Oleg Alekseev, MD, PhD
Oleg Alekseev, MD, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Duke University School of Medicine. He completed the combined MD-PhD training program at Drexel University College of Medicine, where he studied ophthalmic conditions such as herpes keratitis and diabetic retinopathy. Dr. Alekseev studied age-related macular degeneration as a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania. Following his Ophthalmology residency training at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Dr. Alekseev completed a medical retina and inherited retinal disease fellowship at Duke University. At Duke, he runs a clinical and research program in age-related macular degeneration and inherited retinal diseases.
Alli Rogers Andreen
Alli Rogers Andreen is the Manager of Family and Access Programs at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art in Fort Worth, Texas. With a passion for developing collaborative, inclusive, and empowering learning opportunities for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds, she develops and facilitates events, classes, and resources on and offsite that encourage families, friends, and neighbors to build relationships with and through art. Rogers Andreen regularly contributes presentations and publications to the museum education field. Prior to her work at the Carter, she led public programs at the Dallas Museum of Art and before that, arts education initiatives in the Dallas Independent School District.
John D. Ash, PhD
Dr. John D. Ash is a distinguished scientist, educator, and leader in vision science who currently holds the prestigious E. Ronald Salvitti Chair in Ophthalmology Research at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He is also the Vice Chair of Ophthalmology, overseeing research and academic development within the department. Over more than two decades, Dr. Ash has made transformative contributions to our understanding of retinal biology, with a particular focus on the mechanisms underlying photoreceptor survival and degeneration, and the development of innovative therapies for blinding diseases.
Colas Authie, Ph.D.
Colas Authie is the scientific and development lead for virtual reality projects at Streetlab, a Paris-based R&D center dedicated to the objective assessment of functional vision. With over 15 years of experience in behavioral analysis and sensori-motor modeling, Dr. Authie specializes in quantifying how individuals with visual impairments navigate and interact with their environment. He earned his Ph.D. in Movement Sciences from the Universite de la Mediterranee, focusing on eye-head coordination and active perception. Following postdoctoral research at the College de France, he joined Streetlab in 2013. His current work focuses on developing VR-based tools to simulate and measure the impact of low vision on real-world activities, supporting both clinical assessment and the design of adaptive technologies.
Lauren Ayton
Professor Lauren Ayton is Associate Dean of Innovation & Enterprise at the University of Melbourne, Deputy Director of the Centre for Eye Research Australia, and the Lead of the Retinal Gene Therapy Research Unit. Since working in vision prostheses in the late 2000s, she has continued to build on her passion for outcome measures in clinical trials and understanding the patient journey for those living with inherited retinal diseases. Lauren has been an investigator in almost 15 industry clinical trials, and leads several first-in-human trials including a bionic eye trial and two gene therapy trials. She is passionate about patient engagement in research and has led global initiatives advocating for patients and co-design principles in clinical trials.
Brian Ballios, MD, PhD
Dr. Ballios is a fellowship-trained clinician-scientist, with a focus on medical retinal disease and a subspecialty in inherited retinal disease. He is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto, where he holds the J. Ardith Hill - Fighting Blindness Canada Professorship in Ocular Genetics Research. He is appointed as clinician-scientist at the University Health Network in the Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute where he is also the Director of the Clinical Research Unit, and a staff physician at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and the Kensington Vision and Research Centre, where he is also Director of Clinical Electrophysiology. He is a Scientist at the Krembil Research Institute where he has a laboratory investigating the mechanisms of acquired and inherited retinal disease, and the development of new stem cell-based therapies. Dr. Ballios obtained his MD and PhD degrees at the University of Toronto and, after completing his Residency in Ophthalmology, undertook a subspecialty clinical fellowship in Inherited Retinal Disease at Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Harvard University.
