Hometown: Iowa City, Iowa
Faculty mentors: Christopher Sales, MD, MPH, associate professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences, and Mark Greiner, MD, professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences, Carver College of Medicine
Degree program and anticipated graduation date: MD, 2027

Simran Sarin’s research examines cornea transplant outcomes. The cornea is the clear tissue that protects the front of the eye, much like a windshield. Corneal transplants are the most frequent organ transplant procedure performed in the U.S., but the third leading cause for a corneal transplant is a repeat procedure due to graft failure. Sarin is analyzing local and international datasets to identify factors that may contribute to transplant failure and investigating how varying transplant techniques impact patient outcomes. She is also studying how Fuchs’ corneal dystrophy, the leading reason for corneal transplants in the United States, impacts patients’ ability to drive at night.

Sarin’s goal is to become a doctor who advocates for patients through evidence-based care and rigorous research. She aims to work on a global scale to expand access to medical care.

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