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Alexander Smith, PhD

Assistant Professor

 

Molecular Mechanisms that Mediate Glial Barrier Function

Glial barriers form at the boundary of healthy nervous system tissue where they control exchange of substances with the surrounding fluids, form a protective barrier to seal off damaged areas and co-ordinate immune signalling with the periphery. By studying the molecular mechanisms that mediate glial barrier function Dr. Smith hopes to improve understanding of their role in disease, optimize the delivery of therapeutics to the central nervous system and identify novel targets for therapeutic intervention.

 

To Learn More:

https://profiles.ucsf.edu/alexander.j.smith

 

Research Areas:

Neuro-Ophthalmology, Retina or Retinal Diseases, Visual System Development
 
 
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Leila Shirazi, OD

Optometrist

 

Strabismus, Amblyopia and Other Eye Disorders

In addition to treating patients, Shirazi is a researcher with the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group, a collaborative network of ophthalmologists and optometrists funded by the National Eye Institute. The group runs multicenter clinical trials on treatments for strabismus, amblyopia and other eye disorders affecting children.

 

To Learn More:

https://www.ucsfhealth.org/providers/dr-leila-shirazi

 

Research Areas:

Pediatric, Amblyopia, Strabismus, or Eye Movement Disorders
 
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Julie Schallhorn, MD, MS

Associate Professor

 

Anterior Segment Disease and Refractive Surgery

Dr. Julie Schallhorn is an ophthalmologist who treats cataracts and diseases of the cornea. Schallhorn's research focuses on the study of anterior segment disease and refractive surgery. She is especially interested in refractive surgery outcomes and the role of corneal imaging for screening refractive surgery patients.

 

To Learn More:

https://profiles.ucsf.edu/julie.schallhorn

 

Research Areas:

Cataract, Cornea
 
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Saras Ramanathan, MD

Professor

 

Surgical Simulation and Cataract Surgery Teaching Methodology

Dr. Saras Ramanathan is the Division Chief of Comprehensive Ophthalmology who specializes in the surgical treatment of cataracts, particularly complex cases. She is also a nationally recognized medical educator. Her publications on surgical simulation and cataract surgery teaching methodology have influenced the way surgical ophthalmology is taught in the U.S. today. Ramanathan's efforts have been rewarded by numerous teaching awards, as well as by the success and achievements of her former residents.

 

To Learn More:

https://profiles.ucsf.edu/saras.ramanathan

 

Research Areas:

Cataract, Education
 
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Gerami Seitzman, MD

Professor

 

Infectious Eye Diseases and Dry Eye Conditions

Seitzman's research focuses on infectious eye diseases and dry eye conditions. In particular, she is interested in how modern DNA sequencing techniques and advanced imaging methods can improve the diagnosis and treatment of potentially blinding corneal infections.

 

To Learn More:

https://profiles.ucsf.edu/gerami.seitzman

 

Research Areas:

Cornea, Dry Eye, Infectious Diseases
 
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Ayman Naseri, MD

Professor

 

Cataract Surgery and Resident Education

Dr. Naseri has two primary research interests: cataract surgery and resident education. His work within cataract surgery has been focused primarily on the prophylaxis of endophthalmitis, and specifically on the cost implications of antibiotic prophylaxis. The next phase of his collaboration with Dr. Travis Porco is to complete a cost-utility analysis of endophthalmitis prophylaxis. With respect to resident education, Dr. Naseri is particularly interested in outcomes of resident-performed surgery. By studying the results of residentperformed surgery, he hopes to improve the care of patients while also improving resident surgical education.

 

To Learn More:

https://profiles.ucsf.edu/ayman.naseri

 

Research Areas:

Cataract, Education
 
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Talita Cunha Namgalies, MD

Assistant Professor

 

Strabismus

Dr. Namgalies's research focus is strabismus –  or eye misalignment. In children Strabismus can cause amblyopia, or poor visual development, in the eye that isn't straight. This can be so severe as to cause severe vision loss.

 

To Learn More:

https://profiles.ucsf.edu/talita.cunhanamgalies

 

Research Areas:

Pediatric, Amblyopia, Strabismus, or Eye Movement Disorders
 
Learn more about UCSF Ophthalmology faculty research.

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