Roxana Radu

Roxana A. Radu is an Associate Professor-in-residence in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Medicine. She holds the prestigious Vernon O. Underwood Family Chair in Ophthalmology and serves as Principal Investigator on NIH-funded research examining the role of the complement system in recessive Stargardt disease.

Dr. Radu's research primarily focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying inherited retinal degenerations, particularly Stargardt disease and age-related macular degeneration. Her laboratory investigates the critical role of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in maintaining retinal health, with specific emphasis on visual cycle biology, lipofuscin accumulation, and complement system dysregulation. Through innovative approaches using mouse models, patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells, and advanced imaging techniques, her work has significantly advanced our understanding of how RPE dysfunction leads to photoreceptor degeneration and vision loss.

Analysis of Dr. Radu's extensive publication record reveals a consistent research trajectory centered on Stargardt disease pathogenesis. Her work demonstrates how complement system activation, impaired lysosomal function (particularly involving cathepsin D), and abnormal lipid metabolism in the RPE contribute to disease progression. Recent publications highlight emerging themes including the role of microRNAs in RPE function, circadian regulation of photoreceptor phagocytosis, and novel therapeutic approaches targeting specific molecular pathways.

• Vernon O. Underwood Family Chair in Ophthalmology

As a principal investigator, Dr. Radu has successfully mentored numerous graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and junior researchers who have co-authored her extensive publication record. Her laboratory maintains strong collaborative relationships with leading vision science researchers across UCLA and other institutions, contributing to multidisciplinary approaches to understanding and treating retinal diseases. Dr. Radu's NIH R01 grant "The Role of Complement in Recessive Stargardt Disease" (2015-2021) provided substantial funding for her laboratory's investigations into complement-mediated mechanisms of retinal degeneration.

Dr. Radu's research laboratory focuses on the intersection of retinal biology, immunology, and genetics to unravel the complex mechanisms underlying Stargardt disease and related macular degenerations. Her team employs a comprehensive suite of techniques including molecular biology, cell culture, animal models, and clinical correlations to develop a deeper understanding of disease pathogenesis with the ultimate goal of identifying novel therapeutic targets.