CURRICULUM VITAE
Jessica Kraker MD
Jessica Kraker MD
Assistant Professor
Department of Ophthalmology
Department of Ophthalmology
OFFICE ADDRESS: |
925 North 87th Street |
Milwaukee, WI 53226 |
EDUCATION: |
1 - Present Apte AR, Kraker JA, et al. Adult-Onset Krabbe Disease Masquerading as Multiple Sclerosis. Journal of Neuro-Ophthalmology. Submitted. |
1 - Present Kraker J, Sharma R, Schwarz C, et al. "In Vivo Two-Photon Ret |
1 - Present Kraker J, Viswanathan SK, Knöll R, et al. Recent Advances in the |
1 - Present Kraker JA, Barkmeier AJ. "Floater Red Herrings." Mayo Clinic Ophthalmology Grand Rounds (Jan 2022). |
2 - Present Kraker JA, Chen JJC. "Lost in the Sauce." Mayo Clinic Ophthalmology Grand Rounds (Oct 2022) and as a Walsh Lecture at the 2023 North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society Annual Meeting (Mar 2023). |
2 - Present Kraker JA, Linderman RE, Cava J, et al. "The Effect of Image Si |
2 - Present Kraker JA, Omoba B, Cava JA, et al. Assessing the Influence |
2 - Present Mayeda M, Kraker JA, Reddy AK. Frosted Branch Angiitis due to HSV1 Infection in an Immunocompetent Patient. Journal TBD. Submitted. |
3 - Present Hwang ES, Kraker JA, Griffin KJ, et al. Accuracy of Spectral Do |
3 - Present Kraker JA, Amer M, Hartnett ME, et al. "Incidence of Retinal D |
3 - Present Kraker JA, Tailor PD, Chodnicki KC, et al. "Saving L-Eye-Ves." 202 |
3 - Present Welk G, ... Kraker JA, ...Scruggs BA. Developing a student-run community eye clinic: a service-learning model for medical student ophthalmology education. MedEdPORTAL. Submitted. |
4 - Present Kraker JA, Koller E, George J, et al. Standard 6 mm Compared |
4 - Present Kraker JA, Pantcheva M, Palestine AG. An atypical presentation of scleritis as bilateral circumferential spontaneous filtering blebs. JAMA Case Reports. In preparation. |
4 - Present Kraker JA, Smith WM. "Photopsias and a history of eczema." Mayo Clinic Ophthalmology Grand Rounds (Oct 2023) and at the Sociedad Panamericana de Enfermedades Inflamatorias Oculares (SPEIO) uveitis subspecialty m |
4 - Present Kraker JA, Tajfirouz DA, Bhatti MT, et al. "Tachyphylaxis with Sus |
5 - Present Koller EC, Kraker JA, Hwang ES. Progression of Partial Posterior Vitreous Detachment Over Time. Retina. 2021 Jul;5(6):1396-1402. |
5 - Present Kraker JA, Asmunda FZ, Thomas SC, et al. "Attenuated Mucopolysac |
5 - Present Kraker JA, Sella R. "Anterior Capsule Contraction Syndrome." Mayo Clinic Ophthalmology Grand Rounds. (Feb 2024). |
5 - Present Malik I, McClain I, Kraker JA, et al. Sub-Tenon's triamcinolo |
6 - Present Kraker JA, Kim E, Hassman LH, et al. Inflammatory Subset of |
6 - Present Kraker JA, Rose GE, Tooley AA, et al. "Novel Surgical Approac |
6 - Present Kraker JA, Smith WM. "Imaging Characteristics of Multiple Sclerosis Associated Uveitis." Mayo Clinic Ophthalmology Grand Rounds (May 2024). |
6 - Present Kraker JA, Tajfirouz DA, Bhatti MT, et al. Tachyphylaxis with Sust |
7 - Present Kraker JA, Crum B, Flanagan E, et al. "Neuronal Intranuclear |
7 - Present Kraker JA, Rose GE, Tooley AA, et al. Novel Surgical Approach |
7 - Present Kraker JA, Smith WM. "Ocular Manifestations of Plasma Cell Dyscrasias." Mayo Clinic Ophthalmology Grand Rounds (October 2024). |
7 - Present Kraker JA, Tooley AT, Khammar AJ, et al. Perceptions and Outcome |
8 - Present Kraker JA, Baratz KH, Bernhisel AA. Circumferential Corneal Graft. American Academy of Ophthalmology 1-minute-video contest. Published online Nov 2022. |
8 - Present Kraker JA, Tailor PD, Tooley AA, et al. "Virtual Medical Studen |
8 - Present Kraker JA, Tooley AT, Starr MR, Khan AR |
