Our Team

Founding Partner

Firas Rahhal, MD is a founding partner at ExSight Ventures and a vitreoretinal specialist in active clinical practice. He is Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the UCLA Geffen School of Medicine and has served as principal investigator on more than 100 ophthalmology clinical trials. Earlier in his career, he was Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology and Retina Clinic Director at Weill Cornell University Medical College.

Firas serves on the Board of Directors of Horizon Surgical Systems, a company developing ophthalmic microsurgical robotics, and has advised both early-stage companies and established industry leaders across ophthalmology. He brings the perspective of a clinician-investigator, venture investor, advisor, and board member to every engagement.

Founding Partner

Michael Nissen, MD is a co-founder and partner at ExSight Ventures and a vitreoretinal surgeon in active clinical practice. He has been a faculty member at Weill Cornell University Medical Center since 1998, with a particular focus on the surgical training of retina fellows in the United States and abroad. He is the founder and director of the Insight Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing ophthalmic education and access to eye care globally.

Through ExSight Ventures, Michael has invested in early-stage ophthalmic companies and applied clinical and surgical judgment to investment decisions across the firm's portfolio. He brings the perspective of a surgeon, educator, venture investor, and advisor to every engagement.

Co-Founder, Managing Director

James Murray, JD is a co-founder and partner at ExSight Ventures and a venture investor with experience spanning ophthalmic innovation, company building, and capital markets. At ExSight, he has led investments in early-stage ophthalmic companies across the investment lifecycle, working closely with founders and management teams through development and growth. He oversees the firm's operations and serves on its investment committee.

James serves on the Board of Directors of Re-Vana Therapeutics, Ltd., an ocular pharmaceuticals and drug delivery company, and on the Board of the Usher III Initiative. He is admitted to practice law in the State of New York and previously served as Chair of the Emerging Companies and Venture Capital Committee of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York..

Co-Founder, COO

Scott Usiak, JD is a co-founder of ExSight Catalyst, where he established the firm's operational and legal foundation and leads its compliance, risk management, finance, and business development functions. He brings more than fifteen years of governance, compliance, and operational leadership in financial services, working alongside the partners to manage and deliver client engagements.

Scott most recently served as Head of Operations and Business Support for DNB in North America, after nearly six years as the bank's Chief Compliance Officer for the region, and previously held governance and risk leadership roles at HSBC and FINRA. He holds a J.D. from Tulane University Law School and a B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross.