Amanda Carr is an Associate Professor and Principal Investigator at the University College London (UCL) Institute of Ophthalmology . Her research focuses on leveraging pluripotent stem cells to advance vision research, particularly for inherited and degenerative macular diseases like Bestrophinopathies and Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). She leads the Carr Lab , which develops patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models to uncover disease mechanisms and pioneer therapies such as gene editing and molecular medicines. Research Interests: Stem cell applications in retinal repair, BEST1 gene function, Wnt signaling in RPE plasticity, and translational readthrough therapies for genetic blindness. Teaching: Leads modules on stem cells and eye repair, and teaches across UCL's bioscience and ophthalmology courses. Public Engagement: Serves as the Genomic Discovery and Therapeutics Theme PPIE Champion for the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital and UCL. Scientific Awards: Moorfields Eye Charity Champion (Finalist) - 2023 NIHR Moorfields BRC Public and Patient Involvement and Engagement Award - 2023
Alice Davidson serves as Associate Professor of Molecular Genetics at University College London's Institute of Ophthalmology, holding a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship (2020-2027) and serving as Deputy Chair of the Ophthalmology Basic & Applied Science Interim Exam Board. Her research program focuses on inherited corneal diseases with emphasis on Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD), supported by £3.5 million in research funding since 2015. Her educational background includes a PhD in Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology (2010) and BSc (2006), both from the University of Manchester. She completed postdoctoral training at UCL Institute of Ophthalmology investigating genetic causes of retinal and corneal diseases. Davidson's research integrates molecular genetics, bioinformatics, and cellular models to elucidate disease mechanisms in corneal disorders. Her work establishes international leadership in FECD research through development of patient-derived cellular systems and interdisciplinary collaborations spanning academic, clinical, and industrial partners. Current projects address triplet repeat expansion disorders with implications for neurological conditions. Recent publications demonstrate strong output in corneal genetics, with 2024-2025 articles focusing on AI applications for FECD diagnosis, TCF4 repeat expansion mechanisms, and novel gene discoveries for corneal dystrophies. Her work shows consistent translational impact through development of diagnostic frameworks and therapeutic approaches. UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship (2020-2024, renewed 2024-2027) Fight for Sight Early Career Investigator Award (2015) Davidson actively supervises PhD students, having successfully guided two to completion and currently mentoring three primary supervisees plus secondary students. Her leadership extends to directing UCL's corneal disease bio-resource and cellular model systems. Current research emphasizes gene-directed therapeutic strategies with potential applications across multiple repeat expansion disorders.
Dr. Shirley Fecteau is a Professor at Université Laval and holds the Canada Research Chair in Neuroplasticity. Her research focuses on developing noninvasive brain stimulation therapies for cognitive disorders, targeting attention, decision-making, and emotional regulation in conditions like alcoholism, schizophrenia, and PTSD. Key Tools: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), fMRI, EEG, Cognitive Training Target Disorders: Substance Use Disorders, Gambling Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety, Schizophrenia Dr. Fecteau's work explores how transcranial stimulation alters neurotransmitter levels and neuronal activity, particularly in treatment-resistant cases. She collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to study neuroplasticity mechanisms and optimize clinical applications. Recent publications highlight her focus on neuroimaging integration , addictive behaviors , and neurostimulation safety . Her team's studies span from animal models to human clinical trials , emphasizing translational research. Canada Research Chair in Neuroplasticity Contributions to International Consensus Guidelines on Brain Stimulation Dr. Fecteau supervises a team of PhD, MSc students, and postdocs, including Shiva Sedghi, Uziel Rayas, Amy E Bouchard, and Thierry Provencher. Her research is supported by grants from major Canadian health agencies.
Rodney Braun is an Associate Professor at the School of Medicine , Wayne State University . As Course Director of Medical Histology and Embryology , he leads Year 1 curriculum development while contributing to the Biology of the Eye course. Active in curriculum and promotions committees Research focuses on tumor oxygenation and blood flow modification Current collaboration with Dr. Avril Genene Holt Research Highlights: Specializes in ocular tumor hemodynamics using laser Doppler flowmetry , oxygen microelectrodes , and high-frequency ultrasound to study choroidal melanoma growth patterns. Publication Trends: Recent works (2012-2013) emphasize MRI contrast agents and mitochondrial inhibitors for tumor imaging, while earlier studies (2001-2002) explore neurotrauma and endothelin-1 dynamics .
Dr. Ashok Kumar is a full-time Assistant Professor at Wayne State University with primary appointments in the Department of Ophthalmology (Kresge Eye Institute) and secondary roles in Microbiology, Immunology, and Biochemistry. He holds adjunct and joint appointments at Wayne State and Oakland University. B.S. (Medical) from Panjab University M.S. (Microbiology) from Kurukshetra University Ph.D. (Medical Microbiology) from PGIMER, Chandigarh His research focuses on host-pathogen interactions in ocular infections, with emphasis on immunomodulation strategies targeting Toll-like receptors and Nod-like receptors. He investigates metabolic regulation of immune responses, antibiotic resistance mechanisms, and emerging viral infections like Zika virus and SARS-CoV-2, utilizing omics technologies and systems biology approaches. Recent publications highlight his work on viral ocular pathogenesis (Zika, SARS-CoV-2), immunometabolism (AMPK, glycolysis), and bacterial endophthalmitis mechanisms. His lab has developed mouse models for fungal infections and pioneered bacteriophage endolysin therapy for antibiotic-resistant strains. Research to Prevent Blindness Special Scholar Award NIH/NEI R01 grants (EY019888, EY026964) His work intersects microbiology, immunology, and ophthalmology, with significant contributions to understanding immune cell dynamics, metabolic checkpoints in inflammation resolution, and novel therapeutic strategies for infectious diseases.
Dr. Iris Lindberg is a Professor in the Department of Neurobiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, with a secondary appointment in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. She has maintained continuous NIH funding since 1984 and has published 178 peer-reviewed papers with approximately 8,500 citations. Her laboratory focuses on proteostatic control of secretory pathway biochemistry and cell biology, particularly examining natural chaperone interactions involved in protein aggregation in neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. Lindberg received her A.B. in Biochemistry from the University of California at Berkeley in 1975, followed by a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 1980. She completed postdoctoral training at the NIH (NIMH) in Neuropharmacology from 1981-1984. Prior to joining the University of Maryland in 2007 following Hurricane Katrina, she was a professor at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. Dr. Lindberg's research centers on the role of secreted chaperones like proSAAS and 7B2 in preventing protein aggregation in neurodegenerative diseases. Her laboratory discovered that these neuronally-expressed chaperones control the aggregation of secretory proteins involved in neurodegeneration. Current research examines how these chaperones function within the secretory pathway and synaptic cleft to prevent pathological protein assembly in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and ALS. Her work has demonstrated that proSAAS overexpression provides neuroprotection and reduces motor dysfunction in Parkinson's disease models. Additional research focuses on prohormone convertases PC1/3 and PC2, examining how mutations in these enzymes contribute to obesity and diabetes. Dr. Lindberg's publication record reveals a strong focus on protein chaperones in neurodegeneration, with recent work examining proSAAS interactions with amyloid plaques, α-synuclein pathology, and TDP-43 aggregates. Her laboratory has also made significant contributions to understanding prohormone convertase biology, particularly regarding PCSK1 mutations associated with obesity. NIH Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship (1981) Pharmacology Research Associate Traineeship (1981-1983) Research Career Development Award from NIDDK (1988-1993) Research Scientist Development Awards from NIDA (1993-2003) Dr. Lindberg has mentored numerous graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and research technicians throughout her career. Current and past trainees include Kriti Chaplot, Manita Shakya, Tim Jarvela, and Juan Ramon Peinado. Her laboratory has been continuously funded by the NIH since 1985, with current grants including "ProSAAS-mediated neuroprotective mechanisms in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases" (R01 AG062222) and "Opioid Peptide Synthesing Enzymes" (R01 DA042351). The Lindberg Laboratory maintains expertise in multiple techniques including recombinant protein expression, cell culture models of neurodegeneration, animal models of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, and biochemical analysis of protein aggregation. The laboratory has developed specialized methods such as the agarose cloning technique for efficient cell line generation and maintains a comprehensive collection of antisera for prohormone convertases and related proteins.
