Kaustabh Ghosh

Kaustabh Ghosh is an Associate Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at the David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, and a member of the Doheny Eye Institute. His research focuses on the mechanobiology of vascular inflammation and degeneration in retinal diseases such as diabetic retinopathy (DR) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

• Education: Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering (Stony Brook University, 2006), B.Tech in Chemical Engineering (National Institute of Technology, Warangal, 2001).

Research Interests: Ghosh’s lab explores how vascular stiffness contributes to early-stage DR and AMD. By integrating vascular biology, mechanobiology, and bioengineering, he investigates factors altering vascular mechanics and their role in degeneration. Key areas include lysyl oxidase (LOX), RAGE signaling, TRPV4 ion channels, and complement system interactions.

Publication Trends: Over 15 recent articles highlight mechanosensitive pathways (LOX, TRPV4), retinal vascular stiffness in diabetes and aging, inflammation (ICAM-1, RAGE), and therapeutic approaches (nanotherapeutics, anti-inflammatory peptides). Topics span AMD, DR, tumor vasculature, and biomaterials for wound healing.

• Scientific Awards:
  • Mary D. Allen Endowed Chair in Vision Research (2025)
  • Catalyst Award for AMD Research (2022)
  • Regents Faculty Development Award (2017)
  • Hellman Fellowship (2014)
  • Lindbergh Lecturer (2011)

Grants: Ghosh has received funding from the National Eye Institute/NIH (R01 EY028242, R01EY027440), BrightFocus Foundation (2016–2019), W.M. Keck Foundation (2021–2023), and UCLA Clinical and Translational Science Institute (2022).

Labs & Collaborations: Ghosh leads the Ghosh Research Group at the Doheny Eye Institute, collaborating with institutions like Harvard Medical School and the Bio-X Program at Stanford University. His work bridges vascular biology, mechanobiology, and bioengineering to develop therapies targeting vascular stiffness in retinal diseases.