Dr. Allen Costa
Dr. Costa graduated from Emory University with a BA in Spanish. He studied abroad in
Spain and Brazil, where he was directly enrolled in classes in the native language. After
college, he worked in biomedical research in the Neurobiology Department at Harvard
Medical School. He attended medical school at Columbia University. He served as a
class officer all four years and served as AMA chapter president. He was given the
Alumni award upon graduation for embodiment of school spirit and service. He
completed his residency training in ophthalmology at the New York Eye and Ear
Infirmary of Mount Sinai, America’s first specialty hospital, and the largest
ophthalmology residency program in the nation.
Why did you choose to specialize in refractive surgery?
In college, I volunteered with Unite for Sight, a non-profit organization dedicated to
supporting eye clinics worldwide by investing human and financial resources to
eliminate patient barriers to eye care. I witnessed the impact that cataract surgery could
have in patient’s lives. I was drawn to refractive surgery because it allows me to apply
the latest technology in vision correction to improve a patient’s quality of life. Refractive
surgery is the most practical elective procedure an individual can undertake. Improving
patients’ vision during each moment their eyes are open is transformational. It is a
tremendous privilege to be able to guide patients compassionately through this process.
EDUCATION AND MEDICAL TRAINING
Kugler Vision 7/22/2025-6/18/2026 Ophthalmology Fellowship Omaha, NE
Mount Sinai School of Medicine-New York Eye and Ear Infirmary 7/1/2022-6/18/2025 Ophthalmology Residency New York, NY
Mount Sinai School of Medicine-New York Eye and Ear Infirmary 7/1/2021-6/30/2022 Internal Medicine Preliminary-Ophthalmology New York, NY
Emory University School of Medicine, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery 7/1/2014 -7/31/2019 Integrated Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency Atlanta, GA
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons 8/16 2010 – 5/21/2014 Doctorate of Medicine (M.D.) New York, NY
Emory University 8/27/2004 8/1/2008 Bachelors of Arts in Spanish; Minor in Portuguese Atlanta, GA
PROFESSIONAL WORK HISTORY
Uber Driver, 8/1/2019-5/10/2020 Uber Technologies Inc. Atlanta, GA
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Nebraska Medical License #37050
Georgia Medical License #7377 Status: Inactive
Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) 11/30/2015 RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Ophthalmology, 5/26/2020-4/30/2021 Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University Chicago, Il
Research Assistant, Argenziano Laboratory, Dept. of Surgery 6/15/2011-8/15/2011 Columbia University Medical Center New York, NY
Research Assistant, Greenberg Laboratory, Dept. of Neurobiology 8/15/2008 –6/21/2010 Harvard University School of Medicine Boston, MA
Research Assistant, McKeon Laboratory, Dept. of Cell Biology 9/1/2007-5/15/2008 Emory School of Medicine Atlanta, GA
Student Research Assistant, Greenberg Laboratory, Neurobiology Program 6/15/2006-8/15/2006 Children’s Hospital Boston Boston, MA
ACADEMIC HONORS
Highest Score Award, PGY-1, American Board of Surgery in Training Exam 4/1/2015 Emory University Dept. of Surgery Atlanta, GA
Alumni Award, in recognition of interest and devotion to P&S 5/21/2014 College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University New York, NY
Global Health Scholar, Unite for Sight 7/27/2007-8/18/2007 Emory University, Undergraduate Program in Global Research and Development Tamale, Ghana
Phi Sigma Iota, Foreign Languages Honor Society 5/1/2006 Emory University Atlanta, GA
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
American Medical Association 9/1/2010 – Present Columbia Harlem Homeless Medical Partnership 2/1/2011 – 5/21/2014 Emory Emergency Medical Services, EMT-I 9/21/2004 – 5/15/2008 LEADERSHIP POSITIONS
American Medical Association Columbia Chapter Co-President 9/1/2013 – 5/21/2014 Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
P&S Club Representative, Class Council Member 9/1/2010 – 5/21/2014 Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
Social Chair, Beta Theta Pi, Gamma Upsilon Chapter 9/1/2007 – 5/10/2008 Emory University
Allen Costa Curriculum Vitae
Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop 1 Islington, 9/1/2003 – 6/30/2004 Boston Minuteman Council
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Tutor, Student Success Network, 1-2 hours/week 9/1/2011 –5/21/2014 Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
Tutor, English as second language, 3 students, 1 hour/week 9/12013 – 5/21/2014 Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
PEER REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES
Kim, TK, Hemberg, Martin, Gray, Jesse, Costa, Allen, et al. Widespread Transcription at Neuronal Activity-regulated Enhancers. Nature, 465, p 182-187 13 May. 2010.
Busby MA, Gray JM, Costa AM et al. Expression divergence measured by transcriptome sequencing of four yeast species. BMC Genomics, 12, p 635. 2011.
Valluru G, Costa AM, Klawe et al. Depression in Individuals with Diabetic Retinopathy in the US NHANES,2005-2008. American Journal of Ophthalmology 2023 Dec;256:63-69
SCIENTIFIC ABSTRACTS
Harmin DA, Gray JM, Co, Gray, JM Costa, AM, Springer M, Greenberg ME, Global in vivo timescales for each step of pre-mRNA processing 2010. (presented by JM Gray) Cold Spring Harbor Systems Biology Conference, Spring Harbor, NY, March 2010.
RESEARCH SUPPORT
FUNDED
Columbia University Medical Student Summer Research Program 6/15/2011-8/15/2011 Principle Investigator: Dr. Michael Argenziano
Funding Source: Columbia University
Advisors: Dr. Michael Argenziano and Dr. Lori Soni
Description: Performed clinical research examining outcomes in heart transplant patients; examined efficacy and safety of surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation in elderly patient Cohort; observed heart transplant operations and other cardiac procedures and presented findings at research symposium for medical students
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
- Eagle Scout: Troop 1 Islington, Westwood, MA 2003
Allen Costa Curriculum Vitae
- Certified Medical Interpreter: Spanish and Portuguese, Cross Cultural Communication Institute, 2008 – 2009
- Beta Theta Pi: Member 2005-2008. Served as Social Chair 2007 – 2008
- Emory EMS Medic: Completed additional courses in disaster life support and pediatric pre hospital care, 2004 – 2008
- National Outdoor Leadership School: Beta Wilderness Challenge, Bridger-Teton National Forest, Wyoming, Summer 2007
- Rugby: Member of Emory University Club Rugby 2004 – 2006, 2007 – 2008, Member of Columbia P&S Rugby Football Club 2010 – 2014
- Intramural Sports: Football, Basketball