A Visionary Team

The Executive leadership team of Nova Eye brings exceptional knowledge and experience in manufacturing, precision engineering, IP, commerce, market development and ophthalmology. They excel in their diverse expertise and fields of knowledge, but together share a singular ambition: to enhance treatment options, and surgical efficacy and capability, in the treatment of glaucoma.

Executive Team

Tom Spurling
Chief Executive Officer

Tom joined Nova Eye Medical in 2020. Prior to Nova Eye Medical, Tom served as the Chief Executive Officer of Ellex Medical from 2011 to 2019. Tom has close to 30 years of senior executive experience across a range of management and advisory roles in Australia and the United States, including Non-Executive Director at Sparc Technologies Ltd., Non-Executive Director at Autodom Ltd. and Managing Director & General Manager at Tenix Lads Corp. Pty Ltd. His experience includes listed company equity capital markets in Australia and the USA, sales management, customer relationship management (both private business and Australian, US and other governments) and financial reporting. Tom is a member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Adelaide, Australia.

Kate Hunt
Chief Commercial Officer

Kate joined Nova Eye Medical in 2020. She started in ophthalmology in 2001 with Ellex Medical and has extensive experience across consumable devices and surgical capital equipment, covering both B2B and B2C environments. During her time in the ophthalmic space Kate has directed marketing and sales strategies to support various initiatives, including company acquisitions and new product launch. In addition to directing the Company’s various commercial programs in both existing and emerging markets, Kate is responsible for our clinical study program (both company-sponsored and investigator-initiated), market access and business development. Kate holds a Bachelor of Commerce from The University of Adelaide, Australia, and a Bachelor of Economics from The University of Adelaide, Australia.

Joe Bankovich
President, Global Sales

Joe joined Nova Eye Medical in 2020. His career in ophthalmology dates back to 2001, over which time he has held numerous roles with Allergan and Abbott Medical Optics covering both consumable devices and surgical capital equipment. Joe is a strong advocate for best-in-class surgical training, having previously developed and implemented the Abbott Teaching Institution Program in the U.S. and Canada. He also brings solid, first-hand experience in the minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) market, having aunched the XEN MIGS Gel Stent into the U.S. market. Joe holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and Management from Pennwest California, USA, and a Master of Science from Oakland City University, USA. He is a member of the American Glaucoma Society (AGS) Foundation Advisory Board.

Medical Advisory Board

Our Medical Advisory Board consists of surgeons of the highest calibre who advise us at each point in research, product development, marketing and clinical – extending well beyond the touchpoints mandated by legislation and standards.

Analisa Arosemena

Analisa Arosemena, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist specialising in glaucoma and cornea, currently in practice in Miami, Florida. She has performed more than 30,000 cases of glaucoma, cornea and complex cataract surgeries and is a sought-after referral doctor for complicated and challenging cases. Always at the forefront of innovation, Dr. Arosemena was an early adopter of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) and has lectured extensively on this topic in the United States and internationally. Her relentless pursuit of excellence and unwavering dedication to patients set her apart as a leader in the ophthalmology community. 

Arsham Sheybani

Arsham Sheybani, MD, PhD, is Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis. Specializing in glaucoma and complex anterior segment surgery, he is involved in numerous glaucoma-themed research projects. Dr. Sheybani is an avid surgical teacher and lectures nationally and internationally on novel glaucoma surgeries and complex surgical cases. He is actively involved in the YoungMD program, which connects trainees with mentors, and is a member of the Glaucoma Today Editorial Board and program chair of the Interventional Glaucoma Consortium (IGC).

David Lubeck

David Lubeck, MD, is a founder and world-renowned practicing surgeon at Arbor Centers for EyeCare, specializing in cataract, cornea and refractive surgery. In addition to a busy clinical practice, he is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Illinois, Chicago, and lectures regularly. Dr. Lubeck has developed curricula that have been integrated into surgical teaching programs across the USA and internationally and has hosted and participated in live surgery programs in China, India, Vietnam, Korea, Australia, the Philippines, and the USA.

