Szilárd Kiss, MD, FASRS

Szilárd Kiss, MD, FASRS, is an internationally recognized retina specialist, surgeon-scientist, and physician-executive with deep expertise in ocular gene therapy, translational medicine, clinical development, and regulatory strategy. He serves as the Bob and Dolores Hope–Robert M. Ellsworth, M.D. Distinguished Professor in Ophthalmology, Professor of Ophthalmology in Genetic Medicine, Chief of the Retina Service, Director of Research, and Associate Dean of Clinical Compliance at Weill Cornell Medicine.

Dr. Kiss has helped shape the modern retina field through academic contributions in retinal imaging, ocular gene therapy, neovascular disease, and complex vitreoretinal surgery. He has authored more than 350 publications and is known for numerous field-defining firsts, including pioneering approaches to ocular gene therapy as a long-term therapeutic delivery platform, advancing ultra-widefield retinal imaging, and developing innovative translational strategies for inherited and acquired retinal disease.

His executive experience spans clinical development, translational strategy, enterprise compliance, and board-level governance across academic medicine and biotechnology. He has advised life sciences companies on retinal therapeutic development and has helped advance ocular gene therapy programs from scientific concept toward clinical translation.

Dr. Kiss received his BA and MD from Columbia University and completed his ophthalmology residency, surgical vitreoretinal fellowship, and chief fellowship at Massachusetts Eye and Ear/Harvard Medical School. His honors include induction into the Retina Hall of Fame, recognition among the “Top 40 Under 40” worldwide by The Ophthalmologist, selection as one of the “150 Innovators in Medical and Surgical Retina,” and repeated Top Doctor and Super Doctors distinctions.