Pitt Ophthalmology/UPMCVisionInstitute

04/16/2026

Xin (Daniel) Gao, PhD, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, is lead author of a study published yesterday in Nature Biomedical Engineering about in vivo gene editing treatment for Zellweger spectrum disorder: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41551-026-01651-5

Read more about the work in this article: https://www.broadinstitute.org/news/base-editing-repairs-mutation-and-liver-function-mouse-model-zellweger-spectrum-disorder

04/10/2026

🎉 Congratulations Dr. Andrew Williams!

Dr. Williams’ research was featured in the April 2026 edition of the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s EyeNet Magazine. The article, “EHR Portal Messaging Reengages Patients,” highlights how electronic health record portal messaging can help reconnect patients with their care.

🔗 Read more: https://eyeandear.org/2026/04/ehr-portal-messaging-reengages-patients/

04/08/2026

Be part of something bigger - volunteer with the Special Olympics! 👁️💙

This opportunity supports athletes through vision care that can make a real difference on and off the field. Your skills can help promote inclusion, confidence, and lifelong wellness.

Use the link to register: https://www.specialolympics.org/programs/united-states/pennsylvania

04/07/2026

Save the date for the Proctor Medal Lecture (May 4) at with José-Alain Sahel, MD, FARVO (UPMC). Explore the translational research essentials for developing clinically meaningful endpoints that have real-life impact. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3NqJMlk
ARVO

04/06/2026

🎤 Sip of Science Speaker Spotlight

We’re pleased to feature Jorge González-Martínez, MD, PhD, a board-certified neurosurgeon subspecialized in epilepsy and functional neurosurgery at the University of Pittsburgh.
Dr. González-Martínez serves as Director of the Epilepsy and Movement Disorders Surgery Division and holds the Stuart Niles Rowe Chair in Neurosurgery. He brings the nation’s largest experience in SEEG procedures, SEEG-guided resections, and neuromodulation surgeries—having performed more than 3,000 successful procedures, many using advanced robotic guidance to optimize patient safety and seizure outcomes.

Join us at Sip of Science on April 28 to hear Dr. González-Martínez share his expertise and groundbreaking work in neurosurgical innovation.

🧠🍷 We look forward to seeing you there!

University of Pittsburgh Neurosurgery

04/02/2026

🎤 Sip of Science Speaker Spotlight

We’re excited to highlight Robert Gaunt, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Gaunt is a biomedical engineer whose research focuses on sensorimotor control and the development of advanced neural interfaces connecting the brain and peripheral nerves. His work plays a critical role in advancing sensory restoration and improving motor control technologies.

Join us to hear Dr. Gaunt share his insights at Sip of Science on April 28, an evening of cutting-edge research and great conversation.

🍷🧠 Don’t miss it!

03/27/2026

🔬 Speaker Highlight: Sip of Science – April 28th 7PM-9PM Trace Brewing

We’re excited to spotlight one of our featured speakers for our upcoming Sip of Science event—Xing Chen, PhD!

Dr. Chen is a tenure‑track Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology whose work focuses on brain‑computer interfaces, visual neuroscience, and blindness. Her research explores how the brain processes visual information through recording and electrical stimulation of visual pathways—even in the absence of input from the eye.

She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from the University of Southern California and completed her PhD in Visual Neuroscience at Newcastle University (UK).
Join us in April to hear more about her innovative work and cutting‑edge research!

In partnership with Avenu Workspaces 👏

03/25/2026

A clearer path to the Olympic Trials—literally.

A Hampton runner and University of Pittsburgh graduate student is seeing her training in a whole new way after choosing a life-changing vision correction procedure. Frustrated with glasses interfering with her performance, she turned to SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction), a minimally invasive laser surgery designed to correct vision with precision and a quick recovery.

Under the care of Deepinder Dhaliwal, MD, L.Ac, at the UPMC Vision Institute, she’s now training with greater clarity, confidence, and focus—without the limitations that once held her back.

