A/Prof Cornish has been passionate about research in retinal disorders since graduating with Honours in Science and completing a PhD in Retinal Development at the University of Sydney. She graduated in Medicine & Surgery from the University of Sydney and then undertook her general ophthalmology training at the Sydney Eye Hospital network. She pursued sub-specialty training in Medical Retina, Uveitis, Glaucoma, and Inherited Eye Diseases at the Professorial Unit at Sydney Eye Hospital and Moorfields Eye Hospital, London.

A/Prof Cornish is a Consultant Eye Surgeon, Staff Specialist at Sydney Eye Hospital and Westmead Hospital, as well as being an Associate Professor at the University of Sydney. She is actively involved in ophthalmology registrar and medical student teaching and is part of the Inherited Eye Disease Unit at the Save Sight Institute, Discipline of Ophthalmology where she has a special interest in electrophysiology.

As a clinical academic, A/Prof Cornish has published widely in peer-reviewed ophthalmic journals and has an ongoing interest in clinical and basic science research. She is actively involved as an investigator in clinical trials of new therapeutic agents to treat blinding retinal conditions. She is personable and an effective communicator with her patients and is enthusiastic about the challenges of managing complex eye disorders.