Simon Petersen-Jones

Simon Petersen-Jones is a Professor in the Genetics & Genome Sciences Program and BioMolecular Science Gateway at Michigan State University, where he has been a faculty member since 1998. His work focuses on inherited retinal diseases in animals, particularly dogs and cats, and their translation to human medicine.

• Royal Veterinary College, University of London (1983) - Veterinary Degree
• University of Cambridge (PhD) - Research on hereditary retinal diseases in dogs
• Michigan State University (1998-present) - Faculty in Genetics & Genome Sciences

His research targets gene therapy and inherited retinal degeneration, with a focus on large animal models like dogs and cats. He has developed subretinal injection techniques, AAV gene therapy vectors, and consensus guidelines for retinal disease nomenclature in companion animals. Key trends in his 15 most recent publications (2025-2024) include mutation-specific gene augmentation, drug repurposing, and genetic modifier analysis to address retinal disorders.

Scientific recognition includes the Wellcome Trust Veterinary Research Career Development Fellowship and awards from the British Small Animal Veterinary Association and Pfizer. He has also co-edited major veterinary ophthalmology texts, including Small Animal Ophthalmology, and lectured internationally.