Stanford University
Showing 301-343 of 343 Results
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Gabriel Velez, MD, PhD
Postdoctoral Scholar, Ophthalmology
BioGabriel Velez is a PGY3 ophthalmology resident at Stanford. He received his bachelor’s degree in molecular biology from Winona State University in 2014. He completed his MD and PhD degrees at the University of Iowa. His PhD research focused on studying the structure of the calpain-5 (CAPN5) protein and its role in the development of Neovascular Inflammatory Vitreoretinopathy (NIV), a rare blinding eye disease. His research interests include translational proteomics, retinal disease, ocular oncology, structural biology, biophysical chemistry, drug design, and bioinformatics.
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Douglas Vollrath
Professor of Genetics and, by courtesy, of Ophthalmology
On Partial Leave from 09/01/2025 To 02/28/2026Current Research and Scholarly InterestsThe Vollrath lab works to uncover molecular mechanisms relevant to the health and pathology of the outer retina. We study metabolic and other cellular interactions between the glial-like retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and adjacent photoreceptors, with the goals of understanding the pathogenesis of photoreceptor degenerative diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa, and developing therapies.
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Karen Wai, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology
BioDr. Wai is a board-certified ophthalmologist and fellowship-trained vitreoretinal surgeon with Stanford Health Care Byers Eye Institute. She is also a clinical assistant professor of ophthalmology in the Department of Ophthalmology at Stanford University School of Medicine.
Dr. Wai is a retina specialist who diagnoses and treats retinal and macular diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vascular occlusions (blockages), and retinal tears/detachments. The retina is a tissue layer in the back of the eye. It converts light into signals that the brain then interprets as images. The macula is the part of the retina responsible for central (straight ahead) vision. Diseases of the retina and macula can cause low vision and vision loss.
Dr. Wai’s research interests include working with data from electronic health record databases to improve patient outcomes. She has researched morbidity and mortality (illness and death) rates in patients with retinal vein occlusions and retinal artery occlusions. A retinal vein occlusion is a blocked vein to the retina that can cause vision loss. A retinal artery occlusion is when an artery to the retina is blocked, which is also sometimes referred to as eye stroke. Dr. Wai has also examined the effects of systemic medications on the retina. She has won several ophthalmology awards, including the Heed Fellowship and Harvard Medical School’s Excellence in Clinical Instruction Resident Award.
Dr. Wai has published in more than 40 peer-reviewed journals, including Ophthalmology, American Journal of Ophthalmology, and JAMA Ophthalmology. She has presented research at meetings and conferences around the United States.
Dr. Wai is a member of the American Board of Ophthalmology. -
Grzegorz Walkiewicz
Postdoctoral Scholar, Ophthalmology
BioGrzegorz (Greg) Walkiewicz, PhD, is a neuroscientist with a strong background in retinal and neurodegenerative disease research. He completed his PhD at KU Leuven (Belgium), focusing on tau pathology and Alzheimer’s disease. His research explores the connection between brain and eye pathology, with particular interest in pTau, Aβ, and microglial activation. He has worked extensively with transgenic mouse models as well as human brain and retinal tissues. He recently joined Stanford University to investigate INPP5K-related mechanisms in retinal ganglion cell degeneration.
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Brian A. Wandell
Isaac and Madeline Stein Family Professor and Professor, by courtesy, of Electrical Engineering, of Ophthalmology and of Education
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsModels and measures of the human visual system. The brain pathways essential for reading development. Diffusion tensor imaging, functional magnetic resonance imaging and computational modeling of visual perception and brain processes. Image systems simulations of optics and sensors and image processing. Data and computation management for reproducible research.
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Shen Wang
Affiliate, Ophthalmology Clinic and Education
BioShen Wang is a medical student with a keen interest in ophthalmology, digital health, and healthcare innovation. He will be joining Stanford’s Byers Eye Institute. He hasresearch experience at Johns Hopkins and works as an analyst at Osara Health and Optain Health. Outside of medicine, he’s been involved in management consulting, co-founded a med-tech initiative, and enjoys sports like rowing and basketball. He’s also passionate about community outreach, having volunteered in rural Australia and Vietnam. Shen hopes to combine his clinical training with technology and innovation to improve healthcare access and outcomes.
