American Society of Retina Specialists Annual Meeting, Cannes, France, September 2006
21. “Vision-related quality of life through 12 months in predominantly classic neovascular AMD: an analysis of ANCHOR: a Phase III randomized trial of ranibizumab and verteporfin PDT,” Retina Society Annual Meeting, Cape Town, South Africa, October 2006
22. “Safety of Pegaptanib Sodium in AMD: Three-Year Results of the VISION Trial,” American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Las Vegas, NV, October 2006
23. “Vision-related function after ranibizumab treatment by better- or worse-seeing eye: 24-month results from MARINA,” Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, May 2007
24. “Diabetic macular edema secondary to peripheral nonperfusion: a new etiology visualized by ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography and a novel treatment strategy,” DOG Congress, Berlin, Germany, September 2007
25. “The relationship between the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25) and performance-based tests,” Retina Society Annual Meeting, Boston, MA, September 2007
26. “Improvements in Patient-Reported National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (VFQ-25) Following Treatment With Ranibizumab in Neovascular AMD Patients,” American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA, November 2007
27. “Severe Vitritis/Sterile Endophthalmitis Associated With Intravitreous Injection of Bevacizumab,” American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA, November 2007
28. “Relationship of Visual Acuity and NEI-VFQ-25 Visual Function in Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration,” Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, April 2008
29. “Ultra-widefield angiography in the diagnosis of diabetic macular edema secondary to peripheral nonperfusion: clinical characteristics and a novel treatment strategy,” Canadian Ophthalmologic Society Annual Meeting, Whistler, BC, Canada, June 2008
30. “Driving is associated with less vision-related dependency in neovascular AMD patients,” Retina Society Annual Meeting, Scottsdale, AZ, September 2008

Invited Lectureships/Symposia and course participation

1. “Phacoemulsification course for residents in Ophthalmology,” Instructional Course, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA, 1996
2. “Breakfast with the Masters: Visudyne Therapy,” Breakfast Course, Vitreous Society Annual Meeting, Las Croabas, PR, 2001
3. “Diabetic retinopathy and cataract surgery,” 24th Annual Interamerican Course, Miami, FL 2002
4. “Clinical trials in Age-Related Macular Degeneration,” Bascom Palmer Vitreoretinal Course, Miami, FL, 2003
5. “Uveitis and endophthalmitis,” Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology Northeast Regional Educational Program, New York, NY, 2003
6. “Pharmacotherapy in Age-related Macular Degeneration,” Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology Annual Subspecialty Symposium (Retina) Anaheim, CA, 2003
7. “Cystoid Macular Edema,” 25th Annual Interamerican Course, Miami, FL 2003
8. “Diabetic Macular Edema and Cystoid Macular Edema after Cataract Surgery,” American Osteopathic College of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Miami, FL 2004
9. “Optical coherence tomography in preoperative and postoperative management of cataract surgery patients,” Carl Zeiss OCT Symposium, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, April, 2004
10. “Ultra-widefield angiography in the management of peripheral retinal vascular diseases,” Ultra-widefield retinal imaging CME Symposium, Annual Meeting of American Academy of Ophthalmology, New Orleans, LA, October, 2004
11. “A practical approach to ocular trauma,” Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA,  October, 2004
12. “25-gauge vitrectomy in the management of uveitis,” Uveitis for the Other Subspecialist Meeting at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, FL, February, 2005
13. “Clearing the smoke on macular degeneration: nicotine in wet macular degeneration,” 33rd Annual Aspen Retinal Detachment Society Meeting, Aspen, CO, March 2005
14. “Ultrawide-field angiography: The association of severe peripheral retinal nonperfusion with diabetic macular edema,” 33rd Annual Aspen Retinal Detachment Society Meeting, Aspen, CO, March 2005
15. “Cigarette smoking and wet age-related macular degeneration,” ARVO Minisymposium on smoking and age-related macular degeneration, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, May, 2005
16. “25-gauge vitrectomy in phacoemulsification surgery:  management of shallow anterior chamber and vitreous loss” Invited speaker at Puerto Rico Society of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Rio Grande, PR, May 2005
17. “Transitioning to 25-gauge vitrectomy for the retina surgeon” Invited speaker at Puerto Rico Society of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Rio Grande, PR, May 2005
18. “The electronic medical record in the Veterans Affairs Medical System,” Special Symposium on VA Eye Care, American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, October 2005
19. “A practical approach to ocular trauma,” Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL,  October, 2005
20. “Vitrectomy for the anterior segment surgeon,” course and wet lab at American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, October 2005
21. “Ultra-widefield angiography in diagnosis and management of diabetic macular edema,” Duke Advanced Vitreoretinal Surgery Course, Durham, NC, April 2006
22. “Smoking and age-related macular degeneration,” Duke Advanced Vitreoretinal Surgery Course, Durham, NC, April 2006
23. “Transitioning to 25-gauge vitrectomy for the retinal surgeon” Duke Advanced Vitreoretinal Surgery Course, Durham, NC, April 2006
24. “VEGF Inhibition: A new treatment paradigm for all forms of wet AMD,” Keynote address, Nordic Ophthalmic Congress, Copenhagen, Denmark, June 2006
25. “The electronic medical record in the Veterans Affairs Medical System,” Special Symposium on VA Eye Care, American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Las Vegas, NV, November 2006
26. “A practical approach to ocular trauma,” Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Las Vegas, NV,  November, 2006
27. “Vitrectomy for the anterior segment surgeon,” course and wet lab at American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Las Vegas, NV, November 2006
28.  “The critical role of the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in resident training,” Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Indian Wells, CA, February 2007
29. “Smoking and age-related macular degeneration,” Raymond C. Cook Visiting Professor, Jones Eye Institute, University of Arkansas, March 2007
30. “Pegaptanib in management of neovascular age-related macular degeneration,” Valencia Society of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Valencia, Spain, March 2007
31. “Nicotine in age-related macular degeneration,” Visiting Professor Lecture commemorating retirement of Caleb Gonzalez, Yale Eye Center, New Haven, CT, May 2007
32. “Diabetic retinopathy: a new look at an old foe. New diagnostic and therapeutic approaches,” Combined Annual Meeting of the North Carolina Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons and the South Carolina Society of Ophthalmology, Asheville, NC, September 2007
33. “Optical coherence tomography for the anterior segment surgeon: why you can’t afford to be without it.  A case-oriented approach,” Combined Annual Meeting of the North Carolina Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons and the South Carolina Society of Ophthalmology, Asheville, NC, September 2007
34. “Vitrectomy for the anterior segment surgeon,” course and wet lab at American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA, November 2007
35. “A practical approach to ocular trauma,” Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA, November, 2007
36. “Selective Anti-VEGF Therapy Pegaptanib for all stages of Neovascular AMD,” Invited Speaker, Spanish Vitreoretinal Society Annual Meeting, Zaragoza, Spain, March 2008
37. “Selective Anti-VEGF Therapy Pegaptanib for all stages of Neovascular AMD,” Invited Speaker, Japanese Ophthalmological Society Annual Meeting, Yokohama, Japan, April 2008
38. “Ultra-widefield angiography in diagnosis and management of diabetic macular edema,” Duke Advanced Vitreoretinal Surgery Course, Durham, NC, April 2008
39. “Smoking and age-related macular degeneration,” Duke Advanced Vitreoretinal Surgery Course, Durham, NC, April 2008
40. “Advances in 25-gauge vitrectomy for the retinal surgeon” Duke Advanced Vitreoretinal Surgery Course, Durham, NC, April 2008
41. “Ultra-widefield angiography in the evaluation and treatment of diabetic macular edema,” Retinal Physician Symposium, Naples, FL, May 2008

