UIC Vision Science Research Community (VSRC)
The VSRC brings together investigators in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences with independent investigators engaged in vision-related research in other UIC basic science departments and vision scientists from neighboring institutions as a way to encourage greater scientific collaboration and interdisciplinary vision research projects.
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Kenneth R. Alexander, PhD
Primary Appointment
Marion H. Schenk, Esq. Professor
Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
Secondary Appointment(s)
Psychology; Bioengineering
University of Illinois at Chicago
312-996-5825
kennalex@uic.edu
Dr. Alexander focuses on the development of noninvasive techniques for evaluating the pathophysiology and progression of retinal degeneration. His overall goal is to develop improved methods for monitoring visual dysfunction in persons with retinal degenerations, which will help identify more homogeneous patient subgroups for clinical trials and better evaluate the outcome of potential therapeutic strategies.
Kristin J. Al-Ghoul, PhD
Primary Appointment
Assistant Professor
Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology
Rush University Medical Center
Secondary Appointment(s)
Lecturer, Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
University of Illinois at Chicago
312-563-2672
Kristin_J_Al-Ghoul@rush.edu
Dr. Al-Ghoul is interested in the architecture of the Basal Membrane Complex (BMC) in the lens. She uses animal models to define the molecular organization of the BMC during normal and abnormal fiber end migration.
Dimitri T. Azar, MD
Primary Appointment
B.A. Field Endowed Chair of Ophthalmologic Research
Professor and Department Head
Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
Secondary Appointment(s)
Pharmacology
University of Illinois at Chicago
312-996-6590
dazar@uic.edu
Dr. Azar studies the mechanisms that contribute to corneal avascularity. His research focuses on the role of membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) in corneal neovascularization, wound healing, as well as the balance between the upregulation of VEGF, the production of endostatin and neostatin14, and the cleavage of extracellular matrix components in the cornea.
Prashant (Pat) Banerjee, PhD
Primary Appointment
Professor, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
Secondary Appointment(s)
Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences; Computer Science; Bioengineering
University of Illinois at Chicago
312-996-5599
banerjee@uic.edu
Dr. Banerjee is interested in developing innovative augmented virtual reality systems for surgical training of residents in ophthalmology. He is developing the SENSIMMER Virtual Phaco Trainer.
Eric C. Beyer, MD, PhD
Primary Appointment
Professor of Pediatrics
Secondary Appointment(s)
Cell Physiology; Cancer Biology; Molecular Medicine
University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
Lecturer, Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
University of Illinois at Chicago
773-702-6808
ebeyer@peds.bsd.uchicago.edu
Dr. Beyer is elucidating the pathogenesis of cataracts and the role of lens fiber connexins in the survival and transparency of the lens. He conducts studies in transfected cell systems and in genetically-manipulated animals to examine the consequences of accumulation of mutant connexins.
Jin-Hong (Robert) Chang, PhD
Primary Appointment
Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
University of Illinois at Chicago
312-413-5590
changr@uic.edu
Dr. Chang focuses on the role of endostatin and MMP-7-derived fragments of collagen XVIII in corneal neovascularization and lymphangiogenesis. He also studies the biology of small neostatin-7 blocking peptides that inhibit VEGF binding to its receptor.
Puwat Charukamnoetkanok, MD
Primary Appointment
Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Secondary Appointment(s)
Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
University of Illinois at Chicago
412-647-2352
Charpx2@upmc.edu
Dr. Charu studies the influences of structural dynamics on protein stability and functions, and what role they play in cataract formation. He also examines the molecular mechanism responsible for corneal endothelial cell proliferation and differentiation.
Michael Cho, PhD
Primary Appointment
Professor, Department of Bioengineering
Secondary Appointment(s)
Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
University of Illinois at Chicago
312-413-9424
mcho@uic.edu
Dr. Cho is actively involved in the area of stem cell tissue engineering and the regulation of cell differentiation. By identifying and manipulating specific combinations of physiochemical cues to engineer tissue constructs, he aims to create methodologies to enhance tissue engineered products.
Ali R. Djalilian, MD
Primary Appointment
Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
University of Illinois at Chicago
312-996-8937
adjalili@uic.edu
Dr. Djalilian is studying the role of Notch signaling in the regulation of corneal epithelial growth and differentiation to understand the regulatory mechanisms leading to the development of new treatments for patients with disabling visual conditions involving the surface of the eye.
Lisa Ebihara, MD, PhD
Primary Appointment
Associate Professor, Department of Physiology
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science
Secondary Appointment(s)
Lecturer, Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
University of Illinois at Chicago
847-578-3424
lisa.ebihara@rosalindfranklin.edu
Dr. Ebihara studies the role of gap junctional communication in the lens to elucidate the functional properties of gap junctional proteins and to better understand the contribution of connexins (e.g., Cx 43, Cx46, and Cx50) in lens homeostasis and cataract development.