Bob Banks
Bob Banks is a California native from Concord and has been married to his wife for 42 years. Together, they have raised two amazing children and built a life surrounded by family and friends. Bob's professional career spans health care and IT consulting, and he currently leads a team of Program and Project Managers for a large national health care organization. In 2015, Bob's life changed dramatically when he was diagnosed with Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy, a rare genetic disorder that caused sudden and severe vision loss. Despite becoming legally blind, Bob refused to let this define him. He continued his career, traveled, and rediscovered his passion for golf -- this time as a blind golfer. With the support of his sister, Bob learned to play with a sighted partner and soon began competing in blind golf tournaments across the U.S. and internationally. Today, he serves as President of the United States Blind Golf Association, helping others experience the joy and camaraderie of the game.
Shannon Boye, Ph.D.
Shannon Boye received a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Florida in 2006. The focus of her research is developing AAV-based gene therapies for the treatment of inherited retinal disease. She has multiple awarded and pending patents emanating from her research program, and is actively funded by the NIH, private foundations, and industry. She is the recipient of several major awards including the Foundation Fighting Blindness Board of Director's Award, the Gund Harrington Scholar Award, and the Burroughs Wellcome Fund Collaborative Research Travel Grant. She is a fellow of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) and serves on the editorial board of IOVS.
Kari Branham, MS, CGC
Kari Branham, MS, CGC is a Clinical Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and Human Genetics, Director of Ophthalmic Genetic Counseling at the Kellogg Eye Center, and Assistant Director of the University of Michigan Genetic Counseling Training Program. She received her master's degree in Genetic Counseling from the University of Michigan and has over twenty-three years of experience as an ophthalmic genetic counselor. She sees patients affected with inherited retinal disease, neuro-ophthalmic conditions, and other genetic eye disorders. She has been active in research into the natural history and genetic basis of inherited retinal diseases.
Leah Byrne, Ph.D.
Leah Byrne, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh Department of Ophthalmology. The Byrne Lab develops gene therapies for retinal disease, including a diverse group of blinding disorders that have a profound impact on the quality of life of patients. The Byrne lab develops gene therapy vectors, and is exploring gene augmentation, optogenetics, and genome editing approaches to treat inherited and age-related forms of blindness. Dr. Byrne founded and currently leads the Pittsburgh Retinal Gene Therapy Consortium, a collaborative group of researchers and clinicians working together to accelerate the translation of gene therapy approaches for retinal disease.
Daniel C. Chung, DO, MA
Daniel C. Chung, DO, MA is the Chief Medical Officer at Beacon Therapeutics, an ocular gene therapy company whose lead gene therapy program targets the RPGR gene, involved in those living with x-linked retinitis pigmentosa. Prior to his appointment at Beacon, he served as Chief Medical Officer for SparingVision, a genomic medicine company specializing in gene agnostic gene therapies for vision loss. His experience is significant for the development of ocular gene therapies for Inherited Retinal Diseases (IRDs). Dr. Chung has extensive experience in ophthalmology drug development, serving as principal and sub-investigator for multiple ophthalmic clinical trials.
Jason Comander, MD, PhD
Jason Comander, MD, PhD, is a clinician-scientist specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of inherited retinal diseases (IRDs). He is the Director of the Inherited Retinal Disorders Service at Massachusetts Eye and Ear in Boston and conducts research within the Ocular Genomics Institute and the Berman-Gund Laboratory for the Study of Inherited Retinal Degenerations. He combines a clinical practice focused on genetic eye conditions with a laboratory dedicated to translational research. A major focus of his work is the development and testing of gene therapies for inherited retinal diseases. He has been involved in multiple clinical trials and is engaged in a range of collaborative research projects.
Avril Daly
Avril Daly is CEO of the patient-led global umbrella organisation, Retina International, which represents the voice of charities and foundations concerned with the promotion of retina research and related health policy in 43 countries. Avril has worked in health policy for rare and common eye disease since 2000 and was CEO of the Irish NGO, Fighting Blindness for eight years. She was Chairperson of Rare Disease Ireland from 2006-2019. In 2009 she was elected to the Board of Directors of Rare Diseases International. She has collaborated on numerous EU funded projects on access to medicine in rare disease and patient community engagement.
