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Research Faculty Laboratories

Research Faculty Labs

Angelucci Lab

The Angelucci Laboratory research focuses on identifying neuronal circuits that underlie functional properties of neurons in the visual cerebral cortex and, ultimately, visual perception.

Alessandra Angelucci, MD, PhD

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Asare Lab

Afua Oteng Asare's research focuses on pediatric vision health; health services and systems research; health equity and disparities; cost effectiveness analysis; and implementation science.

Afua Oteng Asare, OD, PhD

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Bernstein Lab

The Bernstein Laboratory explores the biochemistry and biophysics of nutritional interventions against inherited and acquired ocular disorders.

Paul S. Bernstein, MD, PhD

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Conrady Lab

The lab of Christopher D. Conrady, MD, PhD, focuses on on inflammatory eye diseases, with a particular emphasis on herpes virus infections that can cause severe vision loss. 

Christopher D. Conrady, MD, PhD

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Davis Lab

The Davis Laboratory is primarily interested in cortical mechanisms of visual perception and how these mechanisms are altered by damage or disease in the visual system.

Zachary W. Davis, PhD

 

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Dubis Lab

The Dubis Laboratory is focused on explaining biological processes using data science and population health methods of large dataset acquisition, curation, and modeling.

Adam M. Dubis, PhD

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Fleckenstein Lab

Monika Fleckenstein's primary research interest centers around degenerative retinal diseases, with a focus on age-related macular degeneration.

Monika Fleckenstein, MD

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Hwang Lab

The Hwang Laboratory studies how the biochemistry and extracellular matrix structure of the vitreous changes throughout life from childhood through old age.

Eileen Hwang, MD, PhD

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Krizaj Lab

The Krizaj Laboratory is interested in "what makes cells alive". The main research model, the retinal photoreceptor, is a complex and highly specialized sensory neuron whose function is to transform light into electrical impulses.

David Krizaj, PhD

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McDonnell Lab

Fiona McDonnell's primary research area is the study of glaucoma, with a special focus in conventional outflow physiology.

Fiona McDonnell, PhD

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Noudoost Lab

The ultimate goal of the Noudoost Laboratory research is an understanding of the neural basis of selective attention and working memory.

Behrad Noudoost, PhD

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Olson Pettey Cataract Research Lab

Directed by Jeff Pettey, MD, MBA, the lab focuses on enhancing the safety and efficiency of cataract surgery by studying phacodynamics, surgical systems, and improving care delivery.  

Jeff Pettey, MD, MBA

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Pitha Lab

Ian F. Pitha's research focuses on the role of scleral cells, or the white of the eye, in glaucoma, and improving care for glaucoma patients by designing more effective and safe therapeutics. 

Ian F. Pitha, MD, PhD

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Roy Lab

The Roy Laboratory focuses on understanding the functions of retinal cell types in the context of natural vision and visual disorders. 

Suva Roy, PhD

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Stagg Lab

Dr. Stagg's research interests include health services, informatics, and predictive modeling. He focuses on improving the outcomes of glaucoma patients by using clinical decision-support systems to ensure they receive appropriate care. 

Brian C. Stagg, MD

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Vinberg Lab

The Vinberg Laboratory works to understand mechanisms in the retina that enable vision over a wide range of light intensities and colors, and how these mechanisms are affected in major blinding diseases including age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

Frans Vinberg, PhD

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Yang Lab

The research in Jun Yang’s laboratory is focused on the disease mechanisms and therapeutic treatments for retinal degenerative diseases using mouse models.

Jun Yang, PhD

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Zhu Lab

Dr. Zhu's lab investigates the critical role of vascular dysfunction in the onset and progression of inflammatory diseases and aging, particularly within the central nervous system, including the retina.

Weiquan "Wendy" Zhu, PhD

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Research Centers

Key research initiatives at the Moran Eye Center include the Intermountain Ocular Research Center, Sharon Eccles Steele Center for Translational Medicine (SCTM), Utah Retinal Reading Center (UREAD), and the Alan S. Crandall Center for Glaucoma Innovation.

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Read More About Our Research

Focus 2025

John A. Moran Eye Center Research Overview

Eye Health Research Illustration

Clinical Research Update

Clinician-scientists at the John A. Moran Eye Center offer their latest studies and perspectives in this latest edition of Clinical Focus.

Contact Us

University of Utah School of Medicine

Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences

John A. Moran Eye Center
65 Mario Capecchi Drive
Salt Lake City, UT 84132

Phone: 801-585-3723

Paul S. Bernstein, MD, PhD, Vice Chair of Research 
Phone: 801-581-4069
paul.bernstein@hsc.utah.edu

Sydney Gee, Associate Director of Research
Phone: 801-581-3560
sydney.gee@hsc.utah.edu

Julee LaMothe, Research Dev. Sr. Manager 
Phone: 801-585-3723
julee.lamothe@hsc.utah.edu

Barbara Korous, Director of Operations
Phone: 801-585-6143
barbara.korous@hsc.utah.edu