IoO Seminar Series with Jesse Schallek

Jesse Schallek

Associate Professor, Ophthalmology at Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester

Dr Jesse Schallek is an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and Director of Research at the Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester, NY. He also holds joint appointments in the Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering and is a member of the Center for Visual Science. He received his Bachelor’s degree in bioengineering from Syracuse University and a PhD in Neuroscience from SUNY Upstate Medical University in 2010 working with Dan Ts’o, PhD.  His postdoctoral research focused on developing adaptive optics technology at the University of Rochester training with David Williams, PhD.

Dr Schallek’s laboratory develops and deploys new imaging technologies to study single cell blood flow in the living retinae of humans and animal models. By combining high resolution adaptive optics imaging with fast camera capture, a central focus is to better resolve and elucidate mechanisms of blood flow dysfunction noninvasively through the eye. This work seeks to facilitate diagnosis, evaluate treatment of retinal diseases; and may also in the near future, provide insight to whole body systemic health through the optics of the eye. In addition to his work as Director of Research for the Flaum Eye Institute, he also serves as Director of the Advanced Retinal Imaging Alliance (ARIA), a collection of six laboratories with a common interest in adaptive optics ophthalmoscopy.

Dr Schallek has been honoured with several awards including:  The Research to Prevent Blindness Career Advancement Award, The Dana Foundation- David Mahoney Neuroimaging Award, the Research to Prevent Blindness Career Development Award as well as training awards from the Ruth Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) and recognition as an Edmund Optics Higher Education Grant Program Finalist.
    

Dr Schallek holds 11 patents and provisional filings on his adaptive optics technology and has received spotlight and editors picks designation on his recent papers focused on blood flow determination in the retina. He is grateful for funding from the National Eye Institute, charitable foundations and pharma collaborations that support his research.