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
Professor Simon Harding holds the Chair in Clinical Ophthalmology at the University of Liverpool since 2008 and leads the Department of Eye and Vision Science within the Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease. As an Honorary Consultant Ophthalmologist at St. Paul's Eye Unit, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Trust, he bridges clinical practice with translational research. European Association for the Study of Diabetic Eye Complication (Past President, 2016-2021) WHO Consultant (2022-present) Co-founder of AI-Sight Ltd (diabetic retinopathy AI solutions) His research focuses on diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration , with recent work applying artificial intelligence to retinal screening systems and developing risk prediction models . Current projects include WHO partnership initiatives for global implementation of whole-system approaches to diabetic retinal disease. Key scientific contributions include: ISDR risk-based screening system for diabetic retinopathy AI-Sight's diagnostic AI platform Multi-center clinical trials on anti-VEGF therapies Malarial retinopathy diagnostic protocols He has received prestigious recognition through an MBE (2022) from HM Queen and maintains leadership roles in multiple professional organizations including the Royal College of Ophthalmologists and European Association for the Study of Diabetic Eye Complication .
Dr. Li Chen is a Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, affiliated with the Markey Cancer Center and Translational Oncology Research Program. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina in 2009. Her research program focuses on developing novel statistical methodologies for cancer research and epidemiological studies, with expertise in survival analysis, longitudinal data, and predictive modeling. Her research interests center on: Advanced statistical methods for medical studies Cancer biomarker discovery and validation Epidemiological modeling of disease patterns Biomedical imaging analytics Clinical prediction model development Dr. Chen's recent publications demonstrate interdisciplinary collaboration across oncology, virology, and neuroimaging. Her work frequently integrates computational approaches with clinical data to address cancer detection challenges and physiological monitoring techniques. She currently leads several NIH-funded projects including: 'Statistical Methods for Identification of Predictive Biomarkers in Cancer' (NCI PI) 'Pathways to Prevention: Social Determinants in Early Onset Colorectal Cancer' (NCI Co-I) 'Mechanistic Insights into Pro-Metastatic Collagen Glucosyltransferase' (NCI Co-I)
Dr. Neena R Cherayil serves as Assistant Professor in Ophthalmology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine with dual appointments in Neurology (Comprehensive and Hospital Neurology), specializing in neuro-ophthalmology and leading medical education initiatives for students and residents. Education: BA, Swarthmore College (2011) MD, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis (2015) Internal Medicine Internship, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (2016) Neurology Residency, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (2019) Neuro-Ophthalmology Fellowship, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (2020) Research Focus: Her clinical investigations prioritize diagnostic reasoning for complex visual disorders including optic neuritis, idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), eye movement abnormalities, tumor/stroke-induced vision loss, and ocular myasthenia gravis, with emphasis on translating pathological mechanisms into clinical practice. Publication Trends: Her scholarly output demonstrates expertise in rare neuro-ophthalmic manifestations of systemic diseases, exemplified by 2021 research documenting calciphylaxis-induced multi-syndrome ocular pathology spanning vascular calcification, ischemic syndromes, and crystalline retinopathy. Scientific Recognition: FSM Teaching Pin (2022-2025) Frank B. Walsh Presenter, NANOS (2025) Searle Education Fellowship (2023) Nicholas Vick Excellence in Teaching Award (2021) Arthur K Asbury Clinical Excellence Award (2019) Gold Humanism Honor Society Inductee (2014) Educational Leadership: As primary educator for neuro-ophthalmology trainees, she develops diagnostic reasoning curricula while receiving sustained institutional recognition through multiple teaching awards and the Searle Education Fellowship supporting pedagogical innovation. Professional Engagement: She co-chairs the American Neurological Association's Neuro-ophthalmology/Neurovestibular SIG and actively participates in the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society and American Academy of Neurology.
Constance Cepko is the Bullard Professor of Genetics and Neuroscience at Harvard Medical School and Professor of Ophthalmology at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. She is also an Investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, focusing on retinal development and degeneration. Her lab employs cutting-edge tools like VSV-based transsynaptic tracers and GFP-dependent constructs (T-DDOG, Cre-DOG) to study neural circuits and develop gene therapies for retinal diseases. Key Research Areas: Retinal circuitry, photoreceptor survival mechanisms, and viral vector engineering for neuroscience applications. Scientific Contributions: Development of VSV for anterograde/retrograde tracing, modular GFP scaffolding systems for gene regulation, and electroporation techniques for rapid enhancer analysis. Her recent publications address therapies targeting oxidative stress (NRF2, Txnip), metabolic interventions in retinitis pigmentosa, and advanced imaging technologies (SABER-FISH, Thermal-plex). Collaborative work includes clonal analysis of retinal progenitors and synaptic mapping in mouse models. Notable Awards: Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator. Laboratory team members include graduate students (e.g., Jonathan Tang, Eugene Drokhlyansky) and postdoctoral fellows (e.g., Xiang Ma, Nathan Mundell). Her work spans developmental biology, gene therapy, and neurotechnology, aiming to preserve vision in degenerative diseases.
