Research Groups | Emory School of Medicine

Basic and Translational Research

third-year resident gets training on new diagnostic equipment

The Emory Eye Center is committed to giving its Research Division the freedom to fully explore fundamental questions pertinent to ophthalmic diseases -- optic nerve diseases, age-related macular degeneration, inherited conditions with ocular manifestations, and ocular neoplasia, among others.

Routine collaborations between the Center’s Research Division and our 60+ clinical faculty have allowed us to novel medical and surgical interventions and treatments that can be put to use in our surgical and medical care. The Research Division also maintains a strong collaborative relationship with the Atlanta Vision Research Community (AVRC), a research collective that includes scientists and clinicians from Morehouse School of Medicine, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, and the VA Medical Center.

We invite you to visit the labs where the research thrusts, projects, and the people of the Emory Eye Center Research Division are building the foundation for hope and progress in vision care.

The Emory Eye Center Research Groups

Jeffrey Boatright, PhD

General focus of the Boatright Lab: Dr. Boatright’s laboratory conducts research initiatives on gene therapy and neuroprotection in treatment of retinal degenerative diseases in the expectation that pharmacological neuroprotectants will delay vision loss while gene therapies will provide permanent relief.

Dr. Boatright in foreground, with three researchers behind him

Sayantan Datta, PhD

General focus of the Datta Lab: Using cell and molecular genetics, we study the pathophysiological changes in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) focusing on the mitochondrial and oxidative stress damage in the retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE). We also use stem-cell-derived RPE cells as a replacement therapy in geographic atrophy – a hallmark feature of late-stage AMD.

Dr. Datta sitting at his desk in his lab

Andrew J. Feola, PhD

General Focus of the Feola Lab: The Feola group investigates how hormonal changes affects visual function and biomechanical properties of the eye. The team also investigates hormones as neuroprotective against the progression of visual impairment in glaucoma and potentially their benefit in various ocular diseases

Dr. Feola reviewing research with assistants

Eldon Geisert, PhD

General Focus of the Geisert Lab: Dr. Geisert's research interests include defining the molecular mechanisms governing the response of the retina to injury and involves a novel molecule that selectively kills the most virulent form of brain cancer, glioblastoma. As the PI for a $1 million grant from the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, he also studies injuries from improvised explosive devices.

Dr. Geisert reviewing data with two post-doctoral medical doctors, members of his lab

Deepta Ghate, PhD

General Focus of the Ghate Lab: Dr. Ghate's lab focuses on the impact of visual disability on activities of daily living particularly driving, visual perception, high level vision and ocular disease and ocular biomarkers for CNS disorders. Current projects include the evaluation of high-level visual functions in glaucoma and the evaluation of the impact of augmented reality cues on driving performance in glaucoma.

Dr. Ghate explaining her research with two colleagues

Michaël J. A. Girard, PhD

Dr. Girard is committed to developing explainable AI algorithms integrated with 3D digital twin models (biofluid and biosolid) to uncover the mechanisms of axonal injury in patients with optic neuropathies, including glaucoma. This approach aims to deepen our understanding of why some individuals lose vision despite existing treatments.

Hans Grossniklaus, MD, MBA

General Focus of the Grossniklaus Lab: Board certified in both ophthalmology and anatomic pathology, Dr. Grossniklaus and his team conduct research focused on diagnostic ophthalmic pathology, ocular oncology and ophthalmic pathology, including drug delivery.

Dr. Grossniklaus at his office desk, flanked by a computer and a microscope

P. Michael Iuvone, PhD

General Focus of the Iuvone Lab: As as principal investigator on a NIH grant that deals with retinal function, Dr. Iuvone's group provides basic science information relevant to eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

John Nickerson, PhD

General Focus of the Nickerson Lab: Dr. Nickerson's research focuses on retinal proteins and their expression in normal animals and in animal models exhibiting characteristics of human eye diseases

Dr. Nickerson standing in front of computer screens where cell structures and pathologies are displayed in brilliant colors

Machelle T. Pardue, PhD

General focus of the Pardue Lab: The development of life-changing treatments for people with vision loss. Research is focused on the detection and treatment of early-stage diabetic retinopathy; the identification of mechanisms of refractive eye growth and myopia; and the use of neuroprotection to slow retinal disease and preserve visual function.