Leila Shirazi: Assistant Clinical Professor and Associate Chief of Pediatric Optometry
We are pleased to announce Dr. Shirazi is featured on the Women of UCSF website.
Read her inspiring story here:
https://womenofucsfhealth.ucsf.edu/blog/leila-h-shirazi-od-faao
Every year, All May See awards grants to Ophthalmology researchers to facilitate preliminary studies focused on novel approaches to discover the causes and treatments for a wide range of vision problems. In 2021, a total of $200,000 in award grants were provided for the following projects:
Project Title: National Eye Institute (NEI) Center Core Grant for Vision Research
Principal Investigator: Erik Ullian, PhD
Findings: The acquisition of a state-of-the-art Zeiss LSM900 Airyscan 2 confocal microscope was made possible with NEI funds and a generous gift from Don and Judy McCubbin. This microscope is crucial for the success of numerous NEI-funded projects. To ensure its optimal performance, the All May See grant funds the cost of two additional years of service contract to maintain the microscope in excellent condition.
Project Title: Elucidating Mechanisms of Visual Pathway Damage in Alzheimer’s Disease
Principal Investigator: Alexander Smith, PhD
Findings: The research discovered that amyloid beta peptides associated with Alzheimer’s Disease accumulate in the optic nerve and the sclera. These findings offer a novel mechanistic explanation for vision loss in Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Smith intends to seek National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding to further this research in collaboration with the National Institute on Aging.
Project Title: Mechanisms of Retinal Degeneration in Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Dementias
Principal Investigators: Li Xuan Tan, PhD (Postdoctoral Fellow in the laboratory of Aparna Lakkaraju, PhD)
Findings: Dr. Tan’s investigation shed light on the mechanisms responsible for impaired visual function in frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The research discovered specific defects in energy production and metabolism in the tissue that nourishes and protects the retina, leading to inflammation and loss of the light-sensing cells of the eye, resulting in progressive visual deficits.
Project Title: Enabling Direct Correlation of Choroidal Blood Flow and Retinal Degeneration at the Single Vessel Level and Over Time Using Transscleral Multiphoton Microscopy
Principal Investigator: Henk Shang, PhD (Postdoctoral Fellow in the laboratory of Tyson Kim, MD, PhD)
Findings: The research team made significant progress in developing transscleral imaging and analytical methods to study changes in blood vessels within a genetic model of retinitis pigmentosa. Their findings revealed significant shrinking of blood vessels and diminished blood flow in diseased eyes, prompting further investigation into the correlation between these changes and the progression of retinal degeneration.
Project Title: Transcutaneous Orbicularis Oculi Stimulation for Temporary Eyelid Closure
Principal Investigators: Nailyn Rasool, MD (pictured) and Julie Schallhorn, MD, MS (not pictured here)
Findings: The principal investigators (PI‘s) successfully developed a prototype device in partnership with the Prototyping Lab at the Cleveland Veteran’s Administration Hospital. This prototype effectively induced temporary lid closure. The ability to induce lid closure will be extremely effective in patients with neurodegenerative conditions preventing lid closure as well as in patients with neurotrophic keratopathy. The goal is to prevent the development of thinning and ulceration of the cornea without permanent closure of the eyelid. The PI’s have also filed for intellectual property protection for this device design. Additionally, they established a connection with Israeli company Neurotrigger, who are working on a similar device to act as a blink pacer for patients with Bell’s palsy. Dr. Schallhorn joined their team as a consultant and aided in the development of plans to bring their device to the US, pending FDA approval.
At their April 2023 meeting, the Board of Directors of All May See approved $200,742 in research awards for the following projects:
Development of an injectable biopolymer device for sustained intravitreal delivery of carbonic anhydrase inhibitor for the treatment of juvenile X-linked retinoschisis.
Principal Investigator: Robert Bhisitkul, MD, PhD
Juvenile X-linked retinoschisis (XLRS) is an inherited retinal disorder (IRD) that predominantly affects boys and men, arising in early childhood with potential blindness by their teens or adulthood. While there are few medication options for IRDs, XLRS responds well to carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (CAI) treatment. Treatment with eye drops has been effective but is unable to fully penetrate the eye and dependent on patient application. This project aims to develop a minimally invasive injectable device to provide CAI therapy for 6–12 months, offering a better treatment approach.
