The Emory Eye Center would like to welcome Daniel T. Hass, Ross Ethier, Lauren Mitchell, and Amy Lin to the Emory faculty this September.
Daniel T. Hass, PhD
Focused on understanding and hopefully treating degenerative disorders that cause retinal degeneration. At different points in his career, he has focused on understanding and treating disorders that affect distinct regions of the retina. As a PhD student at the Penn State college of Medicine, Hass’s goal was to determine whether modifying mitochondrial function could prevent degeneration in a mouse model of glaucoma. As a postdoctoral scholar at the University of Washington, Hass focused both on the basic biology of the outer retina, and on disease conditions such as Retinitis Pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration. Despite very distinct causes for each disease, there is data which suggests that metabolism in the eye may not function properly in either disorder.
The Hass Lab will focus on understanding whether therapies that alter metabolism can treat these diverse diseases.
“I’ve only just started my lab, but I’ve already received so much useful help and advice from the wonderful faculty and staff in Emory’s Ophthalmology department. I’m so excited to begin this new journey!”
Amy Lin, MD
Amy Lin grew up in Vancouver, BC, Canada. She graduated from Duke University with a degree in Neuroscience. She completed medical school, ophthalmology residency and neuro-ophthalmology fellowship at the Emory University School of Medicine. Her areas of expertise are in neuro-ophthalmology and comprehensive ophthalmology. Her research interests include the use of nonmydriatic cameras for ophthalmic conditions in the emergency department as well as the intersection of ophthalmology and artificial intelligence.
“When I look back on my medical training at Emory, I feel so grateful for all the residents, faculty members and staff at Emory Eye Center who empowered me to grow not only as a clinician, but an individual. I am so excited to join on as faculty and hope to contribute meaningfully to this collaborative and innovative community!”
Ross Ethier, PhD
Prof. Ethier’s research is in the biomechanics of cells and whole organs, with specific emphasis on ocular biomechanics. His primary focus is on developing treatments for glaucoma - the second most common cause of incurable blindness - and for myopia, which will affect more than half of all people in the world by 2050. His research has generated 3 books, 7 book chapters, more than 240 refereed journal articles, over 600 conference and seminar presentations, 4 patents, and 4 invention disclosures. In recognition of his work, he has received both the Steacie and Humboldt Fellowships, and the Lissner Medal from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He was previously a faculty member in Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech.
“I am excited to formally join the Emory Eye Center for two reasons: the excellence of the research enterprise, and the ability to get ‘closer to the clinic’ to advance some our novel technologies towards translation.”
Lauren Mitchell, MD
Dr. Mitchell joins Emory as a comprehensive ophthalmologist. With a BA from University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Mitchell completed her Medical Doctorate – as well as residency – here at Emory, graduating this past May of 2025.
“I’m excited to be joining the Emory Eye Center as a comprehensive ophthalmologist. During training, I learned from incredible mentors and saw firsthand the great care patients receive here. I’m looking forward to starting this next chapter at Emory.”