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Sophia Y. Wang, MD, MS
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsI use and integrate a wide variety of data sources in my research, spanning both structured and unstructured forms, including national survey datasets, health insurance claims data, patient generated online text, surgical video, and electronic health records. I investigate outcomes of treatments for glaucoma and cataract, as well as other areas of ophthalmology. My focus is on developing artificial intelligence methods to predict ophthalmology outcomes, while ensuring fairness.
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Sui Wang, PhD
Associate Professor of Ophthalmology
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsOur research focuses on unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying retinal development and diseases. We employ genetic and genomic tools to explore how various retinal cell types, including neurons, glia, and the vasculature, respond to developmental cues and disease insults at the epigenomic and transcriptional levels. In addition, we investigate their interactions and collective contributions to maintain retinal integrity.
1. Investigating retinal development:
We utilize genetic tools and methods such as in vivo plasmid electroporation and CRISPR to dissect the roles of cis-regulatory elements and transcription factors in controlling retinal development.
2. Understanding diabetes-induced cell-type-specific responses in the retina:
Diabetes triggers a range of multicellular responses in the retina, such as vascular lesions, glial dysfunction, and neurodegeneration, all of which contribute to retinopathy. We delve into the detailed molecular mechanisms underlying these diabetes-induced cell-type-specific responses and the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy.
3. Developing molecular tools for labeling and manipulation of specific cell types in vivo:
Cis-regulatory elements, particularly enhancers, play pivotal roles in directing tissue- and cell-type-specific expression. Our interest lies in identifying enhancers that can drive cell type-specific expression in the retina and brain. We incorporate these enhancers into plasmid or AAV-based delivery systems, enabling precise labeling and manipulation of specific cell types in vivo. -
Wenmin Wang
Postdoctoral Scholar, Ophthalmology
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsI am particularly interested in identifying therapeutic strategies for various eye disorders and investigating the mechanisms by which defects in inositol phosphatases lead to the disruption of primary cilia function and eye diseases by using Omics.
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Tsai-Chu Yeh, MD, MTM
Postdoctoral Scholar, Ophthalmology
BioDr. Tsai-Chu Yeh is a dedicated vitreoretinal surgeon and scientist. During residency, she was honored with the Best Resident Award, and her research has been featured in Medscape News and the American Academy of Ophthalmology, earning numerous awards from the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, American Society of Retina Specialists, Fuji Retina, and the Taiwan Retina and Ocular Inflammation Society.
Beyond advancing science, Dr. Yeh is deeply committed to inspiring the next generation by making translational medicine both accessible and impactful. She received the Best Teacher Award for five consecutive years and was promoted to assistant professor as one of the youngest scholars in her field.
Motivated by a passion to bridge science and medicine, she joined the Mahajan Lab at Stanford University as a postdoctoral scholar, where she developed expertise in molecular genetics, honed her passion for discovery, and embraced the lessons of resilience and perseverance. Her research focuses on identifying protein signatures and molecular mechanisms underlying vitreoretinal diseases, aiming to pave the way for targeted, vision-restoring therapies.
Outside the lab and clinic, Dr. Yeh is a true renaissance woman. She finds joy in reading, music and art, and cherishes time with her family and friends. She also enjoys traveling, tennis, and golf. Her vibrant spirit infuses everything she does—bringing energy, empathy, and excellence to her work as a clinician, scientist, and surgeon. -
Charles Yu MD
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsCorneal opacity is a leading cause of blindness. Cornea transplantation is at high risk of rejection when there is pre-existing vascularization of the cornea and in pediatric patients. Cornea transplant shortage remains a worldwide problem with millions on waitlists. Our laboratory is developing multiple strategies for treatment of corneal blindness. We are testing advanced materials and designs for keratoprostheses with the goal of reducing complications and easing surgical implantation. We are also developing intraocular electronic display prostheses for bypassing cornea opacity, a novel strategy that could allow for high quality vision without corneal clarity.
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Mohammad Asif Zaman
Postdoctoral Scholar, Ophthalmology
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsMy research focuses on trapping and controlled manipulation of sub-micron sized particles. The work included modeling, fabrication and testing of chips that employ optical forces and/or dielectrophoretic forces to trap and transport nanoparticles. Our goal is to develop lab-on-a-chip systems for biomedical and chemical applications.
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Yuyang Zeng
Postdoctoral Scholar, Ophthalmology
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsTransgenic therapy for glaucoma based on disease-responsive promoters/enhancers
