Daniel Pelaez

Daniel Pelaez, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at the University of Miami's Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, where he serves as Scientific Director of the Dr. Nasser Al-Rashid Vision Research Center. Originally from Colombia and the son of head and neck cancer surgeons, Dr. Pelaez has dedicated his career to developing novel biotechnologies to address perplexing health problems, particularly in ophthalmology and vision science.

Dr. Pelaez's research focuses on stem cell biology, regenerative medicine, and the development of retinal organoid technology. His laboratory has pioneered stem cell retinal organoid platforms to study neurodegenerative diseases of the retina and optic nerve, developing novel therapeutic approaches that address neurodegenerative processes and promote recovery of sight in preclinical models. His work spans from basic molecular mechanisms to translational applications for treating visual system disorders.

Dr. Pelaez leads research projects funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Eye Institute (NEI), Department of Defense (DOD), and private foundations. His publication record demonstrates expertise in traumatic optic neuropathy, retinoblastoma, and innovative therapeutic interventions for visual system disorders, with several high-impact publications appearing in leading ophthalmology and cancer research journals in 2024-2025.

• Young Investigator Award, Alcon Research Institute
• Emerging Vision Scientist Award, Alliance for Eye and Vision Research
• Honorable Mention Team award, National Eye Institute
• Full Membership, Sigma Xi Scientific Research Honor Society
• Nominee to attend Nobel Laureate Meetings at Lindau

Dr. Pelaez serves on multiple institutional committees including the Programs in Biomedical Sciences (PIBS) PhD Admissions Committee, MDB Graduate Program Steering Committee, and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Committee. His laboratory at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute functions as a translational research hub bridging stem cell technology, molecular biology, and clinical applications for vision restoration.