Principal Investigators: Felice Dunn, PhD, and Jacque Duncan, MD
Many degenerative vision diseases are caused by the deterioration of photoreceptors (light-sensitive cells) in the back of the eye. However, this loss can evade detection until more than half of the cells are compromised. The Dunn and Duncan labs are collaborating to develop high-sensitivity assays to detect photoreceptor degeneration earlier than current methods. The Dunn lab’s discoveries revealed novel changes to visual processing following modest cell loss, and in combination with the clinical expertise of the Duncan lab in diagnosing such conditions, this project hopes to generate a new window into eye health, enabling the early identification, management, and mitigation of degenerative vision diseases.
Deep learning system to predict 5-year risk of high myopia using fundus imaging in a North American population of children.
Principal Investigator: Jonathan Li, MD
This project involves photographing North American children’s retinas and processing the photos through an artificial intelligence system to predict a child’s risk of developing severe nearsightedness (high myopia). If found valid, this non-invasive approach will enable the identification of patients most in need of aggressive treatment while there is still ample time for intervention.
Multiphoton Aqueous Flowmetry and Image-Guided Laser Therapy: Novel Approaches for Glaucoma Precision Medicine.
Principal Investigator: Tyson Kim, MD, PhD
Currently, the only treatment to slow or stop progression of glaucoma is to lower eye pressure. This project investigates the use of advanced laser imaging techniques for new, less-invasive methods to measure the drainage of fluid (aqueous humor) from the eye, which will ultimately result in more precise methods of glaucoma evaluation and treatment.
Unveiling the Risk of Diabetic Eye Disease Progression
Diabetic retinopathy is a critical eye disease that poses a significant threat to vision if left untreated. To address the issue of inadequate preventive care and the absence of a reliable method to predict high-risk patients, ophthalmologist Cathy Sun, MD, and her team at UCSF embarked on a groundbreaking study. Their aim was to develop predictive models for the progression of diabetic retinopathy, enabling healthcare providers to implement timely interventions and prevent vision loss in affected individuals.
Drawing from patient medical records at UCSF Health and Zuckerberg San Francisco General (ZSFG) Hospital, the research team meticulously analyzed various influencing factors that could predict the advancement to more severe stages of the disease. Key factors such as insurance coverage, age, and average Hemoglobin A1c levels, which provide insights into blood sugar control, emerged as critical risk factors significantly affecting the progression to more severe diabetic retinopathy.
The study’s findings paved the way for the development of a personalized risk assessment tool that goes beyond general population-level predictions. Dr. Sun and her team aspire to create a tool capable of predicting the risk of progression on an individual patient level. By leveraging the patient’s complete medical information, this tool would empower healthcare providers to make more accurate assessments of individual risk. Consequently, timely interventions could be implemented to halt disease progression and successfully prevent vision loss.
The study conducted by Dr. Sun and her team at UCSF sheds light on critical risk factors for diabetic retinopathy progression. Their endeavor to develop a personalized risk assessment tool demonstrates a commitment to improving patient outcomes. As this research progresses, healthcare providers may gain a valuable ally in the fight against diabetic eye disease, enabling them to implement timely and effective interventions that preserve the precious gift of sight for countless individuals.
UCSF Ophthalmology and Proctor Foundation faculty and their research teams are attending the The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology “ARVO 2023” annual meeting in New Orleans, from Saturday, April 22nd 2023 to Thursday, April 27th, 2023. Details of their presentations and contributions for the event are listed below. All May See Foundation will host a Faculty & Alumni Reception on Sunday, April 23, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Napoleon House located at 500 Chartres Street in the French Quarter in New Orleans (reception details).
