Matthew P Simunovic

Professor Matthew P Simunovic is a surgeon-scientist at the University of Sydney, leading the Retinal Disease and Rescue Group. His clinical and research expertise focuses on retinal diseases, particularly inherited retinal blindness in children and adults, through translational research from laboratory investigations to clinical trials.

• Clinical interests: Adult and paediatric medical retina, vitreoretinal surgery
• Research focus: Optogenetics, retinal gene therapy, sub-retinal injection techniques
• Key achievements: First vitreoretinal surgeon in Southern Hemisphere to perform Luxturna gene therapy; developed NIH/UCL/Oxford color discrimination test

Grants & Funding:

• Secured >$4 million as Principal Investigator
• 2024 Rewarding Research Excellence (University of Sydney)
• 2023 NHMRC Equipment Grant
• 2022-2027 Medical Research Future Fund (Co-PI)

Awards:

• First Australian ophthalmologist supported by Foundation Fighting Blindness Career Development Award
• Admitted to American Ophthalmological Society and Macula Society (USA)
• Multiple scholarships from Bayer, RANZCO, and Foulkes Foundation