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Faculty Profiles

M.S. in Vision Science and Investigative Ophthalmology
Bhattacharya Sanjoy

Sanjoy K. Bhattacharya, Ph.D.

Professor, Ophthalmology
Graduate Program Director, MVSIO

Lab | Email
Phone: (305) 482-4103
Location: McKnight Room #706-A

Affiliations: Ophthalmology

Graduate Programs: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Molecular & Cellular Pharmacology, Neuroscience, Vision Science and Investigative Ophthalmology 

Research Summary: The main focus of the laboratory is ocular neurodegenerative diseases collectively called glaucoma. Our proteomic mass spectrometric analysis differentially identified cochlin and peptidyl arginine deiminase2 associated with diseased human trabecular meshwork and optic nerve tissue respectively. Current projects involve understanding the role that these proteins play in glaucoma pathology.

Abigail Hackam, PhD

Abilgail Hackam, Ph.D.

Professor, Ophthalmology

Lab | Email
Phone: (305) 547-3723
Location: McKnight Room #407

Affiliations: Ophthalmology

Graduate Programs: Human Genetics & Genomics, Molecular & Cellular Pharmacology, Neuroscience, Vision Science and Investigative Ophthalmology 

Research Summary: The main topics of exploration in the Hackam laboratory are the analyses of genes and pathways involved in photoreceptor degeneration, the molecular pathogenesis of ocular tumors, and the genetic basis of human retinal disease. 

Fabrice Manns, PhD

Fabrice Manns, Ph.D.

Professor, Biomedical Engineering, Ophthalmology

Lab | Email
Phone: (305) 284-2335
Location: McKnight Room #204

Affiliations: Ophthalmology

Graduate Programs: Vision Science and Investigative Ophthalmology 

Research Focus: Dr. Manns is Co-Director of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute’s Ophthalmic Biophysics Center. His research activities include the development of optical laser and optical instrumentation for the treatment and diagnosis of eye diseases, and studies on the optics of the eye to help optimize vision correction procedures.

Darlene Miller Headshot

Darlene Miller D.H.Sc., MPH, CIC

Research Professor, Ophthalmology

Lab | Email
Phone: (305) 326-6034
Location: McKnight Room #101-A

Affiliations: Ophthalmology

Graduate Programs: Vision Science and Investigative Ophthalmology 

Research Focus: The Ocular Microbiology Research Core collaborates with faculty, fellows, residents, staff and students to search for new and innovative laboratory and clinical techniques for the detection and prevention of Ocular infectious diseases. Research interest includes ocular microbial pathogenesis and epidemiology, antibiotic resistance mechanisms, role of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics in ocular therapeutics, impact of biofilm and ocular infections, molecular epidemiology of ocular infections and role of ocular microbial communities in health and disease.

Vittorio Porciatti, D.Sc.

Vittorio Porciatti, D.Sc.

James L. Knight Professor, Ophthalmology
Vice Chairman of Research

Lab | Email
Phone: (305) 326-6050
Location: McKnight Room #101

Affiliations: Ophthalmology

Graduate Programs: Neuroscience, Vision Science and Investigative Ophthalmology 

Research Focus: Death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) is the cause of blindness in glaucoma and of optic nerve diseases. The central idea of Dr. Porciatti’s research is that RGCs undergo a stage of reversible dysfunction before dying. If neuronal dysfunction is detected early, then visual loss can be timely prevented and neural function restored. Dr. Porciatti’s laboratory uses non-invasive electrophysiologic and imaging techniques in human and mouse models to investigate how RGCs become dysfunctional, how and when they become susceptible to stress, and how their function may be improved.

Marco Ruggeri, Ph.D.

Marco Ruggeri, Ph.D.

Research Associate Professor, Ophthalmology

Lab | Email
Phone: (305) 482-5747
Location: McKnight Room #201-E

Affiliations: Ophthalmology

Graduate Programs: Vision Science and Investigative Ophthalmology 

Research Focus: Dr. Ruggeri’s research at the Ophthalmic Biophysics Center (OBC) includes the development of new ophthalmic imaging technologies, particularly based on Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), for in vivo imaging and biometry of the whole human eye and for supporting corneal and retinal surgery and diagnosis of retinal diseases in pediatric population. Dr. Ruggeri works closely with clinicians to develop imaging technology and applications that can have a direct impact on patient eye care.