The Full Story
Neurosurgeon by training. Developer by passion. Entrepreneur by nature.
I'm Ishan Perera — a PGY-1 Neurological Surgery Resident at Henry Ford Health Providence Hospital through Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, where I also serve as a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Surgery.
My path has never been linear. I grew up working at the family store, earned my EMT-B at 18, and spent two years as an Emergency Department Technician at Sentara Princess Anne Hospital. I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Old Dominion University with a B.S. in Biology and minors in Chemistry and Computer Science, then earned my D.O. from Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine with a 3.84 GPA — where I was named Student Doctor of the Year and a Golden Ticket Scholarship Finalist.
In medical school I co-founded HOLO Labs, the first student-led research laboratory at VCOM to adopt a research brokership model. I've published 11 peer-reviewed works with 8+ more in progress, presented 19 posters at national and regional conferences (including AANS), and secured over $33,000 in research grants. I also served as Chair of the Medical Student Section of the Medical Society of Virginia, Deputy Editor at Cureus Journal, and co-chaired the Overdose Prevention Task Force.
Outside the hospital and lab, I co-founded Ravana Solutions (a digital agency), co-founded EZ Inn, and build software in React, Python, Swift, and C++. When I truly need to unplug, you'll find me working on automotive projects, brewing, cultivating mushrooms, or volunteering — from Habitat for Humanity to the Ronald McDonald House.
Key Milestones
Neurological Surgery Residency
Began neurosurgery residency at Henry Ford Health Providence Hospital through Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. Also appointed Clinical Instructor in the Department of Surgery.
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)
Graduated from Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM), Blacksburg, VA with a 3.84 GPA. Named Student Doctor of the Year and Golden Ticket Scholarship Finalist.
AANS Annual Scientific Meeting — Rapid Fire Spine Abstract
Presented "Atlas Morphology in Symptomatic Chiari I Malformation: A Statistical Shape Analysis" at the American Association of Neurological Surgeons meeting in Boston.
Chair, Medical Student Section — Medical Society of Virginia
Elected Chair of the MSV Medical Student Section. Led advocacy for physician-centered policies and represented medical students statewide.
Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS)
Inducted into GHHS, recognizing demonstrated excellence in clinical care, leadership, compassion, and dedication to service.
Co-Founded HOLO Labs
Co-founded Healthcare Observations, Lexicography, and Outcomes (HOLO) Laboratories — the first student-led research lab to adopt a research brokership approach at VCOM.
Deputy Editor — Cureus Journal
Appointed Deputy Editor for the Simulation, Biodesign, & Innovation in Medical Education section of Cureus Journal.
Co-Founded Ravana LLC
Co-founded Ravana LLC (ravanasolutions.com), a full-service digital agency building modern web applications, mobile apps, and AI-powered solutions.
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
Began medical school at VCOM, Blacksburg, VA. Simultaneously launched research programs, co-founded the Overdose Prevention Task Force, and began teaching as a peer educator.
Co-Founded EZ Inn
Co-founded and began managing EZ Inn in Norfolk, VA, expanding entrepreneurial portfolio into hospitality operations.
B.S. Biology — Old Dominion University
Graduated Summa Cum Laude with Honors from ODU (3.90 GPA). Major in Biology, minors in Chemistry and Computer Science.
Emergency Department Technician
Worked as an ED Technician at Sentara Princess Anne Hospital, gaining frontline clinical experience in emergency medicine.
EMT-B Certification
Earned Emergency Medical Technician Level B certification from Tidewater Community College. Volunteered with Virginia Beach EMS.
What I Work With
Technical
Languages
Web & Mobile
Data & ML
Medical Imaging
Tools & Platforms
Medical
Clinical
Research
Product Development
GitHub Contributions
The Polymath Corner
Life is more than work. Here's what fuels me outside the hospital and the IDE.
Automotive
Hands-on work with Nissan, Toyota, and Ford vehicles — a mechanical counterpoint to the digital world.
Distilling & Brewing
Amateur distiller, brewer, vintner, and mixologist. It's chemistry, patience, and creativity — not unlike research.
Horticulture & Mycology
Amateur horticulturist and mycologist. Founded the HOLO Labs VCOM Community Garden providing free organic produce to students and staff.
Languages
Conversational in Spanish and Sinhalese alongside English. Language shapes how you connect with patients and communities.
Community Gardening
From the Christiansburg Community Garden to the VCOM campus — soil-tested, planned, and harvested seasonal plants for free community distribution.
Volunteering
Ronald McDonald House, Habitat for Humanity, Virginia Beach EMS, ESL tutoring, and over a decade of community service across Virginia and Florida.