Brian P. Brooks, M.D., Ph.D.

• Pediatric ophthalmology
• Genetics

Dr. Brooks researches the genetics of coloboma, a potentially blinding congenital eye condition. His current goals include integrating information from laboratory research and clinical studies to provide improved genetic counseling for coloboma. In addition, Dr. Brooks is involved in collaborative research projects on a number of inherited eye diseases, including Bardet-Biedl syndrome, mitochondrial disorders, albinism, microphthalmia, and congenital optic nerve abnormalities. Dr. Brooks also directs the Ophthalmic Genetics Clinic at Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Brooks is the author of numerous scientific manuscripts, including publications in the New England Journal of Medicine, Science, and major ophthalmology journals.

• Principal Investigator for the National Ophthalmic Disease Genotyping and Phenotyping Network (eyeGENE®), through which universities and private research laboratories around the country pool their genetic resources to give patients and clinicians greater access to a variety of molecular genetic tests. NEI has facilitated genetic testing for eye diseases through eyeGENE©, and future vision research may draw on genetic and clinical information in the Network's open-access, national database with information from thousands of patients.
• Recipient of the 2009 Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). The PECASE awards are the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding scientists and engineers beginning their independent careers. The award embodies the high priority placed by the government on maintaining the leadership position of the United States in science by producing outstanding researchers who will broadly advance science and the missions important to their agencies.

• Dr. Brian Brooks looks for ways to help families with childhood blindness