Todd Durham, PhD
Todd Durham is the Senior Vice President, Clinical & Outcomes Research at the Foundation Fighting Blindness, where he leads an international clinical consortium and directs one of the largest natural history registries in inherited retinal diseases. He works across sectors to shape clinical development strategies, advise on partnered programs, and convene stakeholders -- including regulators, industry, clinicians, and patient advocates -- to accelerate the development of treatments for people with blinding conditions. Dr. Durham holds a PhD in Molecular Genetics and has over two decades of experience spanning academia, biotechnology, and patient advocacy.
Neva Fairchild, MS
Neva Fairchild, MS, has 35 years of professional experience in vision rehabilitation services and a lifetime of living with vision loss. Neva worked for the American Foundation for the Blind for 15 years, the State of Texas for 15 years and the Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc for one year at the beginning of her career. She has an MS in Rehabilitation Counseling Psychology and a BS in Rehabilitation Science from UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. She is President of the Foundation Fighting Blindness Texas Chapter, a peer mentor and advocate for people with visual impairments, and a lifelong learner who teaches people with visual impairments the skills they need to pursue their dreams.
Lea Gaffen-Kessel, LCSW
Lea Gaffen-Kessel, LCSW, is a seasoned Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 20 years of experience in school social work and private practice. After being diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), Lea's professional focus evolved, allowing her to offer a unique and informed perspective on emotional resilience and the challenges of vision loss. Outside of her professional work, Lea enjoys traveling and taking walks with her guide dog on the beach near her home in Indian Harbour Beach, Florida, which she shares with her husband and teenage son.
David M. Gamm, MD, PhD
David M. Gamm, MD, PhD, is the Emmett A. Humble Distinguished Director of the McPherson Eye Research Institute, the Sandra Lemke Trout Chair in Eye Research, and a Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is also a member of the Waisman Center Stem Cell Research Program, the UW Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center, the American Society for Clinical Investigation, and the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. In 2016, he co-founded Opsis Therapeutics, where he currently serves as Chief Scientific Officer. His research focuses on advancing human pluripotent stem cell technology for the purpose of generating retinal cells and 3D organoids for use in retinal disease modeling and cell-replacement therapies for blinding disorders such as retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration. In his clinical and surgical practice, Dr. Gamm diagnoses and manages a broad range of pediatric eye and vision disorders.
Mike Hess
Mike Hess is the Founder and Executive Director of Blind Institute of Technology (BIT), a nonprofit on a mission to close the employment gap for professionals with disabilities. After two decades managing multimillion-dollar tech projects for Fortune 500 companies, Mike grew frustrated by being seen as the "token blind guy." He knew the skills he had developed because of his blindness were an asset -- not a limitation -- and he set out to challenge stereotypes, break down employment barriers, and prove that disability is a superpower. BIT has helped hundreds of professionals with disabilities launch and advance their careers while helping employers build more inclusive workplaces.
Leslie Hoskins
Leslie Hoskins is a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) and serves as the Outreach Services and Community Engagement Manager at Leader Dogs for the Blind. Since joining the organization in March 2014, Leslie has brought energy and dedication to a variety of roles, including six years as Camp Director and COMS before transitioning to her current outreach-focused position. In her role, Leslie is responsible for client recruitment, graduate, and community engagement, and fostering partnerships that extend Leader Dog's reach to underserved communities across the country.
Chad R. Jackson, Ph.D.
Dr. Chad R. Jackson is a neuropharmacologist, entrepreneur, and science policy leader with more than two decades of experience advancing biomedical innovation across research, development, and public policy. As Senior Director of Preclinical Translational Research at the Foundation Fighting Blindness, he oversees programs that accelerate the translation of laboratory discoveries into clinical applications for inherited retinal diseases and dry age-related macular degeneration. Previously, Dr. Jackson held leadership roles supporting the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, where he guided research strategies and portfolio development. He also served as Senior Advisor to the Science and Technology Advisor to the U.S. Secretary of State, fostering international partnerships to advance science diplomacy for the Obama Administration. Dr. Jackson earned his Ph.D. in Molecular and Systems Pharmacology from Emory University and his B.A. in Biochemistry from Earlham College.
