Lois E. H. SmithProfessor

Dr. Smith’s research accomplishments include the development and standardization of the mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy; basic mechanisms of vascular growth and translation to the clinic via VEGF; growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor in retinopathy; the role of omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and other lipids in photoreceptor metabolism driving angiogenesis; and photoreceptor energy deficiency as cause of neovascular AMD. Dr. Smith’s notable recent accomplishments include development of mitochondrial functional mapping of the retina and optic nerve, development of FGF21 as a treatment for diseases with depressed mitochondrial function including retinal degenerations (retinitis pigmentosa), AMD, diabetic retinopathy and ROP, the development of GPR40 and GPR120 as targets for improving mitochondrial function in disease, and SOCS3 as a modulator of inflammation in photoreceptor signaling.