Date: 04-22-2023, Time (CDT): 7 PM
Location: Convention center room 343
Type: Paper
Session:
Date: 04-23-2023, Time (CDT): 3:45 PM to 5:30 PM
Location: Posterboard # C0439
Type: Poster
Session: Anterior Segment and Trauma Epidemiology
Date: 04-23-2023, Time (CDT): 5:15 PM
Location: Room: 244
Type: Paper
Session: Corneal epithelium
Date: 04-23-2023, Time (CDT): 8:00 – 10:00 AM
Location: Great Hall BC
Type: Moderating the Symposium titled Cell death in ocular health and disease: Mechanisms and emerging therapeutics
Session: Cell death in ocular health and disease: Mechanisms and emerging therapeutics
Date: 04-23-2023, Time (CDT): 8:00 AM
Location: Poster # 123-B0185
Type: Poster
Session: Glaucoma Epidemiology
Date: 04-23-2023, Time (CDT): 8:00-9:30 AM
Location: Poster #35-B0097
Type: Poster
Session: Retinal ganglion cells, visual circuits, and behavior
Date: 04-24-2023, Time (CDT): 11:00 AM
Location: #3884300
Type: Poster
Session: Pediatric Epidemiology
Date: 04-24-2023, Time (CDT): 11:30 AM
Location: Posterboard Number: 1427 – B0066
Type: Poster
Session: Pediatric Epidemiology
Date: 04-24-2023, Time (CDT): 11:30 AM
Location: 1375-B0014
Type: Poster
Session: Aqueous Humor Dynamics, Trabecular Meshwork, and Ciliary Body 1
Date: 04-24-2023, Time (CDT): 11:30 AM-1:15 PM
Location: Posterboard#: B0248
Type: Poster
Session: Neuroregeneration and Neuroprotective Mechanisms
Date: 04-24-2023, Time (CDT): 3:15 – 5:15 PM
Location: 2047 – B0378
Type: Poster
Session: Immunobiology of Eye Diseases: The Ocular Microenvironment
Date: 04-24-2023, Time (CDT): 3:15 – 5:00 PM
Location: 2284 – C0283
Type: Poster
Session: Diabetic Retinopathy
Date: 04-24-2023, Time (CDT): 3:15 – 5:15 PM
Location: Posterboard Number: 2057 – B0388
Type: Poster
Session: Immunobiology of Eye Diseases: The Ocular Microenvironment
Date: 04-24-2023, Time (CDT): 3:15 – 5:00 PM
Location: Poster 2298 – C0297
Type: Poster
Session: Diabetic Retinopathy
Date: 04-25-2023, Time (CDT): 11:45 AM to 1:45 PM
Location: C0144
Type: Poster
Session: Transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and systems biology
Date: 04-25-2023, Time (CDT): 11:45 AM – 1:45 PM
Location: 3182 – C0375
Type: Poster
Session: Stem Cells and Organoids
Date: 04-25-2023, Time (CDT): 11:45 AM – 1:30 PM
Location: Posterboard Number: C0308
Type: Poster
Session: Corneal cell and molecular biology
Date: 04-25-2023, Time (CDT): 8:45-10:30AM
Location: #B0495
Type: Poster
Session: Diabetic Retinopathy Medical
Date: 04-25-2023, Time (CDT): 8:45 – 10:30 AM
Location: Posterboard B0015 / Location – Exhibit Hall
Type:
Session: Session Presentation | Presbyopia and intraocular lenses
Date: 04-25-2023, Time (CDT): 8:45 – 10:30 AM
Location: Poster 2663-B0485
Type: Poster
Session: Diabetic Retinopathy Medical
Date: 04-26-2023, Time (CDT): 10:30 AM – 12:15 PM
Location: Poster B0167
Type: Poster
Session: Cellular pathways underlying retinal degeneration
Date: 04-26-2023, Time (CDT): 10:30 AM – 12:15 PM
Location: Exhibit Hall Poster # C0278
Type: Poster
Session:
Date: 04-26-2023, Time (CDT): 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Location: 418
Type: Poster
Session: Dry Eye (Clinical)
Date: 04-26-2023, Time (CDT): 11:30 AM
Location: R02-R03
Type: Paper
Session: Regulation of lipid metabolism in retinal health and disease
Date: 04-26-2023, Time (CDT): 2:00 PM
Location: Poster board #4645, C0110
Type: Poster
Session: Retinitis Pigmentosa
Date: 04-26-2023, Time (CDT): 3:00 – 3:15 PM
Location: La Nouvelle C
Type: Paper
Session: Advanced imaging methods and clinical applications
Date: 04-26-2023, Time (CDT): 3:15 – 3:30 PM
Location: R09
Type: Paper
Session: Myopia: Structure-Function Relationship
Date: 04-26-2023, Time (CDT): 4:00 PM
Location: New Orleans Convention Center, Room R09
Type: ARVO LATE BREAKING SESSION ON GLOBAL HEALTH
Session: Advances and Current Challenges in Global Eye Health with a focus on Climate Change
Date: 04-27-2023, Time (CDT): 11:00 AM
Location: Great Hall BC
Type: Paper
Session: AMD Clinical Trials
Date: 04-27-2023, Time (CDT): 8:00 AM
Location: Posterboard Number: 4800 – B0093
Type: Poster
Session: Corneal surgery: non refractive
Date: 04-27-2023, Time (CDT): 8:00 AM – 9:45 AM
Location: Posterboard Number: B0093
Type: Poster
Session: Corneal surgery: non refractive
UCSF Ophthalmology and Proctor Foundation Faculty are attending the American Academy of Ophthalmology “AAO 2022” annual meeting in Chicago, from Saturday, Sept 30th, 2022 to Monday, October 3rd, 2022. Faculty presentations and contributions for the event are listed below and available as downloadable pdf here.
