The past 5 years have witnessed a stunning convergence between basic and clinical visual science. Basic
advances in optogenetics, transcriptomics, stem cell biology, viral transduction, angiogenesis, and imaging
have all seen application in the clinical setting. The rationale for this program is that the ideal visual scientist of
the future, today’s trainee, needs to have a multidisciplinary background so as to be well-versed in both basic
science and clinical applications. The major aim of the Northwestern University Multidisciplinary Vision
Training Program is to prepare pre- and postdoctoral trainees for independent careers in vision research
broadly defined to include: diseases and functions of the anterior eye including the cornea and Schlemm’s
canal; diseases and mechanisms of the retinal neurons and vasculature; and, processing by central retinal
target areas including those mediating pupillary responses, accommodation, and circadian entrainment. This
proposal leverages the existing multidisciplinary research base at Northwestern University by integrating labs
into a cohesive unit for the purposes of training. The 16 preceptors offer research training in cell and molecular
biology, neurobiology of the visual system, genetics, advanced microscopy, stem cell biology and organoid
culture, diseases of the anterior and posterior eye, and evidenced based analysis of treatment outcomes and
healthcare delivery. Funding to support 3 predoctoral candidates, after they have begun full time thesis
research, and 1 postdoctoral trainee, in the early or middle stages of training, is requested. The predoctoral
trainees are recruited on the basis of course performance, rotation evaluations, and relevance of the proposed
dissertation research from the Northwestern University Integrated Neuroscience (NUIN) program, the
Interdepartmental Biological Sciences (IBiS) program, the Driskill Graduate Program in Life Sciences (DGP),
and the Biomedical Engineering (BME) Graduate Program. Pre- and post-docs are supported for up to two
years contingent on research progress. The Director and Steering Committee evaluates and selects trainees
from among the eligible pre- and post-docs. The training program also educates trainees in the ethics of
science and responsible conduct of research. Major emphasis is placed on recruiting trainees from under-
represented minority groups to vision research. The program for each trainee is determined by the trainee,
preceptor, and Steering Committee who formulate an individual development plan. The Program Director is
Steven H. DeVries, MD, PhD, Professor and David E. Shoch Chair of Ophthalmology and Physiology. In
addition to research training, the program offers a curriculum that includes two formal courses on vascular
biology and retinal circuits (pre-doc trainees must choose at least one), a 2 quarter presentation series entitled
Advanced Topics in Vision, invited lectures by nationally known researchers, and a Research Day. The long-
term objective is to educate trainees who will continue as independent, productive, and ethical investigators
and who will address national priorities in vision research.