A woman with short, wavy hair in a black shirt, smiling at the camera.

May 1, 2020

That Man May See Leadership Transition

After serving as President of That Man May See for the past 16 years, Kathleen Rydar is retiring, effective April 30, and passing the torch on to Deborah Chesky.

Through the Future of Vision campaign, Kathleen ensured that UCSF Ophthalmology would succeed in supporting the new Wayne and Gladys Valley Center for Vision at Mission Bay, a state-of-the art facility that will form the hub of one of the most diverse and productive vision research programs in the world, one of the most successful and innovative teaching programs, and one of the premier clinical care programs in the nation.Kathleen’s passion and from-the-heart altruism has been felt throughout the Bay Area and beyond. In 2005, she was presented with the Hank Rosso Outstanding Fundraising Professional award by the Bay Area Association for Fundraising Professionals. During the span of her tenure, Kathleen has brought in well over $200 million to support the mission of the Department of Ophthalmology and Francis I. Proctor Foundation at UCSF.

Kathleen’s parting gift has been her central role in the recruitment of Deborah, a truly worthy successor as President of That Man May See. With a strong professional history in both health care and philanthropic development in research universities, Deborah started her career as a social work director at Albany Memorial Hospital and then Bellevue Woman’s Hospital in Niskayuna, New York.

She transitioned to Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Development at Bellevue. Deborah moved from philanthropy in health care to research, health, and higher education, ultimately serving as the Senior Advancement Officer for Foundation Relations at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York.

Deborah has had an extremely successful tenure at Rensselaer, with productive relationships among many in the sphere of UCSF Ophthalmology—the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Pew Charitable Trust, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, to name but a few. Deborah is personally committed to issues of health and vision, and the faculty is delighted that she has chosen to bring her skill set to ophthalmology and vision at UCSF, to lead That Man May See’s fulfillment of its mission to save and restore sight in actionable ways.

That Man May See will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2021. Through Deborah’s passion and commitment, she will continue in its vision to advance the work of a world-class faculty of clinician researchers and basic scientists by engaging the philanthropic community to support research, patient care, and training the next generation of leaders in ophthalmology.

News /

April 17, 2020

Ophthalmology Department’s Max Nachury, PhD, Receives ARVO’s 2020 Cogan Award

The laboratory research of UCSF Ophthalmology’s Maxence Nachury, PhD, promises to bring great insight to an understanding of photoreceptor degeneration and potential treatment strategies.

The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) has named Dr. Nachury as recipient of its 2020 Cogan Award.

Dr. Nachury studies the primary cilium, a surface-exposed organelle required for vision, olfaction, and developmental signaling. He has published widely in Cell, Science, PNAS, Nature Genetics, Nature Materials and Nature Cell Biology.

The Cogan Award recognizes a “young researcher 45 years of age or younger at the time of application deadline, and who has made important and worthwhile contributions to research in ophthalmology or visual science that are directly related to disorders of the human eye or visual system, and who show substantial promise for future contributions.”

Dr. Nachury’s research is currently funded by the Wayne and Gladys Valley Foundation, Research to Prevent Blindness, That Man May See, National Institute of Health/National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institute of Health/National Eye Institute, and the American Diabetes Association.

Faculty Profile, Honors and Awards, News, Research /

Three researchers discussing in a laboratory.

January 17, 2020

Halting Retinal Sight Loss

Patients with glaucoma and retinal degenerations need better solutions. Researchers deploy advanced tools to find novel ways to save their sight.

Protecting Vulnerable Cells

Photo caption above: To halt glaucoma, Dr. Ou, Dr. Dunn, and Dr. Della Santina investigate novel avenues for preventing damage to retinal nerve cells.

Christie Hastings knows firsthand that glaucoma steals sight. By the time she noticed blurring in her visual field, her sight was irreversibly compromised. Innovative avenues that identify glaucoma earlier and treat it more effectively promise to transform outcomes for patients like Christie.

