Alistair Barber

Alistair Barber, PhD, is a Professor with dual appointments in the Department of Ophthalmology and Department of Cell and Biological Systems at Pennsylvania State University. He serves as Associate Research Director for Penn State Eye Center and previously directed the Graduate Program in Neuroscience (2018-2024). His visiting professorship at Henan Eye Institute (2014) further demonstrates his international collaborations.

Since 1995, Dr. Barber's research has focused on retinal neurodegeneration in diabetic retinopathy, establishing it as a key factor in vision loss. His lab pioneered findings on diabetes-induced retinal apoptosis, neuronal loss, synaptic protein deficiencies, and neuro-inflammation. This work fundamentally shifted understanding of diabetic retinopathy from a purely vascular disease to one involving chronic neurodegeneration. Current investigations examine molecular mechanisms linking metabolic changes, glial activation, and vascular permeability in blood-retinal barrier breakdown.

Recent publications demonstrate his lab's focus on molecular pathways in retinal diseases, particularly REDD1 protein's role in diabetic complications, inflammasome activation, extracellular vesicle signaling, and experimental models of ocular degeneration. His 83+ publications consistently address neurodegeneration-vascular interactions in diabetic eye disease.

Scientific Awards:

• Career Citation Milestone Award (1000 Club), 2022
• Silver Fellow, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, 2019
• Career Citation Milestone Award - D (500) Club, 2019

As Graduate Program Director, he oversees neuroscience education and mentorship. His research is supported by grants including a Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation award (2008-2011) on synaptic proteins in diabetic retina. The Barber Lab continues to investigate neurodegeneration mechanisms using animal models and molecular approaches.