Prof. Dr. Jan Hasenauer holds the Hertz Professorship at the University of Bonn since August 2024, with dual affiliations to the Life & Medical Sciences Institute (LIMES) and the Hausdorff Center for Mathematics (HCM) . His work bridges computational biology , systems biology , and mathematical modeling , focusing on methods for integrating heterogeneous biological data , model-based hypothesis testing , and experimental design optimization . Develops computational frameworks for analyzing complex biological systems Active in multi-scale modeling of cellular and organismal processes Key contributor to universal differential equations and Bayesian inference tools Research Trends from 2024-2025 publications show expertise in: Integrating clinical data with multi-omics for disease modeling Designing privacy-preserving analysis tools for clinical trials Developing software standards like PEtab for reproducible modeling Applying machine learning to epidemiological forecasting The group maintains strong connections with the Transdisciplinary Research Area 'Modelling' and collaborates across mathematics , life sciences , and public health . Recent ERC Starting Grant funding (€1.5M) supports their innovative computational approaches.
Professor John Grigg serves as Head of the Discipline of Ophthalmology at The University of Sydney's Save Sight Institute within the Faculty of Medicine and Health. He maintains clinical practice at Sydney Eye Hospital and The Children's Hospital Westmead, where he provides specialized care while advancing research and education in ophthalmology. With extensive expertise across multiple subspecialties, Professor Grigg has established himself as a leading figure in Australian ophthalmology. Professor Grigg's research spans genetic eye disease, inherited retinal disorders, glaucoma management, and clinical electrophysiology of the visual system. His work has significantly advanced understanding of pediatric eye conditions, particularly in the areas of childhood glaucoma and cataract. As a recognized leader in laser cataract surgical techniques, he has contributed to the evolution of modern cataract surgery approaches. His scholarly output includes numerous publications and textbook chapters that have shaped clinical practice in ophthalmology. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on genetic eye disorders, with particular emphasis on natural history studies of retinal dystrophies, genotype-phenotype correlations, and emerging therapeutic approaches including gene therapy. Professor Grigg's research bridges basic science with clinical application, addressing critical questions in diagnostic approaches, disease progression monitoring, and treatment outcomes across multiple ophthalmic conditions. Sydney Medical School Award for Excellence in the category of Outstanding Educational Engagement and Innovation 2016 RANZCO College Council Lecturer 2015 The Billson Lecture: 27th Annual Australian and New Zealand Ophthalmic Registrar Conference Sydney January 2015 Best poster presentation RANZCO 2011 World Glaucoma Congress Singapore Top 10 poster July 2007 Professor Grigg has made substantial contributions to medical education, overseeing the expansion of postgraduate programs in Ophthalmic Science and introducing innovative degree programs in International Ophthalmology and Cataract and Refractive Surgery. He currently supervises research students including Marium RAZA, who is investigating genotype-phenotype correlations in ABCA4 and BEST1 disease. His educational leadership extends to implementing comprehensive curriculum reviews and developing the virtual ophthalmology clinic for medical students. His current research portfolio includes Natural History studies of Retinal Dystrophies, Genotype phenotype studies of Genetic eye disorders, Childhood cataract, Childhood glaucoma, and Glaucoma surgical outcomes. Professor Grigg maintains active international collaborations with University College London (focusing on visual electrophysiology for genotype-phenotype studies) and the University of Manchester (investigating pediatric cataract management with Professor IC Lloyd).
