Meet Our Residents

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The Ophthalmology Residency draws trainees from across the U.S. and around the world. While all our trainees have a love of learning and a compassionate approach to patient care, they come from diverse backgrounds, family status, and professional and personal interests. Learn more about our current residents.

Clara Castillejo Becerra, M.D., M.S.

What is something you love most about this program?

The resident-run clinic is one of the main reasons I chose Mayo Clinic for my ophthalmology training. This is an exceptional opportunity that allows for independent decision-making, continuity of care, and exposure to a wide range of pathology. It is a privilege to care for patients in both clinical and surgical settings, and it is humbling to witness their journey throughout the course of my training. I look forward to my continued growth as an ophthalmologist and feel confident in the tools this program provides for my success.

Tyler Kaplan, M.D.

What is something you love most about this program?

The Ophthalmology Residency program at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, is outstanding. The continuity clinic that begins early in the first year provides the opportunity to learn how to care for patients longitudinally. There is a great diversity of pathology of both common and complex ocular conditions. We are lucky to have wonderful faculty mentors who are great teachers in clinic and the operating room and are always available when challenging cases arise.

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Haley D'Souza, M.D., M.S.

The Mayo Clinic experience is one that allows a person to truly become a comprehensive ophthalmologist.

Haley D'Souza, M.D., M.S.
Resident

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Piotr Kopinski, M.D., Ph.D.

Class of 2024

	Clara Castillejo Becerra, M.D., M.S. Hometown: Atlanta, GA Medical school: Ohio State University College of Medicine Hobbies/interests: My hobbies include Latin dancing, yoga, strength training, and reading. I also enjoy traveling all over the world. I have been to Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Costa Rica, Jamaica, India, Robe, Prague, and Paris.
	Heidi Dahl, M.D. Hometown: Orem, UT Medical school: East Tennessee State University Medical School Hobbies/interests: My hobbies include running and hiking with my family, international medical aid trips, travel, cooking, and baking.
	Tyler Kaplan, M.D. Hometown: Riverwoods, IL Medical school: Chicago Medical School Hobbies/interests: My outside interests include hot boxing, trying dark chocolates from different countries, and collecting Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers.
	Prashant Tailor, M.D. Hometown: Cordele, GA Medical school: Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University Hobbies/interests: My hobbies include running, reading, algorithmic and options trading, basketball, and skiing.

Class of 2025

	Haley D'Souza, M.D. Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA Medical school: Eastern Virginia Medical School Hobbies/interests: My interests include golf, photography, board games, trivia, sailing, SCUBA diving, and origami.
	Piotr Kopinski, M.D., Ph.D. Hometown: Krakow, Poland Medical school: University of Pennsylvania – Perelman School of Medicine Hobbies/interests: I love music, playing the piano, composing, and orchestra conducting. I am also a fan of winter sports, including downhill and cross country skiing.
	Jessica Kraker, M.D., M.S. Hometown: Plymouth, MN Medical school: Medical College of Wisconsin Hobbies/interests: I love hanging out with friends and family, playing soccer, kickboxing, hiking, camping, going to concerts, making spicy food, drinking coffee, trying craft beer, reading, and watching psychological thrillers and documentaries.
	Timothy Xu, M.D. Hometown: Livingston, NJ Medical school: Mayo Medical School Hobbies/interests: My hobbies include tennis, volleyball, high-intensity interval training (Insanity), fencing, and spending time with dogs.

