A public lecture series, hosted by the NEI Intramural Research Program on the National Institutes of Health campus in Bethesda, Maryland.
Upcoming Seminars
Aging RPE and Plasma Membrane Integrity
February 12, 2026 — 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm ET
Dorota Skowronska-Krawczyk, PhD
Associate Professor
School of Medicine, University of California
Dr. Dorota Skowronska-Krawczyk's lab focuses on understanding the molecular mechanism of aging in the age-related eye and brain conditions. They study processes regulating gene expression in age-related diseases, with emphasis on how aging affects cellular, metabolic, and transcriptional programs. Mechanism of senescence and polyunsaturated fatty acids metabolism are the two major areas of interest in the lab.
https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MDIxNDQwZmQtODRhNi00M2Y4…
Recruitment of Primate Oculomotor Networks for Abstract Cognition
March 5, 2026 — 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm ET
David Freedman, PhD
Professor
University of Chicago
Dr. David Freedman and his laboratory use advanced neurophysiological and behavioral techniques, in parallel with machine learning approaches for studying cognitive computations in artificial neural networks. Together, their work is providing insights into the brain mechanisms of visual learning, recognition and decision making.
https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MDIxNDQwZmQtODRhNi00M2Y4…
Cellular and Molecular Dynamics Shaping the Vertebrate Eye
March 26, 2026 — 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm ET
Kristen Kwan, PhD
Professor
University of Utah
Dr. Kristen Kwan and her laboratory study the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying tissue morphogenesis: the process by which a group of cells achieves its proper cellular organization and shape. Using the vertebrate eye as a model, they want to understand how the cells that comprise the vertebrate optic cup – neural retina, retinal pigmented epithelium, and lens – form the stereotyped structure that is critical for visual function.
https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MDIxNDQwZmQtODRhNi00M2Y4…
Molecular Organization of the Photoreceptor Synapses
April 9, 2026 — 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm ET
Kirill A. Martemyanov, PhD
Professor And Chair, Department Of Neuroscience
University of Florida Health
Dr. Martemyanov and his laboratory study the fundamental principles that regulate signaling via G protein coupled receptors (GPCR). GPCRs mediate a vast variety of critical biological processes ranging from proliferation and motility to cellular reception and excitability. GPCR signaling pathways are of particular importance for the nervous system function where they control many fundamental processes including excitability, differentiation, sensory perception and synaptic transmission.
https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MDIxNDQwZmQtODRhNi00M2Y4…
Why is Glaucoma an Age-Related Disease
May 21, 2026 — 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm ET
Steven L. Bernstein, MD, PhD
Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
University of Maryland School of Medicine
Dr. Steven Bernstein and his laboratory interests center on age-related and genetically associated optic nerve diseases, in particular nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), which is a stroke of the optic nerve, and the most common cause of sudden optic nerve-related vision loss. During the last five years, his laboratory has developed new ways to identify stem cells that may both contribute to normal nerve function, and aid in repair of optic nerve injury.
https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MDIxNDQwZmQtODRhNi00M2Y4…
Past Seminars
Decoding Neuro-Immune Crosstalk in the CNS
January 15, 2026 — 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm ET
Han-Yu Shih, PhD
Stadtman Investigator/ Chief NIRU NEI/NIH
Dr. Han-Yu Shih and the Neuro-Immune Regulome Unit (NIRU) aims to understand the mechanisms that precisely regulate gene expression in lymphoid cells through multidisciplinary genomic approaches. Lymphoid cells communicate the perturbation of homeostasis by production of cytokines, dysregulation of which results in neural and ocular inflammation in many disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, uveitis, and age-related macular degeneration.
For assistance, including the need for sign language interpretation or other reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Ieva (Eve) Macionyte at ieva.macionyte@nih.gov
The Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences (FAES) is pleased to support the NEI for their Division of Intramural Research Seminar Series. FAES programs complement the work of NIH in accomplishing its mission of seeking and applying fundamental knowledge about the biomedical sciences. FAES is committed to supporting the academic and professional advancement of our community of learners through a constantly evolving curriculum and award-winning learner-centered approach to faculty development. Our Academic Programs department offers high quality, innovative, and flexible online continuing education and training, and we support our faculty in delivering impactful learning experiences through courses and workshops designed and taught according to research-based best practices. To learn more and to register, visit education.faes.org.