“Patients need more effective strategies,” says glaucoma specialist Yvonne Ou, MD. To advance novel paradigms to halt the disease, Dr. Ou collaborates with two coinvestigators: physiologist Felice Dunn, PhD, and neuroscientist Luca Della Santina, PhD.

The team uses molecular, anatomical, electrophysiological, and modeling techniques to understand how increased eye pressure, common in glaucoma, affects potentially weaker retinal nerve cells and their neighbors. They also explore how retinal circuits mend themselves and continue functioning even when some cells are damaged.

“Learning how to protect the retinal nerve cells most vulnerable to damage is key to stopping glaucoma,” says Dr. Dunn. “We’re excited to pursue this promising direction.”

Altering Genes to Save Sight

Retinitis pigmentosa is a major interest for geneticist Douglas Gould, PhD. Dr. Gould and his team explore how “quality control” mechanisms inside retinal cells try to fix or dispose of mutated proteins.

Lorie Hirson is losing her sight to retinitis pigmentosa, but she is hopeful that future generations will be spared. “Vision scientists are getting closer to answers that will change our lives,” she says. “We’re proud to support their research.”

Microscopic cross-section of a biological sample. — Dr. Gould’s team of geneticists explores whether faulty formation of the front of the eye can cause glaucoma. This image shows the anterior segment during development.

In this inherited disease, mutations in a particular protein cause the light-sensitive retinal cells to die off. Dr. Gould’s team will test whether altering this cellular process can preserve vision. If so, treatments to alter this process could potentially preserve sight for patients like Lorie.

Prenatal Signs of Glaucoma

Children as young as six months can get glaucoma and its companion, high intraocular pressure. Genetic mutations that lead to the formation of defective ocular cells and tissues in the front of the eye may lead to glaucoma in infancy or later in life.

Dr. Gould uses advanced imaging and molecular techniques to investigate how the front of the eye develops. “By understanding genes that contribute to structural defects, we will open new doors to glaucoma prevention and treatment,” says Dr. Gould.

Research support provided by the National Institutes of Health, Research to Prevent Blindness, and friends of That Man May See.

Clinical Research, News, Research /

A smiling man in a turquoise shirt standing in a laboratory.

January 17, 2020

Restore the Retina, Restore Sight

Retinal transplantation will one day allow ophthalmologists to restore sight. To accelerate development of regenerative treatments for blindness, the National Eye Institute has provided funds to five multidisplinary teams nationwide.

Retinal specialist Jacque Duncan, MD, leads UCSF research for the initiative, joined by neurobiologist and bio-engineer Deepak Lamba, MD, PhD, and leading scientists at the University of Wisconsin.

To better understand cellular behavior before, during, and after experimental retinal transplantations, Dr. Lamba’s team will use stem cells to develop retinal tissue with many, many cone cells. These are the light-sensitive cells that allow humans to recognize faces and see fine detail in daytime.

“Dr. Duncan’s expertise in patient care, disease progression, and advanced imaging techniques will guide us to look for cellular changes that she has previously recorded from her patients’ retinal cells,” says Dr. Lamba.

The team’s findings will move successful retinal cell transplantations closer to a transformative reality.

Photo caption: Dr. Lamba’s team collaborates with clinical researcher Dr. Duncan to advance transplantation of laboratory-grown retinal cells to restore sight.

Clinical Research, News, Research /

January 15, 2020

Welcome New Faculty

Dr. Catherine Q. Sun

Q: What do you aim to achieve at UCSF?

A: I look forward to contributing to the growth of our excellent glaucoma division and department. I also want to advance glaucoma clinical care through interdisciplinary research.

Q: Why did you choose glaucoma?

A: I enjoy providing longitudinal care and surgical solutions for patients. Research to improve diagnostic and therapeutic strategies can transform the lives of millions of people facing glaucoma.

Q: How has your training shaped your research path?