Class of 2026

	Grayson Ashby, M.D. Hometown: Columbus, OH Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine Hobbies/interests: My interests include fly fishing, disc golf, gardening, cooking new recipes with my wife, and hanging out with our two cats. Why Mayo Clinic? Mayo Clinic offers a phenomenal breadth and depth of opportunities with support to pursue your individual path, but to me, Mayo is most remarkable because it is a values-driven organization that demonstrates daily the importance of putting the needs of our patients first. I can't imagine a better place to learn to care for others through medicine.
	Tyler Bahr, M.D. Hometown: Houston, TX Medical school: University of Texas - San Antonio Hobbies/interests: Cycling, distance running, swimming, triathlons, hiking, camping, kayaking, board games, acapella singing, playing the piano and organ, and enjoying family time with my wife and two boys. Why Mayo Clinic? Family-friendly community, unparalleled focus on patient-centered care, a workplace culture of kindness and respect, beautiful facilities with inspiring art and architecture, and the unique opportunity to be trained in a medical center with international reputation that serves patients with the most complex cases from around the world.
	Darrell Kohli, M.D. Hometown: Rapid River, MI Medical school: Michigan State University - College of Human Medicine Hobbies/interests: I enjoy all kinds of outdoor activities including fishing, hunting, hiking, and camping. I also enjoy staying active, which includes weightlifting, biking, and skiing. Why Mayo Clinic? The collegial, team-oriented, and innovative culture at Mayo Clinic quickly became evident to me and is the main reason I desire to train here. The educational environment here at Mayo is special and something I knew I wanted to become a part of.
	Vishal Swaminathan, M.D. Hometown: San Ramon, CA Medical school: Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University Hobbies/interests: I enjoy baking, playing board games, and listening to true crime podcasts in my free time. I also am a fan of stand-up comedy and an avid traveler, visiting new countries with my friends and family whenever possible! Why Mayo Clinic? Mayo Clinic is consistently at the forefront of innovation and patient care, providing a wonderful environment for trainees to become the best physicians they can be. I am supported by an incredible group of mentors and peers who support my future goals in medicine and encourage me to reach my full potential.

Class of 2027

	Rachel Israilevich, M.D. Hometown: Los Angeles, CA Medical school: Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson Hobbies/interests: I enjoy cooking, discovering new restaurants (especially hole-in-the-walls), hosting events, playing piano, traveling, beach days (I guess lake days now), and bad dad jokes. Why Mayo Clinic? I loved my away rotation at Mayo and felt that the training environment and education here were unparalleled. Some of the biggest draws to Mayo in particular were the strong emphasis on mentorship, early autonomy and patient continuity through the resident clinic, and an abundance of research opportunities and support (with one of, if not the most generous conference attendance policies out there). Mayo’s program will also set you up to excel in whichever career path within ophthalmology you choose, and I am very fortunate for the opportunity to train here.
	Kerri McInnis-Smith, M.D. Hometown: Bozeman, MT Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine Hobbies/interests: I am happiest when I’m spending time with my husband, almost 2-year-old son, and newborn twins. We enjoy traveling, trying new restaurants and craft breweries, and most outdoor activities, especially downhill skiing and hiking. Our goal is to eventually visit all of the National Parks in the US! Why Mayo Clinic? Over the last four years as a Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine student, I’ve experienced the values and practices of Mayo Clinic that make it such a special place for trainees, employees, and, most importantly, patients. The team-oriented culture at Mayo affords top-notch patient care in a positive and friendly workplace environment. I am so excited to transition from medical school in Arizona to residency in Minnesota, where I can stay a part of the Mayo family but move to a smaller town known for its family friendliness and year-round outdoor activities.
	Grace Xiao, M.D. Hometown: Vancouver, Canada Medical school: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Hobbies/interests: I love exploring the outdoors, especially biking, running, paddle boarding, and skiing. I also enjoy playing music and writing songs on the piano or guitar. Why Mayo Clinic? The inspiring culture of patient-centered care and focus on innovation and research! Mayo Clinic provides the incredible opportunity to train in an outstanding medical institution that is team-oriented and serves patients with complex cases from all around the world.
	Ashley Zhou, M.D. Hometown: St. Petersburg, FL Medical school: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Hobbies/interests: I love planning and executing adventure itineraries in my free time, traveling around the world, or playing tourist in the cities in which I live. Inside the gym, I enjoy weightlifting and salsa dancing, while outside the gym, I love reading, watching everything A24 and HBOMax, and petting every dog I encounter. Why Mayo Clinic? Mayo Clinic is a special place and has been so over the course of its legacy. Ophthalmology has a unique role at Mayo as the first surgery performed at St. Mary's by the Mayo family was in fact an eye surgery. I am excited to be training at an institution that has always prided itself on valuing innovation, collaboration, and above all, putting the needs of our patients first.