--- title: "Roche launches Leading Edge Incubator (LEI) program worldwide; global cohort of early-career ophthalmologists" sdDatePublished: "2026-08-26T16:07:00Z" source: "https://www.roche.com/stories/what-is-leading-edge-incubator-lei-how-does-it-empower-early-eyecare-careers-" topics: - name: "health care provider" identifier: "medtop:20000278" - name: "medical profession" identifier: "medtop:20000485" - name: "medical specialisation" identifier: "medtop:20000487" - name: "scientific innovation" identifier: "medtop:20000736" - name: "artificial intelligence" identifier: "medtop:20001298" locations: - "Lagos" - "Ilidža" - "Kagoshima" - "Constantine" - "Murcia" - "Córdoba" - "Barcelona" - "Lausanne" - "Tricase" - "Novara" - "Milan" - "Rovereto" - "Vienna" - "Beiyuan" - "Tunis" - "Augsburg" - "Münster" - "Cairo" - "Novi Sad" - "Ljubljana" - "Île-de-France" - "Créteil" - "Lyon" - "Nice" - "France" - "Spain" - "Japan" - "China" - "Brazil" - "Austria" - "Canada" - "Nigeria" - "Germany" - "Switzerland" --- Roche launches Leading Edge Incubator (LEI) program worldwide; global cohort of early-career ophthalmologists Roche | What is the Leading Edge Incubator (LEI) program & how does it empower emerging ophthalmology leaders? What is the Leading Edge Incubator (LEI) program & how does it empower emerging ophthalmology leaders? Part of series Ophthalmology Network At Roche, we expand what’s possible in eyecare. We created the Leading Edge Incubator (LEI) to support emerging ophthalmology leaders through peer exchange, broader perspectives, and global development relevant to the field. What does the LEI involve? The Leading Edge Incubator is an international program designed to empower early career ophthalmologists by fostering collaboration and enhancing technical and exchange skills. Within the Roche Ophthalmology Network, the LEI serves as a platform for early career ophthalmologists to move the field and their own professional goals forward. Meet the LEI Participants — Class 2026 Spain Ophthalmologist Specialism: Medical retina, uveitis, cataract surgery, & neuro-ophthalmology Hospital del Mar de Barcelona Germany Ophthalmologist Specialism: Translational retinal imaging, OCT- and autofluorescence-based biomarkers, AI-enabled imaging analysis & digital tools France Ophthalmologist Specialism: Medical and surgical retina University Hospital of Nice Italy Ophthalmologist Specialism: Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) Ophthalmology Unit, Rovereto Hospital (APSS Trento) Austria Associate Professor (Ap. Prof.) Specialism: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), application of artificial intelligence (AI) in clinical routine, and multimodal imaging biomarkers Bosnia and Herzegovina Ophthalmologist Specialism: Anterior segment pathology, with a special emphasis on cataract and oculoplastic surgery. Clinical Center University of Sarajevo Spain Vitreoretinal Surgeon and Medical Retina Specialist Specialism: Wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) and retinal surgery Reina Sofia University Hospital, Córdoba Tunisia Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology Specialism: Medical retina, advanced multimodal imaging (OCT-A), and pachychoroid spectrum Hédi Raïs Institute of Ophthalmology, Tunis Switzerland Specialist in Ophthalmology Specialism: Retinal disease biomarkers, deep learning, and ocular oncology Vista Eye Clinic (Vista Augenklinik), Zurich Italy Ophthalmologist Specialism: Innovative diagnostics and therapeutics, cataract and vitreoretinal surgery Ospedale Cardinale Giovanni Panico, Tricase Japan Ophthalmologist Specialism: Diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular ischemia, and neurodegeneration Serbia Medical Doctor and PhD Researcher Specialism: Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy and retinal microvascular disease Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Novi Sad Nigeria Ophthalmologist and Vitreo-retinal Fellow Specialism: Retinal vascular disease, cataract surgery and glaucoma Eye Foundation Hospital Group, Lagos Canada Vitreoretinal Surgeon Specialism: Value-based healthcare, vitrectomy for macular diseases, and complex anterior segment surgery Germany Founder, Medical Director and Chief Medical Officer Specialism: Innovative imaging, structure-function-correlation and AI in retinal diseases Südblick Eye Centers, Augsburg Japan Ophthalmologist and clinical researcher Specialism: Imaging Biomarkers in macular disease Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medicine Resident Specialism: Integration of patient-reported outcomes (PROMs), innovation and clinical care University Hospital Basel Surgeon Specialism: Molecular mechanisms of AMD and surgical techniques for high myopia Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University Egypt Medical Retinal Specialist Specialism: Macular disorders, diabetic macular edema, and retinal imaging Ain Shams University Hospitals, Cairo 0:00 Ophthalmology is one specialty that is very dynamic. 0:03 And that's probably the main reason why I chose this field. 0:05 I'm really excited to see what the future holds as it comes to AI. 0:10 The artificial intelligence is not only a technological revolution but a philosophical one. 0:17 In this field, nobody does it alone. 0:19 It's about sharing expertise. 0:21 Meeting different people from all walks of life, from different countries, different practices, different exposures. 0:28 If we don't have a work team, science cannot exist. 0:32 My dream is to improve the patient prognosis and expand the overall good in the world. 0:40 Get the efficiency from publication, reading, writing, publication, be as efficient as possible to really get knowledge out to the people. 