Alcon Research Institute Awards Young Investigator Grant to Dr. Yoshimatsu

$75,000 Young Investigator Grant Supports Early Career Development in Vision Research and Ophthalmology St. Louis, MO – August 16th, 2024 – Takeshi Yoshimatsu,PhD, an Assistant Professor in the John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis (WashU Medicine) has been awarded a $75,000 Young […]

James Walsh, MD, PhD Receives RPB Career Development Award

We are thrilled to announce that James Walsh, MD, PhD has been awarded the prestigious Career Development Award from Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB). This award, which provides $350,000 in funding over four years, is designed to support promising junior ophthalmology faculty in their journey toward becoming independent researchers. Research Focus Dr. Walsh’s research centers […]

Installation Ceremony for Steven Bassnett, PhD

Todd Margolis, MD, PhD; Steven Bassnett, PhD; David H. Perlmutter, MD

On July 24, 2024, the Washington University School of Medicine celebrated the installation of Steven Bassnett, PhD, as the Grace Nelson Lacy Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology. The event brought together esteemed colleagues, friends, and family to honor Dr. Bassnett’s remarkable contributions to the field of vision research. This was a wonderful honor for me personally […]

WashU at FASEB Retinal Neurobiology & Visual Processing SRC

Takeshi Yoshimatsu

WashU Ophthalmology had a great representation at this year’s Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) Retinal Neurobiology & Visual Processing Science Research Conference (SRC). Where leading researchers gathered to share the latest findings and advancements in retinal neurobiology and visual processing. FASEB Retinal Neurobiology & Visual Processing SRC 2024 This year the conference […]

Vision Science Journal Club: Severe Eye Degeneration

Isabella Gomes, a medical student at Washington University, recently presented at the Vision Science Journal Club. Her presentation focused on severe eye degeneration in a 68-year-old man. Presenter: Isabella Gomes WashU Medical Student – MD Candidate ’25 Email: i.gomes@wustl.edu The study Isabella Gomes presented found a new genetic change (CNV) in the RHO gene that […]

New Grant Award: Exploring Primary Cilia’s Role in Retina Function

We would like to congratulate Philip Williams, PhD on receiving a grant for his groundbreaking research on the neuromodulatory potential of primary cilia. This grant, funded by The McDonnell Center for Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, recognizes the innovative nature of Dr. Williams’ work, which aims to unravel the complex signaling mechanisms within primary cilia and […]

Science in Focus: Art Beyond the Microscope

We are thrilled to announce 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 […]

Sean McCracken honored with 2024 NIH Outstanding Scholars in Neuroscience Award

Sean McCracken

Sean McCracken, a Neuroscience PhD candidate in the William’s Lab, has been selected as an award recipient for the 2024 NIH Outstanding Scholars in Neuroscience Award Program (OSNAP). This prestigious honor recognizes Sean’s exceptional research and scientific training, highlighting him as a rising star in the neuroscience community. About the OSNAP Award The Outstanding Scholars […]

Dr. Tychsen: Leading the Way in Refractive Surgery for Special Needs Children

We are proud to spotlight Dr. Tychsen, a distinguished member of the Washington University Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, for his recent contributions to the field of pediatric ophthalmology. On May 4th, Dr. Tychsen delivered an impactful lecture on “Refractive Surgery for Special Needs Children” at the Texas Ophthalmological Association’s 2024 Annual Meeting. His […]

Repurposed drug may help stabilize vision in rare disease (Links to an external site)

Ophthalmologist Rajendra S. Apte, MD, PhD, (right), of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, examines patient Patricia Collins (left) while medical student Wilson Wang observes. Collins is a participant in a clinical trial that tests the safety and efficacy of an FDA-approved drug in stabilizing vision in patients with RVCL-S, a rare genetic […]

WashU Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Receives Prestigious RPB Grant for Eye Research

We are delighted to announce that the Washington University Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences has been awarded a prestigious Unrestricted Grant from Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB). This grant, amounting to $115,000 annually, will significantly bolster the department’s ongoing eye research efforts. Recognition of Excellence The Unrestricted Grant from RPB is a testament to […]

2nd Annual Winston Fellow Competition Winners

We are thrilled to announce the winners of Washington University John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (DOVS) 2nd Annual Winston Fellow Competition. This event showcased DOVS students and postdocs presenting their cutting-edge research, competing for the esteemed Winston Fellow Awards in Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. About the Winston Fellow Awards The […]

Yoshimatsu Receives Seed Grant from Brain Research Foundation

Takeshi Yoshimatsu, PhD

Dr. Takeshi Yoshimatsu Receives Brain Research Foundation Seed Grant for Groundbreaking Zebrafish Study on Visual Attention St. Louis, MO — June 6, 2024 — Takeshi Yoshimatsu,PhD, an Assistant Professor in the John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis (WashU Medicine) has been awarded […]

Washington University Faculty Member to Keynote at Prestigious Ophthalmology Conference

Rajendra Apte, MD, PhD

We are excited to announce that Dr. Rajendra Apte, MD, PhD, the Paul A. Cibis Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, will be the keynote speaker at the 14th Annual CWRU/University Hospitals Department of Ophthalmology Research Day 2024. Keynote Presentation by Dr. Rajendra Apte Dr. Apte will be delivering a keynote address titled “Novel Insights […]

Gordon Research Conference 2024: Establishing Form and Function in the Eye and Visual Brain

Unlocking the Mysteries of Vision: GRC Visual System Development Conference The 2024 Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on Visual System Development, themed “Establishing Form and Function in the Eye and Visual Brain,” took place from May 19 to 24, 2024. This prestigious international scientific gathering will be hosted in a remote location to foster a sense […]

Medical Student Wilson Wang and Resident Maggie Xing Publish Key Article on Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy in JAMA Ophthalmology

Medical student Wilson Wang and resident physician Maggie Xing, MD, have made significant contributions to the field of ophthalmology with their recent publication in JAMA Ophthalmology “Interventions for Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy,” co-authored with renowned expert Raj Apte, MD, PhD. Their article provides a comprehensive clinical synopsis and educational review of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), a serious complication […]

Exploring Retinal Biomarkers in Huntington Disease: A Groundbreaking Study

Optovue OCTA image of macula with superficial retinal capillary plexus overlay.

In a significant leap forward for neurodegenerative disease research, Retina fellow Aaditya Shah, MD has published an excellent study titled, “Dark Adaptometry and Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in Huntington Disease.” This pioneering research is among the first to indicate that retinal biomarkers may be present in patients with Huntington Disease (HD), offering a potentially transformative […]

Advancing Retinal Disease Research: Dr. Chen’s New Project on hiPSC-induced Retinal Organoids

Shiming Chen, PhD

We’re thrilled to announce that Dr. Shiming Chen has been awarded a Seed grant from the Center of Regenerative Medicine for her groundbreaking project titled “hiPSC-induced retinal organoids modeling CRX-linked retinopathies.” This pioneering research aims to establish three-dimensional retinal organoids—essentially human retinas in a dish—to model inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) linked to the cone-rod-homeobox (CRX) […]