Distinguished Speaker Series | Anand Swaroop, Ph.D.

Dr. Swaroop obtained his M.Sc. in Biochemistry from the G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology and his Ph.D. in Biochemistry at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore--both in India. After completing his postdoctoral training at Yale University in molecular biology and human genetics, he joined the faculty at the University of Michigan as an assistant professor in the Departments of Ophthalmology and in Human Genetics. He became a full professor in 2000, and held the Harold F. Falls Collegiate Professorship from 2003 to 2007. In September 2007, Dr. Swaroop established the Neurobiology-Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory at the National Eye Institute to advance research in all aspects of retinal biology, disease and therapy. The studies in the Swaroop laboratory have focused primarily on 1) genetic and epigenetic regulation of photoreceptor development and aging, 2) genetic defects and mechanisms of photoreceptor dysfunction in retinal neurodegeneration, 3) genetics of age-related macular degeneration, and 4) design of new therapeutic paradigms using cell, gene or small molecule-based approaches. Dr. Swaroop has received many honors, including the Board of Director’s award from The Foundation Fighting Blindness, the Harrington Senior Scientific Award from Research to Prevent Blindness, the Distinguished Faculty Lectureship Award of the University of Michigan Medical School, the Bireswar Chakrabarti Memorial Oration Award by the Indian Eye Research Group, the Prof. P.N. Chhuttani Chair as Distinguished Medical Scientist (visiting) at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, and the Outstanding Alumnus award from G.B. Pant University. Dr. Swaroop has received the National Eye Institute Director’s award and Alcon Award for Outstanding Vision Research. He was honored by ARVO as a Gold Fellow for his service to the vision community, and by the NIH Director’s Ruth L. Kirschstein Award "for exemplary performance while demonstrating significant leadership, skill and ability in serving as a mentor." Dr. Swaroop has trained over 500 students, interns and fellows. A number of his trainees hold faculty or scientist positions at institutions and/or biomedical industries worldwide. Dr. Swaroop has published almost 350 peer-reviewed articles, invited chapters and reviews (Scopus h-index=71), and has delivered 300 invited lectures including several named and keynote talks worldwide. Dr. Swaroop is on the advisory and editorial boards of, and reviews manuscripts for, many high impact journals. He routinely contributes to institutional committees for promotions and tenure and evaluates grants for several national and international funding agencies.