Our laboratory is interested how retinal ganglion cells and their axons interact with the cellular and molecular environment of the optic nerve in the settings of trauma and disease. Specific research areas include:

1) Retinal axon responses and survival in the optic nerve following acute trauma and chronic progressive injury.

2) Novel methods for axon repair utilizing micro and nanotechnology platforms.

Research studies are conducted using various mouse models of traumatic CNS, PNS injury and glaucomatous optic neuropathy. Methodologies include microscale cell culture, time-lapse microscopy, in vivo manipulations, thin film neuronal micropatterning, microfabricated surgical devices, and microfluidics.