Jami R Kern, MBA, PhD
Dr. Kern is the Chief Clinical Officer at Nacuity Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing treatments for diseases caused by oxidative stress. Nacuity's lead program applies a gene agnostic approach to treat Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP). Prior to joining the Nacuity team, Dr. Kern spent 15 years leading clinical development and medical affairs at Alcon. She earned a BA in Chemistry from Austin College, a PhD in Biomedical Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from UNT Health Science Center, and an MBA from TCU's Neeley School. She is honored to be a guest lecturer at UNT Health Science Center and TCU and a mentor for future scientists and business leaders.
Rusty Kelley, PhD, MBA
Rusty Kelley is the Managing Director and principal officer of the Retinal Degeneration Fund (RD Fund), the venture arm of the Foundation Fighting Blindness. Kelley helped launch the RD Fund in 2018 and brings over 25 years of experience in identifying, funding, and developing biotechnologies to his leadership role. Kelley is on the Executive Leadership team of the Foundation and currently serves as a Board director of SparingVision and Nacuity and a Board observer for Atsena Therapeutics, Perceive Bio, and Amber Bio. Kelley was a founding Board director of Opus Genetics and previously served as a Board observer for Stargazer Pharmaceuticals and Vedere Bio II. Before the RD Fund, Kelley directed the translational and interdisciplinary science funding portfolios at the Burroughs Wellcome Fund. Earlier in his career, he served as a scientist on the bench, then as a director and head of preclinical at Tengion, a tissue engineering spinout of Boston Children's Hospital and Wake Forest University. Kelley earned a BA in Chemistry from UNC Chapel Hill, a PhD in Pharmacology from LSU's Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, and an executive MBA from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business.
Ethan Lester, PhD
Dr. Ethan Lester is a clinical psychologist at Mass General Hospital, Mass Eye and Ear, and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School. At MGH, Dr. Lester is a core research affiliate of the Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research (CHOIR) where he researches novel psychosocial treatment for a variety of health issues. He practices clinically within the Department of Ophthalmology at Mass Eye and Ear, where he developed the first integrated psychological treatment program for patients with vision loss.
Caesar K. Luo, MD, FACS, FASRS
Caesar K. Luo, MD, FACS, FASRS grew up in the Philadelphia area and attended the University of Rochester for college and medical school as a Rochester Early Medical Scholar, graduating from the School of Medicine with a Distinction in Community Service. Dr. Luo completed his ophthalmology residency at Wills Eye Hospital, where he served as chief resident, and his vitreoretinal fellowship at the prestigious Associated Retinal Consultants in Royal Oak, Michigan. Dr. Luo is a nationally recognized retina specialist and an expert in the medical and surgical management of retinal disease, including hereditary retinal conditions.
David Martin
David Martin is the Global Compliance & Partner Management Leader, Accessibility and Enable ERG lead at Intuit, where he has worked since 2017. Two years ago, he transitioned into a full-time accessibility role, aligning his work with his passion for DEI+A. He now leads Intuit's global compliance strategy, managing initiatives and a team that conducts more than a dozen audits annually across Security, Fraud, and Privacy. He is also driving efforts to integrate accessibility into Intuit's global partner ecosystem.
Jason Menzo
Jason Menzo is the Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation Fighting Blindness, the global leading organization driving the discovery, development, and delivery of treatments and cures for people affected by blinding retinal diseases. To date, the Foundation has raised nearly $1 billion and currently supports more than 100 active research programs worldwide, while advancing and influencing 50+ clinical trials across the global retinal disease landscape -- accelerating the path from scientific discovery to patients. Under Jason's leadership, the Foundation has strengthened its role as a field-shaping organization, aligning philanthropy, science, and investment to drive progress. He co-launched the RD Fund, the Foundation's venture philanthropy arm, serves on its management team, and supports strategies that translate scientific breakthroughs into sustainable, patient-ready therapies. In addition to his role at the Foundation, Jason serves on the board of Retina International, a global alliance of patient-led organizations spanning more than 40 countries, advancing collaboration across research, advocacy, and policy. He is also a co-founder of Opus Genetics, a clinical-stage gene therapy company focused on inherited retinal diseases. Prior to joining the Foundation Fighting Blindness, Jason was Business Unit Head at Sun Ophthalmics, where he was one of four founding team members and was instrumental in building the organization from inception into a global leading ophthalmic company. Earlier in his career, he was a founding member of Nicox, Inc., led the commercial launch of multiple ophthalmic brands, and held roles of increasing responsibility at Bausch + Lomb and Inspire Pharmaceuticals.
