Genetic Disease Investigators Advisory Board

Dr. Callanan has over 30 years of experience in Ophthalmology research & development. After receiving his MD at the University of Iowa College of Medicine, he accepted an Internal Medicine residency and ophthalmology residency at Parkland Memorial Hospital UT-Southwestern. He was a Heed Ophthalmic Foundation Fellow at the prestigious Eye Institute in US, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, Florida. He completed fellowships in Medical Retina with legendary Dr. J. Donald M. Gass and Vtreoretinal surgery with the Bascom Palmer faculty. He also received additional training in uveitis with Dr. Robert Nussenblatt at the National Eye Institute in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Callanan joined Texas Retina Associates in 1993 and was appointed to the faculty at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School the same year.

A respected leader in his field, Dr. Callanan has actively conducted clinical research throughout his career and has played an instrumental role in many ophthalmic global drug approvals including Lucentis and Eylea, and Ozurdex. He received a National Research Service Award from the National Eye Institute in 1985. His areas of focus include Vitreoretinal Surgery, Medical Retina, and Uveitis. He is passionate about improving care for patients with retina conditions and diseases, and he led global retina clinical trials focused on potential new treatments for macular edema, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinal vein occlusion and uveitis.

Dr. Callanan is a clinical professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at UT Southwestern Medical Center and also serves on the board of directors of the Retina Foundation of the Southwest. A member of numerous medical societies, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology, The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, The Macula Society, The American Uveitis Society, and the American Society of Retina Specialists, among others.

Dr. Callanan has authored over 60 peer reviewed articles and several book chapters and has also presented at multiple national and international conferences focusing on ophthalmic clinical research and novel therapeutics. He has received the American Academy’s Achievement Award and was selected as one of the Best Doctors in America starting in 2001 up to the present. He has been elected to several prestigious groups including the Macula Society and the Club Jules Gonin.

Jesse Nord is a founding partner of The Nord Group LLP, a transactional entertainment law firm located in Los Angeles, California. The firm’s practice centers on the representation of individual writers, actors, directors, producers, and rights holders in their negotiations with studios and financiers.

Jesse is a zealous advocate for her clients, fiercely guarding their interests and ensuring they obtain the maximum value for their services and intellectual property. She obtained her J.D. from Pepperdine University School of Law and her B.A. in Philosophy from the University of Southern California.

As a patient of POTS Care, PLLC who has benefited from the support of TJ Nutrition products, Jesse has a personal connection to the work of TJ Nutrition.

Dr. Gayle Karanges has over 30 years of clinical practice with extensive medical, diagnostic, and therapeutic experience in eye disease. She is a clinical field director for MyEyeDoctor, responsible for over 50 locations for Capital Vision services in the Dallas and Houston areas. Dr. Karanges coaches and mentors over 50 optometrists to help them grow their clinical practices. She is a therapeutic and glaucoma specialist with expertise in practice management and the financial analysis of optometric practices.

Dr. Karanges is a graduate of the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science and a Doctorate in optometry. She is also a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington, with a biology major. 

Dr. Karanges is a member of the American Optometric Association and the Texas Optometric Association. She served as an adjunct preceptor for Salus University, College of Optometry and participated in clinical research for Alcon Laboratories, conducting research for FDA clearance of contact lens solutions and products. Dr. Karanges was a shareholder, board member and past president for First Eyecare, a group of independent optometrists who lead, manage and consult for all aspects of the business of optometric practices. 

Dr. Karanges is an Advisory Member for MyndVr, a health and wellness company focused on improving the lives of the aging population. She acts as a business consultant and expert in the medical application of virtual reality therapy.