Distinguished Lecture Series
Doheny Eye Institute’s Distinguished Lecture Series is a platform where pioneers in ophthalmology present their groundbreaking research, share their insights, and discuss emerging trends and technologies. Renowned ophthalmologists, vision scientists, and industry leaders are invited to deliver engaging lectures that address the most pressing challenges and opportunities in eye health.
The lecture series serves as a catalyst for innovation and encompasses a diverse range of topics, including the latest advancements in ocular imaging techniques, breakthroughs in retinal diseases, innovative surgical approaches, developments in gene therapy, and the impact of artificial intelligence on diagnosing and managing eye conditions. Each lecture is carefully curated to provide a comprehensive overview of the subject matter while also delving into specific areas of expertise. By showcasing cutting-edge technologies, breakthrough discoveries, and novel treatment modalities, the series helps shape the future of ophthalmology and the delivery of eye care.
Past Events
2025-2026
Understanding Cone Dark Adaptation
Friday, April 10, 2026
Vladimir Kefalov, PhD – University of California, Irvine
Professor, Ophthalmology
Professor, Physiology & Biophysics
University of California, Irvine
Gavin Herbert Eye Institute
[Learn more about the lecture and speaker]
Deep Learning Applications in Ophthalmology: The Past, Present, and Future
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Aaron Lee, MD, MSCI – Washington University in St. Louis
Chair and Arthur W. Stickle Distinguished Professor
John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis
[Learn more about the lecture and speaker]
Designing Stem Cell-Based Potency Assays to Advance Retinal Gene Therapies
Friday, February 27, 2026
David Gamm, MD, PhD – University of Wisconsin
Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
[Learn more about the lecture and speaker]
Gene-Agnostic Gene Therapy to Preserve Vision
Friday, January 9, 2026
Connie Cepko, PhD – Harvard University
Bullard Professor of Genetics and Neuroscience
Harvard Medical School
Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute
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Early Functional Deficits in Diabetic Retinal Disease: Translating Retinal Physiology into Clinical Practice
Friday, December 12, 2025
Machelle Pardue, PhD — Emory University
Vice Chair of Research and Acting Professor of Ophthalmology
Emory University School of Medicine
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2024-2025
Diabetic Retinopathy as Ceramidopathy: A Lipocentric Approach to a Glucocentric Problem
Friday, April 25, 2025
Julia Busik, PhD, FARVO – University of Oklahoma
Ed Miller Endowed Chair
Professor and Chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Physiology
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
[Learn more about the lecture and speaker]
You Need to Calm Down: Complement Overactivity in Age-related Macular Degeneration
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Robert Mullins, MS, PhD – University of Iowa
Martin Carver Chair in Ocular Cell Biology
Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
[Learn more about the lecture and speaker]
Marching Upstream: The Battle Against Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Friday, February 7, 2025
Rajendra Apte, MD, PhD – University of Washington
Paul A. Cibis Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
Vice Chair for Innovation and Translation
Professor of Developmental Biology and Medicine
Washington University in St. Louis
[Learn more about the lecture and speaker]
Seeing Through Retinal Ganglion Cells
Friday, December 13, 2024
David Williams, PhD – University of Rochester
William G. Allyn Endowed Professor of Medical Optics
Director, Center for Visual Science
University of Rochester
[Learn more about the lecture and speaker]
2023-2024
The X,Y,Z,T of Age-Related Macular Degeneration and the Possibility of Precision Prevention
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Christine Curcio, PhD – University of Alabama, Birmingham
White-McKee Endowed Professor of Ophthalmology (2018–2024)
Heersink School of Medicine
The University of Alabama at Birmingham
[Learn more about the lecture and speaker]
Can We Prevent Retinopathy by Improving Mitochondrial Metabolism?
Friday, February 16, 2024
Lois Smith, MD, PhD – Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School
Professor of Ophthalmology
Boston Children’s Hospital
Harvard Medical School
[Learn more about the lecture and speaker]
Genetic Discoveries That Led to the Contrast Theory of Myopia and the Development of Diffusion Optic Technology Spectacles
Friday, January 12, 2024
Maureen Neitz, PhD – University of Washington
Ray and Grace Hill Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology
Director of Graduate Program in Neuroscience
University of Washington
[Learn more about the lecture and speaker]
NAD(P)H Oxidoreductase I (NQO1) and Its Implications for Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) Treatment
Monday, December 11, 2023
Valerio Carelli, MD, PhD – University of Bologna, Italy
Chief of the Laboratory of Neurogenetics
University of Bologna School of Medicine
[Learn more about the lecture and speaker]
2022-2023
Alzheimer’s Disease Landscape in The Retina
Friday, April 7, 2023
Maya Koronyo-Hamaoui , PhD – University of Alabama, Birmingham
Professor of Neurosurgery and Professor of Biomedical Sciences
Cedars-Sinai, Los Angeles
[Learn more about the lecture and speaker]
A Tale of Two Drugs: Developing Novel Therapeutics to Treat Glaucoma
Friday, February 3, 2023
Michael Fautsch, PhD
Joseph E. and Rose Marie Green Professor of Visual Sciences
2020 and Research Chair, Department of Ophthalmology
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
Dr. Fautsch’s laboratory team is identifying new therapeutic targets and developing novel therapeutics to regulate pressure and preserve the function of the optic nerve, the ultimate site of eye damage leading to vision loss in glaucoma.
Inside Out: Relations Between the Microbiome, Eye Health and Diabetic Retinopathy
Maria Grant, MD, FARVO
Eivor and Alston Callahan, M.D., Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology
University of Alabama, Birmingham
Globally known for her discoveries related to the functional processes of stem cells (hematopoietic, embryonic, and induced pluripotent) and their potential to prevent or repair vascular degeneration in retinopathies associated with diabetes and hypoxia, Dr. Grant’s recent work has focused on understanding the gut-eye axis, particularly the link between gut barrier function and disruption of the blood retinal barrier in diabetes. Her presentation discusses new ways to diminish DR using genetically modified bacteria that target the renin angiotensin system and using stem cells to increase the integrity of the gut barrier.
OCT Angiography and Beyond
Friday, October 7, 2022
David Huang, MD, PhD
Director of Research, Associate Director, and Wold Family Chair in Ophthalmic Imaging
Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Casey Eye Institute
Professor of Ophthalmology and Biomedical Engineering
OHSU School of Medicine
Ophthalmology Residency Training at Doheny Eye Institute/University of Southern California (1994–97)
[Learn more about the lecture and speaker]
