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The Department considers basic science and clinical research as a fundamental pillar of its academic mission and boasts interdisciplinary research programs ranging from translational and epidemiological studies to molecular, cellular, biochemical and genetic analyses of the visual system from the ocular surface to vision centers in the brain. Approximately one-half of our faculty members are actively engaged in research, evenly divided between basic research and epidemiological, or clinical research. These faculty members are supported by more than 150 other staff.
The research interests of faculty are diverse and include cellular and molecular immunology of the cornea and conjunctiva including virology of Herpes infections, trabecular meshwork cell biology and the pharmacology of outflow facility, RPE and retinal ganglion cell dysfunction in age-related disease, the genetics of retinal degeneration, epidemiology, nutritional biochemistry and human molecular genetics of age-related eye diseases, ocular oncology, ocular gene therapy, and human retinal development.

Vision Research Core
Read More About Vision Research Core
Laboratories
Read More About Laboratories
Clinical Trials
Read More About Clinical Trials
Wisconsin Reading Center
Read More About Wisconsin Reading Center
Research News
Read More About Research News
Recent Publications
Read More About Recent PublicationsOur Researchers
As one of the leading research institutions in the country, our basic science and clinical researchers are proud to make impactful sight-saving discoveries through collaboration and innovation.
DOVS Basic Science Faculty
Curtis R. Brandt, PhD
UW Medical Foundation Professor; Vice Chair of Research
David M. Gamm, MD, PhD
Professor, Director of the McPherson Eye Research Institute
Mrinalini Hoon, PhD
Assistant Professor
Paul L. Kaufman, MD
Ernst H. Bárány Professor of Ocular Pharmacology, Department Chair Emeritus
Barbara E. K. Klein, MD, MPH
Professor Emeritus
Julie A. Mares, PhD, MSPH
Professor Emeritus
Colleen M. McDowell, PhD
William and Phyllis Huffman Research Professor
Freya Mowat, PhD, BVSc
Assistant Professor
Donna M. Neumann, PhD
Associate Professor
Robert W. Nickells, PhD
Frederick A. Davis Chair of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Professor
Nader Sheibani, PhD
Professor, Retina Research Foundation Alice R. McPherson Research Chair
Terri L. Young, MD, MBA, FARVO
Chair, Peter A. Duehr Professor of Ophthalmology, Pediatrics and Medical Genetics
DOVS Clinical Research Faculty
Michael M. Altaweel, MD
Professor, Vitreoretinal Surgery Fellowship Director
Barbara A. Blodi, MD
Matthew D. Davis Professor, Wisconsin Reading Center Medical Director
Yasmin S. Bradfield, MD
John W. Doolittle Pediatric Ophthalmology Professor
Jonathan S. Chang, MD
Associate Professor; Vitreoretinal Surgery Fellowship Assistant Director; Residency Program Associate Director
Yanjun (Judy) Chen, MD, PhD
Associate Professor, Neuro-ophthalmology Service Chief
Karina A. Conlin, OD, FAAO
Clinical Adjunct Assistant Professor, Optometry Service Chief
Justin L. Gottlieb, MD
Professor, Retina Service Chief
Gregg A. Heatley, MD, MMM
Professor Emeritus
Daniel W. Knoch, MD
Professor, Vice Chair of Education and Faculty Development, Director of Medical Student Education
Laura J. Kopplin, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor
Yao Liu, MD, MS
Assistant Professor, Director of Teleophthalmology, Glaucoma Service Chief, Glaucoma Fellowship Director
Mark J. Lucarelli, MD, FACS
Richard K. Dortzbach Professor of Ophthalmic Facial Plastic Surgery, Oculoplastic and Reconstructive Surgery Service Chief, UW Health University Station Eye Clinic Medical Director
Alexander R. Miranda, MD
Assistant Professor, Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus Service Chief, Director of Informatics
Mihai Mititelu, MD, MPH
Associate Professor, Clinical Eye Research Unit Medical Director
Anna C. Momont, MD
Assistant Professor; Vice Chair of Resident Education; Residency Program Director
Sanbrita Mondal, OD
Clinical Adjunct Assistant Professor, Chief of the Vision Rehabilitation Clinic
Sarah M. Nehls, MD
Professor, Cornea and Anterior Segment Service Chief
Nayan R. Patel, OD
Clinical Adjunct Assistant Professor
Heather Potter, MD
Professor, Ophthalmic Pathology Service Chief
Stephen K. Sauer, MD
Associate Professor
Melanie Schmitt, MD
Assistant Professor, John W. and Helen Doolittle Professor
Kimberly E. Stepien, MD
Professor, Co-Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs, John W. and Helen Doolittle Professor
Andrew T. Thliveris, MD, PhD
Professor Emeritus
Suzanne W. van Landingham, MD
Assistant Professor
Evan J. Warner, MD
Assistant Professor
Affiliate Faculty
Anne Griep, PhD
Professor, Cell and Regenerative Biology
Olachi Mezu-Ndubuisi, MD, OD
Assistant Professor, Pediatrics
Bikash Pattnaik, PhD, MPhil
Assistant Professor, Pediatrics
Raunak Sinha, PhD
Assistant Professor, Neuroscience
DOVS PI Scientists
DOVS Research Trainees
DOVS Research Administration Staff
Inna V. Larsen
Multi-Functional Research Administrator, Vision Core & T32 Administrator
(608) 265-2572