The Francis I. Proctor Foundation, the Department of Ophthalmology, the Frederick C. Cordes Eye Society, the H. Bruce Ostler Association of Proctor Fellows, and All May See Foundation will host the annual Alumni Cocktail Reception on Saturday, October 1, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Sunda New Asian (110 W. Illinois Street, Chicago, IL 60654). Please respond by contacting Leah Jarvis Leah.Jarvis@ucsf.edu or 415.476.4016.
Date: 9/30/22 Time: 2:40 PM PST
Location: E350
Presentation Type: In person, Live Broadcast, On Demand
Session: Uveitis Subspecialty Day: Hot Topics in Uveitis
Date: 10/01/22 Time: 8:55 AM PST
Location: Arie Crown
Presentation Type: In person, Live Broadcast, On Demand
Session: Retina Subspecialty Day: Uveitis Cases
Date: 10/01/22 Time: 12:00 PM PST
Location: S406A
Presentation Type: In person, Live Broadcast, On Demand
Session: SYM 14: Symposium
Date: 10/02/22 Time: 11:30 AM PST
Location: Technology Pavilion
Presentation Type: In person
Session: Ophthalmology Journal Podcast Live
Date: 10/02/22 Time: 6:00 PM PST
Location: Intercontinental Hotel
Presentation Type: In person
Session: American Uveitis Society Fall Meeting
Date: 10/03/22 Time: 9:30 AM PST
Location: E351
Presentation Type: In person
Session: Instructional Course by the American Uveitis Society
Date: N/A Time: N/A
Location: PO247
Presentation Type: On Demand Only
Session: Ocular Oncology
Date: 09/30/22 Time: 12:22 PM PST
Location: N/A
Presentation Type: Debate
Session: N/A
Date: 10/01/22 Time: 1:00 PM PST
Location: N228
Presentation Type: In Person
Session: N/A
Date: 10/01/22 Time: 12:00 PM PST
Location: S406B
Presentation Type: In person
Session: Young Ophthalmologist Session
Date: 10/02/22 Time: 12:00 PM PST
Location: S406B
Presentation Type: In person, Live Broadcast, On Demand
Session: Retina
Date: 9/30/22 Time: 6:23 AM PST
Location: PED02, E450
Presentation Type: In person, Live Broadcast, On Demand
Session: Esotropia Duane Syndrome: Ipsilateral Medical Rectus Recession
Date: 10/02/22 Time: 2:47 PM PST
Location: SYM38, E450
Presentation Type: In Person, On Demand
Session: Access to Care, Treatment Compliance
Date: 10/01/22 Time: 9:24 AM PST
Location: Session COR04 Location E354
Presentation Type: In person, Live Broadcast, On Demand
Session: Section III Keratitis
Date: 09/30/22 Time: 9:16 AM PST
Location: ARIE CROWN RET06
Presentation Type: In Person, Live Broadcast, On Demand
Session: Subspecialty Day
Section IV: Medical Retina and Chorioretinal Vascular Disease
Date: 10/02/22 Time: 9:46 AM PST
Location: McCormick Place Convention Center Event #SYM32 E354
Presentation Type: In Person, Live Broadcast, On Demand
Session: Innovations in Ophthalmology from Around the World
Date: 9/30/22 Time: 11:30 AM PST
Location: E350
Presentation Type: In person
Session: Subspecialty Day: Uveitis (Posterior Uveitis)
Date: 10/01/22 Time: 12:00 PM PST
Location: S406A
Presentation Type: In person, Live Broadcast, On Demand
Session: SYM 14: Symposium
Date: 10/02/22 Time: 7:45 AM PST
Location: S404
Presentation Type: In person, Live Broadcast, On Demand
Session: SYM62
Date: N/A Time: N/A
Location: PO242 Scientific Poster
Presentation Type: On Demand Only
Session: Plastics
Date: 10/02/22 Time: 6:00 AM PST
Location: LAB130 Location N231
Presentation Type: In Person
Session: Plastics
Date: 10/03/22 Time: 6:00 AM PST
Location: S103ABC
Presentation Type: Instruction Course
Session: Cornea, External Disease
Date: 10/01/22 Time: 12:42 PM PST
Location: Grand Ballroom S100AB (Session SYM15)
Presentation Type: In Person, Live Broadcast, On Demand
Session: Hot Topics 2022
Date: 10/01/22 Time: 1:40 PM PST
Location: Poster Theater and Lounge, Hall A past the registration area
