Leena Surapaneni

Vice President - Research & Developement

Leena Surapaneni

Leena Surapaneni is the head of R&D at Sana Healthcare, where she leads strategic initiatives focused on advancing healthcare innovation and accessibility. Her leadership demonstrates a profound commitment to integrating cutting-edge research with tangible, real-world impact.

She is also a final year medical student at the Yale School of Medicine MD/MBA Program, originally from Anaheim, California. Leena completed her undergraduate education at Brown University, learning dual degrees in Biology and Contemplative Studies, a combination that highlights her interdisciplinary approach to science and human well-being.

At Yale, she conducts research in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, with a focus on immunobiology and inflammatory eye diseases, particularly uveitis. Her work aims to uncover novel insights into immune mechanisms affecting ocular health.

Leena is an active member of Yale’s Ophthalmology Interest Group (OIG), contributing to mentorship, clinical exposure, and research development in the field. Her passion lies in bridging the gap between scientific inquiry and compassionate care, with a long-term vision of transforming eye health through innovation and empathy

Key Achievements

• Yale School of Medicine - MD/MBA Program - a Research Focus on immunobiology and ocular inflammation.

• Dual degree graduate of Brown University in Biology and Contemplative Studies, reflecting a unique interdisciplinary approach to healthcare.

• Contributor to Yale’s Ophthalmology Interest Group (OIG), supporting mentorship, clinical exposure, and research development.

• Active in translating scientific inquiry into real-world impact, with a mission to combine empathy, innovation, and evidence-based care.