Organizations and Participation:

1. American Academy of Ophthalmology, Fellow                             1993 – present

2. American Board of Ophthalmology, Oral Board Examiner             2007 - present

3. American Board of Ophth, Maintenance of Certification Committee 2007 - present               

4. The Retina Society, Member                                                           2006 - present

5. American Society of Retina Specialists, Member                           2002 – present                 

6. American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Member     2004 – present

7. Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Member  2001 - present                 

8. Association of Veterans Affairs Ophthalmologists, Member       2001 - present      
   Secretary-Treasurer                                                                  2002 - 2004                              Vice-President                                                                           2004 – 2006
   President                                                                                   2006 – 2008     

Editorial Experience:

Editorial Board
Federal Practitioner
Ophthalmology Practice Options

Scientific Reviewer
American Journal of Ophthalmology
British Journal of Ophthalmology
Diabetes Care, American Diabetes Association Journal
European Journal of Ophthalmology
Federal Practitioner
Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science
Ophthalmic Surgery and Lasers
Ophthalmology
Retina
Veterans Affairs Ophthalmology Association Newsletter

Teaching Responsibilities Including Continuing Education:

Duke Eye Center-Duke University School of Medicine (2005-present)
I. Retina Fellows:
    1. Two days/wk clinic
    2. 1.5 days/wk surgery

II. Ophthalmology Residents:
    1. First-year resident rotations – 20 weeks
    Introduction to OR, laser surgery, clinic supervision
    2. Second-year resident rotations - 10 weeks
    Cataract Surgery (OR cases 1 day/wk)
    3. Third-year residents – 10 wks
    Advanced Surgical Cases including Vitreoretinal (OR 1 day/wk)

III. Medical students:
    1. Second Year and Fourth Year Medical Student Rotation
    Clinical exam/diagnosis, surgical assisting

Bascom Palmer Eye Institute-University of Miami School of Medicine (2000-2005)
I. Retina Fellows:
    1. One day/wk clinic
    2. One day/wk surgery

II. Ophthalmology Residents:
    1. First-year resident rotations – 12 weeks
    Introduction to OR, laser surgery, clinic supervision
    2. Second-year residents - 6 weeks
    Cataract Surgery (OR cases 4 days/wk)
    3. Third-year residents – 6 wks
    Advanced Surgical Cases including Vitreoretinal (OR 3 days/wk)