8 - Present Kraker JA. "Presbyopia." Mayo Fellows Association Charter House Senior Medical Lecture Series (Dec 2 |
9 - Present Asmunda FZ, Kraker JA, Thomas SC, et al. Left-sided valvular hea |
9 - Present Kraker JA, El Zein L, Scruggs BA. "X Marks the Spot: Incontinentia Pigmenti-Associated Retinopathy in a Male." University of Minnesota Ophthalmology Grand Rounds (Jan 2025). |
9 - Present Kraker JA, Madhavan A, Chodnicki KD, et al. "Frequency of Non-Speci |
10 - Present Kraker JA, Chen JJ. An Update on Optic Neuritis. Journal of Neurology. 2023 Oct;270(10):5113-5126. |
10 - Present Kraker JA, Cohen DA, Flanagan EP, et al. "Collapsin Response-Med |
10 - Present Kraker JA, Zhou A, Starr MR et al. "Mayo Clinic Morbidity & Mortality Conference: Wrong Site Laser." Mayo Clinic Ophthalmology Grand Rounds. (Feb 2024). |
11 - Present Kraker JA, Kohli D, Bothun ED. "Mayo Clinic Quality Improvement Project: Introductory Cataract Surgery Curriculum." Mayo Clinic Ophthalmology Grand Rounds. (May 2025). |
11 - Present Kraker JA, Xu SC, Flanagan EP, et al. Ocular manifestations o |
12 - Present Kraker JA, Reddy AK. "These vs. Those White Dots." University of Colorado Ophthalmology Grand Rounds. (September 2025). |
12 - Present Kraker JA, Stander Z, Oglesbee D, et al. Lost in the Sauce: An A |
13 - Present Baker MJ, Kraker JA, Lee MS, et al. Perceived Fluctuation o |
13 - Present Kraker JA, Hassman L, Reddy AK, Palestine GA. "Uveitis: The Gi |
14 - Present Kraker JA, Hassman L, Reddy AK, Palestine GA. "Bleb-ooze-led: |
14 - Present Kraker JA, Smith WM. Treatment Options for Necrotizing Scleritis in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients. Expert Review of Ophthalmology. 19(5), 357-377. Jul 2024. |
15 - Present Bou Said R, Kraker JA, Scruggs BA. Pediatric Macular Hole Associated with Vitreoretinal Traction on Epiretinal Lesions: A Case Report and Literature Review. Retinal Cases and Brief Reports. 2025 Nov 1;19(6):730-735. |
15 - Present Kraker JA, Hassman L, Reddy AK, Palestine GA. "For Whom the Be |
16 - Present Carpenter CM, ... Kraker JA, Hwang ES. Relative Risk of Retinal Detachment in COL2A1 Stickler Syndrome: An Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis. Ophthalmology Retina. 2026 Feb;10(2):194-203. |
16 - Present Kraker JA, Hassman L, Reddy AK, Palestine GA. "Inflammatory Su |
17 - Present Lang MV & Kraker JA, Madhavan AA, et al. Frequency of Non-Specific Optic Nerve Sheath Enhancement on Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Journal of Neuro-Ophthalmology. 2026 Jun 1;46(2):255-259. |
18 - Present McInnis-Smith KM, Kraker JA, Ren Y, et al. Trends in the Clinical |
19 - Present Bonilla Escobar F, Karanxha J, Kraker JA, ... Palestine AG. Blue Dacryor |
20 - Present MachLachlan A & Kraker JA, ... Hwang ES. Ocular and Systemic Finding in COL2A1 and COL11A1 Stickler Syndrome. American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A 1-9. 2026 Jul 15:10.1002/ajmg.a.70244. |
21 - Present Kraker JA, Reddy AK, de Carlo Forest TE. Nivolumab-induced hypoalbuminemia causing serous retinal detachment. Retinal Cases and Brief Reports. 2026 July 22. Epub Ahead of Print. |
22 - Present Kraker JA & Mitchell C, et al. Trypanosoma cruzi Retinitis Following Donor-Derived Chagas After Heart Transplantation. American Journal of Transplant Medicine. 2026 Jul 27:S1600-6135(26)02694-8. Epub Ahead of Print. |
23 - Present Kraker JA. A Chamber of Secrets: 5 Can't Miss Uveitis Diagnoses. Young Ophthalmology Info, Resident Edition. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Published online July 2026. |
24 - Present Kraker JA, Chen JJ. Friedman NJ: Decision Making in Ophthalmology, 1st Edition. Elsevier Publishing. Chapter 84: Optic Neuritis. July 2026. |