A: UCSF emphasizes evidence-based medicine. As residents, we were given dedicated research time and presented our projects annually. The innovation was impressive! As a fellow, I used the IRIS Registry (the nation’s largest eye database) to study glaucoma surgical outcomes. Investigation of big data holds so much potential for breakthroughs in care. I’m excited to continue to learn and innovate.

Q: Why do you want to initiate “point-of-care” clinical trials?

A: This promising type of study isembedded into regular medical care. It’s a practical approach that can recruit large numbers of participants quickly and yield data from real-world ophthalmic care, using participants’ electronic medical records. These trials have the potential to accelerate research that benefits eye patients.

Q: What sparked your interest in clinical trials?

A: As a medical student, I spent a research year with the Proctor Foundation. Wonderful mentors there taught me the ins and outs of randomized controlled trials, which compare treatment efficacy. In my fellowship, I learned from mentors who conducted some of the pivotal glaucoma trials that guide practice today.

Q: How do you unwind?

A: I like good meals with friends, seeing musicals and ballet, traveling, and staying active with dance classes, running, and hiking. I often head to the South Bay on weekends to catch up with old friends and family.

Dr. Tyson Kim

Q: What drew you to ophthalmology?

A: The personal reward in helping a patient regain sight is very high. I love microsurgery and how a procedure can be transformative in a patient’s quality of life. Ophthalmology also aligns with my interests as a scientist and innovator. It is a phenomenal field for translating research and technology into improvements in patient care.

Q: How will you grow your research here at UCSF?

A: I will build a research lab that utilizes and develops advanced optical methods to study eye disease. One part of my research program will combine femtosecond laser technologies with transgenic models of disease to observe and alter cellular behavior during abnormal blood vessel development in the living eye. This can be particularly powerful for studying disease processes that are hard to recapitulate outside the body. Another aspect of my research focuses on the development and translation of low-cost and easy-to-use technologies in ophthalmic care.

Q: How were you instrumental in creating the RetinaScope?

A: RetinaScope is now a multiinstitutional effort that originally started at UC Berkeley and UCSF. I’m one of the inventors and led several clinical trials validating the technology. The device is an easy-to-use and low-cost way to image the retina. It can effectively detect referral-warranted diabetic retinopathy. We’re seeing how the technology can grow and hope to make it very accessible for places where it’s most needed.

Q: How do you enjoy your time outside of medicine?

A: I enjoy the city’s fun food culture and the Northern California outdoors. Music helps keep me balanced, and I like playing the violin. I also enjoy traveling.

Dr. Benjamin F. Arnold

Q: What attracted you to the Proctor Foundation?

A: Honestly, I’ve never seen a more dynamic and productive research faculty. They integrate extremely well across disciplines, which is where I think the most creative science tends to happen. A growing part of my research focuses on accelerating the elimination of neglected tropical disease through better surveillance methods. Proctor’s focus on global trachoma elimination is a perfect fit.

Q: What are the big takeaways from your studies on reducing diarrheal disease and malnutrition?

A: These maladies account for an enormous global disease burden. Although public health interventions such as cleaner water and nutritional supplements can prevent them in theory, it has proven difficult to dramatically improve child outcomes in practice. I plan to use lessons from 10-plus years of trials in this area to strengthen Proctor’s efforts to end trachoma and reduce child mortality.

Q: What interests you about leading the Data Coordination Center?

A: I’m excited to lead this large team of data scientists. As a methodologist, I think that combining the rich information we collect from study sites around the world with state-of-the-art data science will yield important new insights for eliminating disease. Mentoring junior scientists is one of the best ways to stay abreast of the latest scientific developments – especially in the fast-moving field of data science.

Q: What is your life like outside of medical research?

A: My family and I live a semi-rural existence at the edge of Oakland, complete with three children and a menagerie of horses, honey bees, and chickens. I love mountain biking with my kids on the trails near our house.

Dr. Seanna Grob

Q: What did your post-residency faculty year teach you?

