Alan Stitt

Alan Stitt is Professor and Dean of Innovation and Impact at Queen's University Belfast's School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences. He holds the McCauley Chair of Experimental Ophthalmology and previously directed the Centre for Vision & Vascular Science. His administrative roles include leading the MRC Innovation Accelerator Account and Wellcome Trust Institutional Strategic Support Fund.

Research focuses on diabetic retinopathy, age-related retinal diseases, and vascular regeneration. Key discoveries include the role of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) in retinal vascular diseases and pioneering stem cell therapies for ischemic retina. Current projects investigate ECFC-mediated vascular repair and anti-VEGF resistance mechanisms.

Publication trends show consistent focus on ophthalmologic mechanisms (75%), vascular biology (60%), and translational therapies (45%), with emerging work in infectious retinopathy (25%).

• Royal Society Merit Award
• Sir Jules Thorn Biomedical Science Award
• JDRF Mary Jane Kugel Award
• Fincham Medal

Leads multiple international collaborations and supervises PhD students on projects involving endothelial progenitor cells and combinatorial therapies. Serves as Editor-in-Chief of Progress in Retinal & Eye Research and on Diabetes UK research committees.