Presentation Type: In Person and On Demand
Session: Neuro-Ophthalmology Poster Theater
Date: 10/02/22 Time: 7:51 AM PST
Location: Poster Theater and Lounge, Hall A past the registration area
Presentation Type: In Person and On Demand
Session: Oculoplastics Poster Theater
Date: N/A Time: N/A PST
Location: PO127 Scientific Poster
Presentation Type: On Demand Only
Session: Glaucoma
Date: 10/02/22 Time: 6:01 AM PST
Location: Grand Ballroom S100AB
Presentation Type: In person, Live Broadcast, On Demand
Session: I Can See: The Role of Anterior Segment Imaging
Date: 10/02/22 Time: 7:50 AM PST
Location: E350
Presentation Type: In person, On Demand
Session: Myopia Prevalence and Control of Progression: Update From the Preferred Practice Patterns Committee
Date: 10/02/22 Time: 8:44 AM PST
Location: Grand Ballroom S100AB
Presentation Type: In person, Live Broadcast, On Demand
Session: The Great Debate: Cornea
Date: 10/01/22 Time: 1:24 PM PST
Location: OCU 07 E450
Presentation Type: In person, Live Broadcast, On Demand
Session: N/A
Date: 10/02/22 Time: 6:00 AM PST
Location: LEC 127 E352
Presentation Type: In person
Session: N/A
Date: 10/02/22 Time: 8:00 AM PST
Location: LAB 127A N229
Presentation Type: In Person
Session: N/A
Date: N/A Time: N/A
Location: PO 242Scientific Poster
Presentation Type: On Demand Only
Session: N/A
Date: 9/30/22 Time: 7:36 AM PST
Location: ARIE CROWN
Presentation Type: In person, Live Broadcast, On Demand
Session: RET04
Date: 9/30/22 Time: 11:03 AM PST
Location: S406A
Topic: Refractive Surgery
Presentation Type: In person, On Demand
Session: REF07
Date: 9/30/22 Time: 3:08 PM PST
Location: E354
Session: SYM55
Date: 10/1/22 Time: 10:22 AM PST
Location: GRAND BALLROOM S100AB
Session: SYM10
Date: 10/1/22 Time: 12:12 PM PST
Location: E350
Session: SYM53
Date: 10/2/22 Time: 12:00 PM PST
Location: E354
Session: SYM41
Date: N/A Time: N/A
Location: PO127 Scientific Poster
Presentation Type: On Demand Only
Session: Pediatric
Date: N/A Time: N/A
Location: PO185 Scientific Poster Presentation
Type: On Demand Only
Session: Pediatric
Date: 10/01/22 Time: 12:52 PM PST
Location: Grand Ballroom S100AB
Presentation Type: In Person, Live Broadcast, On Demand
Session: N/A
Date: 10/01/22 Time: 8:30 AM PST
Location: N228
Presentation Type: In person Only
Session: Cataract
Date: 10/02/22 Time: 9:00 AM PST
Location: N228
Presentation Type: In person Only
Session: Cataract
Date: N/A Time: N/A
Location: PO100
Presentation Type: On Demand Only
Session: Cornea, External Disease
Date: 09/30/22 Time: 7:36 AM PST
Location: OMIG
Presentation Type: Podium
Session: N/A
Date: 10/03/22 Time: 6:00 AM PST
Location: S503AB
Presentation Type: In Person
Session: 605
Date: 09/29/22 Time: 6:00 AM PST
Location: E354
Presentation Type: Live
Session: N/A
Date: 09/30/22 Time: 6:12 AM PST
Location: S406A
Presentation Type: In Person, Live Broadcast, On Demand
Session: Section I: Refractive Surgery in the New Era
Date: 10/01/22 Time: 6:00 AM PST
Location: N228
Presentation Type: In Person Only
Session: Cataract
Date: 10/01/22 Time: 1:00 PM PST
Location: N227B
Presentation Type: In Person Only
Session: Cornea, External Disease
Date: 10/02/22 Time: 6:00 AM PST
Location: Grand Ballroom S100AB
Presentation Type: In Person, Live Broadcast, On Demand
Session: Cornea, External Disease
Date: 10/02/22 Time: 7:30 AM PST
Location: Learning Lounge 1
Presentation Type: In Person Only
Session: Cornea, External Disease
Date: 10/02/22 Time: 10:14 AM PST
Location: Grand Ballroom S100C
Presentation Type: In Person, On Demand
Session: Treatment of Presbyopia
Date: 10/03/22 Time: 7:35 AM PST
Location: E354
Presentation Type: In Person, Live Broadcast, On Demand
Session: Cataract
Date: 09/30/22 Time: 10:10 AM PST
Location: Great Lakes Ballroom C (Floor 2), 2121 S