0:49 If you get an opportunity to attend the incubator program with Roche, it's very important that you do. 0:55 It will change your outlook. Brasil Final-Year Ophthalmology Resident Area of Specialism: Retinal Diseases, Ocular Oncology, Macular Atrophy Hospital de Olhos do Paraná, HO Algeria Associate Professor in Ophthalmology and Head of Retina Unit Area of Specialism: Retinal Imaging, Macular Treatment, Vitreoretinal Surgery Dr. Benbadis University Hospital Center, Constantine Italy Ophthalmology Resident Area of Specialism: Inherited Retinal Diseases, Ophthalmic Genetics, Uveitis Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan Switzerland Ophthalmologist Area of Specialism: medical and surgical retina, vitreoretinal diseases, and ocular trauma HUG - Hopitaux Universitaires de Genève Italy Medical Surgeon Specialist Area of Specialism: Retinal Diseases, Uveitis, Ocular Inflammations, Ultrasound Techniques Eye Clinic, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, Novara Slovenia Medical Retina Specialist Area of Specialism: Currently pursuing a PhD in retinal research UMC Ljubljana, Slovenia and European Board of Ophthalmology Fellow China Attending Ophthalmologist Area of Specialism: Retinal Diseases Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University Egypt Board-Certified Ophthalmologist Area of Specialism: Medical Retina, Retinal Imaging, Diagnostics Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University France Fellow in Ophthalmology Area of Specialism: Retinal Diseases and Surgery China Researcher Area of Specialism: Diabetic retinopathy, Early-Onset Severe Retinal Dystrophy Nigeria Consultant Ophthalmologist Area of Specialism: Diabetic Macular Oedema, Glaucoma, Retinal Degeneration France Board-Certified Ophthalmologist and Clinical Associate Area of Specialism: Cataract Surgery, Medical Retinal Diseases Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal de Créteil Switzerland Board-Certified Ophthalmologist Area of Specialism: Clinical ophthalmology, retinal and macular diseases Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital in Lausanne Spain Vitreoretinal Surgeon and Consultant Area of Specialism: Complex Retinal Detachments, Macular Surgery, AI Applications in Ophthalmology Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia Italy Attending Physician and Researcher in Medical Retina and Ocular Immunology Area of Specialism: Retinal Imaging for Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Inherited Retinal Diseases Ospedale Luigi Sacco, Uni. of Milan France Retina Specialist Area of Specialism: Phages and Endophthalmitis Research Croix Rousse University, Lyon, France Spain Retina Specialist Area of Specialism: Medical and Surgical Retina, Imaging Biomarkers, AI-Assisted Retinal Diagnostics Hospital Universitario Donostia, Miranza Begitek, Miranza Okular Austria Resident Doctor in Ophthalmology Area of Specialism: Retinal Image Assessments, Non Invasive Multimodal Imaging General Hospital (AKH) of Vienna – Medical University of Vienna Germany Assistant Doctor in Ophthalmology Area of Specialism: Retinal Imaging, Artificial Intelligence University Hospital Münster Egypt Lecturer and Researcher in Ophthalmology Area of Specialism: Ocular Oncology, Multimodal Imaging of Retinal Disorders Cairo University 0:07 Leading Edge Incubator program. 0:09 And welcome to Paris 0:10 for the first in-person meeting. This program is really important to me. I had a big chance in my career to have a fantastic mentor, and I think it's a unique opportunity for young retina specialists to improve their skills, but also to connect with other specialists all around the world, but also to benefit from the experience of very good mentors. Professor of Ophthalmology, Paris Cité University, Head of Ophthalmology, Lariboisière and Saint-Louis University Hospitals, France To learn more or express interest, contact: pharma.ophthalmology_network@roche.com What is Roche’s Ophthalmology Network and How Does It Expand What's Possible for People with Vision Loss? Expanding the Possible: Through science, clinical practice & care delivery initiatives, the Ophthalmology Network brings clinicians & leaders together to learn, connect & grow, supporting progress in eyecare. August 26, 2026 What is Roche’s Ophthalmology Network and How Does It Expand What's Possible for People with Vision Loss? Expanding the Possible: Through science, clinical practice & care delivery initiatives, the Ophthalmology Network brings clinicians & leaders together to learn, connect & grow, supporting progress in eyecare. Series What is the Ophtha Innovation Challenge (OIC) & how does it advance retinal care? The Ophtha Innovation Challenge (OIC) seeks novel solutions to bridge information gaps in AMD & DME, empowering patients, caregivers, and physicians to improve disease management. August 26, 2026 What is the Ophtha Innovation Challenge (OIC) & how does it advance retinal care? The Ophtha Innovation Challenge (OIC) seeks novel solutions to bridge information gaps in AMD & DME, empowering patients, caregivers, and physicians to improve disease management. Series What is WAVE in Ophthalmology & How Does It Empower Women in Eyecare? Discover WAVE: Women as Visionaries in Eyecare - a global Roche community connecting and empowering women in ophthalmology to advance clinical practice and leadership. August 26, 2026 What is WAVE in Ophthalmology & How Does It Empower Women in Eyecare? Discover WAVE: Women as Visionaries in Eyecare - a global Roche community connecting and empowering women in ophthalmology to advance clinical practice and leadership.