S. Patricia Becerra received a Doctorate degree (Major in Biochemistry) from the University of Navarra, Spain. Her postdoctoral training was in biochemistry at the National Cancer Institute, and in molecular virology at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD. Becerra is head of the Section of Protein Structure and Function, Laboratory of Retinal Cell and Molecular Biology, National Eye Institute, NIH. She is an author of more than 70 peer-reviewed articles, reviews and book chapters. She serves as an editorial board member and reviewer of several journals in biochemistry, molecular biology and ophthalmology.

Protein Structure and Function

Bruce Gaynes holds doctorate degrees in both pharmacy and optometry as well as a graduate degree in pharmacology from the Indiana University Medical Sciences Program. He holds a joint appointment at the Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Hines, IL and Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine Department of Ophthalmology, Maywood, IL.

Ophthalmic drug delivery

Kip M Connor is an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School. He received his Ph.D. degree from Albany Medical College in 2005. Dr. Connor did his post-graduate work at Children’s Hospital Boston and Harvard Medical School, where he also obtained his first faculty position from 2005 to 2010. In 2010 Dr. Connor joined MEEIs Howe and Angiogenesis Laboratories at MEEI. Connors current research focuses on the role of immunity and inflammation using animal models of ocular diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, retinopathies (diabetic retinopathy and retinopathy of prematurity), auto-immune uveitis, retinal detachment and retinal degenerations.

Alireza Ziaei, M.D. is a recipient of numerous awards and grants including National Excellent Researchers Award and the Science Excellence Prize in Iran. Postdoctoral Fellow at Harvard Medical School, as a Research Scientist, he performs Basic Science Research at Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear in Boston. Ziaei’s interest and current research focus is on corneal and ocular surface diseases and his seminal work has been recognized several times. He published and presented numerous articles in highly ranked peer–reviewed journals and conferences. Ziaei has participated as a scientific and organizing committee of several International meetings and presented at numerous international meetings, including a number of invited presentations. Ziaei is member of Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), International Society for Eye Research (ISER), Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society (TFOS). He is serving as an Executive Editor and Editorial Board member of reputed journals and scientific societies. Ziaei serves as a Reviewer of various scientific journals including the American Journal of Ophthalmology (AJO), British Journal of Ophthalmology (BJO), the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology, International Journal of Ophthalmic Pathology (IJOP) and the Journal of Cell Biology: Research & Therapy (CBRT).

Corneal and ocular surface diseases, mainly on the pathogenesis of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy.

Iva Dekaris has completed her medical studies at the age of 24, PhD at 30, became Associate Professor at the age of 35 and Professor at 40. Her postdoctoral studies were both at the Schepens Eye Research Institute of Harvard Medical School (Boston, USA) and at the Ruđer Boskovic research Institute in Zagreb (Croatia). She became ophthalmic-specialist in 1999 and subspecialized in corneal and cataract surgery. From 2010 she is a President of the European Eye Bank Association (EEBA) and Medical Director of the University Eye Hospital Svjetlost. She has published 42 papers in CC journals and over 250 abstracts.

Corneal transplantation, cataract and refractive surgery,and basic and clinical medical integration in the field of corneal transplantation and anterior eye segment surgery

Marco Attilio Eugenio Zarbin, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.S. received a B.A. (biochemistry) from Dartmouth College (Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude, with highest distinction) in 1978. He matriculated to the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1978 and entered their Medical Scientist Training Program in 1980. Zarbin was awarded degrees in medicine (M.D.) and pharmacology (Ph.D.) in 1984 and graduated from the Hopkins Medical School as a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. He completed an ophthalmology residency at the Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute, the Johns Hopkins Hospital from 1985-1988. As a resident, Zarbin was the co-recipient of the Francis S. Schwentker Award for resident research. Zarbin completed fellowships in vitreoretinal surgery and in medical retinal disease at the Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute as a Head Ophthalmic Foundation Fellow and was an Assistant Chief of Service at Wilmer in 1989. He received certification from the American Board of Ophthalmology in November 1989. From 1990-1993, Zarbin served as an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of California, San Francisco and as Chief of the division of Ophthalmology at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco. He was named co-director of the retinal service at UCSF in 6/93. Zarbin was appointed Chair of the Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, New Jersey Medical School and Chief of Ophthalmology at University Hospital in Newark, N.J. in January 1994. He is a Professor of Ophthalmology and Neuroscience at the New Jersey Medical School and holds the Alfonse A. Cinotti, MD/Lions Eye Research Chair in the Department of Ophthalmology. Zarbin is the Editor-in-Chief of Translational Vision Science and Technology and has served an Associate Editor of Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science and as a member of the Editorial Board of Survey of Ophthalmology. Zarbin is a Vice Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Foundation Fighting Blindness. Zarbin is an ex officio member of: 1) the board of Governors of the New Jersey Academy of Ophthalmology, and 2) the National Advisory Eye Council of the National Institutes of Health. In addition, he is a member of the American Ophthalmological Society, the Retina Society, the Macula Society, and the Vitreous Society. Zarbin is a Past President of the Board of Trustees of the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO) and has served as the alternate AUPO representative to the Council of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. In the past Zarbin served as a member of the Preferred Practice Pattern Committee (Retina Panel) of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Chair of the Program Planning Committee of the American Ophthalmological Society, Chair of the Retinal Cell Biology Program Planning Committee of the Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), and Chair of the Professional Development and Education Committee of ARVO. Zarbin also has served as a member of the Visual Sciences C Study Section, Division of Research/Grants