Presentation Type: In person, On Demand
Session: Ocular Microbiology and Immunology Group
Date: 10/01/22 Time: 6:12 PM PST
Location: Cornea Subspecialty Day/W195
Presentation Type: In person, On Demand
Session: Cornea
Date: 09/30/22 Time: 11:30 AM PST
Location: E350
Presentation Type: In person
Session: Subspecialty Day: Uveitis (Posterior Uveitis)
Date: N/A Time: N/A
Location: PO185
Presentation Type: On-Demand Poster
Session: N/A
Date: N/A Time: N/A
Location: N/A
Session: PO127, Scientific Poster
Presentation Type: On Demand Only
Session: Glaucoma
Date: 10/01/22 Time: 6:00 AM PST
Location: S504ABC
Presentation Type: In person, On Demand
Session: Retina, Vitreous
Date: 09/30/22 Time: 12:45 PM PST
Location: Grand Ballroom S100AB
Presentation Type: In person, Live Broadcast, On Demand
Session: Glaucoma
Date: N/A Time: N/A
Location: PO242 Scientific Poster
Presentation Type: On Demand Only
Session: Plastics
Date: N/A Time: N/A
Location: PO216 Scientific Poster
Presentation Type: On Demand Only
Session: Plastics
Dr. Seth Blumberg, MD, joins UCSF’s Francis I. Proctor Foundation as a computational epidemiologist. He provides patient care to hospitalized patients at UCSF Medical Center as an internist specializing in infectious disease.
Fellowships: New York University (infectious diseases), Proctor Foundation (forecasting trachoma control), National Institutes of Health (research and policy for infectious disease dynamics)
Residency: St. Mary’s Medical Center, San Francisco
MD, PhD: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (PhD in Biophysics)
How did Hodgkin’s disease shape your career? I was a classic “Caltech nerd,” pursuing math and physics, when I was diagnosed with cancer. Fortunately, my treatment was effective, and I got a second chance at life. Becoming a clinician and medical researcher became my way of giving back.
How do your skills strengthen the Proctor Foundation’s capacity to improve public health and protect sight? My training and experience in mathematical modeling, infectious disease dynamics, and biophysics complements rich existing knowledge and skills. An interdisciplinary approach allows our research team to tackle complex public health questions to address ongoing spread of preventable diseases, including blindness caused by trachoma.
How is Proctor providing leadership on the threat of antimicrobial-resistant infections? The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) funds our investigation of antimicrobial resistance in the United States. Ironically, the antibiotics we use to treat serious infections can also increase the risk of deadly infections from Newsresistant bacteria. Our research aims to figure out how to treat infections without unintended consequences. We hope to build on this research and study patterns of resistance in low- and middle-income nations.
How has COVID-19 altered your research? In June 2020, the CDC reached out to Proctor, requesting that we immediately begin analyzing COVID data from US hospitals to help decrease transmission and improve outcomes. To reduce the rapid spread inside California prisons, I volunteered as an epidemiological modeler with AMEND, a university-based prison health consortium.
What did you gain in your RAPIDD Fellowship at the National Institutes of Health Fogarty Center? RAPIDD stands for Research and Policy for Infectious Disease Dynamics. I collaborated with outstanding leaders who advanced the field of mathematical modeling of epidemiologic data to understand, forecast, and mitigate the transmission potential of emerging diseases. This methodology helps guide governmental and international health policy – to manage novel disease threats and save lives.
