Natario Couser, MD

Richmond, Virginia

Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Pediatrics, and Human & Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University

Representing: Clinicians
Term Ends August 2024

Natario Couser received his undergraduate degree in biochemistry from the University of Virginia and completed his medical education at the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine. Couser completed his ophthalmology residency at Howard University, serving as co-chief resident in his final year. Couser received fellowship training in pediatric ophthalmology and adult strabismus at Emory University, completed a Master of Science degree in biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University and training in clinical genetics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Couser is one of only a few individuals currently board-certified by both the American Board of Ophthalmology and the American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics. Couser has served as the principal investigator for clinical trials, presented invited lectures, won awards for research, and has published numerous articles and book chapters on rare genetic diseases, and served as the editor of the book Ophthalmic Genetic Diseases.

Couser is currently an Assistant Professor with the Departments of Ophthalmology, Pediatrics and Human & Molecular Genetics at VCU in Richmond, Virginia, where he initiated the first dedicated ophthalmic genetics specialty service in the state. PCORI’s devotion to clinical effectiveness, engagement, and research infrastructure involving rare diseases with a patient-centered approach is what motivated Couser to strive to support their ongoing work in this area.