CWRU-Visual Sciences Training Program

The Visual Sciences Training Program (VSTP) at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) offers multidisciplinary training in fundamental and translational vision science. This training program advances research in the following thematic areas: (a) Retinal Development and Function; (b) Retinal Disorders: Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) and Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD); (c) Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Immunology of Eye Diseases; and (d) Genetics, Physiology, and Epidemiology of Eye Diseases. An essential objective is to provide an efficient and vibrant collaborative training environment which integrates basic science with translational and clinical research. Therefore, the VSTP partners with the Core Modules of the Visual Sciences Research Center, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center (UHCMC), the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine and Cole Eye Institutes (CCLCM), and the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Research Center. Our interdisciplinary program is built upon and supported by basic and clinical scientists in the Departments of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Medicine, Molecular Biology & Microbiology, Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Pathology, Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, and Systems Biology & Bioinformatics (CWRU and UHCMC) and Ophthalmology (CCLCM). Our established faculty members work in conjunction with our junior faculty to cultivate a robust mentoring environment and to promote innovative projects in vision science. The 29 faculty of the T32 Institutional Training Grant application seek renewed support for four predoctoral student positions and one postdoctoral position in all years. The goal of the program is to develop professional scientists with the maturity to address novel research questions in vision sciences through innovation and collaboration. Rapid advances in biotechnology and bioengineering coupled to the ever-expanding development of new therapeutics for eye diseases has created a growing need for highly qualified scientists with core training in the principles and practice of visual sciences. Our multifaceted approach incorporates not only basic science, translational research, and didactic coursework but also enrichment opportunities such as the Annual Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Conference, Vision Research Seminar Series, the Vision Science Data Conference, and the Annual VSRC Symposium. These educational experiences will equip trainees with a strong foundation and technical skills to make them competitive candidates for careers in academia, industry, and healthcare.