Ophthalmology Residents

Medical School: Northeast Ohio Medical University

Undergraduate Institution: Youngstown State University

Bio: Sarah was born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in North Carolina. She earned her undergraduate and medical degrees in Ohio. Passionate about ophthalmology, Sarah is thrilled to train under the guidance of the exceptional faculty and staff at Mizzou. She looks forward to exploring new opportunities amid the welcoming community of Columbia, Missouri. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys golfing, outdoor activities, and cooking.

Medical School: University of Missouri - Columbia

Undergraduate Institution: St. Louis University

Bio: Alex was born and raised in Sacramento, California. He moved to Missouri to complete his undergraduate and graduate training at St. Louis University. Alex remained in Missouri to earn his MD at the University of Missouri - Columbia School of Medicine. He is so excited to continue to be a part of the Mizzou community for his residency training. In his free time, Alex enjoys cooking, golfing, hiking, and traveling, especially back to California to visit his family.

Medical School: St. Louis University School of Medicine

Undergraduate Institution: St. Louis University

Bio: Lana was raised in St. Louis, MO along with five siblings. She pursued an undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering at St. Louis University and stayed on for another four years through medical school at SLU as well. Outside of work, Lana enjoys spending time with her family, exploring specialty coffee as a hobby, and 3D printing design.

Medical School: University of Missouri - Columbia

Undergraduate Institution: University of Missouri - Columbia

Bio: Jayce was born and raised in Sedalia, MO with his two brothers. He completed a degree in Biochemistry at MU and stuck around Mizzou for Medical School. Jayce is very grateful to spend another four years as an MU tiger for residency. He is most excited about the positive culture and excellent surgical training the program offers. In Jayce's free time, he enjoys archery, hunting, and fishing with his brothers and dad, as well as watching Chief's football and playing pickleball with his friends. MIZ!

Medical School: Northeast Ohio Medical University

Undergraduate Institution: Kent State University

Bio: Carla grew up in a suburb of Cleveland and stayed in northeast Ohio for her undergraduate and medical school years where she enjoyed spending time on Lake Erie (the best Great Lake, in her opinion). In her free time, you can find her playing volleyball, Spikeball, Super Mario Bros, going swimming, and spending time with friends. She is excited to work with the fun and kind people in the ophthalmology department for her training.

Medical School: U Kansas School of Medicine- Kansas City

Undergraduate Institution: Kansas State University

Bio: Nate grew up just over the state line in Westwood, Kansas. He studied English Literature at Kansas State University before earning his MD at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Nate is a marathon runner and enjoys reading, writing, and cheering for the Kansas City Royals and Chiefs! He loves life in Columbia with his two favorite girls-his wife, Becca, and dog, Helen.

Medical School: University of Missouri- Columbia

Undergraduate Institution: St. Louis University

Bio: Ariess was born and raised in St. Louis, MO, with one brother. He completed his schooling there and then earned his MD at the University of Missouri. He is more than excited to remain at Mizzou for his residency and continue to be part of a great community and training environment! In his free time, he likes to play basketball, play video games with friends, watch Real Madrid games whenever possible, and most importantly, spend time with his amazing wife, Celeste, and their dog, Nazook.

Medical School: East Carolina University-The Brody School of Medicine

Undergraduate Institution: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Bio: Danielle was born and raised in eastern North Carolina. After receiving a degree in Environmental Studies from UNC, she earned her MD from ECU, and pursued a research fellowship in glaucoma at the University of Miami. She grew up close to the coast, loves all ocean hobbies, and enjoys drawing, particularly wildlife. She values time with her parents, two older brothers, and gray cat, Shark. She is very excited for her journey in the Midwest!

Undergraduate Institution: Texas Christian University

Medical School: University of Missouri- Columbia

Bio: Joseph grew up in Springfield, Missouri, the youngest of four siblings. He earned his JD from Pepperdine University and practiced law before returning to medical school. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his lovely wife, Abby, their young son, Alec, and two dogs. Additionally, Joseph devotes his free time to an ever-growing plethora of interests and hobbies including guitar and piano, tennis, golf, travel, cooking, and TCU Horned Frogs football.

Undergraduate Institution: University of Denver

Medical School: University of Tennessee HSC College of Medicine - Memphis

Bio: Paul Percelay grew up in Clarksville, TN with his two brothers. He headed west to Colorado for undergrad where he became involved with a group called GlobeMed and discovered his passion to become a doctor. He stayed in Denver for a gap year between college and medical school where he worked as a medical scribe and as a barista at a local coffee shop. He completed medical school at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis (Go Grizz!). He was drawn to the MU Ophthalmology program because of the people. He enjoys running, golf, basketball, scuba diving, camping, and searching for the perfect beer. He is excited to discover all that Columbia and greater Missouri has to offer!

Undergraduate Institution: Saint Louis University

Medical School: Saint Louis University School of Medicine

Bio: Jonah grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa with his older brothers Nikhil and Dylan. After 8 years of school in St. Louis, Jonah moved to Columbia with his beautiful wife, Sarah, and their tortoiseshell cat named Moose. In his free time you can find him playing golf, at the gym, playing video games, or watching the Pittsburgh Steelers!

Undergraduate Institution: Saint Louis University

Medical School: University of Missouri- Columbia

Bio: Gurpal Virdi is a Palo Alto native who graduated from Washington University in St. Louis. He received his medical degree from the University of Missouri where he is currently an ophthalmology resident. Gurpal is also the founder of Eyelabs AI through which he is developing technology products to help revolutionize eye care. In his free time, Gurpal enjoys playing golf and learning piano.

Undergraduate Institution: Murray State University

Medical School: University of Missouri - Columbia 

Bio: Josh grew up in Poplar Bluff, Missouri with his younger brother Matt. He attended undergrad at Murray State University. He returned to Missouri for medical school at Mizzou, where a highlight was traveling to Australia to present glaucoma research. Josh is excited to spend another 4 years in Columbia for ophthalmology residency. In his free time he is at the gym and learning Japanese and guitar. 

Undergraduate Institution: University of Southern California

Medical School: University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine

Internship: University of Missouri- Columbia

Bio: Mia was born in Southern California and grew up in Reno, Nevada. She has a wide range of hobbies including skiing, shellac nail art, escape rooms, and whipping up a tasty cocktail. If you ever need a friend to run errands with or have a chill movie marathon Saturday, she is your person! She has lived coast to coast in LA and NYC and is excited to see what Missouri has to offer!

Undergraduate Institution: Kent State University

Medical School: Northeast Ohio Medical University

Internship: University of Missouri

Bio: Alex grew up in Avon Lake, Ohio which is a suburb of Cleveland. Go Browns!! He is the oldest of four boys. Outside of work, Alex enjoys kiteboarding, sailing, skiing, lifting, video games and nightlife. He is excited to be in Columbia, MO and looks forward to the experiences that lie ahead! 

Undergraduate Institution: Texas A&M University 

Medical School: Texas A&M Health Science Center

Internship: University of Columbia - Missouri 

Bio: Olivia grew up in east Texas. She loves summertime at the lake with family and friends, and her favorite holiday is the 4th of July. She spends her free time tending to her numerous house plants and has been known to propagate random trimmings she finds. She has a Bernese Mountain dog named Scout who keeps her active. She is excited to be in Columbia and explore more of Missouri!