25 - Present Kraker JA, Chen JJ. Friedman: Decision Making in Ophthalmology, 1st Edition. Elsevier Publishing. Chapter 55: Optic Atrophy. July 2026. |
26 - Present Kraker JA, Reddy AK, Palestine AG, Hassman L. Oral corticosteroid |
2011 - 2015 Bachelor of Science, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA |
2017 - 2021 Doctorate of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI |
A randomized, double-masked, sham-controlled, multicenter |
Ad-Hoc Reviewer for JOII. |
Admissions Interviewer |
American Academy of Ophthalmology YO Info Editorial Board Representative, 2026-2027 |
Assistant Professor, September 1, 2026 - present |
Attended regular Minnesota Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons meetings organizing educational ev, advocacy movements, and professional development. |
Attended regular YO Info meetings and wrote articles geared for early career ophthalmologists for pr |
Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA; Bachelor of Science, May 2015 |
Characterized cardiac myosin binding protein C promoter and mutants implicated in familial hypertrop |
Clinician Educator Pathway Member, 2023 - 2024 |
Created a 10-day ophthalmology selective for preclinical medical students as an official curriculum |
Created an online two-week elective for MS3 students as an official Medical College of Wisconsin cur, diagnosis, and management of common eye conditions organized by subspecialty. |
Creator of Introduction to Cataract Surgery Didactic Series, 2024 - 2025 |
Creator of MCW Online Ophthalmology Clinical Elective, 2020 |
Creator of a mixed lecture, surgical simulator, and wet lab-based surgical curriculum introducing junior ophthalmology residents to cataract surgery. |
Evaluated methodological tools used to describe retinal vasculature metrics of healthy retinas as de |
Independent Research, Mayo Clinic & University of Colorado |
Interviewer for medical school candidates at the Medical College of Wisconsin and for ophthalmology |
Journal of Ocular Immunology and Inflammation |
Loyola University of Chicago, Chicago, IL; Master of Science, May 2016 |
MCW Student Ophthalmology Medical Association, 2017 - 2021 |
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Ophthalmology Residency, June 2025 |
Medical College of Wisconsin, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Milwaukee, WI |
Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI; Doctor of Medicine, May 2021 |
Medical Education, Community Service, and Advocacy |
Member and Co-President of student-volunteer run clinic of Medical College of Wisconsin that provide |
Member of the Mayo Clinic MCSGME Clinician Educator Pathway, a course training future academic leaders on curriculum design, medical education research, and leadership skills. |
Mentor: Dr. Eileen S. Hwang, MD, PhD; 2017 - 2019 |
Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Hunter, PhD; June - August 2014 |
Mentor: Dr. Joseph Carroll, PhD; 2017 - 2021 |
Mentor: Dr. Sakthivel Sadayappan, PhD; June - December 2016 |
Mentor: Mark Dacey MD; 2025-2026 |
Mentors: John C. Chen MD, PhD, Wendy M. Smith MD, Amit K. Reddy MD |
Minnesota Academy of Ophthalmology Resident Representative, 2024-2025 |
One of six resident co-editors of an online newsletter that is written by medical students summarizi |
Oral Presentations: |
PEAK/PINNACLE Clinical Trial Sub-Investigator for Kodiak Sciences |
Participated in research of retinoid cycle kinetics in macaques using in vivo two-photon fluorescenc |
Peer Tutor |
Poster Presentations: |
Professional Memberships |
Providence Academy, Plymouth, MN; High School Diploma, May 2011 |
