Muayyad Al-Ubaidi

Dr. Muayyad Al-Ubaidi is a tenured Moores Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Houston. His research focuses on mouse transgenesis and developing transgenic models for inherited retinal diseases. He is funded by the NIH and the Foundation Fighting Blindness. Dr. Al-Ubaidi holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology from Baylor College of Medicine and has extensive postdoctoral training in Vision Research and Molecular Biology/Transgenesis.

• Education:
  • BS in Chemistry/Biochemistry, University of Baghdad (Iraq)
  • MS in Biochemistry/Enzymology, University of Baghdad (Iraq)
  • Ph.D. in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine
  • Postdoctoral training in Vision Research at Cullen Eye Institute
  • Postdoctoral training in Molecular Biology/Transgenesis at HHMI, Baylor College of Medicine

Research Interests: Dr. Al-Ubaidi is a pioneer in mouse transgenesis, particularly in creating models for inherited retinal diseases like those linked to rhodopsin mutations. His work integrates molecular biology, genetics, and nanotechnology to advance treatments for retinal degeneration. Key areas include understanding retinal degeneration mechanisms, developing gene therapy approaches, and optimizing drug delivery systems for ocular therapies.

Awards & Honors:

• Vice President, International Society for Eye Research (2015)
• OUHSC Faculty Governance Award (2014)
• OUHSC Provost Senior Scientist Award (2006)
• Postdoctoral Welch Fellow (1984–1986)

Grants & Funding:

• NIH/National Eye Institute: Investigating photoreceptor cell degeneration mechanisms in retinal disease models
• Foundation Fighting Blindness: Developing mutation-independent therapies for peripherin-2-associated diseases