Science in Focus: Art Beyond the Microscope, a science as art competition! We invite all vision science researchers to participate in this unique competition, where science and art intersect to reveal the beauty within scientific research. Purpose and Goals Our goal is to celebrate the beauty of science and engage the community in its impact. […]
New article highlights the opportunities and challenges of leveraging large healthcare datasets to advance patient care Cecilia S. Lee, MD, MS, of the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, recently published an article titled, “Uses and Abuses of Big Data in Ophthalmology Research” examining both the promise and potential pitfalls of utilizing large-scale healthcare data in […]
Research highlights the potential diagnostic value of the newly described “Y-sign” in patients with optic nerve hypoplasia Jonathon Tong, MD, resident, and colleagues from the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences recently published a study titled, “Characterization of a Novel MRI Sign of the Optic Chiasm in Patients With […]
National presentations highlight expertise in health policy and glaucoma care Carla J. Siegfried, MD, of the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, recently delivered invited presentations at two national ophthalmology meetings, sharing expertise on healthcare access and advancements in glaucoma treatment. On May 23, Siegfried presented “Medicaid Funding Cuts: […]
Award supports development of immune-based therapies for blinding retinal disease Poonam Naik, PhD, a researcher in the Apte Lab within the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, has received the Loris and David Rich Postdoctoral Scholar Award from International Retinal Research Foundation (IRRF) to study novel immune-based therapies for neovascular age-related macular […]
Research identifies clinical factors that may help guide treatment decisions and improve patient counseling Researchers from the Apte Lab in the John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences at WashU Medicine, including residents, medical students, and undergraduate trainees under the mentorship of Rajendra S. Apte, MD, PhD., recently published a clinically relevant […]
The John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at WashU Medicine proudly announces the winners of the 2026 Winston Fellow Competition. This annual event showcases outstanding research contributions from postdoctoral fellows and graduate students. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the award recipients. Winners of the 2026 Winston Fellow Awards ITVS Graduate […]
The WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences is celebrating national recognition for its innovative surgical simulation lab, which recently received a 2026 Lab Design Award for user engagement. Designed in partnership with HKW Architects, the space was recognized for its collaborative, learner-centered design that supports advanced surgical training and […]
NIH Replication Prize: Shape the future of rigorous and replicable science. Researchers at WashU Medicine, along with collaborators, were recognized by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) with a Replication Prize (Track 2: Replication Exemplars) for developing a framework to improve the speed and reproducibility of electronic health record (EHR)-based research, a form of clinical […]
New publication highlights the potential of routine eye exams to support early brain health surveillance Research by principal investigator Cecilia S. Lee, MD, MS, Jane Hardesty Poole Distinguished Professor at the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, has been published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring. […]
From May 3–7, 2026, researchers and trainees from the John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences at WashU Medicine participated in the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology in Denver, Colorado. As the premier international gathering for eye and vision science, ARVO brings together investigators from around […]
Researchers in the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences have discovered key neuroprotective genes that could lead to the development of gene therapies to treat retinitis pigmentosa, an inherited form of retinal degeneration that causes blindness. The findings, published in Neuron April 9, point to new therapeutic strategies to maintain retinal health and protect against […]
Poonam Naik, PhD has been featured by the National Institutes of Health as part of its MyWHY: Stories Made Possible by NIH Research series, which highlights the personal motivations behind biomedical research careers. A Personal Connection to Vision Loss Naik’s interest in vision science began with early experiences witnessing people close to her struggle with […]
Wei Li, PhD, of the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences has been awarded a prestigious Career Starter Grant from the Knights Templar Eye Foundation for 2026–2027. This competitive award supports early-career investigators advancing research to better understand and treat vision disorders. Li’s work focuses on the anterior segment—the […]
Faculty and trainees from the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences will share their latest discoveries at the upcoming Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting, taking place May 3–7. This premier international conference brings together scientists and clinicians focused on preventing, treating, and curing vision […]
Now accepting applications for the Interdisciplinary Training in Vision Science (ITVS) Pathway What is the ITVS Pathway? The Interdisciplinary Training in Vision Science (ITVS) Pathway is a 2-year training program that is layered above traditional PhD programs to continue to combine theory and practice, build professional skills, and expand mentoring opportunities into years 3 and […]
A new study from the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, led by Philip Williams, Ph.D., Rajendra S. Apte, MD, PhD, and graduate student Zelun Wang, offers important insight into how retinal neurons adapt their metabolism to sustain vision and respond to disease. Published in Nature Communications, the research focuses […]
Shiming Chen, PhD, and her team are developing mechanism-based gene therapies to restore vision. Shiming Chen, PhD, the Dr. Bernard and Janet R. Becker Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology at WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, is spearheading research to understand and treat CRX-associated retinopathies. These inheritable blinding diseases are […]
Apply Now for the Winston Fellow Award for Postdoctoral Fellows The Winston Fellow Award Program recognizes outstanding contributions to vision science. Award Selection Please note: We will verify the postdoc job title to confirm eligibility. For questions about eligibility, please contact Jenna Krizan at krizanj@wustl.edu. Submit Your Application Submit an abstract (maximum 250 words) that […]
WashU Medicine Ophthalmology has been ranked No. 3 in the nation in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding among ophthalmology departments, according to the 2025 Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research (BRIMR) rankings. WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences continues to demonstrate national research leadership, securing $22,793,703 in NIH funding […]