School of Medicine


Showing 1-16 of 16 Results

  • Jen Haensel

    Jen Haensel

    Basic Life Res Scientist, Ophthalmology Research/Clinical Trials

    BioI am a Research Scientist in the Roberts Vision Development & Oculomotor Lab at Stanford University’s Department of Ophthalmology, working at the intersection of vision science, neuroscience, and experimental psychology. My current research uses eye-tracking, photorefraction, and psychophysics to study oculomotor development and visual function in amblyopia, strabismus, and concussion. I also work on developing methodology to record accommodative measurements and gaze behaviour in dynamic, naturalistic settings.

    I completed my PhD in Experimental Psychology at Birkbeck, University of London (UK), where I used advanced eye-tracking techniques to study the influence of postnatal experience on social gaze behaviour. Prior to joining Stanford, I also worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Bath (UK), developing empirical human-robot interaction studies to inform the ethical design of humanoid robots.

  • Md Enamul Haque

    Md Enamul Haque

    Biostatistician 3, Ophthalmology Research/Clinical Trials

    Current Role at StanfordSr. Research Data Scientist

  • Aubrey Hargrave

    Aubrey Hargrave

    Postdoctoral Scholar, Ophthalmology

    BioMy research interests are centered on ocular immunology and neuroinflammation. My long-standing interest in eye research stems from personal experience with eye disease, which has led me to explore vision research and underlies my passion for disease-centric research in order to improve quality of life for patients.

    I am fascinated by the immune response and inflammation, in part because of its broad applicability to many human diseases. To this end, I am interested in developing an understanding of the interplay between the immune and nervous systems in the ocular microenvironment and my past research has allowed me to explore this interplay within diverse areas of the eye. As an undergraduate, I conducted research with Dr. Rima Mcleod to study patients with toxoplasmosis, a disease affecting both ocular and neural tissue. We created a patient database and investigated whether genotype influences the inflammatory response to the t.gondii parasite. As a predoctoral student with Dr. Alan Burns, my research focused on ocular inflammation in two cases; first, in acute inflammation following a corneal abrasion and second, in the context of systemic inflammation caused by early metabolic syndrome. I analyzed the immune response in both cases and developed methods to determine the effect on corneal nerves.

    During my postdoctoral training with Dr. Alfredo Dubra, I am continuing to build on my previous training in vision science, inflammation, and neurodegeneration by using adaptive optics imaging, in conjunction with standard clinical measurements, to explore potential biomarkers in diseases such as multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, and retinal degeneration. With high-resolution in vivo adaptive optics imaging we are able to monitor changes in retinal tissues at the cellular level over time, as well as to observe minute changes in the retina with treatment during clinical trials.

  • Mary Elizabeth Hartnett, MD

    Mary Elizabeth Hartnett, MD

    Michael F. Marmor, M.D. Professor of Retinal Science and Disease and Professor of Ophthalmology

    BioMary Elizabeth Hartnett, MD, is the Michael F. Marmor, M.D. Professor in Retinal Science and Diseases and is a Professor of Ophthalmology at Stanford University. Dr. Hartnett is the director of Pediatric Retina at Stanford University and principal investigator of a retinal angiogenesis laboratory, in which she studies causes and treatments for diseases including retinopathy of prematurity and age-related macular degeneration. She created the first-ever academic textbook on the subject, Pediatric Retina, in its third edition, which has proven to be an invaluable resource for residents and ophthalmologists internationally.

    Dr. Hartnett’s NIH-funded laboratory of vascular biology and angiogenesis has studied mechanisms causing pathology in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Her work in AMD has been to understand the mechanisms involved in activation and invasion of choroidal endothelial cells anterior to the RPE in order to maintain vasculature that is physiologic and not damaging beneath the RPE. Her lab has elucidated environmental stressors that lead to scarring in the macula for which no vision improvement is currently possible. The goal is to find methods to prevent the scarring.

    Her lab’s work in ROP provided the proof of concept to regulate an angiogenic signaling pathway by inhibiting VEGF to facilitate intraretinal neovascularization as well as to inhibit abnormal extraretinal neovascularization and reduce retinal destruction used in previous treatments. Her work has been translated through clinical trials to lead to new treatments for severe ROP and has represented a paradigm shift in the understanding and treatment of severe ROP.

    Dr. Hartnett has received numerous awards, including the Weisenfeld Award, the highest award for clinician-scientists given by the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), in 2018, and is an ARVO Gold Fellow. She received the 2019 Paul Kayser/Retina Research Foundation Global Award, the Macula Society’s 2016 Paul Henkind Award and its 2019 Arnall Patz Medal, the Paul Kayser/RRF Global Award from the PanAmerica Society, and the 2021 Suzanne Veronneau-Troutman Award, the most prestigious award from Women in Ophthalmology. In 2022, she was one of six at the University of Utah to receive a distinguished research award, for Pediatrics and Ophthalmology.

