J. Crawford Downs

J. Crawford Downs is a Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). He serves as Vice-Chair of Research and founding director of UAB's Ocular Biomechanics and Biotransport Program, which investigates glaucoma mechanisms through computational/experimental methods.

• BA & MA in Economics from Tulane University
• Undergraduate coursework at University of New Orleans
• M.S. & Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Tulane University

Research focuses on intraocular pressure (IOP) effects, aging, and African heritage in glaucoma progression. His work includes developing IOP telemetry methods and eye-specific finite element models. Recent publications address viscoelastic modeling, translaminar pressure gradients, and ocular perfusion dynamics in nonhuman primates.

Current affiliations include:

• Heersink School of Medicine at UAB
• Ocular Biomechanics Laboratory
• Collaborations with LSU Eye Center and Devers Eye Institute