III. Medical students:
    2. Third Year and Fourth Year Medical Student Rotation
    Clinical exam/diagnosis, surgical assisting, surgery on bank eyes

    3. Medical student lecture series (monthly)
    Age-related macular degeneration

Areas of Research Interest (basic and applied) - list:

Age-related macular degeneration: cigarette smoking, hypertension, inflammation
Optical coherence tomography in evaluation of pre- and post-op cataract patients
Ultra-widefield angiography scanning laser ophthalmoscopy in retinal vascular disease
Digital imaging techniques and technologies for diabetic retinopathy screening
Ophthalmic surgical teaching techniques

External Support (past and present) - Gifts, Grants, and Contracts:

10/02-9/05  Cigarette Smoking in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Veterans Affairs Medical Research Merit Review Grant
Principal Investigator: Ivan J. Suñer, M.D.
Percent Effort: 20%
Total Costs: $515,000

07/04-06/07  Cigarette Smoking and Macrophage Activation in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration
        Flight Attendants Medical Research Institute Grant
        Co-Investigator: Ivan J. Suñer, M.D.
        Principal Investigator: Scott W. Cousins, M.D.
        Percent Effort: 10%
        Total Costs: $430,000

07/03-6/05  ANCHOR Trial: Lucentis (Anti-VEGF) in Predominantly Classic Choroidal Neovascularization Secondary to Age-related Macular Degeneration
        Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, United States
        Co-Investigator: Ivan J. Suñer, M.D.
        Principal Investigator: Scott W. Cousins, M.D.
       
07/03-6/05  MARINA Trial: Lucentis (Anti-VEGF) in Minimally Classic Choroidal Neovascularization Secondary to Age-related Macular Degeneration
        Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, United States
        Co-Investigator: Ivan J. Suñer, M.D.
        Principal Investigator: Scott W. Cousins, M.D

07/06-6/08  Nicotinic Receptors in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration
International Retinal Research Foundation Grant
Principal Investigator: Ivan J. Suñer, M.D.
Percent Effort: 20%
Total Costs: $100,000

11/05-present Fluocinolone Acetonide Intravitreal Insert in Diabetic Macular Edema
        Alimera Sciences, Alpharetta, Georgia, United States
        Co-Investigator, Injecting Physician

11/05-present Posurdex in Retinal Vein Occlusion
        Allergan, Irvine, CA, United States
        Co-Investigator, Injecting Physician

11/05-present SAILOR trial for Choroidal Neovascularization Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration (FVF368g)
        Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, United States
        Co-Investigator: Ivan J. Suñer, M.D.
        Principal Investigator: Sharon Fekrat, M.D

11/05-present Anecortave Acetate Risk Reduction Trial
        Alcon Labs, Dallas, TX, United States
        Co-Investigator: Ivan J. Suñer, M.D.
        Principal Investigator: Sharon Fekrat, M.D

11/05-present Age-Related Eye Disease Study II
        National Eye Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States
        Co-Investigator: Ivan J. Suñer, M.D.
        Principal Investigator: Scott W. Cousins, M.D

02/08-present  Ultra-widefield Angiography with Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscopy in Classification of Diabetic Macular Edema
        Optos, plc, Scotland, United Kingdom
        Principal Investigator: Ivan J. Suñer, M.D.

02/08-present  Ranibizumab and Scatter Laser in Diabetic Macular Edema Secondary to Peripheral Ischemia (RaScaL Trial)
        Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, United States
        Optos, plc, Scotland, United Kingdom
        Principal Investigator: Ivan J. Suñer, M.D.

Clinical activity - type of practice and estimate of time commitment:

Chief of Ophthalm and Associate Chief of Surgery, Durham VAMC – 25 hours/week
Basic Science and Clinical Research – 10 hours/week
Duke University Vitreoretinal Practice 15 hours/week

Participation in academic and administrative activities of the University and Medical Center:

University Medical Center
7/05 – pres Member, Dean’s Committee (DUMC-DVAMC Affiliation)
7/07- pres Member, Medical School Admissions Committee

Physicians Diagnostic Clinic
8/05 – 10/05 Member, Maternity-Paternity-Adoption Policy Committee

University of Department of Ophthalmology
7/05 – pres Preceptor, Retina Fellowship, Durham VAMC and Duke Eye Center
7/05 – pres Preceptor, Ophthalmology Residency, Durham VAMC and Duke Eye Center
7/05 – pres Member, Ophthalmology Residency Selection Committee
7/05 – pres Member, Retina Fellowship Selection Committee
7/05 – pres Member, Neuro-Ophthalmology Search Committee
7/05 – pres Member, VA-Glaucoma Search Committee

Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center
7/05 – pres Chief of Ophthalmology
7/05 – pres Associate Chief of Surgery
7/05 – pres Member, Medical Records Committee
7/05 – pres Chair, Laser Safety Committee