From May 4–8, 2025, Salt Lake City, Utah, hosted the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting, the premier international forum for the exchange of cutting-edge research and ideas in the field of eye and vision science. This year’s theme, “i3: Imagining Innovation and Intelligence in Vision Science,” emphasized the transformative impact of new technologies and data-driven insights on the field.
WashU Medicine’s Contributions
The John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences at WashU Medicine showcased a series of impactful presentations:
- Dr. James Liu
Presentation: Deep learning predictions of the retinal nerve fiber layer thickness from optic disc photographs from the Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study
Date/Time: May 4, 2025 | 8:00–9:45 am | Hall A-E
James Liu, MD
Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences; Director of Surgical Training and Skills Lab
- Dr. Carla Siegfried
Presentation: Racial Disparities in Glaucoma: Mitochondrial Function and Cellular Senescence
Date/Time: May 6, 2025 | 8:30–10:15 am | Hall A-E
Carla Siegfried, MD
Jacquelyn E. and Allan E. Kolker, MD, Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences; Vice Chair for Diversity, Equity and Professionalism
- Email: siegfried@nospam.wustl.edu
- Dr. Rithwick Rajagopal
Presentation: Evaluating Layer-Specific Retinal Neurovascular Coupling Responses in Diabetes
Date/Time: May 7, 2025 | 2:00–3:45 pm | Hall A-E
Rithwick Rajagopal, MD, PhD
Associate Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
- Email: rajagopalr@nospam.wustl.edu
- Retina
- Rajagopal Lab page
- Dr. Philip Ruzycki
Presentation: Loss of H3.3 from retinal progenitors affects chromatin remodeling and acquisition of specific cell fates
Date/Time: May 7, 2025 | 2:00–3:45 pm | Hall A-E
Philip Ruzycki, PhD
Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
- Email: p.ruzycki@nospam.wustl.edu
- Dr. Mae Gordon
Presentation: Diagnosis of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma is Associated with Reduced Mental Health Status
Date/Time: May 8, 2025 | 11:45–1:30 pm | Hall A-E
Mae Gordon, PhD
Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
- Email: mae@nospam.wustl.edu
Director of the Biostatistics & Bioinformatics Core
These presentations underscore WashU Medicine’s commitment to advancing vision research and addressing critical issues in ophthalmology.
Conference Highlights
Chin I Lin – Kerschensteiner Lab 
Chin I Lin – Kerschensteiner Lab 
Chin I Lin – Kerschensteiner Lab 
Ning Shen – Kerschensteiner lab; Bright Center for Human Vision 
Ning Shen – Kerschensteiner lab; Bright Center for Human Vision 
Dr. Ruzycki, Dr. Shiming, and former DOVS faculty Mark Petrash (now ARVO EVP) 
Dr. Ruzycki and Brian Hofland of RPB 
Senyue Hao – Chao Zhou Lab 
Chi Sun, PhD & Taku Yamamoto, MD, PhD 
Isa Gomez & Shiming Chen, PhD
Voices from the Conference
“Attending my third ARVO as a medical student in ophthalmology and a translational research trainee has been an invaluable experience. I am grateful for the exposure to the breadth of vision science, especially the poster and paper sessions on inherited retinal diseases and uveitis. Conferences like ARVO connect students to a global network of future collaborators, mentors, and peers in ophthalmology, fostering both professional growth and lifelong relationships.
As a young scientist, I am fortunate to present my research from the Chen and Walsh Labs, focusing on the clinical phenotypes of CRX retinopathies and ocular syphilis. Sharing this work and engaging with colleagues from diverse institutions and countries has been instrumental in shaping my academic and clinical research career. These connections and experiences are crucial for anyone pursuing a future in vision science and ophthalmology.” – Isabella Gomes, M.P.H., M.A.
Additionally, Ning Shen, a staff scientist in the Kerschensteiner Lab and associated with the Bright Center for Human Vision, shared her excitement about the event:
“I am really excited to attend ARVO 2025 and to share our new work with the community. It is a wonderful experience to find so many people interested in what we are doing now, their valuable comments and inputs will help our Bright Center grow up.”
Celebrating Excellence
During the conference, Edward Ding, a talented researcher from WashU Medicine, received the MIT Training Award at ARVO for his poster titled “mTORC1 Signaling Regulates Lens-Corneal Separation”. This award underscores Edward’s dedication to advancing the understanding of ocular development and disease mechanisms.
In addition, Ryo Terao, a former postdoctoral researcher in the Apte Lab at WashU Medicine and now a faculty member at the University of Tokyo, was honored with the ARVO Bert M. Glaser MD Award. This prestigious recognition highlights Ryo’s contributions to vision research and his continued impact as a clinician-scientist.
Dr. Apte expressed his pride, noting:
“It is a great honor to see Ryo recognized for his outstanding contributions to ophthalmology. His dedication to research and patient care truly embodies the spirit of innovation.”
Learn More
For a detailed overview of WashU Medicine’s participation at ARVO 2025, visit ARVO 2025 WashU Medicine Presenters