We continue our spotlight series by highlighting two more of our 2021 ICO Fellows: Dr. Anusha Venkantaraman from India and Dr. Ayub Mohammed Abbood from Iraq. These promising ophthalmologists join the ranks of the more than 1,250 ICO Fellows from 84 countries who have been awarded a prestigious and career-changing ICO Fellowship to date.
Through the ICO Fellowships Program, young ophthalmologists — mainly from settings with limited resources — are given the opportunity to enhance their subspecialty knowledge and practical skills through a placement with a top international host organization. Following completion of their placement, ICO Fellows return to their home countries equipped and ready to improve eye care by contributing to vital programs aimed at preserving vision and preventing blindness.
Anusha Venkantaraman, MD
Congratulations to Dr. Anusha Venkantaraman from India. Looking to gain knowledge and practical skills in the field of ocular oncology, she 
will train at Moorfields Eye Hospital in the UK under the supervision of Prof. Mandeep S. Sagoo.
“I’m interested in learning how to diagnose and treat various clinical conditions including retinoblastoma, uveal melanomas, identifying ocular metastasis and intra-ocular lymphomas. This Fellowship will help me acquire this additional skill set and contribute to my professional growth. I would like to implement all the knowledge that I acquire from this placement to improve care in my country through the development of an ocular oncology unit at my place of work.”
The ICO is grateful to the Dr. Rolf M. Schwiete Foundation for their generous support of this Fellowship.
Ayub Mohammed Abbood, MD
Congratulations to Dr. Ayub Mohammed Abbood from Iraq. Interested in improving his vitreo-retinal surgical skills, he will train under the 
supervision of Prof. Swapnil M. Parchand at the MGM Eye Institute in India.
“I hope to learn how to manage complicated vitreo-retinal cases effectively and efficiently so I can bring these skills back to my country to improve care and reduce the prevalence of blindness. Having this Fellowship will help me with my professional development also as I am planning to train young enthusiastic doctors who will practice these new skills in my country in the future.”
The ICO is grateful to the AIER Eye Hospital Group for their generous support of this Fellowship.
