In recognition of International Women’s Day, several researchers are being highlighted for their contributions to advancing knowledge and treatment in vision health. While women represent a growing share of the scientific workforce, they remain under-represented in senior leadership roles and research funding, according to advocates in the research community.
Across Canada, women scientists are contributing to progress in areas ranging from inherited retinal disease and neuroprotection to clinical care and research infrastructure.
At the University of Alberta, Dr. Brittany Carr is studying the role of the PROM1 gene, which is critical to photoreceptor health. Mutations in this gene are associated with inherited retinal diseases that progressively impair vision. Her work aims to better understand the cellular mechanisms behind these conditions and may help inform future gene-based or regenerative therapies.
At Université Laval, Dr. Mélanie Hébert is leading a clinical trial examining treatment strategies for retinal detachment, a serious condition that can lead to significant vision loss if not addressed quickly. Her research evaluates surgical and clinical approaches to help improve outcomes for patients.
Meanwhile, Dr. Lia Huo at the University of Toronto is investigating a gene-agnostic neuroprotection strategy for retinitis pigmentosa, a disease caused by many different genetic mutations. Her research uses retinal organoids and a slow-release hydrogel system to study the protective potential of a protein known as RdCVF, which could offer benefits across multiple forms of the disease.
Research into immune mechanisms is also advancing. Dr. Anne Xuan-Lan Nguyen, working with institutions including the University of Montreal, University of Toronto and the University of Oxford, is examining immune pathways involved in thyroid eye disease. Her work aims to help identify ways to prevent dysthyroid optic neuropathy, a severe complication that can lead to permanent vision loss.
Beyond laboratory and clinical research, Dr. Johane Robitaille at Halifax’s IWK Health Centre leads the Nova Scotia site of the Fighting Blindness Canada Inherited Retinal Disease Patient Registry. The registry supports collaboration among researchers and clinicians by collecting high-quality patient data that can inform research studies and future clinical trials.
Together, these researchers represent part of a broader movement toward more diverse leadership in vision science. Their work spans basic science, clinical research and collaborative infrastructure — all aimed at improving understanding, treatment and prevention of eye disease.
The initiative highlighting these researchers was shared by Fighting Blindness Canada, which supports vision research and patient registries across the country.
Source : Fighting Blindness Canada
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