For athletes and active individuals, procedures like SMILE can be a game-changer, helping them stay fully focused on their goals.

Read her full story:https://eyeandear.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Hampton-runner-sees-clearer-path-to-Olympic-trials-via-new-laser-surgery-at-UPMC-Vision-Institute.pdf

03/19/2026

👁️✨ A future eye drop might actually be alive.
Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh have developed an early-stage “living eye drop” that uses naturally occurring bacteria in the eye to help heal corneal injuries.
In a new proof-of-concept study published in Cell Reports, researchers genetically engineered a harmless eye-dwelling microbe to release anti-inflammatory therapy—boosting corneal healing in a mouse model.
This innovative approach could open the door to new, biology-based treatments for eye injuries. 🧬🔬
www.ophthalmology.pitt.edu/news

03/17/2026

🍻 Sip of Science is back—and you’re invited! 🧠🔬
Curious minds, cold drinks, and cutting-edge research come together at Trace Brewing on April 28, 2026. Pitt OPH is excited to co-sponsor this fan-favorite event with Avenu Workspaces, turning a night out into a front-row seat to incredible science.
✨ Meet the minds behind the discoveries:
• Xing Chen, PhD – Ophthalmology
• Robert Gaunt, PhD – Rehab Neural Engineering Labs
• Jorge Gonzalez-Martinez, MD, PhD – Neurology
Whether you’re a science enthusiast, a student, or just here for the beer, this is your chance to learn something new, spark a conversation, and connect with the community.
👉 Follow us for more events like this—and come raise a glass to science! 🍺✨

03/13/2026

Big news for vision research at Pitt 👁️🔬

The University of Pittsburgh and the Eye and Ear Foundation of Pittsburgh have been awarded a $2,182,900 multiyear grant from the Gilbert Family Foundation to support the Vision Restoration Initiative (VRI) at Pitt Ophthalmology.

The initiative focuses on preventing blindness caused by mutations in the NF1 gene, which are linked to neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). This support is part of a larger effort by the Gilbert Family Foundation to accelerate transformative vision research and strengthen collaboration across 15 leading research centers working to develop new treatments and cures.

Together, these partnerships are helping drive discoveries that could protect and restore sight for patients around the world. 🌍
Eye & Ear Foundation of Pittsburgh

Read about it here:

The UPMC Vision Institute The UPMC Vision Institute harnesses the clinical and research expertise of UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh Department of Ophthalmology. Learn more Is Refractive Eye Surgery Right for You? For many people with less than perfect vision, vision correction (refractive) su...

03/11/2026

A tiny retinal implant is helping restore meaningful vision for people living with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). 👁️

Years ago, 70-year-old Sheila Irvine of Wiltshire, England lost her central vision to AMD—a disease that destroys the retina’s light-sensing cells and is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in older adults. More than 5 million people worldwide live with advanced AMD.

“I was an avid bookworm, and I wanted that back,” Irvine says.

Today, she’s reading again and even doing crossword puzzles thanks to the experimental wireless prosthetic-vision system called PRIMA. The device works with a tiny retinal implant paired with a camera mounted on specialized glasses, helping restore useful vision for patients in a multinational clinical trial.

The groundbreaking study, led by vision scientist and ophthalmology chair José-Alain Sahel at the University of Pittsburgh, was published in the New England Journal of Medicine and has drawn global attention from outlets including the Financial Times, The New York Times, and Nature.

Read about it here: https://www.pittmed.pitt.edu/news/prima-system-age-related-macular-degeneration-retinal-implant-vision-jose-alain-sahel?utm_source=eblast_pae&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=pittmedmagazine_winter2026

The UPMC Vision Institute The UPMC Vision Institute harnesses the clinical and research expertise of UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh Department of Ophthalmology. Learn more Is Refractive Eye Surgery Right for You? For many people with less than perfect vision, vision correction (refractive) su...