Funding
By Researcher

The strength of our research team here in the Department of Ophthalmology is highlighted, in part, by their funding.

Astra Dinculescu

Astra Dinculescu PhD

Assistant Professor
Grants:
  • Jan 2024 ACTIVE
    A modified arrestin1 to enhance glycolysis in photoreceptors as a therapeutic approach to slowing retinal degeneration
    NATL INST OF HLTH NEI · Co-Investigator
  • Sep 2023 ACTIVE
    CLARIN 1 RETINAL FUNCTION AND THERAPEUTIC IMPLICATIONS FOR USH3
    NATL INST OF HLTH NEI · Principal Investigator
  • Sep 2022 ACTIVE
    Generation and Characterization of Novel Large Animal Models of Usher Syndrome Type 3
    NATL INST OF HLTH NEI · Principal Investigator
  • Jun 2021 ACTIVE
    Generation and Characterization of Swine Models of Usher Syndrome Type 3
    FOU FOR FIGHTING BLINDNESS · Principal Investigator
  • Sep 2019 ACTIVE
    Transcriptional control of proteostasis in photoreceptors
    NATL INST OF HLTH NEI · Co-Investigator
  • Jul 2017 – Aug 2019
    The role of basal C1QTNF5-S163R mutant deposits in drusen formation: implications for AMD
    BRIGHTFOCUS FOU · Principal Investigator
  • Sep 2016 – Aug 2022
    CLARIN 1 RETINAL FUNCTION AND THERAPEUTIC IMPLICATIONS FOR USH3
    NATL INST OF HLTH NEI · Principal Investigator
William W Hauswirth

William W Hauswirth PhD

Eminent Scholar
Grants:
  • Feb 2020 – Aug 2021
    Preclinical Validation for ADVM-062 in Knock-Out and C198R Knock-In Missense Mouse Models of BCM
    ADVERUM BIOTECHNOLOGIES INC · Principal Investigator
  • Sep 2019 – Mar 2021
    Disease mechanisms of cone opsin mutants and treatment strategies
    NATL INST OF HLTH NEI · Co-Investigator
  • Mar 2019 – Mar 2022
    Mito-Targeted AAV to Treat Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy Caused by ND4 Mutations
    UNIV OF MIAMI · Principal Investigator
  • Jan 2019 – Dec 2019
    Dual Vectors for Otoferlin
    DECIBEL THERAPEUTICS · Principal Investigator
  • Jun 2018 – Jun 2019
    Gene Therapy for RHO adRP
    IVERIC BIO · Faculty
  • Apr 2018 – Jan 2022
    Translational Gene Therapy for CNGB1 Retinitis Pigmentosa
    MICHIGAN STATE UNIV · Principal Investigator
  • Oct 2017 – Mar 2019
    Toxicology Study of BS01 in Rd1 mice
    APPLIED GENETICS TECH CORP · Project Manager
  • Sep 2016 – Aug 2021
    Translational Research for Retinal Degenerative Therapies
    UNIV OF PENNSYLVANIA · Principal Investigator
  • Aug 2016 – Jul 2022
    Testing Gene Therapy in Models of Geographic Atrophy
    NATL INST OF HLTH NEI · Project Manager
  • Jul 2016 – Oct 2017
    XLRP Mouse Toxicology Study
    APPLIED GENETICS TECH CORP · Faculty
  • Jan 2016 – Feb 2018
    AAV-Mediated Therapy for Best Vitelliform Macular Dystrophy
    UNIV OF PENNSYLVANIA · Principal Investigator
  • Oct 2015 – Oct 2016
    DSR Match Support – Gene Therapy for ABCA4 Stargar
    UF DIV OF SPONSORED RES MATCHING FUNDS · Principal Investigator
  • Sep 2015 – Sep 2018
    blue cone monochromancy
    APPLIED GENETICS TECH CORP · Principal Investigator
  • Sep 2015 – Aug 2016
    Translational Research for Retinal Degenerative Therapies
    UNIV OF PENNSYLVANIA · Principal Investigator
  • May 2015 – Mar 2020
    Gene Therapy for ABCA4 Stargardt's Disease
    APPLIED GENETICS TECH CORP · Principal Investigator
  • Jan 2015 – Jun 2018
    Gene Therapy for Blue Cone Monochromacy
    BCM Families Foundation · Principal Investigator
  • Jun 2013 – Nov 2019
    rAAV-CNGB3 Gene Therapy for Achromatopsia: Translational Research Studies
    NATL INST OF HLTH NEI · Principal Investigator
  • Feb 2013 – Jan 2018
    Population Coding in the Retina
    CORNELL UNIV · Principal Investigator
  • Jan 2013 – Dec 2021
    Vitreal delivery of novel AAV vectors for blue cone monochromacy gene therapy
    UF FOUNDATION · Principal Investigator
  • Nov 2012 – Dec 2016
    XIAP gene therapy for the treatment of retinal degeneration: Safety and toxicity studies for translation into the clinic
    OTTAWA HOSP RESEARCH INST · Principal Investigator
  • Oct 2012 – Sep 2016
    Gene therapy using novel cone-targeted adeno-associated vital vectors in the CNGA3 sheep model of achromatopsia
    US ISRAEL BINATIONAL SCI FOU · Principal Investigator
  • Aug 2012 – Jul 2018
    Gene Therapy for CEP290 LCA and RPE Dystrophies
    FOU FOR FIGHTING BLINDNESS · Principal Investigator
  • Mar 2012 – Feb 2018
    Translational Gene Therapy for Rhodopsin Autosomal Dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa (Module 1)
    UNIV OF PENNSYLVANIA · Principal Investigator
  • Oct 2011 – Jun 2016
    Gene Therapy for LCA1
    FOU FOR FIGHTING BLINDNESS · Principal Investigator
  • Aug 2011 – Jul 2016
    Vision Research Core
    NATL INST OF HLTH NEI · Principal Investigator
  • Jul 2011 – Jun 2016
    Module 1: Cone Targeted Gene Therapy
    FOU FOR FIGHTING BLINDNESS · Principal Investigator
  • Jan 2011 – Jan 2021
    Purified Recombinant Adeno Associated Virus
    MULTIPLE SPONSORS · Principal Investigator
  • Jan 2004 – May 2017
    03091205
    MACULAR VISION RESEARCH FOU · Principal Investigator
Cristhian J Ildefonso

