Shannath Merbs, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Merbs is a fellowship-trained surgeon in the Division of Oculoplastic surgery. She has been an assistant professor of Ophthalmology since 1997 and an assistant professor of Oncology since 1998. Dr. Merbs treats diseases of the tissues surrounding the eyes, including the eyelids and eye socket. This includes diseases such as congenital defects, benign and cancerous growths, tear duct problems, and the ocular effects of thyroid disease, as well as traumatic injuries to the eyelids, tear drainage system and bones of the eye socket.
Members of the Division of Oculoplastic surgery are actively engaged in research to improve the quality of life of patients requiring removal of an eye. When a severely injured or disfigured eye must be removed, Dr. Merbs implants a temporary catheter into the back of the orbit, which allows a family member to deliver pain medication directly to the operative site. With this catheter developed at Wilmer, patients are able to leave the hospital the day of surgery and recover in a supportive and familiar environment free from pain, without the side effects of pain pills.
Dr. Merbs also leads an active research program in the field of ocular oncology. She is studying the molecular genetic changes that lead to uveal melanoma, the most common malignant tumor that occurs in the eyes of adults. The eye is the second most common site of origin for malignant melanoma. Knowledge of the genetic changes that lead to cancer formation can improve diagnosis, facilitate detection of cancer spread, and further the development of new treatments.
Current Address:
Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute
600 North Wolfe Street
Maumenee 127
Baltimore, MD 21287
PHONE: (410) 955-1112
FAX: (410) 614-9987
E-mail: smerbs@jhmi.edu
Education:
University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, B.S., Chemistry, 1982-1986
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, M.D., Ph.D., Molecular Biology, 1986 - 1993
Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Towson, Maryland, Internal Medicine Internship, 1993 - 1994
Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, Ophthalmology Residency, 1994 - 1997
Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, Oculoplastics Fellowship with Dr. Nicholas Iliff, 1997 - 1998
Awards and Certifications:
Graduation with Honors, University of Arizona, 1986
Nugent Award, Outstanding Senior, University of Arizona, 1986
Phi Beta Kappa Top Senior, University of Arizona, 1986
Medical Scientist Training Program, 1986 - 1993
Shanoff Award, Young Investigators Day, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 1993
Ronald Michels Research Award, Wilmer Eye Institute, 1996
Heed Fellowship, Heed Ophthalmic Foundation, 1997
Howard Hughes Postdoctoral Fellowship for Physicians - Declined, 1997
Mentored Clinical Scientist Award (K08) - National Eye Institute, "Molecular Genetics of Primary Uveal Melanoma," 1997 - 2002
The Niuta and Roy Titus Faculty Development Award, Wilmer Eye Institute, 1998 - 2000
American Board of Ophthalmology Certification, 1999
