Department of Ophthalmology

Research

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About Our Top-Ranked Research Program

Our department ranks #5 nationally in NIH ophthalmology research funding according to the 2025 Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research, contributing to the Keck School of Medicine’s #1 ranking in NIH funding per investigator. Vision research at the USC Roski Eye Institute spans five focus areas producing more than 200 peer-reviewed publications per year.

Five Focus Areas:

  • Bioengineering and Nanotechnology – develop innovative implantable or wearable devices and unique drug delivery for sight restoration therapies.
  • Epidemiology – population-based studies to understand the burden of eye disease, prevent vision impairment and impact eye health care policy
  • Imaging – groundbreaking technology development to better understand the anatomy and physiology of the eye for advancing diagnostic evaluations
  • Inflammation and Regeneration – understanding fundamental immune and inflammatory processes to enable development of new therapies
  • Neuroregeneration – advance knowledge of pathogenesis of neurodegenerative eye diseases and mechanisms of retinal and cortical development
Graphic indicating the Department of Ophthalmology ranks #5 nationally in NIH funding in 2025, according to Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research rankings.

Research Focus Areas

Sponsored Research

30+ active grants across 12 subspecialty areas.

Center Core for Vision Research

Led by Mahnaz Shahidi, PhD, our  Vivo Models and Imaging Core supports all independently funded investigators

Clinical Trials

Multiple active clinical trials. Contact our clinical research coordinators for opportunities that may be suitable for you.

Funding Opportunities

We offer a myriad of funding opportunities to help service research in all parts of Ophthalmology.

Publications

Our faculty publish over 200 peer-reviewed papers annually.

Labs

We are home to five named PI labs across cell/molecular biology, biochemistry, neuroscience, pharmacology, nanotechnology, and biomedical engineering. 

Featured Video

USC+CHLA Alpha Clinic

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For more information about making a tax-deductible gift to support the translational ophthalmic research program at the USC Roski Eye Institute, please contact:

Silviya Aleksiyenko
Senior Director of Development
[email protected]
(213) 610-8573