Michel Michaelides
Michel Michaelides is a Consultant Ophthalmologist at Moorfields Eye Hospital in the departments of Medical Retina, Inherited Eye Disease and Paediatric Ophthalmology, and a Professor of Ophthalmology at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology. His clinical and research interests include inherited eye disease in adults and children, with over 500 peer-reviewed publications and 50 book chapters. He is actively involved in retinal clinical trials investigating novel therapies, being a principal investigator on more than 50 trials, and has been involved in numerous natural history studies. He has delivered nearly 600 invited presentations and serves on multiple international advisory boards and editorial boards.
Jo Milne
Jo Milne is a passionate advocate for people living with dual-sensory loss. Born profoundly deaf, it wasn't until she was 29 that she was registered as blind and diagnosed with Usher syndrome. In 2014, Jo underwent bilateral cochlear implant surgery. Her story was picked up by the world's media and the clip of her implants being switched on was viewed by more than 12 million people. A lifelong campaigner in raising awareness and supporting those living with Usher syndrome, Jo is a member of the Vision and Hearing Loss Working Group, Deaf Blind UK, serves as an International Ambassador for the Usher Syndrome Society and is the first Sight Loss Liaison at Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust.
Mariya Moosajee
Professor Mariya Moosajee is a Consultant Ophthalmologist specializing in Genetic Eye Disease and Head of the Genetics Service at Moorfields Eye Hospital, Professor of Molecular Ophthalmology at UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, and Group Leader of Ocular Genomics and Therapeutics at the Francis Crick Institute in London. She graduated with First Class Honours in Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics in 2000, Medicine (MBBS) in 2003, and was awarded her PhD in Molecular Ophthalmology in 2009, all from Imperial College London. She has been awarded over 40 international prizes and grants for her research into gene therapy and targeted molecular therapies for inherited eye disease and in developing novel patient-reported outcomes.
Alyssa Otis
Alyssa Otis has been with Leader Dog for over 13 years as a guide dog mobility instructor (GDMI) and now as the Outreach Specialist. She started at Leader Dog right after graduating from Central Michigan University with a bachelor's degree in psychology and American Sign Language. Over the past 13 years, Alyssa has trained with hundreds of dogs and has placed client/guide dog teams all over the US, Canada, and Spain. She has been a GDMI apprentice mentor, participated in professional seminars for guide dog instructors, and has instructed at multiple blindness-related conferences in the US and abroad.
Nabin Paudel, PhD
Nabin Paudel, PhD, is an optometrist and vision scientist who currently serves as Head of Research and Programs at Retina International, a patient-driven research and policy organization based in Dublin. In this role, Dr. Paudel leads the organization's research portfolio and educational initiatives. His current work focuses on understanding the mental, emotional, and cognitive burden associated with retinal degenerative diseases, as well as developing novel patient-reported outcome measures for clinical trials.
Jillian Pearring, Ph.D.
Jillian Pearring, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences and Cell & Developmental Biology at the University of Michigan. The primary focus of the Pearring lab is to study the light-sensitive photoreceptor cells of the retina and how alterations to their formation or function drive blinding inherited retinal diseases (IRDs).
Mark Edward Pennesi, MD, PhD, FARVO
Dr. Mark Edward Pennesi, MD, PhD, FARVO is a leading expert in inherited retinal diseases with more than two decades of specialized experience in diagnosing and treating conditions such as retinitis pigmentosa, Leber congenital amaurosis, and Stargardt disease. He earned his BSE in Bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania and completed his MD and PhD in Neuroscience at Baylor College of Medicine, followed by ophthalmology residency at the University of California, San Francisco and fellowship training in medical retina and inherited retinal degenerations at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). He is currently a Professor of Ophthalmology at OHSU, where he holds the Ray D. Hickingbotham Endowed Chair.
