Glaucoma research specialist, Professor Keith Martin, has been appointed managing director of The Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA). He will also be the new Ringland Anderson Professor and head of ophthalmology at the University of Melbourne.
CERA Chair, Olivia Hilton, said Prof. Martin, who until recently was head of ophthalmology at the University of Cambridge, would be an enormous asset to CERA and the broader research community. He is currently also president of the World Glaucoma Association.
Prof. Martin’s ground-breaking research led to the development of a gene therapy to protect nerve cells in the eye that are damaged in glaucoma, CERA said, adding it was hoped the research would progress to human clinical trials. Prof. Martin’s research also investigated the potential to regenerate and repair nerve damage in the eye and brain, it said.
Prof. Martin said he was excited to join CERA, whose “scientists and researchers are working to uncover the causes of eye disease, find new ways of detecting and preventing vision loss and develop new treatments to save and restore sight.”
“I’m looking forward to building on the strong collaborative relationships between CERA and the University of Melbourne and Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, and the opportunity to work with the best scientists and clinicians in a vibrant and innovative research community. It’s these relationships that give CERA the unique ability to translate what we discover in the lab to develop new ways to treat patients.’’