Cristhian J Ildefonso PhD

Assistant Professor
Grants:
  • Jul 2019 – Jul 2022
    Gene Therapy for Bestrophinopathies – Silent and Replace BEST
    IVERIC BIO · Principal Investigator
  • Jul 2017 – Sep 2019
    Local and Systemic Inflammation in a Mouse Model of RPE-oxidative Damage
    BRIGHTFOCUS FOU · Principal Investigator
  • Aug 2016 – Jul 2022
    Testing Gene Therapy in Models of Geographic Atrophy
    NATL INST OF HLTH NEI · Faculty
Qiuhong Li

Qiuhong Li PhD

Associate Professor
Grants:
  • Feb 2024 ACTIVE
    Fee for Service MUSC
    MEDICAL UNIV OF SOUTH CAROLINA · Principal Investigator
  • Sep 2023 ACTIVE
    Pro/renin receptor-mediated signaling in pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy
    NATL INST OF HLTH NEI · Principal Investigator
  • Aug 2023 ACTIVE
    Engineering next generation probiotics for delivery of therapeutics
    MEDOSOME BIOTEC · Principal Investigator
  • Dec 2022 ACTIVE
    Genetically modified bacteria: Lactobacillus expression vectors producing ACE2 (LP-ACE2) and Ang-1-7 (LP-Ang-1-7) with codon usage optimized for high level expression in different species of Lactobacillus.
    UNIV OF ALABAMA BIRMINGHAM · Principal Investigator
  • Dec 2021 – Nov 2022
    Role of Ang(17)-secreting Lactobacillus paracasei (LP) in regulating Hypertension: Piloting Dosing Strategies
    WAKE FOREST UNIV · Principal Investigator
  • Sep 2019 – Aug 2021
    Optimization of food-grade recombinant probiotics for oral delivery of ACE2/Ang-(1-7)
    MEDOSOME BIOTEC · Co-Investigator
  • Jun 2019 – May 2021
    Fee for Service Contract with University of Alabama (UAB)
    UNIV OF ALABAMA BIRMINGHAM · Principal Investigator
  • May 2018 – Apr 2023
    ACE2 Modulates the Bone Marrow- Gut Axis in Diabetic Retinopathy
    UNIV OF ALABAMA BIRMINGHAM · Principal Investigator
  • Aug 2016 – Dec 2021
    ACE2, Brain, Gut Dysbiosis in Pulmonary Hypertension
    NATL INST OF HLTH NHLBI · Co-Investigator
  • Sep 2015 – Aug 2020
    Oral therapy for diabetic retinopathy using ACE2/Ang1-7 bioencapsulated in plant cells
    NATL INST OF HLTH NEI · Principal Investigator
  • Jul 2015 – Jun 2017
    Ang-(1-7)/Mas Signaling in Aging Eye- Protective Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential
    BRIGHTFOCUS FOU · Principal Investigator
  • Jan 2015 – Dec 2017
    Oral delivery of bioencapsulated ACE2 and Ang1-7 for therapy of diabetic retinopathy
    AMER DIABETES ASSOCIATION · Principal Investigator
  • Jan 2012 – Dec 2016
    Ocular Renin Angotensin System in Pathogenesis of Diabetic Retinopathy
    NATL INST OF HLTH NEI · Principal Investigator
Ekaterina Lobanova

