معرفی
Dr. Simon Kaja is an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and Molecular Pharmacology & Neuroscience at Loyola University Chicago’s Stritch School of Medicine. He holds the Dr. John P. and Therese E. Mulcahy Endowed Professorship in Ophthalmology. His research focuses on ocular drug discovery, ocular toxicology, and pharmacovigilance, particularly addressing ocular surface diseases and environmental pollutants’ impacts. He leads the Ocular Pharmacology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, which employs interdisciplinary approaches to develop therapies for anterior and posterior segment eye diseases.
Education:
- Ph.D. (2007), Neuroscience, Leiden University, Netherlands
- B.Sc. (2002), Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of Durham, UK
Research Interests: Dr. Kaja’s work spans ocular pharmacology, drug discovery for ocular surface diseases, and toxicity from airborne pollutants/military exposures. Key areas include:
- Mechanisms of particulate matter-induced ocular pathology
- Antioxidant therapies for neurodegenerative ophthalmic disorders
- Exosome-mediated neuron-glial signaling in glaucoma
- Preclinical models for dry eye disease and corneal toxicity
Publications: His recent work emphasizes translational research, including systematic reviews on air pollution’s ocular effects and novel therapies using pooled immune globulins. Collaborations with institutions like UPenn and Wake Forest explore exosome-based diagnostics and therapeutic delivery.
Awards:
- 2023 Alice B. Hayes Award (Runner-Up) for mentoring
- 2019 Graduate Faculty of the Year
Advising & Grants: Supervises PhD/MSc students in drug discovery and toxicity. Secured grants from the Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness (ISPB) for projects on ocular surface disease and choroidal sprouting assays. Collaborates on NIH-funded studies on exosome signaling and LOXL1’s role in astrocytosis.
Labs & Teams: Directs the Ocular Pharmacology Lab at Loyola’s Center for Translational Research & Education. Active in multi-institutional networks like the Burn Shock Trauma Research Center and Alcohol Research Program.
