Yonju Ha, PhD

I am an instructor in the Ophthalmology Department at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, TX (UTMB). I received my PhD from Nagoya University in Nagoya, Japan, and received postdoctoral training in the Georgia Regents University in Augusta, Ga., and UTMB. My research is directed towards understanding the mechanism for neuroprotection and neurodegeneration in retinal diseases. I believe our research will help to find a therapeutic treatment for slowing or preventing the neurodegeneration and maintain the eyes’ physiological function in glaucoma.

"I have a family history of glaucoma, and I understand how it is difficult to have ordinary life without vision.  Therefore, I have been interested in studying the approaches to protecting patients from the progression of glaucoma. I believe our research into the mechanism for CXCL10/CXCR3 signaling will help with the discovery of novel therapeutic approaches to protect glaucoma patients from blindness. I really appreciate that BrightFocus Foundation and its donors support our research."