Distinguished Speaker Series Home Distinguished Speaker Series Ophthalmology Research Seminar: Distinguished Speaker Series The Center for Translational Vision Research (CTVR) Distinguished Speaker Series, often referred to as the "Friday Seminars," is a premier platform for showcasing groundbreaking research in vision science and ophthalmology from around the globe. Since our foundation, the CTVR, in collaboration with the Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, has hosted this esteemed series, highlighting cutting-edge developments in ophthalmology research. After the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, at a time when most academic seminars were canceled, we swiftly adapted and transformed our series to a virtual format via Zoom, ensuring continuity and even expanding our reach. Today, the series has evolved to feature expert lectures on a diverse array of topics, including Ophthalmology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Neurobiology, Imaging, Computational Sciences, and Novel Ophthalmic Treatments. The seminar series has also grown in scope, drawing an international audience of 80-300 attendees each week, connecting scholars and professionals from across the U.S. and around the world. We invite you to join us every Friday from 8:30 am–10:00 am, both in person and online via Zoom, throughout the academic year. For more information and Zoom details, email:Anna Kiker, MBA, CRA or Grazyna Palczewska, PhD To stay updated with the latest details,Subscribe to our emails Speakers Feb 13, 2026 The retina's interaction with the circadian pacemaker beyond photoentrainment Samer Hattar, PhD, Senior Investigator & Chief, Section on Light and Circadian Rhythms, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institutes of Health (NIH) Profile VIEW EVENT DETAILS Feb 06, 2026 Developing PKG inhibitors for the mutation-independent treatment of retinitis pigmentosa François. F. Paquet-Durand, PhD, Professor, Cell Death Mechanism Group, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen Profile VIEW EVENT DETAILS Jan 30, 2026 Energetic fuels for the retina and RPE Daniel Hass, PhD, Assistant Professor in Ophthalmology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA Profile VIEW EVENT DETAILS Jan 23, 2026 Novel insights into ocular lymphatics Lu Chen, MD, PhD, Professor, Vision Science Program, and Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science, University of California, Berkeley Profile VIEW EVENT DETAILS Jan 16, 2026 A comparative approach to investigating hypoxia tolerance in the retina Michael G. Jonz, PhD, Professor of Neurobiology, Director, Cellular Imaging and Cytometry Facility, Department of Biology & Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa Profile VIEW EVENT DETAILS Jan 09, 2026 Successful treatments for adRP due to rhodopsin mutations using a large animal model harboring a human P23H Rhodopsin mutation Maureen A. McCall, PhD, Professor & Vice Chair for Research, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Kentucky Lions Eye Research Endowed Chair, University of Louisville Profile VIEW EVENT DETAILS Dec 26, 2025 No Seminar The University of California, Irvine will be observing the winter recess break. We hope you have a wonderful and restful holiday season filled with joy and gratitude! Dec 19, 2025 Mechanisms of extracellular vesicle release and photoreceptor disc formation William Spencer, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University Profile VIEW EVENT DETAILS Dec 12, 2025 Activating PPARα for Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Diabetic Retinopathy and AMD Jian-Xing Ma, MD, PhD, Professor and Chair, Department of Biochemistry, Co-Director, Translational Eye and Vision Research Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine Profile VIEW EVENT DETAILS Dec 05, 2025 The Stress Response Protein REDD1 is a Critical Molecular Redox Sensor in Ischemic Retinal Disease Michael D. Dennis, PhD, Professor, Department of Cell and Biological Systems, Department of Ophthalmology, Penn State College of Medicine Profile VIEW EVENT DETAILS Pagination First page « First Previous page ‹‹ Page 1 Current page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Next page ›› Last page Last » Previously Recorded Seminars If you missed some of our Distinguished Speaker Seminars, no worries! You can watch previously recorded seminars. 2025 Recorded Distinguished Speaker Seminars 2024 Recorded Distinguished Speaker Seminars 2023 Recorded Distinguished Speaker Seminars 2022 Recorded Distinguished Speaker Seminars 2021 Recorded Distinguished Speaker Seminars 2020 Recorded Distinguished Speaker Seminars