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| Sridhar Karne |
Sridhar Karne, a third-year medical student at the Whiddon College of Medicine, has been selected for the Emory Global Ophthalmology Research Fellowship. This highly competitive opportunity will allow him to advance research and gain hands-on experience in expanding access to eye care in underserved communities worldwide.
Karne’s passion for ophthalmology began during college while traveling with his ophthalmologist, Heather Estopinal, M.D., to Migori, Kenya, through Kenya Relief, a nonprofit group based in Cullman, Alabama, that delivers life-changing healthcare. In just four days, their team provided care to more than 500 patients lacking basic eye health services.
“When I traveled to Migori, I was reminded of our home village and the disparities in overall healthcare that exist in this world,” Karne said. “This disparity touches me personally as I receive annual eye care and I am aware of the privilege that I have had growing up with access that members of my close family do not necessarily have back in India.”
Locally, Karne has gained extensive clinical exposure in ophthalmology through Premier Medical Eye Group in Mobile, shadowing mentors including Mark Douglas, M.D., and Christopher Semple, M.D.
“I am extremely thankful for their support and mentorship throughout my medical school experience,” Karne said.
In addition to the Emory fellowship, Karne was awarded the U.S. Fulbright-Nehru Research Grant in India. With a strong interest in global health and health systems improvement, Karne applied for the Fulbright grant to study models that increase access to eye care and reduce preventable blindness in India.Bri Ard, Ph.D., executive director of global engagement at the University of South Alabama, provided critical mentorship throughout the year-long application process.
“I am humbled to have received the Fulbright award,” Karne said, “but I am also greatly honored and will be partaking in the Emory Global Ophthalmology Research Fellowship to work under my mentor, Jacquelyn O’Banion, M.D., M.Sc., who is the Director of Global Ophthalmology at Emory University.”
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Sridhar Karne, left, cares for a patient in Kenya. |
“My future plans are to further understand the delivery of health care and systems that can improve resource-limited areas. Specifically, with my interest in eye care, access is still a large issue here in the United States as well,” Karne said. “There are many reasons for this, but if we can identify specific limitations in regions that are disproportionately affected by preventable conditions such as preventable blindness, then we can develop tailored models to address and improve the health of our local communities.”
The Emory Global Ophthalmology Research Fellowship Program improves medical training, service capacity, and vision care for under-resourced populations in Georgia and around the world. The collaboration gives Emory-trained ophthalmologists new insights into the delivery of care to diverse population groups.
In partnership with more than 140 countries worldwide, the Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers unparalleled opportunities in all academic disciplines to passionate and accomplished graduating college seniors, graduate students, and young professionals from all backgrounds. Program participants pursue graduate study, conduct research, or teach English abroad.
