BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 CALSCALE:GREGORIAN PRODID:iCalendar-Ruby BEGIN:VEVENT CATEGORIES:Research,Academics & Co-Curricular,Seminar,Symposium DESCRIPTION:Registration and Abstract Submission\n\nThe UTSW Department of Ophthalmology presents the inaugural Southwestern Vision Science Summit\, a regional forum for scientists in vision-related fields to present their fi ndings and facilitate the development of professional contacts.\n\nKeynote Speaker and Session Chairs\n \n\nJeffrey M. Gross\, Ph.D. - Keynote Speaker \nDr. Gross is the Professor and Chair of the Department of Molecular Biosc iences at the University of Texas at Austin. The Gross Lab focuses on verte brate eye development\, disease modeling and regeneration utilizing the zeb rafish as a model system. Combining forward genetic screens with reverse ge netic and embryological manipulations we hope to understand the molecular\, cellular and developmental events that regulate eye formation and visual f unction\, ocular diseases and regenerative responses. Current areas of inte rest in the lab include studies focusing on the development of the retina\, lens and retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE)\, elucidation of the cellular mechanisms that regulate ocular morphogenesis\, the molecular regulation of retina and RPE regeneration and neuroprotection. Our research combines mol ecular\, cellular\, genomic\, biochemical\, transgenic and in vivo imaging techniques to address these questions. It is our hope that these studies wi ll ultimately lead to a better understanding of visual system disorders and the development of new therapeutic interventions.\n\nMelanie Samuel\, Ph.D . - Session Chair\nDr. Samuel is an Associate Professor of Neuroscience at Baylor College of Medicine and an Investigator at the Duncan Neurological R esearch Institute in Houston\, Texas. She completed her PhD at Washington U niversity School of Medicine in St. Louis\, Missouri and postdoctoral train ing at Harvard in Cambridge\, Massachusetts. Recent breakthroughs in unders tanding visual and brain disorders have highlighted surprising roles for no n-neuronal cells -- such as glial cells and blood vessels -- in neuron heal th and resilience. The Samuel lab focuses on investigating how interaction s between neurons and these other brain cell types affect development and d isease outcomes. The Samuel lab integrates analyses of human and mouse brai n models for advancing disease treatments by combining genetic\, molecular\ , and cellular approaches using human pluripotent cell-derived systems\, in vivo mouse models of disease\, and advanced imaging approaches. By uncover ing shared mechanisms across neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's disease and epilepsy\, the Samuel lab aims to identify conserved therapeuti c targets for broad-impact interventions. Additionally\, the lab works to u ncover pathways that enhance neuronal resilience in critical neural circuit s\, with the goal of improving the survival of both vulnerable endogenous n eurons and transplanted neurons in preclinical therapeutic approaches.\n\nM una Naash\, Ph.D. - Session Chair\nDr. Muna Naash is the John S. Dunn Endow ed Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Houston in Houston\, Texas. She earned her Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Ba ylor College of Medicine\, followed by postdoctoral training in Ophthalmolo gy at the Cullen Eye Institute\, also at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Na ash is widely recognized as an authority on genetic mutations underlying he reditary retinal diseases. Her multidisciplinary research program integrate s molecular bioengineering\, ocular and auditory biology\, and chemistry to uncover the mechanisms of vision and hearing loss in retinal degenerations and Usher Syndrome Type 2A (USH2A). A central focus of her work is the dev elopment of non-viral gene therapy platforms designed to restore vision and hearing\, particularly for disorders caused by large genes that exceed the packaging limits of viral delivery systems. Over the past several decades\ , Dr. Naash has achieved both national and international recognition for he r pioneering contributions and has maintained an impressive\, federally fun ded research portfolio. Her current work is supported by multiple NIH/NEI g rants (extending through 2030)\, the Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB)\, and the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation.\n\nYuqing Huo\, M.D.\, Ph.D . - Session Chair\nDr. Huo is a Professor and Danny B. Jones Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston\, Texas. He is al so a Professor in the Department of Medicine - Section of Cardiovascular Re search\, and Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Huo earned his PhD from Beiging Medical University (Peking University) and completed his postdoctoral training at the University of V irginia in Charlottesville\, Virginia. Research interests of Dr. Huo's grou p focus on understanding the mechanisms underlying the interaction between vascular cells and leukocytes/immune cells that contribute to the developme nt of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Specifically\, Dr. Huo's group investigates the metabolic pathways that control leukocyte recruitment and activation\, endothelial inflammation\, the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts\, as well as the mesenchymal transition of these cells in disease progression. By studying the metabolic and inflammatory processes underlying these diseases\, Dr. Huo's group aim s to contribute to a deeper understanding of these conditions and pave the way for developing novel therapeutic interventions for these vascular-relat ed diseases.\n\nSchedule\n\nFriday\, March 27\n5:30 pm -- Dinner and Networ king (Venue to be announced)\n\nSaturday\, March 28\n7:30 am -- Breakfast\n \n8:00 am to 4:30 pm -- Scientific Sessions and Poster Presentations\n\nSes sion I: Session Chair\, Melanie Samuel\, Ph.D.Session II: Session Chair\, M una Naash\, Ph.D.Session III: Session Chair\, Yuqing Huo\, M.D.\, Ph.D.4:30 pm -- Awards and Closing DTEND:20260328T213000Z DTSTAMP:20260417T014400Z DTSTART:20260328T123000Z GEO:32.820521;-96.842748 LOCATION:Medical Education & Conference Center and Commons Food Court (NG)\ , 3.112 SEQUENCE:0 SUMMARY:Southwestern Vision Science Summit (SVSS) UID:tag:localist.com\,2008:EventInstance_50851491555352 URL:https://events.utsouthwestern.edu/event/southwestern-vision-science-sum mit END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR