Distinguished Speaker Series | Maureen A. McCall, PhD

Dr. Maureen A. McCall, Ph.D., is the Scotts Chair in Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and a Professor of Ophthalmology and Physiology at the University of Louisville, where she is internationally recognized for her contributions to retinal neurophysiology and vision restoration research. Her work investigates how retinal neurons encode visual information in both healthy and diseased states, with a focus on developing and evaluating therapies for retinal degenerations. Dr. McCall’s laboratory integrates electrophysiology, computational analysis, and preclinical models to study how retinal circuits adapt to photoreceptor loss and how these changes influence the effectiveness of emerging treatments such as retinal prostheses, optogenetics, and gene-based interventions. Her research has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of functional remodeling in the degenerating retina and in guiding strategies to improve visual outcomes for patients with inherited retinal diseases. A dedicated mentor and scientific leader, Dr. McCall has served in key roles within national vision research organizations and has contributed extensively to NIH study sections and collaborative research networks. Her career reflects a longstanding commitment to bridging fundamental neuroscience with translational applications, fostering interdisciplinary approaches that advance therapies for blinding retinal disorders.