About Us

Center for Translational Vision Research (CTVR) is using multidisciplinary teams working together, including basic researchers, biomedical engineers, pharmacologists, clinical doctors and even experts on navigating clinical-trial approvals.
Researcher at lab bench.

Enhancing retinal research, UCI School of Medicine recruited Drs. Palczewski, Kern, and Kiser and their world-class retinal research programs to UCI in 2018 to establish the Center for Translational Vision Research (CTVR).

As a result of the success of the existing faculty and the recruitment of new faculty, the NIH funding of the Department of Ophthalmology at UCI quadrupled from 2018 to 2021, boosting our ranking from the top 40 to the top 12 (based on Blue Ridge ranking data) among Ophthalmology departments in U.S. public institutions.

Continuing the expansion of vision research, in 2020, UCI and CTVR recruited additional NEI R01-funded researchers; namely, Dr. Dorota Skowronska-Krawczyk with her glaucoma- and aging-centered research program, and Dr. Albert La Spada with his neurodegeneration-based research program.

Then in 2021, the UCI Department of Ophthalmology and CTVR recruited Dr. Vladimir Kefalov, an internationally recognized retinal scientist, with his NEI R01-funded photoreceptor physiology research program.

As a result of this exceptional recent growth, UCI now boasts significant breadth in the visual sciences and an outstanding NEI-funded research program, elevating the prestige and impact of UCI research overall. Strategic expansion of our CTVR experts in basic and medical genetics will ensure our medical center will expand critical technology for the coming gene therapy revolution.

CTVR is Awarded Space in the Falling Leaves Foundation Medical Innovation Building

CTVR interdisciplinary research program has been selected for the new building and adjacent space!

At 215,000 square feet, the building is slated to be the largest interdisciplinary discovery and translational research hub on the West Coast. Scheduled to open in 2025, it is made possible by the extraordinary generosity of Adeline Mah, MD, and Robert Mah, PhD, through their Falling Leaves Foundation.The Falling Leaves Foundation Medical Innovation Building is an embodiment of our collaborative One Health alliance, bringing together talent from across Health Affairs and attracting new recruits from around the globe. It will empower our clinicians and scientists to cure blindness, unlock breakthrough cancer treatments, revolutionize the treatment of neurological disorders, and harness genetics, proteomics and cutting-edge technologies to treat rare diseases and prevent common illnesses.

Read More
Falling Leaves Foundation

Vision

Our vision is to be the premier national and international center for vision-related research to cure and prevent blindness through education, clinical biochemistry, and disease-oriented medicine.

Mission

The CTVR’s overall Mission to DISCOVER, TEACH, and HEAL reflects our School of Medicine’s Mission within the broad discipline of the chemistry and biology of vision.

Discover
To bring together exceptional scientific expertise from within the University, the School of Medicine and other schools, and complementary research programs to advance collaborations that focus on fundamental discoveries in vision research with translational potential and eliminate vision health disparities.

Teach
To support research training in basic science disciplines relevant to multiple aspects of vision research and encourage interdisciplinary collaborative and translational research for our trainees to become skilled in an interactive research environment.

Heal
To develop novel pharmacological treatments for common blinding diseases.
Translational Vision Researchers
Translational Vision Researcher
Translational Vision Researchers
Translational Vision Researcher
  • Slide 1
  • Slide 2
  • Slide 3
  • Slide 4
Group of people standing at the summit of a mountain.
Leadership

The Center for Translational Vision Research is led by a Director, Core Faculty and Administrative Team supporting the Vision and the Mission of our Center.

Learn More About Leadership
Several hands raised in the air grasping hands.
Affiliated Faculty

The Center for Translational Vision Research is excited to partner with outstanding schools and researchers across the world. Please join us to be our new affiliated faculty!

Learn More About Affiliated Faculty
Group of people introducing themselves.
Recruitment

The Center for Translational Vision Research is on the cutting edge of translational vision research and offers exciting opportunities for students and researchers.

Learn More About Recruitment