Maureen Neitz, PhD

Undergraduate Education: BA, Molecular Biology, San Jose State University, 1979
Graduate Education: Ph.D., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, 1986
Post-doctoral education: Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara
Previous Faculty Positions:  Asst. Prof, Assoc. Prof., Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Medical College of Wisconsin (1991 – 2008)
Memberships: International Color Vision Society (ICVS), Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)

Maureen and Jay Neitz collaborate on all aspects of their research, bringing a broad range of techniques and skill sets to bear on questions about how the human visual system works.  The labs have several focus areas, including:

1) identifying variants of the human cone photopigments that underlie photoreceptor-based vision disorders, including age-related macular degeneration, nearsightedness, glaucoma, and color vision deficiencies;

2) developing genetic tests to identify individuals at risk for these disorders before they develop symptoms to maximize the possibility of preventing vision loss;

3) developing new tools for assessing visual function in the laboratory;

4) developing a cure for color blindness that can be used in humans, and

5) developing a better understanding of the neural circuitry for color vision.

University of Washington Department of Ophthalmology
750 Republican Street Box 358058 Seattle, WA  98109
206 543 7998

website:  www.neitzvision.com

1981-1983: Regents Fellow, University of California, Santa Barbara
1991-1995: Research to Prevent Blindness Career Development Award
1995-1996: Research to Prevent Blindness, James S. Adams Scholar
2000-2001: Research to Prevent Blindness, Lew Wasserman Merit Award
2002-2003: Research to Prevent Blindness, Senior Scientific Investigator Award 2002: Alcon Research Institute Award for Excellence in Research
2005-2008: Richard O. Schultz-Ruth A. Works Endowed Professor, Medical College of Wisconsin
2009-present: Ray H Hill Endowed professorship
2010: Inaugural Jay Pepose Award in Vision Sciences, Brandeis University 

Maureen and Jay Neitz collaborate on all aspects of their research, bringing a broad range of techniques and skill sets to bear on questions about how the human visual system works.  The labs have several focus areas, including:

1) identifying variants of the human cone photopigments that underlie photoreceptor-based vision disorders, including age-related macular degeneration, nearsightedness, glaucoma, and color vision deficiencies;

2) developing genetic tests to identify individuals at risk for these disorders before they develop symptoms to maximize the possibility of preventing vision loss;

3) developing new tools for assessing visual function in the laboratory;

4) developing a cure for color blindness that can be used in humans, and

5) developing a better understanding of the neural circuitry for color vision.

The Neitz Labs are developing genetic tests and treatments for common vision disorders and investigating the retinal circuitry for vision.  

Jay and Maureen Neitz collaborate in their studies of the visual system, taking a multidisciplinary approach that uses techniques ranging from molecular genetics to human and animal psychophysics. Major focus areas include developing gene therapy for cone-based vision disorders, investigating the role of genetic variability in cone photo pigments in common eye diseases, including AMD, myopia, and glaucoma, and understanding the physiological basis for color perception.  In addition, the Neitzes are developing genetic tests to identify individuals at risk for developing common eye diseases so that therapeutic interventions can be started before symptoms appear.

http://www.neitzvision.com

University of Washington Department of Ophthalmology
750 Republican Street Box 358058 Seattle, WA  98109
206.543.7998