Distinguished Seminar Series

The Distinguished Seminar Series is an invited lectureship where renowned researchers and clinicians spend 1-2 days discussing new research ideas with VDI faculty, staff, and trainees.
The visit culminates with the presentation of cutting-edge research related to normal visual function and/or visual diseases. The VDI is honored to present these distinguished speakers to the MCG community. The seminar series is held in the CB Building room CB1801 on the »Æ¹Ï¶ÌÊÓƵ Health Sciences Campus from 12:00-1:00 p.m. No registration is required all are welcome to attend.

2026 Distinguished Seminar Series

Gordon W. Laurie, PhD (Jianzhong Chen)|Professor Seminar Series

  • February 18, 2026
  • Wednesdays 1:00-2:00 pm, CB1801

Departments of Cell Biology, Biomedical
Engineering and Ophthalmology
PO Box 800732, UVA Health System
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA
gwl6s@virginia.edu                                        

Xin Zhang, Ph.D. |Professor Seminar Series Retreat: Keith Green Lectureship

  • March 25, 2026
  • Wednesdays 1:00-2:00 pm, CB1801

Herbert and Florence Irving Professor 
Ophthalmic Science
Department of Ophthalmology, Pathology, Cell Biology
Columbia University
Irving Medical Center
New York, NY

Mohamed Al-Shabrawey MD, Ph.D. |Professor Seminar Series

  • April 15, 2026
  • Wednesdays 1:00-2:00 pm, CB1801

Everett Kinsey Endowed Professor,
Foundational Medical Studies,
Founding Director, Eye Research Center
Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine (OUWB),
Director, Eye Research Institute, Oakland University, 
Rochester, Michigan 

TBA Seminar Series

  • May 20, 2026
  • Wednesdays 1:00-2:00 pm, CB1801

TBA Seminar Series

  • August 19, 2026
  • Wednesdays 1:00-2:00 pm, CB1801

Krishna K. Sharma, PhD |Professor (Guest of Xingjun Fan) Seminar Series

  • September 16, 2026
  • Wednesdays 1:00-2:00 pm, CB1801

Director of Research
Department of Ophthalmology
Mason Eye Institute
University of Missouri 

Abdelrahman Fouda, B. Pharm, PhD |Associate Professor (Guest of Ruth Caldwell) Seminar Series

  • October 21, 2026
  • Wednesdays 1:00-2:00 pm, CB1801

Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
College of Medicine
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UMAS) 

TBA Seminar Series

  • November 18, 2026
  • Wednesdays 1:00-2:00 pm, CB1801

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