Alan D. Marmorstein

Alan D. Marmorstein, Ph.D., is a Professor of Ophthalmology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where he holds the administrative title of Senior Associate Consultant II-Research in the Department of Ophthalmology. He is an active faculty member leading a research laboratory focused on regenerative medicine for retinal diseases.

• Ph.D., State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn
• Postdoctoral Fellowship, Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University
• B.S. in Biology, State University of New York at Albany and City University of New York, College of Staten Island

Dr. Marmorstein’s research is centered on preventing and restoring vision loss due to retinal degenerative diseases, particularly age-related and inherited macular degenerations such as Best disease and Doyne honeycomb retinal dystrophy. His lab employs a multidisciplinary, team-based approach involving animal models, stem cells, and collaboration with vitreoretinal surgeons and biomedical engineers. His three primary research areas include: understanding the pathogenesis of sub-RPE deposits in macular degeneration, developing iPSC-derived retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell therapies, and improving gene therapy delivery methods using hydrogel scaffolds. His work bridges basic science and clinical translation, aiming to develop curative or preventative treatments where none currently exist.

His recent publications reflect a strong trend in regenerative ophthalmology, with a focus on iPSC-derived RPE transplantation, surgical delivery models, molecular mechanisms of bestrophin-1, and novel imaging and drug delivery systems. The research spans molecular biology, translational models, and clinical trial development, demonstrating a cohesive trajectory toward clinical application of cell and gene therapies for vision restoration.

Scientific Awards and Editorial Roles:

• Fellow, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (2010)
• First-Round Award, Mayo Clinic President's Discovery Translation Program (2020)
• Associate Editor, Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics (2012–present)
• Member, Editorial Review Board, Molecular Vision (2010–present)
• Associate Editor, Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology (2021–present)
• Member, Editorial Board, PLOS ONE (2023–present)

Dr. Marmorstein has secured multiple competitive grants from the National Eye Institute and Mayo Clinic to support his research on RPE cell therapy, bestrophin function, and retinal imaging. His projects include preclinical testing of iPSC-derived RPE for macular degeneration and clinical translation of stem cell-based therapies. He actively mentors researchers and collaborates across disciplines, contributing to both scientific advancement and training in regenerative ophthalmology.

His laboratory is part of the Center for Regenerative Biotherapeutics at Mayo Clinic, where he leads a team focused on developing cell and gene therapies for retinal diseases. The lab integrates molecular biology, surgical innovation, and biomaterials to create comprehensive treatment platforms for macular degeneration.