Peter M.J. Quinn, PhD
Peter M.J. Quinn, PhD, is Director of the PrimeSight Laboratory and Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Pennsylvania. His research focuses on clinically translatable work, applying iPSC-derived retinal organoid models to further understand and treat ophthalmic genetic diseases. The Quinn Lab is developing gene editing therapeutics to ameliorate the phenotypic, histopathological, and molecular changes in retinal degeneration models. Dr. Quinn earned his PhD at Leiden University Medical Center, completed postdoctoral training at Columbia University, and joined the faculty at Penn in 2022.
Linda Reis, MS, LCGC
Linda Reis, MS, LCGC is a Certified Genetic Counselor and Adjunct Instructor in the Genomics, Genetics, and Epigenetics Laboratory at the Medical College of Wisconsin. She received her undergraduate degree in Genetics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a master's degree in Medical Genetics from the University of Cincinnati. Since 2004, she has worked with Dr. Elena Semina to elucidate and better understand the genetic causes of rare ocular conditions including inherited retinal disorders, glaucoma, and microphthalmia/anophthalmia/coloboma.
Sheldon Rowan
Dr. Sheldon Rowan is a Scientist II in the Diet & Aging Brain, Sensory Systems research group at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA) at Tufts University. He is also an Assistant Professor in the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, where he is chair of the Biochemical and Molecular Nutrition Division, and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at Tufts Medical School. His research focuses on the intersection of diet, the microbiome, and age-related chronic disease, including age-related macular degeneration.
Juliana M. Ferraz Sallum
Dr. Juliana M. Ferraz Sallum is an Ophthalmologist and Clinical Geneticist with board certifications from the Brazilian Counsel of Ophthalmology and the Brazilian Society of Genetics and Genomics. She holds Master, Doctoral, and Post-doctoral Degrees in Ophthalmology from the Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP) and completed a Fellowship at Johns Hopkins University's Wilmer Eye Institute. She is a Professora Livre Docente in the Ophthalmology Department at UNIFESP, serves as Principal Investigator on multicentric clinical trials, and holds a Genetic Advisory Board membership and investigator role at the Foundation Fighting Blindness. She is President of the Advisory Board of Retina Brazil and Medical Director of the Instituto de Genetica Ocular in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
John Samuel
John Samuel is the author of "Don't Ask the Blind Guy for Directions" and Cofounder & CEO of Ablr, where he focuses on helping organizations be more inclusive by removing barriers that hinder people with disabilities from accessing education, retail, entertainment, and employment. John's passion is personal, because he is blind and is committed to ensuring the obstacles he has faced are removed for others. Over the past two decades, John has held leadership roles domestically and internationally across nonprofit management, government, and the private sector.
Stephanie Schmiedecke Barbieri, OD
Dr. Stephanie Schmiedecke Barbieri is the Dean of the Rosenberg School of Optometry and first came to RSO in January 2012. She earned her Doctor of Optometry degree and completed a residency in Low Vision Rehabilitation at the University of Houston College of Optometry. She brings more than 23 years of clinical and leadership experience, including ten years with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, where she served as a national point of contact for low vision services. She has developed award-winning interprofessional clinical programs at the VA, the University of Florida Health Shands Hospital, and at RSO. Dr. Schmiedecke Barbieri has served as Professor and Chief of the Low Vision Rehabilitation and Genetic Service and as Director of Residency and Fellowship Programs. Board Certified by the American Board in Medical Optometry, she is a Diplomate of the American Academy of Optometry.
Silvia Cerolini
Silvia Cerolini is the Founder and CEO of Eyes on the Future, a non-profit organisation accelerating research on Inherited Retinal Dystrophies (IRD) caused by the RDH12 gene. Her daughter, Vicky, was diagnosed with RDH12-related IRD and is slowly losing her sight. Since then, Silvia has become a relentless advocate, building and coordinating the global RDH12 Alliance, which now brings together families affected by RDH12 IRD across more than 20 countries. Her work has contributed to multiple scientific publications and to tangible progress across several therapeutic approaches. Silvia is currently pioneering a model in which the global RDH12 Alliance is co-developing a gene therapy directly with industry to ensure it reaches patients faster and more efficiently. Her efforts have been featured by the BBC, Forbes, and Vanity Fair.
