Collaborators

Bela Anand-Apte, M.D., Ph.D. (Cleveland Clinic)

Dr. Anand-Apte has extensive research experience studying TIMP3 and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) biology in the eye.

The current projects in the lab that involve a collaboration with Dr. Anand-Apte’s lab include:

• Investigating the Role of Extracellular Matrix Alteration(s) in Macular Degeneration
• Delineating the Shared Molecular Mechanism of Maculopathies

Danielle Benoit, Ph.D. (University of Rochester)

Dr. Benoit is a bioengineering expert and has extensive research experience utilizing synthetic hydrogels for tissue engineering applications.

The current projects in the lab that involve a collaboration with Dr. Benoit’s lab include:

• Establishing a Human cell model/Tissue Mimetic of the Outer Blood Retinal Barrier-Vascular Complex
• Dissecting the role of retina vs. systemic factors in macular degeneration

John Crabb, Ph.D. (Cleveland Clinic)

Dr. Crabb is a proteomics expert and has played an instrumental role in understanding the composition of drusen in human cadaver eyes from age-related macular degeneration patients. 

The current projects in the lab that involve a collaboration with Dr. Crabb’s lab include:

• Investigating the Role of Extracellular Matrix Alteration(s) in Macular Degeneration
• Delineating the Shared Molecular Mechanism of Maculopathies

Damien Harkin, Ph.D. (Queensland University of Technology)

Dr. Harkin is a bioengineering expert and has developed a prosthetic Bruch’s membrane-like scaffold from bombyx mori silk fibroin (BMSF).

The current projects in the lab that involve a collaboration with Dr. Harkin’s lab include:

• Investigating the Role of Extracellular Matrix Alteration(s) in Macular Degeneration
• Establishing a Human cell model/Tissue Mimetic of the Outer Blood Retinal Barrier-Vascular Complex

Alex Hewitt, Ph.D. (Centre for Eye Research Australia)

Dr. Hewitt is the head of the clinical genetics unit at Centre for Eye Research Australia.

The current projects in the lab that involve a collaboration with Dr. Hewitt’s lab include:

• Investigating the Role of Extracellular Matrix Alteration(s) in Macular Degeneration
• Delineating the Shared Molecular Mechanism of Maculopathies

Jonathan Mink, M.D., Ph.D. (University of Rochester)

Dr. Jonathan Mink is a pediatric neurologist whose research focuses on juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (JNCL, Battens disease).

The current projects in the lab that involve a collaboration with Dr. Mink’s lab include:

• Determining the Role of CLN3 Gene/Protein in the Human Retina
• Elucidating the molecular basis of vision loss in Battens disease

Alice Pebay, Ph.D. (Centre for Eye Research Australia)

Dr. Alice Pebay is a gene-editing CRISPR expert at CERA with significant experience in human pluripotent stem cells.

The current projects in the lab that involve a collaboration with Pebay’s lab include:

• Investigating the Role of Extracellular Matrix Alteration(s) in Macular Degeneration
• Delineating the Shared Molecular Mechanism of Maculopathies

David Pearce, Ph.D. (Sanford Research)

Dr. Pearce is a cell biologist whose research focuses on understanding the molecular basis of juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (JNCL, Battens disease).

The current projects in the lab that involve a collaboration with Dr. Pearce’s lab include:

• Determining the Role of CLN3 Gene/Protein in the Human Retina
• Elucidating the molecular basis of vision loss in Battens disease

Jill Weimer, Ph.D. (Sanford Research)

Dr. Weimer is a cell biologist whose research focuses on understanding the molecular basis of juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (JNCL, Battens disease).

The current projects in the lab that involve a collaboration with Dr. Weimer’s lab include:

• Determining the Role of CLN3 Gene/Protein in the Human Retina
• Elucidating the molecular basis of vision loss in Battens disease

David Williams, Ph.D. (UCLA)

Dr. Williams is a retinal cell biologist whose research focuses on understanding photoreceptor and retinal pigment epithelium cell biology.

The current projects in the lab that involve a collaboration with Dr. Williams' lab include:

• Investigating the Role of Extracellular Matrix Alteration(s) in Macular Degeneration
• Determining the Role of CLN3 Gene/Protein in the Human Retina