Publications in progress: |
Publications: |
Research |
Research Assistant, Medical College of Wisconsin |
Research Assistant, Medical College of Wisconsin |
Research Assistant, University of Cincinnati |
Research Experience |
Resident Leader of Mayo Clinic Ophthalmology Clinical Selective, 2022 - 2025 |
Resident organizer of a volunteer clinic teaching medical students how to perform ancillary eye exam, Minnesota. |
Retrospectively evaluated posterior vitreous detachment in a retina clinic population using optical |
Selected as the Mayo Clinic Advocacy Ambassador for the American Academy of Ophthalmology's Mid-Year |
Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship, University of Rochester |
The Lens Ophthalmology Newsletter Editor, 2022 - 2025 |
Tutor at Providence Academy, Boston College, Medical College of Wisconsin, Mayo Clinic |
University of Colorado, Aurora, CO; Uveitis & Ocular Immunology Fellowship, June 2026 |
Work Experience |
Zumbro Valley Medical Society Free Eye Clinic, 2023 - 2025 |
• Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society |
• American Academy of Ophthalmology |
• American Medical Association |
• American Uveitis Society |
• Minnesota Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons |
• Unblinded intravitreal injector of sham vs combination anti-IL6 & VEGF trap drug (KSI-101) for u, CO. |
• Young Uveitis Specialists |
POSTGRADUATE TRAINING AND FELLOWSHIP APPOINTMENTS: |
2015 - 2016 Master of Science in Medical Physiology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL |
2021 - 2025 Ophthalmology Residency, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN |
2025 - 2026 Uveitis & Ocular Immunology Fellowship, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO |
FACULTY APPOINTMENTS: |
09/01/2026 - Present Assistant Professor, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI |
SPECIALTY BOARDS AND CERTIFICATION: |
Board Certified | Issue Date | Expiration |
05/02/2026 | None | |
AWARDS AND HONORS: |
• Awardee of a Summer Research Fellowship at the Medical College of Wisconsin through the Department of Ophthalmology (Summer 2017). |
• Awardee of a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship at the University of Rochester in the Center for Visual Science (Williams/Hunter lab, Summer 2014). |
• Awardee of the Michael J. Dunn Poster Contest Award at the Medical Student Summer Research Symposium at the Medical College of Wisconsin (October 2018). |
• Awardee of a Knights Templar Eye Foundation Domestic Travel Grant to attend the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Conference 2020 (June 2020). |
• Inducted into the Wisconsin Chapter of the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society (August 2020). |
• Awardee of a Research Scholarship to attend the Millennial Eye Live Conference in 2022 and 2023 (March 2022, March 2023). |
• Selected as a YO Info Editorial Board Representative for the American Academy of Ophthalmology (2026-2027). |
• Selected to give the prestigious oral Walsh Presentation at the North American Neuro-Ophthalmologic Society 2023 Meeting (March 2023). |
• Awardee of the Mayo Clinic $10, 000 2023 EI-10 Education Innovation Program Grant to improve residency curricula. |
• Winner of the Best Resident Abstract at the North American Neuro-Ophthalmologic Society 2024 Meeting (March 2024). |
• Awardee of the 2024 Mayo Clinic Ophthalmology Olympics Brains Award (September 2024). |
• Selected as the Resident Mayo Clinic Advocacy Ambassador for the 2024-2025 Academic Year. |
• Awardee of the 2022 Mayo Clinic Ophthalmology Olympics PGY2 Most Valuable Player Award (July 2022). |









