Part of the Ross Eye Institute, the UB Department of Ophthalmology is committed to excellence in research, medical education, and healthcare.
Our research leads to sight-preserving treatments for conditions and diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. Our goal is to reduce visual impairment and improve the quality of life for people of all ages.
Ross researchers collaborate with scientists from over a dozen other universities, as well as domestic and international private research institutes and pharmaceutical companies. We also participate in the SUNY Eye Institute, a SUNY-wide eye research consortium represented by the four SUNY medical centers and the College of Optometry.
September 23, 2021
Paul Kaufman, MD
Ernst H. Bárány Professor of Ocular Pharmacology,
Department Chair Emeritus
Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
School of Medicine & Public Health
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI
Email: paul.kaufman@wisc.edu
Web: https://www.ophth.wisc.edu/blog/people/paul-l-kaufman-md/
PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Kaufman+PL
Lecture Title: “Deconstructing aqueous humor outflow: The past 50 and the next 20 years”
Host: Sandy Sieminski, MD (sandrafe@buffalo.edu)
October 21, 2021
Michelle C. Callegan, PhD
Director of Vision Research, Dean A. McGee Eye Institute
Dean A. McGee Professor
George Lynn Cross Research Professor
Edith Kinney Gaylord Presidential Professor
Department of Ophthalmology
Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Oklahoma City, OK
Email: Michelle-Callegan@ouhsc.edu
Web: http://dmei.org/michelle-c-callegan-phd
PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Callegan+MC
Lecture Title: “Innate Immune Targets in Bacterial Endophthalmitis”
Host: Sangita P. Patel, MD, PhD (sppatel@buffalo.edu)
November 18, 2021
Zhigang He, PhD, BM
Professor of Neurology and Ophthalmology
Harvard Medical School Research Associate
Boston Children’s Hospital
Boston, MA
Email: zhigang.he@childrens.harvard.edu
Web: http://www.childrenshospital.org/research/researchers/h/zhigang-he; https://kirbyneuro.org/ZhigangHe/
PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=He+Zhigang
Lecture Title: “Rebuilding Optic Nerve Pathways after Injury”
Host: Xiuqian Mu, MD, PhD (xmu@buffalo.edu)
February 24, 2022
Silvia C. Finnemann, PhD
Professor
Kim B and Stephen E. Bepler Chair in Biology
Department of Biological Sciences
Fordham University
Bronx, NY
Email: finnemann@fordham.edu
Web: https://www.fordham.edu/info/24004/faculty/6846/silvia_c_finnemann/1
PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Finnemann+Silvia+C
Lecture Title: “Molecular Mechanisms of Outer Segment Renewal”
Host: Michael H. Farkas, PhD (mhfarkas@buffalo.edu)
March 17, 2022
Alex V. Levin, MD, MHSc, FAAP, FAAO, FRCSC
Adeline Lutz – Steven S.T. Ching, M.D. Distinguished Professorship in Ophthalmology Chief, Pediatric Ophthalmology and Ocular Genetics
Flaum Eye Institute
Chief, Pediatric Genetics, Golisano Children’s Hospital
University of Rochester
Rochester, NY
Email: Alex_Levin@URMC.Rochester.edu
Web: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/people/31875844-alex-v-levin
PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Levin+Alex+V
Lecture Title: “How ocular genetics is changing our world”
Host: John H. Lillvis, MD, PhD (jhlillvi@buffalo.edu)
April 21, 2022
Bela Anand-Apte, MD, PhD
Professor and Interim Chair
Cole Eye Institute and Lerner Research Institute
Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland, OH
Email: ANANDAB@ccf.org
Web: https://www.lerner.ccf.org/eye/anand-apte/
PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Anand-Apte+Bela
Lecture Title: “New Insights into Diabetic Retinopathy and Outer Blood Retinal Barrier Disruption”
Host: Meg DeAngelis, PhD (mmdeange@buffalo.edu)
May 19, 2022
Karl Csaky, M.D., Ph.D.
T. Boone Pickens Director
Managing Director & Chief Medical Officer
Molecular Ophthalmology Laboratory
Clinical Center of Innovation for AMD
Retinal Foundation of the Southwest Dallas, TX
Email: kcsaky@retinafoundation.org
Web: https://retinafoundation.org/scientists/karl-csaky-m-d-ph-d/
PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Karl+Csaky
Lecture Title: “The Development of Mitochondrial Protective Agents for the Treatment of Dry AgeRelated Macular Degeneration”
Host: Jack Sullivan, MD, PhD (js354@buffalo.edu)
Fliesler Lab Research
Our lab is focused on studies of retinal degenerations caused by defects in isoprenoid biosynthesis. Our primary focus concerns how defective cholesterol metabolism (e.g., Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome, or SLOS) affects the development and maintenance of normal retinal structure and function, using pharmacological and transgenic animal models. In addition, we are studying how defects in dolichol synthesis impact retinal structure and function, using novel genetic mouse models of RP59 that have either a mutation in, or deletion of, the gene that encodes DHDDS (dehydrodolicholdiphosphate synthase), which is required for dolichol synthesis and, hence, N-linked protein glycosylation. We also are studying the effects of acoustic blast overpressure on the structure and function of the retina, using a rat model that mimics mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).
Click on any doctor’s photo to learn more about their research and our laboratory efforts.
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3580 Sheridan Drive
Suite 150
Amherst, NY 14226
235 Windward Road
Orchard Park, NY 14127
