Robert W. Nickells

Robert W. Nickells is a Professor and holds the Frederick A. Davis Chair of Ophthalmology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison's School of Medicine and Public Health, within the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences. His research focuses on glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness globally, and the role of the pro-apoptotic gene Bax in retinal ganglion cell death.

• PhD (1987) from the University of Calgary
• BS (1983) from the University of Victoria
• Postdoctoral Fellowship (1987–1990) at the California Institute of Technology

Research Interests: Dr. Nickells investigates the mechanisms of BAX protein activation in retinal ganglion cells and whether intrinsic apoptotic programs operate independently in axons. His work aims to develop therapies targeting BAX to prevent neuronal loss in glaucoma and other neurodegenerative diseases. Key areas include mitochondrial dysfunction, genetically induced ocular hypertension, and chronic models of glaucoma.