    Dr. Hartnett's prolific publication record includes 227 articles in peer-reviewed journals and over 40 book chapters. She has delivered numerous national and international invited lectures. Her long list of professional committee work includes serving as chair of the Publications Committee of ARVO, as a mentor for the ARVO Leadership Development Program, and in leadership positions internationally as chair of the research advisory committees for The Macula Society and the Jack McGovern Coats Disease Foundation as well as Chair of the Credentialing Committee for The Retina Society. She reviews manuscripts for more than 20 eye and science journals and serves on the editorial boards of PlosOne, Molecular Vision, and the American Journal of Ophthalmology. Dr. Hartnett is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and a Silver and Gold Fellow of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (FARVO).

  • Natalie Anne Homer, MD

    Natalie Anne Homer, MD

    Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology

    BioDr. Homer completed her ophthalmology residency at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary at Harvard Medical School and subsequently received fellowship training in plastic and reconstructive surgical procedures of the eyelids, orbit, nasolacrimal system and face accredited by the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) at TOC Eye and Face in Austin, TX. She completed an additional fellowship year in facial cosmetic surgery through the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS), training in procedures including rhytidectomy (facelift), platysmaplasty (necklift), forehead/brow lift, blepharoplasty (upper and lower eyelid lift) and autologous fat transfer. She served as an assistant professor in the UC Davis Department of Ophthalmology from 2020 – 2022.

    Dr. Homer clinically provides comprehensive ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgical care to her patients. She also enjoys improving patient confidence and self-esteem through restorative cosmetic facial surgery. In addition to clinical care, Dr. Homer strives to educate and inspire young medical trainees as an assistant professor of ophthalmology. Dr. Homer was the recipient of the UC Davis Ophthalmology Surgical Teaching Award in 2022. Dr. Homer serves on the American Board of Ophthalmology Written Examination Development Committee and is an oral board examiner for the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

    Dr. Homer has performed research in the areas of orbital oncology, orbital and facial trauma, periorbital infections, eyelid and facial reconstruction, facial nerve palsy, pediatric orbital and adnexal disorders, nasolacrimal surgery, thyroid eye disease, cosmetic and functional surgical outcomes, wound healing, and oculoplastic fellowship education. She has presented her work at national and international conferences. In addition to her scientific work, she published 6 invited articles on topics including the women in cosmetic surgery, ophthalmology advocacy and oculoplastic fellowship training. Administratively, she serves as an Editorial Board Member for the American Journal of Ophthalmology case reports and EyeWiki.

  • Rusiou Hsu

    Rusiou Hsu

    Postdoctoral Scholar, Ophthalmology

    Current Research and Scholarly Interests1. Droplet-based microfluidic technology.
    2. Polymer synthesis and hydrogel scaffold for tissue regeneration.
    3. Drug controlled- released and Nanocarrier design.
    4. NIR II window of images for real-time diagnosis.

  • Yang Hu, MD, PhD

    Yang Hu, MD, PhD

    Associate Professor of Ophthalmology

    Current Research and Scholarly InterestsThe ultimate goal of the laboratory is to develop efficient therapeutic strategies to achieve CNS neural repair, through promoting neuroprotection, axon regeneration and functional recovery.

    More specifically, we study retinal ganglion cell (RGC) and optic nerve in various optic neuropathies including traumatic, glaucomatous and inflammatory optic nerve injuries to fully understand the molecular mechanisms of CNS neurodegeneration and axon regeneration failure.

  • Jia-Horung Hung

    Jia-Horung Hung

    Affiliate, Ophthalmology Research/Clinical Trials
    Visiting Scholar, Ophthalmology Research/Clinical Trials

    BioDr. Jia-Horung Hung is an ophthalmologist and a retina and glaucoma specialist. He is a board-certified ophthalmologist and an active member of several professional societies, including The Ophthalmological Society of Taiwan, American Academy of Ophthalmology, Taiwan Retinal Society, and Taiwan Ocular Inflammation Society (TOIS), where he served as the Secretary General from 2020 to 2023. Dr. Hung’s research is dedicated to developing innovative treatments for ocular diseases, with a focus on ocular inflammation and infection, innovative surgical techniques, inhereditary ocular diseases, and ophthalmic big-data analysis. He has received numerous teaching awards since becoming a clinical assistant professor at National Cheng Kung University in 2021. His award includes Young investigator research award in clinical medicine of School of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University; Best Presentations in different academic meetings; Best Teaching Faculty in the University; Gold Medal and Best Hardware of the 2020 International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition. His laboratory study mainly focuses on age-related macular degeneration, inhereditary ocular diseases, and antimicrobial photodynamic therapy for eye infections. Dr. Jia-Horung Hung is a visiting scholar at Professor Quan Dong Nguyen’s lab in Stanford University since November 2023, where he is receiving training on ocular inflammatory diseases and working as an affiliate of Ophthalmology Research/Clinical Trials.