Laboratory Research
Bascom Palmer’s laboratory research program comprises individual investigator-initiated efforts. Junior faculty members are organized into program units based on scientific discipline and graduate training program affiliation.
Please scroll down the page to learn more about the research interests of the units and their individual investigators, or click the links below to go directly to specific groups.
Bioscience
Investigators with entries in the Training Program Affiliations column are faculty members in
one or more of the medical school’s biomedical sciences graduate programs (MCDB, BMB, PBP, MCP, and MBI), the university’s interdisciplinary
neuroscience training programs (NEU), or the department’s
clinical ophthalmology training programs.
Center for Molecular Ophthalmology & Neuroscience
McKnight building, 4th, 6th and 7th floors
This is a consortium of independent research laboratories taking molecular and cellular approaches,
and sharing core resources. The mission is to shed light on the molecular basis of eye disease,
then to pair this new knowledge with state-of-the art biotechnology for development of novel therapeutics and diagnostics.
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Program Director
M. Elizabeth Fini, Ph.D.
Investigators
M. Livia Bajenaru, Ph.D.
Sanjoy K. Bhattacharya, Ph.D.
Jeffrey L. Goldberg, M.D., Ph.D.
Abigail S. Hackam, Ph.D.
Dolena R. Ledee, Ph.D.
Richard K. Lee, M.D., Ph.D.
Wen-Hsiang Lee, M.D., Ph.D.
Wei Li, Ph.D.
Maria E. Marin-Castano, M.D., Ph.D.
Victor L. Perez, M.D
Valery I. Shestopalov, Ph.D. |
Training Program Affiliation
MCDB, PBP, NEU
NEU, BMB
MCDB, NEU
NEU
MCDB, NEU
MBI, NEU
MBI, NEU
NEU
MCDB |
Laboratory for Molecular Genetics
McKnight building, 6th floor
This laboratory takes molecular, genetic, and electrophysiologic approaches to understanding
the function of the eye and its inherited diseases. Projects related to finding the cause, mechanism,
treatment and cure for retinal degenerative diseases including macular degeneration are conducted under
the auspices of the William and Norma Horvitz Retinal Degeneration Center.
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Director
George Inana, M.D., Ph.D. |
Training Program Affiliation
NEU |
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Laboratory for Retinal Neuroplasticity
McKnight building, 2nd floor (experimental models lab)
Anne Bates Leach Eye Hospital, 4th/5th floors (clinical testing lab)
This laboratory uses electrophysiologic, imaging, and genetic approaches to understand
the ability of retinal neurons to recover functionally and/or structurally after injury or disease.
The focus is on glaucomatous optic neuropathy, and the goal is to develop strategies to prevent and/or
restore loss of neural function. Projects are conducted in both human patients and mouse models using
non-invasive techniques that allow immediate translation of research findings.
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Director
Vittorio Porciatti, D.Sc.
Co-Investigator
Lori M. Ventura, M.D. |
Training Program Affiliation
NEU
Ophthalmology, Comprehensive Ophthalmology |
Ocular Oncology Laboratory
McKnight building, 7th floor
This laboratory is dedicated to research leading directly to better treatments for ocular tumors.
The focus is on combined modality focal therapies. Experimental models are utilized to investigate
tumor responses to periocular chemotherapy, external beam radiotherapy, and hyperthermia.
The lab actively translates new findings to the clinic.
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Program Director
Timothy G. Murray, M.D.
Laboratory Co-Director
Maria Elena Jockovich, Ph.D. |
Laboratory for Retinal Degenerations & Vascular Disorders
McKnight building, 5th floor
The long-term goal of this laboratory is to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms
of retinal diseases, including retinal degenerations and pathological angiogenesis, and to develop
effective new treatments. Research is focused on inherited photoreceptor degeneration, age-related
macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.
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Director
Rong Wen, M.D., Ph.D.
Co-Investigator
Yiwen Li, M.D. |
Training Program Affiliation |
Biomedical Engineering
Investigators with entries in the Ph.D. program column are faculty members in the university’s biomedical
engineering training programs (BME) or the department’s clinical ophthalmology training programs.
Center for Ophthalmic Imaging & Biomedical Engineering
McKnight building, 2nd floor
This research unit is a consortium of independent labs and investigators with a common interest in the
optical properties of the eye and imaging technologies. A major focus is to advance the technological
frontiers and develop novel ophthalmic applications for an innovative non-invasive imaging technology
called Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT).
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Program Consultant
Robert W. Knighton, Ph.D.
Investigators
Delia Cabrera, Ph.D.
Giovanni Gregori, Ph.D.
XiangRun Huang, Ph.D.
Shuliang Jiao, Ph.D.
Jianhua (Jay) Wang, M.D., Ph.D. |
Training Program Affiliation
Ophthalmology, Medical Retina
BME
BME
BME
BME
BME
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Ophthalmic Biophysics Center
McKnight building, 1st and 2nd floors
The Ophthalmic Biophysics Center (OBC) was established in 1970 under the tutelage of Bascom Palmer founder,
Edward W.D. Norton, M.D. The center’s mission is to perform translational research benefiting patient eye care.
In Dr. Norton’s view, this could be achieved best by transferring state of the art technology (optoelectromechanics,
lasers, and polymer chemistry) to the clinical arena. Numerous inventions have been made by the scientists in the OBC,
accomplished by working in symphony and with the cooperation of the clinical faculty.
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Director
Jean-Marie Parel, Ph.D.
Co-Director
Fabrice Manns, Ph.D.
Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Ophthalmology
Medical Director
Francisco E. Fantes, M.D.
Associate Investigators
Fotios M. Andreopoulos, Ph.D.
Department of Surgery
Peter J. Milne, Ph.D.
School of Marine & Atmospheric Sciences |
BME
BME
Ophthalmology, Glaucoma
BME
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