Maria Fernanda Abalem

Maria Fernanda Abalem, MD, MSc, PhD, is an Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan's Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, affiliated with the Kellogg Eye Center. She also maintains a clinical practice and faculty position at the University of São Paulo, Brazil.

Her research focuses on inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs), including patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), image informatics, and genotype-phenotype correlations. She co-developed the Michigan Retinal Degeneration Questionnaire (MRDQ) and investigates structural-functional endpoints in clinical trials.

Recent publications highlight her work on diabetic retinopathy (retinal thinning, OCT analysis), genetic detection disparities, vision-related anxiety, and AI-driven diagnostics. She serves on ARVO's Professional Development and Education Committee and chaired Big Data and Career Development meetings.

Scientific awards include the Foundation Fighting Blindness Fellowship. Her work spans

• IRD gene therapy trials
• Teleophthalmology
• Contrast sensitivity deficits
• Hydroxychloroquine maculopathy
• Diurnal OCT variations in retinoschisis
• Global health disparities

Labs/teams: Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams at the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center and University of São Paulo's Department of Ophthalmology. Current projects involve diabetic choroidal thickness analysis, peripheral retinal lesions, and psychosocial impacts of vision loss.