Ken-ichiro Fukuchi, MD, PhD
Primary Appointment
Associate Professor, Department of Cancer Biology & Pharmacology
University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria
Secondary Appointment(s)
Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
University of Illinois at Chicago
309-671-8545
kfukuchi@uic.edu
Dr. Fukuchi is exploring the possibility that Aβ accumulation in the retina plays an important role in the pathogenesis of macular degeneration and glaucoma. Using AD model Mice, Dr. Fukuchi investigates the effectiveness of his therapeutic approach in preventing Aβ accumulation in the retina.
Richard A. Gemeinhart, PhD
Primary Appointment
Associate Professor, Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences
Secondary Appointment(s)
Bioengineering; Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
University of Illinois at Chicago
312-996-2253
rag@uic.edu
Dr. Gemeinhart is developing an approach a method of targeting cancer-related protease activity activated in a prodrug-like approach similar to the release of ECM-bound signaling molecules. He plans to apply his findings to eye related research.
Michael A. Grassi, MD
Primary Appointment
Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Science
University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
Secondary Appointment(s)
Lecturer, Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
University of Illinois at Chicago
773-702-5305
mgrassi@uchicago.edu
Dr. Grassi investigates the genes that regulate retinal vascular growth in development and disease. His work focuses on identifying the pathways that are amenable to intervention with small molecule therapies.
Jonathan J Henry, PhD
Primary Appointment
Professor, Department of Cell & Developmental Biology
University of Illinois at Urbana
Secondary Appointment(s)
Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
University of Illinois at Chicago
217-333-4449
j-henry4@illinois.edu
Dr. Henry is interested in the study of molecular and cellular basis of lens development. He is studying genes involved in lens cell determination and differentiation.
John R. Hetling, PhD
Primary Appointment
Associate Professor, Department of Bioengineering
Secondary Appointment(s)
Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
University of Illinois at Chicago
312-413-8721
jhetli1@uic.edu
Dr. Hetling is developing a novel method for mapping spatial differences in retinal activity. This method uses an array of electrodes on the cornea and a full-field stimulus.
Sandeep Jain , MD
Primary Appointment
Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
University of Illinois at Chicago
312-996-8937
jains@uic.edu
Dr. Jain is investigating the molecular events that lead to proper patterning and re-innervation of the cornea following injury. He focuses on keratocyte-derived guidance cues to regenerating corneal axons.
Charlotte E. Joslin, OD
Primary Appointment
Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
University of Illinois at Chicago
312-996-5410
charjosl@uic.edu
Dr. Joslin evaluates the inaccuracies of corneal power estimation and intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation following refractive surgery. She also studies the interrelationship between water-borne pathogens and Acanthamoeba keratitis.
Nalin M. Kumar, PhD
Primary Appointment
Professor, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
Secondary Appointment(s)
Pharmacology; Cell Biology
University of Illinois at Chicago
312-413-5414
nalin@uic.edu
Dr. Kumar studies the processes and mechanisms that are required for regulation of gap junction channels in the lens during lens homeostasis and cataractogenesis.
Jie Liang, PhD
Primary Appointment
Professor, Department of Bioengineering
Secondary Appointment(s)
Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences; Computer Science
University of Illinois at Chicago
312-355-1789
jliang@uic.edu
Dr. Liang is interested in the study of membrane proteins as therapeutic targets for infectious diseases. He is studying beta-barrels, proteins that are found in bacterial cell membranes.
Deborah M. Little, PhD
Primary Appointment
Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology
Secondary Appointment(s)
Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
University of Illinois at Chicago
312-355-5405
little@uic.edu
Dr. Little studies the anatomical correlates of executive function decline in normal aging.
Ana S. Lukic, PhD
Primary Appointment
Senior Research Engineer
Predictek, Inc
Chicago, IL
Secondary Appointment(s)
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
University of Illinois at Chicago
312-674-9805
alukic@predictek.com
Dr. Lukic is developing a prototype of a new diagnostic imaging device for use by eye care practitioners which will detect, quantify, and report information obtained by multispectral imaging of the iris using visible and near-infrared transillumination.
Asrar B. Malik, PhD
Primary Appointment
Distinguished Professor and Head
Department of Pharmacology
Secondary Appointment(s)
Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
University of Illinois at Chicago
312-996-7635
abmalik@uic.edu
Dr. Malik is studying the receptor-induced signaling pathways that regulate the barrier properties of endothelial and epithelial cells to provide insights into normal and pathological vasculature. He investigates the use of siRNA approaches and endothelial progenitor cells to treat vascular injury in the eye and lung.
Timothy T. McMahon, OD
Primary Appointment
Professor, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
University of Illinois at Chicago
312-996-5410
timomcma@uic.edu
Dr. McMahon focuses on corneal topography, corneal diseases, contact lenses, optics, molecular genetic studies of corneal diseases, and identification of biomarkers for keratoconus.