Retinal cell transplantation

Ayman A. Alkawas has completed his MBBCh at the age of 23 years old from Zagazig University, Egypt. He completed his Master Degree of Ophthalmology from the same university in 1994. He completed his retina fellowship in 1998 in Michigan, USA with Associated Retinal Consultants at Beaumont hospital and Oakland University. He completed his Doctorate Degree of Ophthalmology in 1999 in Zagazig Univesristy. He is currently a Professor of Ophthalmology at Zagazig University, Egypt. He published more than 23 papers in reputed local and International journals and acted as reviewer for 5 International journals. He is an Editorial Board Member of one of the reputed journals.

Posterior segment and anterior segment fields (medical and surgical)

Timothy Duong was the winner of the ISMRM Rabi’s Young Investigator Award (1998), a NSF predoctoral fellowship (1994-1998), and a recipient of a NIH NRSA postdoctoral fellowship (1999-2001) during postdoc training at the Center of Magnetic Resonance Research at the University of Minnesota. Duong is the Stanley I Glickman Professor of Ophthalmology, Radiology and Physiology, MRI Division Chief, Assistant Director of Research of the Research Imaging Institute. Duong is a recipient of the VA Career Development Award (2007-2009) and the Established Investigator Award from the American Heart Association (2009-2014).

Speckle and optical imaging

Susumu Ishida undertook his residency in ophthalmology at Keio University Hospital after completing his medical degree at the age of 24 years. He completed fellowships in the Department of Ophthalmology at Keio University School of Medicine, and the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary at Harvard Medical School, and received a PhD from Keio University on the subject of vascular endothelial growth factor in diabetic retinopathy. Ishida is an author on over 150 scientific publications (impact factor: over 450) and currently Professor and Chairman of Ophthalmology at Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine in Sapporo, Japan.

The roles of VEGF in age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy

Lisa Christian graduated from Queen\\\'s University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry in 1999, and earned a Doctor of Optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry in 2003. Following graduation, she completed a residency at the University of Waterloo, School of Optometry in Paediatrics and Binocular Vision. Christian is currently a Clinical Lecturer and Interim Associate Director for Clinical Programs at the University of Waterloo, School of Optometry and Vision Science. She is also Head of the Binocular Vision Clinic. Christian is the faculty liaison for the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, and has been a Committee member for the College of Optometrists in Ontario since 2006.

Optometry

Sayon Roy received his PhD from Boston University and completed his postdoctoral training at Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University. Roy is currently a professor of Medicine, Section of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Nutrition, and a professor of Ophthalmology at Boston University School of Medicine. Recognized as an expert in retinal vascular biology, Roy’s seminal work has identified several genes in the retina that are abnormally expressed in diabetic retinopathy. His pioneering work has led to novel gene modulatory techniques in retinal vascular cells using antisense oligonucleotides via intravitreal injection. Roy has received numerous awards including the American Diabetes Association Research Award for the commitment and dedication towards the fight against diabetes, the 2006 Mentor of the Year Award from Boston University, and the 2008 Innovative Award from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Research in Roy’s laboratory has been funded by several organizations including the National Eye Institute, NIH, National Medical Technology Testbed, American Diabetes Association, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, Fight for Sight, Research to Prevent Blindness, and the Lions Organization. Roy currently serves as a chartered member of the NEI Study Section of the National Institutes of Health.

Vascular basement membrane thickening is a prominent and characteristic lesion of diabetic retinopathy. We have hypothesized that excess synthesis of basement membrane components occurring in diabetes is a critical pathogenetic event in the development of vascular basement membrane thickening and complications of diabetic retinopathy. Having shown that the mRNA level of basement membrane components fibronectin and collagen IV are increased in diabetic retinas, our laboratory plans to reduce the synthesis of these basement membrane components by using antisense oligonucleotides, a powerful molecular biological tool that offers a unique opportunity to down regulate specific gene expression.

Yoko Ozawa M.D., Ph.D. works as a chief of the Medical Retina Division (Age-related macular disease; AMD division) and also a vitreoretinal surgeon, as well as a Lab chief of the Laboratory of Retinal Cell Biology (RCB lab). Her main research interest is the neuroprotection and oxidative stress in the retinal diseases, such as AMD (age-related macular degeneration) and diabetic retinopathy.

AMD (age-related macular degeneration) and diabetic retinopathy.