Dennis O. Clegg

Dennis O. Clegg is a Professor in the Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). He holds leadership roles, including former Chair of the Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology (2004–2009) and Co-Director of the UCSB Center for Stem Cell Biology and Engineering. His research focuses on stem cell therapies for ocular diseases, particularly age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and neural development. Clegg earned his B.S. in Biochemistry from UC Davis and his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from UC Berkeley. He is an internationally recognized expert in regenerative medicine, with contributions to RPE differentiation and bioengineered therapies.

Research interests include stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) for AMD treatment, soft tissue regeneration using adipose stem cells, and the molecular basis of epigenetic memory in stem cells. His work integrates interdisciplinary collaborations with engineers, clinicians, and industry partners, such as the California Project to Cure Blindness. Key achievements include the development of RPE-based implants and synthetic scaffolds for cell transplantation.

Awards include the National Eye Institute Audacious Goals Award, UCSB Distinguished Teaching Award, and Pacific Coast Business Times Champions in Health Care Award. He serves on advisory boards for the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine and NIH Center for Regenerative Medicine. Recent studies highlight HLA-mismatched RPE implant survival in AMD patients and advancements in cryopreservation for RPE cells.

• Education:
  • Ph.D. Biochemistry, UC Berkeley
  • B.S. Biochemistry, UC Davis
• Affiliations:
  • UCSB Center for Stem Cell Biology and Engineering
  • Center for BioEngineering
  • Center for Nanomedicine
• Grants & Collaborations:
  • Funded by CIRM and NIH
  • Partnerships with USC, Caltech, and Geron, Inc.