Yang Sun

Yang Sun is a Professor of Ophthalmology at Stanford University School of Medicine, with clinical expertise in glaucoma management and cataract surgery. He practices at the Byers Eye Institute and Palo Alto VA Medical Center, and serves as the Laurie Kraus Lacob Faculty Scholar at the Stanford Child Health Research Institute.

Education:

• BA in Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University
• MD/PhD in Molecular Cell Biology, Washington University School of Medicine
• Ophthalmology Residency, Stanford University
• Glaucoma Fellowship, University of Michigan

Research Focus: Dr. Sun investigates pediatric eye diseases such as congenital glaucoma and retinal degeneration using patient-derived iPS cells, CRISPR gene editing, and optogenetics. His work explores molecular mechanisms like primary cilia signaling, inositol phosphatase function, and mitochondrial transport in neurodegenerative conditions including Lowe syndrome and Joubert syndrome. Recent studies highlight his development of gene therapies for glaucoma and retinal dystrophies using CRISPR systems.

Awards & Grants:

• Laurie Kraus Lacob Faculty Scholar (2018-2023)
• American Glaucoma Society MAPS Award (2012)
• National Eye Institute Funding
• Veterans Administration Grants
• Knights Templar Eye Foundation Support

Training & Leadership: He mentors postdoctoral researchers and leads clinical trials in glaucoma treatment. His patents on regulators of eye pressure underscore his translational impact, and he co-developed consensus guidelines for ex vivo intraocular pressure research.