Eric S Goetzman, PhD is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in the Division of Genetic and Genomic Medicine. He also holds a secondary appointment in the Department of Genetics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health. His research is based at the UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh where he maintains an active laboratory investigating metabolism and mitochondrial function. Dr. Goetzman serves as a key faculty member in the Division of Genetic and Genomic Medicine, contributing to both clinical and basic science research programs that focus on genetic disorders. BS, Psychology/Pre-Med, University of Minnesota-Morris, 1994 PhD, Medical Genetics, University of Alabama-Birmingham, 2002 Postdoctoral Fellowship, Mayo Clinic, 2002-2004 Postdoctoral Fellowship, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, 2004-2006 Dr. Goetzman's research focuses on metabolism and mitochondrial function, with particular emphasis on fat metabolism and peroxisomal activity. His laboratory investigates how post-translational modifications of metabolic enzymes control their activity and function, which has implications for understanding and treating inborn errors of metabolism. His work has advanced the understanding of alternative dietary fats for therapeutic applications in metabolic disorders. The research spans basic biochemical mechanisms to translational applications, with particular focus on lysine acylation, fatty acid oxidation disorders, and the role of peroxisomes in metabolic health. His laboratory frequently employs mouse models, proteomics, and metabolomics approaches to study metabolic regulation in health and disease. Analysis of Dr. Goetzman's recent publications reveals a strong focus on metabolic regulation, particularly involving mitochondria and peroxisomes. His research spans multiple organ systems including kidney, liver, heart, and brain, with consistent themes around metabolic regulation in disease states. A significant portion of his recent work investigates therapeutic applications of dicarboxylic acids for metabolic disorders and acute kidney injury. His publications demonstrate interdisciplinary collaboration across nephrology, cardiology, oncology, and ophthalmology, highlighting the systemic nature of metabolic regulation. The research increasingly incorporates sex-specific differences in metabolism and explores the role of sirtuins in metabolic regulation. Session Chair, INFORM Meeting, Amsterdam, Netherlands (2019) Travel Award, INFORM Meeting, Amsterdam, Netherlands (2019) Travel Award, INFORM Meeting, Athens, Greece (2018) Best of JBC for 2017, Metabolism Category (2018) Faculty Spotlight, University of Pittsburgh Liver Center (2017) Dr. Goetzman is actively involved in multiple NIH-funded research projects as PI or co-investigator, including R01 grants focused on peroxisomal metabolism, fatty acid oxidation disorders, and acute kidney injury. His laboratory maintains strong collaborations with clinical researchers at UPMC Children's Hospital and the University of Pittsburgh, particularly in the areas of inborn errors of metabolism and metabolic aspects of organ function. He is a member of several research networks including the International Network for Fatty Acid Oxidation Disorders Research and Management and the Pittsburgh Center for Metabolism & Mitochondrial Medicine, which facilitate collaborative research and translation of findings to clinical practice. Dr. Goetzman's laboratory is part of the Division of Genetic and Genomic Medicine at the UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, operating within the Rangos Research Center. His research team includes postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and research staff working on various aspects of metabolism and mitochondrial function. The laboratory collaborates extensively with other research groups at the University of Pittsburgh, particularly with the Pittsburgh Center for Metabolism & Mitochondrial Medicine and the Pittsburgh Liver Center. These collaborations provide access to specialized equipment and expertise in areas such as metabolomics, proteomics, and mouse model development, supporting a comprehensive approach to studying metabolic regulation in health and disease.
Dr. Carol Lin is a Clinical Assistant Professor at SUNY College of Optometry, where she is also a PhD Candidate. She completed her OD and MS at SUNY in 2020 and the Combined Residency/PhD program in 2022, with a residency focus on primary care, ocular disease, and myopia control. B.Sc. in Neuroscience, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Minor in French Language and Linguistics OD and MS in Optometry, SUNY College of Optometry Dr. Lin's research investigates how myopia alters the retinal neurovascular unit and increases glaucoma susceptibility. Her work employs experimental models to study structural and functional changes in retinal ganglion cells, astrocytes, capillaries, and glial cells, with a focus on myopia-induced reorganization of retinal layers and vasculature. Her recent publications explore experimental myopia progression, retinal neurovascular coupling, and age interactions in ocular degeneration. Key methodologies involve sustained defocus models, choroidal morphology analysis, and gap junction blockade in nonhuman primates. Dr. Lin's academic contributions center on myopia research, retinal vascular biology, and glaucoma studies. Her work bridges neuroscience and optometry, emphasizing preclinical models to understand myopia's long-term effects on retinal structure and function.