Retinal Signaling Pathways Regulating Myopia
January 8, 2026 — 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm ET
Machelle T. Pardue, PhD
Acting Professor
Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine
Dr. Machelle T. Pardue's laboratory is interested in developing treatments and therapies for retinal disease. This work includes testing electrical stimulation and other pharmaceuticals for retinal degenerations, determining the pathophysiology of diabetic retinopathy, and using mouse models to investigate retinal mechanisms controlling refractive development.
For assistance, including the need for sign language interpretation or other reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Ieva (Eve) Macionyte at ieva.macionyte@nih.gov
The Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences (FAES) is pleased to support the NEI for their Division of Intramural Research Seminar Series. FAES programs complement the work of NIH in accomplishing its mission of seeking and applying fundamental knowledge about the biomedical sciences. FAES is committed to supporting the academic and professional advancement of our community of learners through a constantly evolving curriculum and award-winning learner-centered approach to faculty development. Our Academic Programs department offers high quality, innovative, and flexible online continuing education and training, and we support our faculty in delivering impactful learning experiences through courses and workshops designed and taught according to research-based best practices. To learn more and to register, visit education.faes.org.
Neural Dynamics of Decision Confidence in Visual and Multisensory Perception
December 11, 2025 — 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm ET
Christopher Fetsch, PhD
Assistant Professor of Neuroscience, Research Chair
Zanvyl Krieger Mind/Brain Institute, Johns Hopkins University
Dr. Christopher Fetsch's laboratory studies how neural activity gives rise to complex perceptual and cognitive functions. They investigate this multi-modal decision process using quantitative behavioral measurements, combined with modern tools for recording and manipulating neural activity in behaving nonhuman primates. Lab's goal is to uncover basic mechanisms underlying higher brain function, and to help pave the way toward developing or enhancing treatments for neurological disorders.
For assistance, including the need for sign language interpretation or other reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Ieva (Eve) Macionyte at ieva.macionyte@nih.gov
The Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences (FAES) is pleased to support the NEI for their Division of Intramural Research Seminar Series. FAES programs complement the work of NIH in accomplishing its mission of seeking and applying fundamental knowledge about the biomedical sciences. FAES is committed to supporting the academic and professional advancement of our community of learners through a constantly evolving curriculum and award-winning learner-centered approach to faculty development. Our Academic Programs department offers high quality, innovative, and flexible online continuing education and training, and we support our faculty in delivering impactful learning experiences through courses and workshops designed and taught according to research-based best practices. To learn more and to register, visit education.faes.org.
Geographic atrophy in age-related macular degeneration: A tale of two stages
June 5, 2025 — 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm ET
The seminar will be presented by Tiarnan Keenan, M.D, Ph.D., Stadtman Investigator in the Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications.
Dr. Keenan's research is focused on adult retinal disease, particularly age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of legal blindness in all developed countries. This includes research into the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of AMD, together with disease mechanism discovery.
His experience and research span multiple disciplines. In genetics, his research into genotype-phenotype relationships has suggested that AMD consists of multiple partially distinct disease entities. His biochemical and anatomical research has provided insights into how AMD arises at the molecular level. In the clinical arena, his research involves examining how AMD behaves over time and how its progression may be slowed. For example, he has completed a landmark study of geographic atrophy, the dry form of advanced AMD, and is currently undertaking a detailed study showing how particular dietary patterns can slow down AMD progression.
His lecture, titled “Geographic atrophy in age-related macular degeneration: a tale of two stages,” expands further on this ongoing research and the novel discoveries resulting from such studies.
Hybrid event (in-person and online)
Contact Princess Alike to request virtual link.
The neuroscience of human communication: A multisensory perspective
December 12, 2024 — 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm ET
Michael Beauchamp, Ph.D.
Professor of Neuroscience
University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
Hybrid event (in-person and online)
Contact Princess Alike to request virtual link