Ekaterina Lobanova PhD

Assistant Professor
Grants:
  • Sep 2019 ACTIVE
    Transcriptional control of proteostasis in photoreceptors
    NATL INST OF HLTH NEI · Principal Investigator
Mark B Sherwood

Mark B Sherwood MD

Emeritus Professor
Grants:
  • Jun 2017 – May 2019
    OR-DRPD-ROF2017: Novel Glaucoma Drainage Devices
    UF DSR OPPORTUNITY FUND · Co-Investigator
  • Oct 2015 – Jun 2019
    Glaucoma Therapy by Contact Lenses-Human Trials
    UF DSR OPPORTUNITY FUND · Principal Investigator
  • Feb 2015 – Aug 2019
    192024-092 The Efficacy and Safety of Bimatoprost SR in Patients with Open-angle Glaucoma or Ocular Hypertension
    ALLERGAN plc · Principal Investigator
  • Aug 2006 – Sep 2022
    UFF Daniels Professorship
    UF FOUNDATION · Principal Investigator
W. Clay Smith

W. Clay Smith PhD

Professor
Grants:
  • Jan 2024 ACTIVE
    A modified arrestin1 to enhance glycolysis in photoreceptors as a therapeutic approach to slowing retinal degeneration
    NATL INST OF HLTH NEI · Principal Investigator
  • Nov 2023 – Feb 2024
    Michelson Task #5 Biological assay of sterilant bioactivity in tissue culture
    MICHELSON FOUND ANIMALS FOUNDATION · Principal Investigator
  • Sep 2022 ACTIVE
    Research Training in Vision Science
    NATL INST OF HLTH NEI · Principal Investigator
  • Apr 2022 – Mar 2023
    Biological assay of sterilant bioactivity in tissue culture
    MICHELSON FOUND ANIMALS FOUNDATION · Principal Investigator
  • Jan 2022 – Dec 2023
    SBT-100 Regulation of Cytokine Signaling and Autoimmunity
    SINGH BIOTECHNOLOGY · Co-Project Director/Principal Investigator
  • Apr 2021 – Dec 2023
    Mitigation of Equine Recurrent Uveitis through topical suppressor of Cytokine Signaling-1 mimetic peptide
    GRAYSON JOCKEY CLUB RES FOU · Co-Project Director/Principal Investigator
  • Nov 2020 – Jun 2021
    Task Order #3 – Biological assay of sterilant bioactivity in tissue culture
    MICHELSON FOUND ANIMALS FOUNDATION · Principal Investigator
  • Sep 2020 – Sep 2021
    Core Equipment for Assessment of Ocular Disease in Animal Models
    NATL INST OF HLTH OD · Principal Investigator
  • Jun 2020 – Nov 2020
    Task Order #2 – Biological assay of sterilant bioactivity in tissue culture
    MICHELSON FOUND ANIMALS FOUNDATION · Principal Investigator
  • Sep 2019 – Mar 2021
    Disease mechanisms of cone opsin mutants and treatment strategies
    NATL INST OF HLTH NEI · Co-Investigator
  • Jul 2019 – Feb 2020
    Task Order #1 – Sterilant Bioassay for Michelson Found Animals Foundation
    MICHELSON FOUND ANIMALS FOUNDATION · Principal Investigator
  • Jun 2019 – Nov 2022
    Enhancing Metabolism in Photoreceptors with a Modified Arrestin to Treat Retinal Degeneration
    FOU FOR FIGHTING BLINDNESS · Principal Investigator
  • Mar 2016 – Feb 2022
    Research Training in vision science
    NATL INST OF HLTH NEI · Principal Investigator
  • Aug 2011 – Jul 2016
    Vision Research Core
    NATL INST OF HLTH NEI · Project Manager
Sonal S Tuli

