The NEI Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function Branch (OGVFB) offers a clinical fellowship for a 1-year period, with the possibility of further extension.
Fellows will train in a rich multidisciplinary clinical and basic-science research environment and will acquire experience in principles of clinical research in addition to clinical knowledge related to inherited eye disease. Depending on the applicant's interest the program can be expanded to include laboratory research, especially for those who are interested in an additional year of fellowship. He/she will participate in the care and investigation of a substantial number of patients—both children and adults—with a broad array of inherited eye disorders including inherited retinal degenerations, congenital ocular malformations, genetic syndromes, and metabolic diseases that affect the eye. The candidate will learn the approach to patients and families and individuals with genetic diseases, methods of clinical molecular diagnosis, genetic counseling, visual electrophysiology, and psychophysics.
Referrals to the Ophthalmic Genetics service at the National Eye Institute (NEI) come from all over the world, with about 800 patient visits per year. Clinics are held daily. The clinical faculty members for the program include:
Doctor | TItle |
---|---|
Laryssa A. Huryn, M.D. | Director, Ophthalmic Genetics Fellowship Program |
Brian P. Brooks, M.D., Ph.D. | Clinical Director, National Eye Institute |
Catherine A. Cukras, M.D., Ph.D. | Principal Investigator |
Robert Hufnagel, M.D., Ph.D. | Principal Investigator |
Wadih M. Zein, M.D. | Staff Clinician |
Brett Jeffrey, Ph.D. | Staff Scientist |
Delphine Blain, Sc.M, M.B.A | Genetic Counselor |
Amy Turriff, M.S | Genetic Counselor |
The NIH offers clinical fellows a competitive salary and benefits package. Candidates must hold an M.D. or equivalent degree, have completed at least 3 years of training in ophthalmology, and have successfully completed USMLE Steps I through III. Fellowships are offered yearly and begin July 1. Applicants interested in applying for the fellowship should submit their CV with a bibliography in month/year format, personal statement, and three original letters of reference.
If you have any questions regarding the fellowship program you may contact:
Laryssa Huryn, MD
Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function Branch
National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health
10 Center Drive, Bldg 10, 10D45
Bethesda, MD 20892
Tel: 301-496-3577
Fax: 301-402-1214
E-mail: laryssa.huryn@nih.gov

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