The Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences is pleased to announce new affiliate appointments and is excited to work with others across campus to move us all forward, in all ways.
Bikash Pattnaik, PhD, MPhil, an assistant professor with the UW Department of Pediatrics and Retina Research Foundation M. D. Matthews Research Professor, will be collaborating with ophthalmology department faculty through his research about understanding the mechanisms of blinding childhood retinal diseases, such as Leber Congenital Amaurosis and Best Disease. In particular, Dr. Pattaik is investigating the role that ion channels play in disease development and how this could impact potential treatments. He is also exploring how the role of altered maternal system development contributes to the abnormal growth of blood vessels in the retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) disorder. Dr. Pattnaik earned his PhD from the University of Delhi, India and his MSc from Sambalpur University in India.
Hongrui Jiang, PhD, the Lynn H. Matthias Professor of Engineering in the UW Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Vilas Distinguished Achievement professor is also working with Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences faculty to develop nanoscale science solutions that will contribute to better design and performance of microsystems. Dr. Jiang’s specific research interests include MicroElectricMechanical Systems (MEMS) sensors and actuators, especially biological MEMS and optical MEMS systems, microfluidics, lab on chips, smart materials and microstructures, drawing together multiple fields of physical science, life science, engineering and medicine. Dr. Jiang earned his MS and PhD in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.