Alex V. Levin

Alex V. Levin, M.D., M.H.Sc., serves as Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, holding the Adeline Lutz - Steven S.T. Ching, M.D. Distinguished Professorship. He concurrently holds joint appointments in the Center for Visual Science and the Department of Pediatrics, Genetics. As Chief of the Flaum Eye Institute's Pediatric Ophthalmology and Ocular Genetics team and Chief of Clinical Genetics at URMC, he leads cross-functional teams comprising ophthalmologists, optometrists, pediatric specialists, geneticists, nurses, and genetic counselors.

• Medical Degree: Jefferson Medical College
• Residency: Pediatrics at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
• Residency: Ophthalmology at Wills Eye Hospital
• Fellowship: Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children
• Masters of Health Science in Bioethics: University of Toronto (2001)

Dr. Levin's research spans ocular genetics and gene therapy, children's vision screening, pediatric glaucoma/cataract/uveitis, ocular manifestations of child abuse, and bioethics. His work integrates clinical expertise in pediatric anterior segment eye conditions with scientific investigation into genetic eye diseases. He maintains the only simultaneous US Board Certifications in pediatrics, ophthalmology, and child abuse pediatrics worldwide.

Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals predominant focus on genetic eye disorders (73%), with significant emphasis on retinal hemorrhage patterns in trauma (13%) and pediatric glaucoma (7%). His research demonstrates consistent translational application from basic science to clinical practice, particularly in ocular genetics and abusive head trauma diagnostics.

• Resident Guardian Award (2022)
• Edward A. Jaeger and John B. Jeffers Citizenship Award (2020)
• Albert Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award (2018)
• Al Biglan Medal in Pediatric Ophthalmology (2014)
• Ray E. Helfer Society Award for Child Abuse Research (2011)

With over 35 years of experience and hundreds of peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Levin has secured funding from the National Institutes of Health, Canadian Institute of Health, and private foundations. His research portfolio demonstrates exceptional continuity in pediatric ophthalmology and ocular genetics, with recent emphasis on deep learning applications for retinal hemorrhage analysis and international registry development for childhood glaucoma. He has established comprehensive vision screening programs for underserved urban populations and pioneered ethical frameworks for genetic testing in pediatric ophthalmology.

Dr. Levin directs the Ocular Genetics Program at URMC, which provides multidisciplinary care through the Pediatric Ophthalmology and Ocular Genetics team. His laboratory investigations focus on nascent chromatin structure in fibrosis and protein modeling for inherited retinal diseases, with active collaborations across the Montalcino Aortic Consortium and Sturge-Weber Foundation research networks.