Alumni
Kannan V. Manian, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Email Kannan
Research Focus:
- Developing a tissue mimetic of the human retina using iPSCs
- In vitro disease modeling of retinal degenerative diseases using CRISPR-Cas9 technology
- Delineating the role of local (RPE, choriocapillaris) vs. systemic (e.g. serum) factors in development of AMD and related macular dystrophies
Hobbies outside the lab: Soccer, Music-acoustic Guitar, Photography, and Cooking!!!
Whitney Spencer
Laboratory Technician
Email Whitney
Research Focus:
- Investigating visual cycle processing in iPSC model
- Comparing visual cycle processing in control and patient-derived RPE cells
Hobbies outside the lab: Reading, hiking, and hockey!!!
Anthony Emanuel
Graduate Student
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Research Focus:
- Determining the role of TNF-induced pro-inflammatory signaling in AMD and similar macular dystrophies
- Developing and characterizing and iPSC- derived tissue mimetic of the RPE-Bruch’s membrane-choriocapillaris complex
- Determine how TIMP3 dysfunction lead to development of AMD and SFD relevant molecular and pathological changes
Hobbies outside the lab: Snowboarding, mountain biking, hiking, traveling, video games and the Buffalo Bills!!!
Jimin Han
Graduate Student
Email Jimin
Research Focus:
- Investigating the mechanism of vision loss in CLN3-Batten disease
- Determining the role of CLN3 gene/protein in the human retina
- Studying POS phagocytosis machinery by iPSC and primary RPE cells
Hobbies outside the lab: Reading, painting, and finding new places to eat!!!
Michael Roll
Laboratory Technician
Email Michael
Research Focus:
- Investigating the Role of Extracellular Matrix Alteration(s) in Macular Degeneration
- Interrogating the role of gene-environment interaction in macular degeneration
Hobbies outside the lab: Sports (soccer and tennis), cooking, listening to music, and the Buffalo Bills!!!