Janet R Sparrow
Janet R Sparrow is the Anthony Donn Professor of Ophthalmic Science in the Department of Ophthalmology at Columbia University Medical Center in New York. Her research focuses on disease features and treatment considerations in ABCA4/STGD1 (Stargardt disease). Her work explores the visual cycle adducts that form in photoreceptor cells, the bisretinoid fluorophores that constitute retinal lipofuscin, and treatment approaches that may protect photoreceptor and RPE cells from the toxic effects of bisretinoid accumulation -- including antioxidants such as vitamins E, C, and N-acetylcysteine (NAC).
Ed Summers
Ed Summers is Head of Accessibility at GitHub, where he empowers people with disabilities to create, collaborate, and contribute to the technology that drives human progress. As a blind developer and accessibility executive, Ed has a burning passion to use technology to level the playing field for people with disabilities globally. When his hands aren't on a keyboard, Ed is on the go with Loki, his trusty Seeing Eye Dog.
Melissa Sztuk
Melissa Sztuk is the community and bilingual programs coordinator at the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas. A dedicated advocate for access in the arts, she regularly leads on- and off-site museum programs that highlight multi-modal learning and dialogue-based engagement to foster community and group learning for all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Recent projects include communication boards for non-verbal patrons, a guest-artist-led program for individuals who are blind or partially sighted, and outreach partnerships in the local Vietnamese and Spanish-speaking communities.
Sara Thomasy, DVM, PhD, DACVO
Dr. Sara Thomasy is a professor dually appointed in the Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences in the School of Veterinary Medicine and the Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science in the School of Medicine at the University of California, Davis. She received her B.S. in Biology from The Ohio State University in 2000 and her DVM from UC Davis in 2005, followed by a PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology from UC Davis in 2006. Following a small animal rotating internship at North Carolina State University, she completed a comparative ophthalmology residency and a postdoctoral fellowship in cellular and molecular biology at UC Davis. Dr. Thomasy is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmology and runs the Comparative Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences Laboratory (COVSL). Her research interests include large animal models of ocular disease and ocular pharmacology and toxicology.
Christy Vanek
Christy Vanek leads Global Disability Inclusion & Accessibility for Otis Worldwide Co, the global leader in the manufacturing, installation and servicing of elevators and escalators. In this role, she works to increase access for people to connect and thrive in the workplace and in a taller, faster, smarter world. Christy is an alumna of the University of Michigan Ross School of Business and lives with her partner in Chicago. She is partially blind and enjoys hiking, kayaking, and teaching yoga for people with disabilities.
Erwin van Wijk
Erwin van Wijk is an associate professor in Molecular Therapies for Otogenetic Disorders affiliated to the department of Otorhinolaryngology at Radboudumc Nijmegen (The Netherlands). His research aims to dissect the pathogenic mechanisms underlying Usher syndrome and associated inherited disorders using genomics, proteomics, and zebrafish models. He is also exploring different therapeutic strategies, including microgene augmentation and splicing modulation, to develop treatments for Usher syndrome and associated inherited hearing and vision loss.
Amy SP Wilson
Amy SP Wilson is the founder and CEO of the Safety Positive Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to redefining how safety is taught and experienced within the blind and disabled community. As a survivor and long-time self-defense practitioner, Amy brings both lived experience and over a decade of training into her work, creating spaces where individuals can build confidence, speak up for themselves, and take ownership of their personal safety. She is the creator of the Safety Positive Method, a whole-person approach to personal safety education that centers trauma-informed practices, bodily autonomy, and community support.
Jeff Wissel
Jeff Wissel is the first ever Chief Accessibility Officer at Disability:IN. As CAO, Jeff consults with the accessibility leaders of hundreds of leading corporations on their enterprise accessibility programs. Jeff had a distinguished 28-year career with Fidelity Investments as a Certified Financial Planner and served as Director of Accessibility for many years. Jeff is married to his wife Carla; they have two adult children. Jeff is proud to share that he has Retinitis Pigmentosa.
