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The Center for Translational Vision Research Distinguished Speaker Series, also known as "Friday Seminars" showcases innovative research across the world. The seminar series has now been expanded to include lectures by experts on topics ranging from Ophthalmology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Neurobiology, Imaging, Computational Sciences to Novel Ophthalmic Treatments.
All talks are hybrid. You can join us in person at
You can also join us by zoom. Zoom link and information are on your right and in the calendar links above.
Learn More About the Distinguished Speaker Series
Samer Hattar, PhD, is a Senior Investigator and Chief of the Section on Light and Circadian Rhythms at the National Institute of Mental Health, part of the National Institutes of Health. Trained as a neuroscientist, Dr. Hattar’s research focuses on how light information captured by the retina influences brain function, circadian rhythms, sleep, mood, and behavior. He is widely known for his pioneering work on intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) and melanopsin-based photoreception, which revealed novel pathways by which light regulates non-image-forming visual processes. His laboratory investigates the neural circuits and molecular mechanisms through which light impacts physiology and mental health, with implications for circadian disorders, affective disease, and sensory processing. By integrating genetic, anatomical, and systems neuroscience approaches, Dr. Hattar’s work bridges retinal biology and brain function to advance understanding of how environmental light shapes behavior and health.