Meet the incoming ophthalmology residents:
Annika Chang – Dr. Annika Chang was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. She attended Wake Forest University, where she earned a BA in Economics with dual minors in Spanish and Global Trade and Commerce Studies. She then completed a post-baccalaureate program at Johns Hopkins University before earning her medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh.
Owen Clinger – Dr. Owen Clinger is a native of western Pennsylvania having been born and raised in Brookville, PA. He graduated from the University of Rochester with a degree in biochemistry and then returned to Pittsburgh to pursue his medical training. His research interests include drug development and pharmacology. He also cares deeply about serving his community and neighbors through outreach initiatives to decrease barriers to eye care.
Sean Ghiam – Dr. Sean Ghiam attended the University of California, Los Angeles, where he earned his undergraduate degree in Psychobiology. He went on to receive his medical degree from the Sackler School of Medicine in Tel Aviv. His research experience includes work at Cedars-Sinai, the UCLA Stein Eye Institute, and the University of Pittsburgh, where he has contributed to peer-reviewed publications in ophthalmology. Dr. Ghiam has also participated in global health initiatives and community outreach focused on patient education and care.
Robert Porter – Dr. Robert Porter was raised near Akron, Ohio and completed his undergraduate studies at Kent State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and graduated magna cum laude. After graduation, he worked as an ophthalmic technician and scribe, an experience that introduced him to ophthalmology and shaped his commitment to patient‑centered eye care. He subsequently attended the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society and the Gold Humanism Honor Society. During medical school, he demonstrated a strong commitment to service and health equity, including co‑founding the Bearcat Eye Service, a student‑run free eye clinic dedicated to improving access to eye care for underserved communities.
Paula Sepúlveda Beltran – Dr. Paula Sepúlveda was born and raised in Neiva, Colombia, and completed her medical training at Universidad del Rosario in Bogotá. She moved to the United States to pursue a career in ophthalmology, dedicating over four years to research at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and the University of Pittsburgh. Her work reflects broad engagement across ophthalmology, spanning basic science research in infectious keratitis, leadership of grant-funded clinical research in ocular surface disease and neuropathic ocular pain, and coordination of mobile eye clinic outreach programs to expand access to vision care for underserved communities in the Pittsburgh region.
Arman Zarnegar – Dr. Arman Zarnegar is a Pittsburgh native. He attended the University of Pittsburgh for his undergraduate pre-medical studies, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2020. Dr. Zarnegar completed his medical education at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, earning his MD in 2025. In addition to his medical school coursework, he focused on clinical outreach to help provide eye care to the local Pittsburgh community and conducted research primarily focused on chorioretinal disease.