Dimitrios Karamichos

Dimitrios Karamichos is the Executive Director and Endowed Chair of the North Texas Eye Research Institute (NTERI) and a Professor in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacology & Neuroscience at the UNT System College of Pharmacy. He holds a PhD from University College London and has extensive experience in corneal biology, having previously served at institutions like UT Southwestern Medical Center and Harvard Medical School.

Education:

• BEng in Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University
• MSc in Tissue Engineering, Imperial College London
• PhD in Tissue Repair and Engineering, University College London

Research Interests: Dr. Karamichos focuses on corneal pathobiology, keratoconus, diabetic keratopathy, sphingolipid signaling, and 3D bioprinting for corneal transplantation. His work integrates bioengineering, molecular biology, and clinical insights to develop novel therapies.

Grants & Projects: He leads projects funded by the National Eye Institute (NEI) and NIH, including investigations into prolactin-induced protein (PIP), sex hormones in keratoconus, and diabetic corneal wound healing. Recent projects include a 3D-printed corneal model for collagen cross-linking therapy and studies on hypoxia’s role in corneal fibrosis.

Labs & Teams: His lab develops innovative models and therapies, such as 3D bioprinted corneal constructs and exosome-based treatments. Collaborations span institutions like Schepens Eye Research Institute and the Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience.

Future Work: Ongoing studies explore gonadotropin levels in Down syndrome patients with keratoconus and the role of PPARα in mitochondrial metabolism. He also investigates biomarkers and therapeutic targets for corneal diseases using advanced in vitro and in vivo models.