After obtaining Ph.D. at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, India, I joined Yale University for postdoctoral training in genetics. I was recruited to the faculty at the University of Michigan in 1990 as an assistant professor in the Departments of Ophthalmology and in Human Genetics, became full professor in 2000 and held the Harold F. Falls Collegiate Professorship from 2003 to 2007. In September 2007, I joined the National Eye Institute to establish N-NRL for elucidating deeper insights in retinal gene regulatory networks and knowledge-based treatment paradigms for retinal neurodegenerative diseases.
My studies have primarily focused on retinal development and disease, using mouse, human and stem cell-derived retinal organoids. I have trained over 500 students, interns and fellows. A number of trainees hold faculty or scientist positions at institutions worldwide and in biomedical industry.
My laboratory has published more than 300 peer-reviewed articles, invited chapters and reviews. I have delivered over 250 invited lectures worldwide. I am on the advisory and editorial boards, and routinely review manuscripts for Cell, PLoS and Nature journals, J Neurosci, PNAS, AJHG, HMG, IOVS, and Mol Vis, among others.
