Research Projects
VA Funded
VA Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss
Randy Kardon, MD, Director
July 2009 - June 2029
New! Development of Automated Motility and Strabismus Evaluation for diagnosis and treatment
Alina Dumitrescu, MD, and Randy Kardon, MD, PhD, Co-Principal Investigators
January 2026 – December 2030
New! Investigation of thalamocortical circuits for the treatment of headache
Levi Sowers, PhD, and Andrew Russo, PhD, Co-Principal Investigators
January 2026 – December 2029
Translational Studies toward Cell Therapy for Treatment of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma
Markus Kuehn, PhD, Principal Investigator
September 2024 – August 2028
Elucidating underlying mechanisms in RIPK2-mediated toxicity following exposure to radiation
Ashutosh Mangalam, MD, Co-Principal Investigator
July 2024 – June 2028
Role of HLA Class-II Polymorphism in the Regulation of Host-Microbiota Symbiosis
Ashutosh Mangalam, MD, Principal Investigator
October 2023 – September 2027
BCCMA: Predicting TBI Pathology with Visual and Blood-based Biomarkers
Matthew Harper, PhD, Principal Investigator
October 2023 – September 2027
Early Detection of Progressive Visual Loss in Glaucoma Using Deep Learning
Mona Garvin, PhD, and Randy Kardon, MD, PhD, Co-Principal Investigators
June 2022 – May 2027
Current Federal, Non-VA Funded Projects
Targeting Cholesterol Homeostasis to maintain vision in MS-like optic neuritis
Randy Kardon, MD, PhD and Markus Kuehn, PhD - Co-Investigators
September 2023 – August 2028
Pathogenic B cell:CD4 T cell interactions in a novel B cell-dependent EAE mouse model of multiple sclerosis
Ashutosh Mangalam, MD - Co-Principal Investigator
August 2023 – July 2028
Role of Sleep Disruption after mTBI as a Driver of Chronic Post-traumatic Headache
Andrew Russo, PhD - Multiple-Principal Investigator
July 2023 – June 2028
T-cell mediated RGC damage in glaucoma
Markus Kuehn, PhD - Principal Investigator
March 2023 – December 2027
Effects of Fish Oil ± Salsalate on the Omega-3 Index and the Circulating Lipodome of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Metabolites in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Diabetic Neuropathy
Mark Yorek, PhD - Principal Investigator
February 2022 - January 2027
Optimization of Cannabinoids for Development as FDA-Approved Migraine Therapeutics
Andrew Russo, PhD, Co-Principal Investigator
October 2020 – September 2026
VA Un-Funded Projects
Widefield retinal structural and vascular imaging
Edward Linton, MD - Principal Investigator
Optical Coherence Tomography Study in Patients With Different Forms of Optic Neuropathy
Edward Linton, MD - Principal Investigator
PMAR-V: Pathogenic Mechanisms Affecting the Retina
Elliott Sohn, MD – Principal Investigator
STEM-V: Strabismus and Eye Movement Disorders in Veterans
Alina Dumitrescu, MD – Principal Investigator
Exploring the implications of widespread decreases in dynamic blood flow to the retina and choroid in dry macular degeneration
Edward Linton, MD - Principal Investigator
Optical Coherence Tomography Study in Patients With Different Forms of Optic Neuropathy
Randy Kardon, MD, PhD – Principal Investigator
Impact of eyelid malpositions and oculoplastic surgery on meibomian gland dysfunction
Erin Shriver, MD – Principal Investigator
Early Detection of Progressive Visual Loss in Glaucoma Using Deep Learning
Randy Kardon, MD, PhD – Principal Investigator
Nystagmus Recording and Correlation with Underlying Diagnosis
Alina Dumitrescu, MD – Principal Investigator
Glaucoma Assessment Using a Multimodality Image Analysis Approach
Mona Garvin, PhD – Principal Investigator
Effect of a Video-Game Warm-Up on Cataract Surgical Simulator Performance
Erin Shriver, MD – Principal Investigator
The Effect of Transcranial Direct-Current Stimulation on Microsurgical Simulation Performance
Erin Shriver, MD – Principal Investigator
Automated Assessment of Optic Nerve Edema with Low-Cost Imaging
Mona Garvin, PhD – Principal Investigator
Visual Sensory Impairments and Progression Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Randy Kardon, MD, PhD – Principal Investigator
Study of the Neurological Pupil Index (NPI) in Collegiate Sports
Randy Kardon, MD, PhD – Principal Investigator
New Non-invasive Modalities for Assessing Retinal Structure and Function: Preliminary Investigation
Randy Kardon, MD, PhD – Principal Investigator
3D Image Analysis Approach to Determine Severity and Cause of Optic Nerve Edema
Mona Garvin, PhD – Principal Investigator
Use of the Photo-Electromyogram to Objectively Diagnose and Monitor Treatment of Post-TBI Light Sensitivity
Randy Kardon, MD, PhD – Principal Investigator
