Dr. Ralitsa Loewen has a B.A. in Biology from Luther College, Decorah, IA and an MD from Medical University - Sofia, Bulgaria. After graduation, she pursued a fellowship in basic and clinical science at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, which led to several publications. There she also acquired the technique of embryonic stem cells microinjections in blastocysts for generation of knockout mice. Using the same set of skills, she continued to work as an embryologist at Rush University performing Intra-cytoplasmic sperm microinjections (ICSI). She completed two years of General Surgery residency training at UPMC and pursued her research interests in the Department of Ophthalmology. She has peer-reviewed publications and is the recipient of fellowship and ARVO travel awards. Long term she plans to continue her career as a physician-scientist.

Trying to help those who are less fortunate in life is important to her, and she volunteers at the Guerrilla Eye Service clinic. In her free time, she enjoys running, playing piano, and spending time with her husband and their two daughters.