Training
Languages spoken: FR – EN – DE – IT
2016-2022 Doctor of Medicine (MD) – Class of June 2022 – 110/110
Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
International MD Program, Master’s Degree Course in Medicine and Surgery
Thesis title: Ocular Graft-Versus Host Disease: Neuro-inflammation and Its Impact on the Corneal Endothelium
2012-2016 International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)
Secondary Education at International School of Basel (ISB)
Classes: High Level Biology – Chemistry – English;
Standard Level Mathematics – History – German.
Professional experience
2024-2025 Ophthalmology Clinical Residency – Year 3 – ISFM
12-month working contract at – CNVO Sarl – Centre Nord Vaudois d’Ophtalmologie
Dr. med. Michael Martin, FMH, FEBO
2023-2024 Ophthalmology Research Residency – Year 2 – ISFM
13-month working contract – Ophthalmology clinical research –
INOV Sarl – Vevey Ophthalmology Institute Dr. H. Viet Tran, FMH, FEBO
2022-2023 Ophthalmology Clinical Residency – Year 1 – ISFM
6 months glaucoma unit – Swiss Visio Montchoisi – Lausanne; Dr. André Mermoud
6 months general ophthalmology – Swiss Visio La Providence – Neuchâtel
Experience and Training
March 2025 Pediatric Ophthalmic Genetics Observership (Prof. Elise Heon)
The Sick Kinds Hospital, Toronto, Canada
April 2024 ICO Exam Part 1: Visual Science
May 2023 Coursera – Precision Medicine Course
online training program, University of Geneva
October 2022 TTRRE on ethics and regulation of health research
online research training program
August 2022 Emergency Ophthalmology Internship
Hospital de Olhos do Paraná,
Rua Visconde de Nácar, 810 – Centro, Curitiba – PR, 80410-200, Brazil
2021-2022 Internship Thesis in Ophthalmology
HSR Cornea Unit – Prof. Paolo Rama
IRCCS Eye Repair Lab – Dr. Giulio Ferari
October 2021 Cornea Surgical Unit Internship (1 month)
HSR Cornea Unit – Prof. Paolo Rama
January 2021 Emergency Ophthalmology Unit Internship (1 month)
HSR Ophthalmology – Prof. Francesco Bandelo
2021-2022 COVID-19 Vaccination Operator (2 months)
San Donato Group, Viale Esposizioni, 20090 Novegro-Tregarezzo MI
Nov-Dec 2020 Cornea Clinical Unit Internship (2 months)
HSR Corea Unit – Prof. Paolo Rama
August 2019 International Elective at the Institute of Ophthalmology Basel (IOB) – Switzerland
(1 month) Contribution to testing the expression of a novel viral vector for Star-Gardt disease, supervised by Dr. Bence György and Prof. Botond Roska.
July 2016 Wilderness Advanced First Aid traineeship, USA
Wilderess Medical Associated International (WMA) United States https:/www.wildmed.com
August 2015 International Pre-Medical Shadowing Experience, Tanzania – Global Pre-Meds – UK
Publication
Merlo Pich, F. G., Cancelieri F, Quinodoz M, Kaminska K, Ansari G, Vaclavik Rivolta C, Pfau M, Tran HV. A Novel Missense Variant in Exon 4 of the BMP4 Gene Results in Unilateral Microphthalmia, Bilateral Congenital Cataract, Bilateral Iris and Retinal Coloboma. Ophthalmic Genetics (Submitted)
May 2024
Merlo Pich, F. G., Oliverio, L., Gilmann, K., & Mermoud, A. Outcomes of Non-Penetrating versus Penetrating Deep Sclerectomy in Open-Angle Glaucoma. Journal of Glaucoma, 10-1097. dot: 10.1097/JG.0000000000002421
July 2022
Boneli F, Lasagni Vitar RM, Merlo Pich FG, Comeal endothelial cell reduction and increased Neurokinin-1 receptor expression in a graft-versus-host disease preclinical model. Experimental Eye Research. 2022;220:109128. doi: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.109128
Poster and Presentation
January 2026
"Natural History of FAM161A Retinitis Pigmentosa in a Western Population"
Swiss Eve Research Meeting 2026, Lowenberg Centre, Morat, Switzerland.Oral presentation
May 2025
"Natural History of Retinitis Pigmentosa 28 in a Western Population: a preliminary report." ARVO Annual Meeting 2025, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. Poster presentation
December 2024
"Expanding the Phenotypical Presentation due to BMP4s Mutations Associated with two Novel Missense Mutations in Exon 4."
Floretina ICOOR 2024, Florence, Italy. Poster presentation
June 2023
"A Retrospective Comparative Study of the 1-year Outcome of Non-Penetrating Deep Sclerectomy versus Penetrating Deep Sclerectomy in Primary Glaucoma." 10th
World Glaucoma Congress 2023, Rome, Italy. Poster presentation.
Training: Participation in Congresses and Symposiums
2023-2025 Thursday Jules Gonin, HJG Lausanne, Switzerland
May 2025 ARVO Annual Meeting 2025, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. Poster presentation
December 2024 Floretina ICOOR 2024, Florence, Italy. Poster presentation
May 2024 8th Montchoisis International Glaucoma Symposium – Symposium
April 2024 Spring Symposium of the Ophthalmology Department, HUG – Geneva – Symposium
July 2023 10th World Glaucoma Congress – Rome, Italy – Poster presentation
June 2023 7th Montchoisis International Glaucoma Symposium – Symposium
May 2023 Symposium in honor of Prof. Munier's retirement – Symposium
March 2023 Innovations and new developments in ophthalmology – Lausanne – Symposium
December 2022 IMAGING i 4th Edition – Lausanne – Symposium
November 2022 4th Glaucoma on the Lake – Geneva – Symposium
November 2022 9th Glaucoma on the Lake – Lausanne – Symposium
November 2022 VISION 360° – Symposium