Davinder S. Grover

Davinder S. Grover, MD, MPH, is an attending surgeon and clinician at Glaucoma Associates of Texas, Dallas. His surgical interests include minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), complex glaucoma, cataract and anterior segment surgeries, as well as clinical research outcomes in medical and surgical glaucoma. He has helped develop several innovative surgical techniques and has designed several novel surgical instruments and devices. He has authored more than 40 peer-reviewed articles and more than 10 book chapters and has lectured around the world on glaucoma and innovative glaucoma surgeries. Dr. Grover serves on the Board of Directors for the Cure Glaucoma Foundation, is a Diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology and a member of the Glaucoma Today Editorial Board.

Ike Ahmed

Ike Ahmed, MD, FRCSC, is Professor of Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah, and Director of the Glaucoma & Advanced Anterior Segment Surgery (GAASS) Fellowship and Research Director at the Kensington Eye Institute, University of Toronto. He is also the Division Head, Ophthalmology, at Trillium Health Partners, Mississauga, Ontario. Recognized as one of the most experienced complex eye surgeons in the world, Dr. Ahmed has a keen interest in the development of advanced microsurgical devices and techniques in glaucoma surgery and complicated cataract extraction. He currently serves as Director, Alan S. Crandall Center for Glaucoma Innovation, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, and Chief Innovation Officer, Prism Eye Institute. Dr. Ahmed has published over 100 peer-reviewed papers, as well as numerous book chapters. He has given over 750 scientific presentations, including 31 visiting professor’s lectures around the world. He is also Chief Medical Editor at Glaucoma Today.

I. Paul Singh

Inder Paul Singh, MD, is a fellowship trained glaucoma surgeon and President of The Eye Centers of Racine & Kenosha. He also serves as Clinical Professor at The Chicago Medical School. Throughout his ophthalmology career, Dr. Singh has been involved in cutting-edge clinical research and has published papers in several ophthalmology journals. He maintains a full-time research facility and is currently involved in industry sponsored and independent research in glaucoma, cataract, ocular surface disease, as well as retina. He has a strong passion for new technology and was the first surgeon in Wisconsin to perform many of the minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS).

Joseph F. Panarelli

Joseph F. Panarelli, MD is Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the New York University Grossman School of Medicine, specializing in the treatment of adult and pediatric glaucoma. He is also chief in the Division of Glaucoma Services and director of the Glaucoma Fellowship at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai. Dr. Panarelli is the recipient of several awards, including the Mentoring for Advancement of Physician-Scientist Award from the American Glaucoma Society. He has published extensively in his field and is a principal investigator for numerous studies pertaining to the surgical management of glaucoma. Dr. Panarelli’s research interests stem from his passion for innovative surgical approaches and primarily include development of surgical devices and techniques. 

Mahmoud A. Khaimi

Mahmoud A. Khaimi, MD, is the founder and president of Glaucoma Surgeons of Oklahoma, a center for excellence for the treatment of glaucoma and cataracts. Specializing in glaucoma and premium cataract surgery, he is considered a world authority in canaloplasty and performed the world’s first ab interno canaloplasty procedure in 2013. In 2023 Dr. Khaimi was awarded 405 magazine’s Healthcare Innovator of the Year for his pioneering work in the development Nova Eye’s iTrack™ Advance canaloplasty device. Previously, Dr. Khaimi was clinical professor at the Dean McGee Eye Institute, University of Oklahoma from 2007 to 2024. During his time at Dean McGee, Dr. Khaimi held the prestigious James P. Luton, MD Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology Award, and was the Glaucoma Fellowship Director as well as the Director of Glaucoma Services. Dr. Khaimi transitioned to private practice and founded Glaucoma Surgeons of Oklahoma in 2024.

Mark J. Gallardo

Mark Gallardo, MD, is a fellowship-trained glaucoma specialist in private practice at El Paso Eye Surgeons, Texas. In addition to his clinical practice, he has faculty appointments at The University of Texas Health Sciences Center in San Antonio, Texas Tech University School of Medicine in Lubbock, and the Paul. L. Foster Texas Tech School of Medicine in El Paso. He is also the President of the Texas Ophthalmology Association. Dr. Gallardo is recognized globally for his pioneering work in minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) and his practice has been formally designated a Center of Excellence for MIGS (one of only two in the USA). He is widely published in the peer-reviewed literature and is the principal investigator for multiple ongoing clinical trials in the fields of cataract and glaucoma surgery.

