Alfredo García Layana

Alfredo García Layana serves as Full Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Navarra School of Medicine and Director of the Ophthalmology Department at Clínica Universidad de Navarra. He currently holds the presidency of the Spanish Society of Retina and Vitreous (SERV), a position assumed in March 2023 after previously serving as Vice President (2019-2023), Secretary General (2015-2018), and Treasurer (2011-2014).

Education:

• Licensed in Medicine and Surgery (University of Navarra, 1987)
• Doctor in Medicine (University of Valladolid, 1993)
• Family Medicine Specialist (Ministry of Health, 1994)
• Ophthalmology Specialist (University of Valladolid, 1993)

Research Interests: Dr. García Layana maintains a 20+ year surgical and research focus on vitreoretinal diseases, with particular expertise in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, and high myopia. His clinical work includes complex vitreoretinal surgeries for retinal detachments, epiretinal membranes, and macular holes, alongside management of ocular tumors and posterior uveitis. His laboratory research established a coherent line in retinal disease mechanisms, notably pioneering gene therapy approaches for AMD through the European FP7 Target-AMD project.

Advising and Grants: He has directed 17 doctoral theses (five receiving national awards) and served on 30 thesis committees across eight Spanish universities. As Principal Investigator, he secured 22 competitive research projects including 14 national public grants and the groundbreaking FP7 Target-AMD project, plus 56 clinical trials. His leadership of the Experimental Ophthalmology Laboratory since 2004 demonstrates sustainable research management through competitive funding.

Laboratory Leadership: He founded and directs the Experimental Ophthalmology Laboratory at the University of Navarra, managing a fully self-financed multidisciplinary team of nine professionals (4 postdocs, 3 graduates, 2 technicians) entirely supported by competitive research contracts since inception.