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Office of the Scientific Director

About our work

The Office of the Scientific Director (OSD) supports basic and clinical research within the Division of Intramural Research (DIR) that is carried out by over 300 researchers (investigators, staff scientists and clinicians, and scientific support staff) in various research disciplines. The NEI intramural program also provides training for about 120 fellows and students. In addition, the OSD oversees several shared resources that include a genetic engineering facility, histopathology services, a biological imaging core, a visual function core, as well as veterinary services. 

OSD works closely with the NEI Office of the Clinical Director, which coordinates, supervises and supports the conduct of intramural clinical research on the cause, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases of the visual system and fosters the translation of advances in laboratory research into clinical applications.  

NEI Scientific Director Kapil Bharti, Ph.D.,  NEI’s first-ever Stadtman Investigator, leads the Intramural Research Program (IRP).  The NEI IRP leverages the extensive resources of the greater NIH interdisciplinary community, with access to the nation’s largest clinical research center. Bharti joined the institute in 2012 to lead the NEI Ocular Stem Cell and Translational Research Section, which conducts research on degenerative eye diseases using induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell technology. Under Bharti’s direction, the lab has developed in vitro disease models and high throughput drug screens. Most notably, he has marshalled preclinical work leading to the first clinical trial in the U.S. to use replacement tissues from patient-derived iPS cells.  .  

The IRP’s research efforts include: 

  • Preventing and reversing vision loss: Breakthroughs include treatments for diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, and amblyopia. 
  • Understanding and treating rare eye diseases: Successes include treatments for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), and retinitis pigmentosa. 
  • Developing new treatments and technology: Advances include anti-VEGF drugs, noninvasive imaging techniques, and laser treatments. 

OSD also provides internships, fellowships and training opportunities at NEI intramural labs. Information on these opportunities is available on the Training page. Questions can be directed to Dr. Cesar Perez-Gonzalez, cesarp@nei.nih.gov  . 

In addition, OSD maintains a Technology Transfer Office to facilitate collaborative relationships between NEI investigators and the broader scientific community. NEI TTO also oversees and manages NEI patent portfolio and licensing agreements.  

NameTitleE-mailPhone

Kapil Bharti, Ph.D.

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Scientific Director  kapil.bharti@nih.gov  301-451-6763 

David Schneeweis, Ph.D.

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Deputy Scientific Director schneeweisdm@nei.nih.gov301-451-6763

Cesar Perez-Gonzalez, Ph.D.

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Training Directorcesarp@nei.nih.gov301-451-6763
Mala Dutta, Ph.D.Director, Technology Transfer Officemala.dutta@nih.gov301-451-2198

Markus Dittrich

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Scientific Information Officermarkus.dittrich@nih.gov443-819-5118
Mica McNairProgram Director for the Office of the Scientific Director (OSD)mica.mcnair@nih.gov301-451-6763
Princess AlikeAdministrative Assistant
princess.alike@nih.gov
301-451-6763
Charles Gushue Executive Assistant for the Office of the Scientific Director (OSD)charles.gushue@nih.gov  301-451-6763

Last updated: March 21, 2024