Morgan Micheletti

Morgan Micheletti, MD, FACS is a board-certified ophthalmologist, partner, director of research, and fellowship director at Berkeley Eye Center. He has performed over 10,000 surgeries and specializes in cataract, vision-correction, microinvasive glaucoma, and complex anterior segment surgery. He is a medical advisor to numerous companies and serves on the board of directors for the Society of Excellence in Eyecare. A serial inventor with six patent-pending surgical devices, he pioneered two surgical techniques and created an AI-driven nomogram for ICL sizing. He has hundreds of publications and lectures, has served as an investigator in nearly 20 clinical trials, and was named to the 40-under-40 ophthalmologists list. Dr. Micheletti also hosts The History of Eyecare podcast series.

Oluwatosin “Tosin” U. Smith

Oluwatosin Tosin” U. Smith, MD, is a fellowship-trained glaucoma specialist at the Glaucoma Associates of Texas in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Smith also serves as Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at UT Southwestern Medical Center and is on the Board of Directors for the Glaucoma Research Foundation. Dr. Smith has many clinical, surgical, and research interests in the management of glaucoma and cataracts, with special interest in the surgical management of childhood glaucoma. Dr. Smith has presented numerous paper and publications at various academic meetings, served on numerous advisory boards and is a member of multiple professional societies. Dr. Smith has an avid interest in medical missions and global outreach and currently manages the Cure Glaucoma Fund, a nonprofit organization at Glaucoma Associate of Texas. She is also on the board of Hospitals for Humanity and is a physician volunteer at the Child Vision Center in Fort Worth. 

Rachel Gartell Simpson

Rachel Gartell Simpson, MD is an ophthalmologist and Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah. Serving as the Vice Chair of Education at the John A. Moran Eye Center, Dr. Simpson oversees and directs the John A. Moran Eye Center residency program, which is one of the nation’s most highly regarded residency programs. Dr. Simpson’s passion for education and mentorship continues with her participation in the YoungMD program, which is committed to connecting trainees with mentors. She is also a program chair of the Interventional Glaucoma Consortium, an annual glaucoma thinktank which convenes the nation’s leading glaucoma specialists, and Diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology. Dr. Simpson’s pragmatic approach, high energy, empathy and fantastic wit make her a much-loved member of Nova Eye’s Medical Advisory Board.

Robert J. Noecker

Robert J. Noecker, MD, MBA is a fellowship-trained glaucoma specialist at Ophthalmic Consultants of Connecticut specializing in the medical, laser and surgical management of glaucoma and cataracts. Dr. Noecker is also Assistant Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the Yale University School of Medicine and Clinical Professor of Surgery at the Frank Netter School of Medicine, Quinnipiac University. Prior to joining Ophthalmic Consultants of Connecticut, Dr. Noecker was the Vice Chair of UPMC Eye Center, Director of the Glaucoma Service and Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Noecker has conducted over 50 clinical trials on the pharmacologic, laser and surgical treatment of glaucoma, cataracts and dry eye and has published over 100 peer-reviewed papers and has lectured in more than 40 countries.

Shamil Patel

Shamil Patel, MD, MBA, is a fellowship-trained glaucoma and cataract surgeon, specializing in medical and surgical glaucoma and modern cataract surgery methods at Eye Physicians & Surgeons of Arizona. He is widely published in the peer-reviewed literature and has lectured in the US and internationally. Dr. Patel is also the principal investigator for the MAGIC Study, which is comparing clinical outcomes between the iTrack Advance and OMNI devices for canaloplasty procedures performed outside of cataract surgery (NCT05786196).

