Proctor Award Lecture

Monday, May 2, 8-8:45am MT

Livestreamed on virtual platform

Recipient: Brian Wandell, PhD
Cortical circuitry for vision and reading 

There has been extraordinary progress in our ability to measure and model the tissue properties and activity in the living human brain using magnetic resonance imaging. Reliable, quantitative measurements can be made at the millimeter scale in individuals, significantly enhancing the value of these techniques for both scientific and clinical applications.  

I will describe the functional MRI measurements used to identify the cortical visual field maps in the human brain.  Using computational models, we can characterize the position, size and stimulus selectivity within small cortical volumes within each of these maps. Additional findings clarify how these signals are communicated to cortical circuitry that is active when an individual sees words.  

Quantitative measurements of in individuals, supported by reproducible research tools, provide a foundation for understanding cortical circuits and their failures.

Weisenfeld Award Lecture

Monday, May 2, 8:45-9:30am MT
Livestreamed on virtual platform

Recipient: Janey Wiggs, MD, PhD, FARVO
Glaucoma Genetics: Gene discovery, disease risk and therapeutic opportunities 

Glaucoma is a highly heritable disease suggesting a significant genetic contribution to disease pathogenesis.  A number of glaucoma-causing genes have been discovered using linkage analysis and more recently whole exome and whole genome sequencing.  Additionally many genomic loci influencing disease susceptibility have been identified using genome-wide association studies (GWAS).  Genes known to cause disease are useful for genetic testing, particularly for families with early-onset glaucoma with autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive inheritance.  Genetic testing can identify pre-symptomatic mutation carriers as well as inform risk assessment and genetic counseling.  Polygenic risk scores (PRS) derived from genome-wide association studies are useful for risk stratification in adult populations, and high genetic burden as defined by the PRS can influence penetrance of early-onset disease.  The future is promising and will likely bring novel gene-based therapies directed at specific molecular events responsible for disease.

Friedenwald Award Lecture

Wednesday, May 4, 8-8:45am MT
Livestreamed on virtual platform

Recipient: Rachel Wong, PhD
Circuit assembly and reassembly in the vertebrate retina 

Vision relies on complex sensory output arising from a large number of functionally diverse retinal circuits. Each circuit has a stereotypic synaptic connectivity pattern involving specific retinal cell classes and types. Our lab is interested in the developmental mechanisms that generate retinal wiring patterns responsible for day-time, night-time and high-acuity vision. Comparisons across species, including mice, zebrafish and primate, have uncovered common developmental mechanisms, and also revealed novel cell-cell interactions that shape retinal circuitry. Our lab also strives to attain a better understanding of the regeneration of retinal circuits. As such, we are currently investigating the rewiring potential and circuitry of retinal neurons in adult mouse and non-human primate models after injury. Our hope is that a deeper understanding of normal circuit assembly and of circuit reassembly after injury, will together inform strategies for retinal repair.

Cogan Award Lecture

Wednesday, May 4, 8:45-9:30am MT
Livestreamed on virtual platform

Recipient: Daniel Kerschensteiner, MD
Retinal computations in mice and humans

I will discuss recent and ongoing work from my group to understand the retinal computations that support conscious visual perception and enable rapid responses to salient events (e.g., approaching predators, fleeing prey) in mice and people. I will describe the essential role of subcellular processing, neuronal diversity, and regional specializations in implementing retinal computations. I will discuss the influence of species-specific visual environments, viewing strategies, and behavioral demands on the evolutionary divergence and conservation of retinal computations.