A: I learned a lot about patient care for eye trauma, general ophthalmology, and resident education. I discovered that teaching and supervising are skills that require continual refinement. I learned how much I enjoy supporting residents through training and helping patients through challenging times.

Q: What led you to start a mental health clinic side by side with the eye trauma unit there?

A: The primacy of sight and the suddenness of eye trauma and vision loss heighten post-traumatic emotional responses. Patients were very excited to get mental health support. As I set it up, I realized that it could be helpful for many vision specialties. I hope to develop similar collaborations at UCSF.

Q: Why did you choose oculoplastic surgery as your specialty?

A: During an oculoplastics sub-internship in medical school, I enjoyed the combination of ophthalmology, head and neck surgery, plastic surgery, and dermatology. My exposure to oculoplastics as a resident and during fellowship furthered my excitement and dedication. My mentors inspired me with their passion for oculoplastics.

Q: What motivated you to choose a position at UCSF?

A: I’m joining an amazing group of oculoplastic surgeons and ophthalmologists, and UCSF is a preeminent medical institution with endless opportunities for multidisciplinary research, teaching, and leadership. I’m also excited to establish oculoplastics at the UCSF eye clinic in Berkeley.

Q: What did you enjoy about recently sky diving for the first time?

A: Flying over Interlaken, Switzerland, in a helicopter, then 45 seconds of free fall followed by floating down to an absolutely stunning view, was one of the most amazing experiences. As soon as I landed, I wanted to do it again.

Faculty Profile, K12, News, Test X5 /

Text on bright blue background promoting research to prevent blindness.

January 15, 2020

Celebrating Research to Prevent Blindness

Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) is celebrating 30 years of its highly impactful Career Development Awards, which jump-start research early in the careers of outstanding scientists.

Sixteen UCSF vision scientists have received Career Development Awards over the years, advancing new knowledge, insights, and solutions — building blocks in the future of vision. UCSF vision research continues to benefit from these and other RPB awards, including three this year.

Nurturing Novel Approaches

Thuy Doan, MD, PhD, applied her 2016 RPB Career Development Award to help launch pioneering genomic studies of the ocular micro-environment (biome) in search of pathogens underlying uveitis inflammations.

Dr. Doan’s international work at the Proctor Foundation involves investigation of the intestinal microbiome for an antibiotics study of 190,000 children in sub-Saharan Africa. Dr. Doan is lead author of a new Proctor publication in Nature Medicine,* which posits that reductions in two diarrhea-related bacteria may be a factor in higher child survival rates.

“Those of us who study… child survival in sub-Saharan Africa haven’t seen well-done trials showing such a striking mortality benefit in a really long time, so it’s very exciting,” says Patricia Pavlinac, MD, a University of Washington epidemiologist.

Preventing AMD

Retinal cell biologist Aparna Lakkaraju, PhD, won RPB’s 2019 Catalyst Award for Innovative Approaches to Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). Her team uses innovative microscopy, genome editing, and stem cell technologies to pinpoint genetic and cellular mechanisms responsible for initiating AMD, and identify promising therapies to target the earliest disease stages to preserve central vision. The research builds on earlier successes made possible by her Career Development Award in 2010.

Understanding Epidemics

RPB collaborates with the American Academy of Ophthalmology to grant awards for big data research. Michael Deiner, PhD; Thomas Lietman, MD; and Travis Porco, PhD, won this 2019 award to use the exceptional IRIS Registry to study infectious eye epidemics in the United States.

Strategic Flexibility

The Department of Ophthalmology was awarded an RPB unrestricted grant this year as well. The five-year grant extends decades of institutional support from the foundation. “We’re extremely grateful,” says Department Chair Stephen D. McLeod, MD. “These awards allow us to build high potential research from the ground up.”

*T Doan, A Hinterwirth, L Worden, AM Arzika, R Maliki, A Abdou, S Kane, L Zhong, SL Cummings, S Sakar, C Chen, C Cook, E Lebas, ED Chow, I Nachamkin, TC Porco, JD Keenan, TM Lietman. “Gut microbiome alteration in MORDOR I: a community randomized trial of mass azithromycin distribution.” Nature Medicine. 2019 Aug 12.

Clinical Research, News, Research /

September 28, 2019

The Proctor Foundation Saving Sight and Lives

Committed to reducing blindness worldwide, UCSF’s Francis I. Proctor Foundation for Research in Ophthalmology has worked in sub-Saharan Africa since 2000.

A major investigation led by the Proctor Foundation is rocking the public health firmament. “The study shows we can prevent young children in sub-Saharan Africa from dying with a simple intervention,” says Jeremy Keenan, MD, MPH, director of International Programs.

This team previously established that the same intervention saves children’s sight. The UCSF team and international partners investigated whether giving two doses a year of a common antibiotic to infants and toddlers in Malawi, Tanzania, and Niger would reduce child deaths. The work was funded with $14.8 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

According to principal investigator Thomas Lietman, MD, the biggest effects were seen in Niger, where 10 percent of newborns do not survive to their fifth birthday. A continuation of the Niger study will examine the impact of a four-year course of treatment, with the support of a $2.4 million Gates Foundation award.

Tens of Thousands of Lives Saved

With 190,000 children participating, the treatments prevented one in four deaths among 1- to 5-month-olds and slashed death rates by nearly 14 percent overall. The New England Journal of Medicine published the results in April, with Dr. Keenan as lead author. The news was covered everywhere from CNN to the Wall Street Journal and NPR.

The New York Times reported that these results are influencing the World Health Organization to decide whether to advise routinely giving antibiotics to newborns. Such a recommendation could speed progress toward the United Nations’ goal of ending preventable child deaths by 2030. Concerns about antibiotic resistance are central to this discussion. In fact, Proctor scientists monitored resistance bacteria in the respiratory tract and the stool, and they will continue to do so for the next two years.

Saving Sight Increased Survival

The Proctor Foundation’s meticulous studies on community-wide administration of the antibiotic azithromycin have played a leading role in arresting the epidemic spread of trachoma.

Early studies also showed that the vision-saving treatment increased survival rates for young children. Researchers believe the antibiotics could possibly help children fight off pneumonia, malaria parasites, and diarrhea, the biggest causes of death for this group.

Lack of basic medicines and good sanitation leaves infants and children vulnerable to disease.

Next Study to Support Newborns

The UCSF team is taking another leap forward, supported by a new $13.5 million award from the Gates Foundation. A three-year study of at least 50,000 young children in Burkina Faso is being planned. Drs. Lietman and Keenan share principal
investigator honors with colleagues Catie Oldenburg, PhD, and Thuy Doan, MD, PhD. In the first study, most babies were not treated in their earliest months, when they are most vulnerable. “In Burkina Faso, we are partnering with local health workers to provide azithromycin to infants at 4-6 weeks, during vaccine visits,” explains Dr. Oldenburg. The study will explore whether treatment in the first weeks of life helps infants survive.

Biosamples to Yield Answers

Biosamples gathered from the infants and toddlers are critical to understand precisely why more children survive,” says Dr. Doan. Using conventional and advanced genetic sequencing techniques, she will analyze samples from the back of the throat and the gut to determine which pathogens are being killed. She’ll also monitor for antibiotic-resistant genes and characterize the microbial environment in these children’s digestive systems.

“ Thanks to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, we are able to test our strategies at scale.” – Dr. Thomas Lietman

Research Benefits Sight, Too

“As we determine how best to use antibiotics to help vulnerable children survive, we also see benefit for the overall trachoma eradication program,” says Dr. Lietman. Seed funds from That Man May See helped launch this work many years ago, with pilot funding from John Debs and others. “Small well-designed studies allowed us to establish evidence that led to increased support from the Bernard Osher Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and most notably the Gates Foundation.” says Dr. Lietman.

Clinical Research, Faculty Profile, K12, News, Patient Care /

Proctor Foundation

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