Ticiana De Francesco

Ticiana De Francesco, MD, is a staff ophthalmologist at the Clínica de Olhos De Francesco, Brazil, and an attending surgeon at the Hospital de Olhos Leiria de Andrade and Escola Cearense de Oftalmologia, Brazil. She is also Adjunct Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology & Visual Science, at John Moran Eye Center, University of Utah. Having completed two fellowships in glaucoma at the University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Brazil and at the University of Toronto, Canada, respectively, Dr. De Francesco has amassed extensive expertise in glaucoma and complex anterior segment surgeries and has authored and published some of the key glaucoma surgical papers. She is also actively involved in the design and monitoring of major clinical trials.

William F. Wiley

William F. Wiley, MD, is a Board-Certified Ophthalmologist specializing in refractive and cataract surgery, as well as minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS). Medical Director of the Cleveland Eye Clinic, Dr. Wiley has pioneered many eye procedures in the Northeast Ohio area and was one of the first in the area to offer laser-assisted refractive cataract surgery. To date, Dr. Wiley has performed more than 50,000 cataract and refractive surgical procedures, including cataract surgery on a 1.5‑pound Golden Lion Tamarin Monkey at the Akron Zoo. Ana is the smallest mammal on record in the world known to have had cataract surgery. Dr. Wiley is the Assistant Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology, University Hospitals/​Case Western University. He is also the Chief Medical Editor for Cataract and Refractive Surgery Today (CRST).

Board of Directors

Victor Previn
Executive Chairman

Victor was appointed to the Board of Ellex Medical Lasers Limited (now Nova Eye Medical Limited) in 2001. A professional engineer with more than 30 years’ experience in the laser industry, Victor was responsible for developing and commercializing the laser technology platform that now forms the core of Ellex’s product portfolio. Under his leadership, Ellex Medical grew from a small scientific laser company in 1985 into one of the world’s leading ophthalmic laser and imaging brands, before successfully orchestrating the divestiture of the Ellex Medical brand to Lumibird Medical in 2020. Victor has more than 35 years’ experience in corporate management, intellectual property management, contract negotiation, business development and engineering throughout Asia, Europe and the USA. Victor is currently a Director of Havilah Resources Ltd (ASX:HAV).

Dan Webb
Non-executive Director

Dan was appointed a Non-Executive Director in 2022. With a career spanning over 40 years in the marketing, sale and distribution of medical devices, including ophthalmic medical devices, Dan brings a highly coveted set of skills and expertise, teamed with a strong network amongst both industry and eye surgeons in North America. Dan commenced his career with the medical laser company Coherent (now Lumenis), before establishing Coherent – AMT (now Clarion Medical Technologies or Clarion) in the 1990s to import, market, sell and distribute a range of medical devices in Canada. Dan and his partners grew Clarion revenues to approximately $100 million per year before selling the Clarion business to multinational distribution business in 2020. Dan holds a Bachelor of Science (Pharmacy) from the University of Toronto, Canada.

Mike Southard
Non-executive Director

Mike was initially appointed as an Executive Director of Nova Eye Medical during 2018 – 2019, before becoming a non-executive Director in late 2019. Mike spent 26 years with the world’s largest ophthalmology company, Alcon Laboratories, serving a number of roles including Vice President of the Global Surgical business. Prior to this, he was an Executive with Beecham Laboratories (now SmithKline Beecham), and Cooper-Vision, which was acquired by Alcon. Mike has served on Scientific Advisory Boards, Industry Advisory Councils, and importantly represented the International Markets and the Eye Surgery segment on the team that led the initial public offering of Alcon in the early 2000s. He has also served a number of consultancy roles across ophthalmology, dermatology and orthopaedics in internationally and in the U.S. Mike holds a Bachelor of Science from Oregon State University, USA, and an Executive MBA from Stanford University, USA.

Rahmon Coupe
Independent Director

Rahmon Coupe was appointed an Independent Director on in 2013. Mr Coupe is Chief Executive Officer and Director of YourAnswer International Pty Limited, a company that develops and markets interactive voice technology solutions for ecommerce and banking. Mr Coupe has more than 30 years’ experience in the areas of corporate management, intellectual property management, contract negotiation and business development and has worked across a diverse range of industries, including information technology, life sciences and public broadcasting. Rahmon has held various project and engineering management roles for government research-based organisations, including the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO). Rahmon holds an Honours Degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Adelaide, Australia.

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