Kulkarni Manoj

I am interested in the field of translational research, especially in understanding neuronal function in the health and disease. To understand the nature and time-course of pathological changes in neurons, I have worked on a variety of mice models that mimic human retinal diseases. In my doctoral studies, I worked on models of photoreceptor degeneration and revealed changes in calcium dynamics in dying cone photoreceptors. In addition, I contributed to two additional studies which demonstrated novel neuroprotective strategies for photoreceptors in mouse models of inherited retinal degeneration. During my first postdoctoral position, I studied a mouse model of retinal dystrophy which has a defect in the retinal pigment epithelium, and I have continued to focus on inherited retinal degeneration in my current postdoctoral position.