B.S. 1983, University of Victoria Ph.D., 1987, University of Calgary Fellowship(s): Postdoctoral Fellowship, 1987-90, California Institute of Technology B.S. 1983, University of Victoria Ph.D., 1987, University of Calgary Fellowship(s): Postdoctoral Fellowship, 1987-90, California Institute of Technology

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness world-wide. Although an increase in intraocular pressure is often associated with this disease, it is marked by the progressive death of retinal ganglion cells. Previous studies by my laboratory and others have shown that ganglion cell death occurs by a mechanism that is characteristic of apoptosis – a form of programmed cell death that is regulated by a successive activation of genes from within the dying cell. Hypothetically, neuronal cell death can be blocked or prevented by agents that interrupt key biochemical pathways that are controlled by these genes. This form of treatment, termed neuroprotection may provide important avenues of therapy for many neurodegenerative disorders which includes glaucoma.