Degrees:

B.S., Physics & Math (2002)
Wake Forest University

Research Interests:

Presently I am working toward a Ph.D. in optical engineering at the Institute of Optics at the University of Rochester and have joined Dr. David Williams' research group to use adaptive optics to study the living human retina. My current research involves studying retinal diseases, particularly Cone-Rod Dystrophy, Stargardt's Dystrophy, Pattern Dystrophy and Best's Disease.

To this end, I am helping to develop a scanning laser ophthalmoscope equipped with adaptive optics and fluorescence imaging capabilities. This device will be used to non-invasively image both the photoreceptor mosaic and the retinal pigment epithelium of disease human retina in vivo. My goal is to compare retinal features of each disease with specific genetic mutations causing the disease. Continuing these studies over time will help provide insight about the mechanism behind and the progression of these retinal diseases.

top