David R. Pepperberg, PhD
Primary Appointment
Searls-Schenk Professor of Ophthalmology
Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
Secondary Appointment(s)
Bioengineering; Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics; Physiology & Biophysics
University of Illinois at Chicago
312-996-4262
davipepp@uic.edu
Dr. Pepperberg is developing nanoscale neuromodulating platforms that can selectively attach to post-synaptic membrane receptors in second order retinal neurons, that by modulating the receptor activity in response to light, may restore visual signaling in retina damaged by photoreceptor degenerative disease.
Haohua Qian, PhD
Primary Appointment
Associate Professor of Neuroscience
Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
Secondary Appointment(s)
Physiology & Biophysics; Biological Sciences
University of Illinois at Chicago
312-413-7347
hqian@uic.edu
Dr. Qian examines the diversity, function and distribution of GABAc receptors in the vertebrate retina to elucidate the assembly mechanism of the GABAc receptors. He is also developing a diabetic retinopathy animal model, to which he will apply microRNA array and other novel approaches.
Daniel K. Roberts, OD, MS
Primary Appointment
Professor, Illinois College of Optometry Clinical
Illinois College of Optometry
Secondary Appointment(s)
Clinical Professor, Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
University of Illinois at Chicago
312-949-7250
droberts@ico.edu
Dr. Roberts is conducting a study of the long anterior lens zonule ocular phenotype among probands and their family members to understand the heredity and genetics of this phenotype and whether the genetics may be related to the development of glaucoma and/or macular degeneration subtypes.
Mahnaz Shahidi, PhD
Primary Appointment
Professor of Physics in Ophthalmology
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
Secondary Appointment(s)
Bioengineering
University of Illinois at Chicago
312-413-7364
mahnshah@uic.edu
Dr. Shahidi develops innovative imaging technologies to improve early diagnosis and understanding of the pathogenesis of retinal diseases. She also is developing a novel optical imaging system for noninvasive and quantitative measurement of oxygen tension in the chorioretinal vasculatures of the eye.
Deepak Shukla, PhD
Primary Appointment(s)
Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
Secondary Appointment(s)
Microbiology & Immunology
University of Illinois at Chicago
312-355-0908
dshukla@uic.edu
Dr. Shukla studies herpes simplex virus pathogenesis and is currently elucidating the molecular mechanisms of viral entry into human corneal keratocytes and neurons.
Janet P. Szlyk, PhD
Primary Appointment
Executive Director, Chicago Lighthouse for People who are Blind or Visually Impaired
Secondary Appointment(s)
Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
University of Illinois at Chicago
(312) 666-1331
Janet.Szlyk@CHICAGOLIGHTHOUSE.ORG
Dr. Szlyk’s research focuses on the assessment of visual impairment utilizing psychophysical and electrophysiological methods, and the development of techniques which optimize remaining vision.
Lin Tao, DDS, PhD
Primary Appointment
Professor, Department of Oral Biology
Secondary Appointment(s)
Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
University of Illinois at Chicago
312-355-4077
Ltao@uic.edu
Dr. Tao proposes to develop a probiotic microbicide against HIV and HSV. Both viruses can cause irreversible damages to the human eye and are considered major health problems.
Chandani Udawatte, PhD
Primary Appointment
Visiting Instructor, Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism
Secondary Appointment(s)
Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
University of Illinois at Chicago
chandani@uic.edu
312-413-7496
Dr. Udawatte studies the role of inflammatory cytokines in diabetes.
Thasarat S. Vajaranant, MD
Primary Appointment
Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
University of Illinois at Chicago
312-996-7030
thasarat@uic.edu
Dr. Vajaranant’s research focuses on the relationship between structural and functional changes in glaucoma and surgical innovations in the treatment of glaucoma.
Tatyana A. Voyno-Yasenetskaya, MD, PhD
Primary Appointment
Professor, Department of Pharmacology
Secondary Appointment(s)
Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
University of Illinois at Chicago
312-996-9823
tvy@uic.edu
Dr. Voyno-Yasenetskaya is investigating the role of LIM kinase 1 in lung and ocular inflammation. Her primary interest is in receptor-linked heterotrimeric G proteins that produce cellular responses mediated by effector enzymes or ion channels.
Miles Wernick, PhD
Primary Appointment
Professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering
Illinois Institute of Technology
Secondary Appointment(s)
Adjunct Professor, Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
University of Illinois at Chicago
312-567-8818
wernick@iit.edu
Dr. Wernick's research interests are in image processing, medical imaging, pattern recognition, machine vision, and optics.
Beatrice Y.J.T. Yue, PhD
Primary Appointment
Thanis A. Field Professor of Ophthalmology
Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
Secondary Appointment(s)
Pathology
University of Illinois at Chicago
312-996-6125
beatyue@uic.edu
Dr. Yue focuses on the basic mechanisms that cause keratoconus. In addition, Dr. Yue is systematically investigating the functions of glaucoma genes. She is investigating how and why mutations lead to pathology, and whether an RNA interference approach can be used to suppress ocular inflammation.