Sonal S Tuli MD

Professor And Chair; Director Of The Cornea And External Disease Service
Grants:
  • Sep 2023 ACTIVE
    Parasitic Ulcer Treatment Trial
    UNIV OF CALIFORNIA SAN FRANCISCO · Principal Investigator
  • Jun 2023 ACTIVE
    A Double-Masked, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group, 12-Week Administration With Two-Week Gradual Dose Taper Phase and 38-Week Follow-Up Phase, Phase 3 Study to Investigate the Safety and Efficacy of Ripasudil (K-321) Eye Drops After Simultaneous Cataract Surgery and Descemetorhexis in Subjects with Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy
    PPD INVESTIGATOR SERVICES LLC · Principal Investigator
  • Apr 2023 ACTIVE
    A Double-Masked, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group, 12-Week Administration With Two-Week Gradual Dose Taper Phase and 38-Week Follow Up Phase, Phase 3 Study to Investigate the Safety and Efficacy of Ripasudil (K-321) Eye Drops After Descemetorhexis in Subjects with Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy
    PPD INVESTIGATOR SERVICES LLC · Principal Investigator
  • Mar 2023 ACTIVE
    Efficacy, Safety and Pharmacokinetics of 3 Doses of REC 0/0559 Eye Drops for the Treatment of Stage 2 (Moderate) and 3 (Severe) Neurotrophic Keratitis in Adult Patients
    SYNEOS HEALTH · Principal Investigator
  • Apr 2021 – Dec 2023
    Mitigation of Equine Recurrent Uveitis through topical suppressor of Cytokine Signaling-1 mimetic peptide
    GRAYSON JOCKEY CLUB RES FOU · Co-Project Director/Principal Investigator
  • Dec 2020 ACTIVE
    A Double-Masked, Randomised, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel Group, 12-week, Phase 2 study to investigate the safety and Efficacy of Ripasudil (K-321) Eye Drops After Descemetorhexis in Patients with Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy
    PPD INVESTIGATOR SERVICES LLC · Principal Investigator
  • Aug 2017 – Jun 2021
    Long-term Suppressive Valacyclovir Treatment for Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus
    NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · Principal Investigator
  • May 2016 – Mar 2021
    An Observational, Multicenter Study of the Prevalence of Cerebrotendinous Xanthomatosis (CTX) in Patient Populations Diagnosed with Early-Onset Idiopathic Bilateral Cataracts Protocol Number 018CTXX15001
    CTI CLINICAL TRIAL SERVICES · Principal Investigator
  • Dec 2014 – Dec 2017
    Clinical Evaluation of the RPS-OH to detect Herpes Simplex Virus
    RAPID PATHOGEN SCREENING · Principal Investigator
  • Sep 2014 – Aug 2016
    Regulation of Stromal Wound Healing by Growth Factors
    NATL INST OF HLTH NEI · Project Manager
  • Feb 2011 – Feb 2020
    Stanley Glaucoma Fund
    UF FOUNDATION · Project Manager
  • Aug 2007 – Dec 2020
    Lion's Eye Foundation Award
    NORTH FL LIONS EYE FOU · Principal Investigator
  • Jul 2007 – Oct 2020
    Retina Disease Research & Education- Equipment Purchases
    UF FOUNDATION · Principal Investigator
  • Jul 2007 – Dec 2020
    Unrestricted Research Grant
    RESEARCH TO PREVENT BLINDNESS · Principal Investigator
  • May 2007 – Jun 2022
    Overstreet Retinal Eye Disease Research
    UF FOUNDATION · Principal Investigator