The University of Virginia Vision Research Group (UVA-VRG) is comprised of those in the University of Virginia community who are actively engaged in vision research. The group is intended to encourage discussion and collaboration among visual researchers.

Sponsored by the Department of Ophthalmology, participants include members of the Departments of Biology, Cell Biology, Neuroscience, Plastic Surgery, Biomedical Engineering, Psychology and Psychiatry. Senior researchers are encouraged to bring their laboratory teams and clinical departments are encouraged to invite trainees of all levels . The group meets on a regular, bi-monthly basis.

 

Peter A. Netland, MD, PhD

DuPont Guerry III Professor and Chairman
Department of Ophthalmology

Current Research Interests: Medical and Surgical Treatments for Glaucoma

Dr. Netland received his undergraduate degree from Princeton University, MD from the University of California, San Francisco and his PhD from Harvard University, Department of Physiology and Biophysics. He did surgical internship at UCSF, and both residency in ophthalmology and fellowship in glaucoma at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School. He has investigated various topics related to glaucoma, including recent publications in ocular blood flow, pediatric glaucoma, visual evoked potentials, progenitor cells, and screening methods. His research interests have focused primarily on pharmacologic effects and surgical techniques in glaucoma.

Selected Publications:

Netland PA. The Ahmed Glaucoma Valve in neovascular glaucoma. Trans Am Ophthalmol Soc 2009; 107: 325-342.

Ishida K, Ahmed IIK, Netland PA. Ahmed Glaucoma Valve surgical outcomes in eyes with and without silicone oil endotamponade. J Glaucoma 2009; 18: 325-330.

Sharma RK, Zhou Q, Netland PA. Effect of oxidative preconditioning on neural progenitor cells. Brain Res 2008; 1243: 19-26.

Netland PA. Glaucoma Medical Therapy: Principles and Management, Second Edition. New York: Oxford University Press, 2008.

Mandal AK, Netland PA. The Pediatric Glaucomas. Edinburgh: Elsevier, 2006.

Contact Information:

Peter A. Netland, MD, PhD
Professor and Chairman
Department of Ophthalmology
University of Virginia School of Medicine
1300 Jefferson Park Avenue
Charlottesville, VA 22908-0715

Post Office Box 800715
Charlottesville, VA 22908-0715

Administrative Office:
Tel: 434-982-1086
Fax: 434-924-5180
Email: pnetland@virginia.edu

 

Tom Banton, OD, PhD

Research Scientist
Department of Psychology

Current Research Interests: Perception of spatial layout; Navigation; Motion perception

Dr. Banton studied psychology at Indiana University, and received his BS and OD degrees from the Illinois College of Optometry. He has a PhD in physiological optics from the University of Houston. He has investigated basic and applied topics related to visual perception including spatial layout, motion perception, navigation, acuity, hyperacuity, contrast sensitivity, visual development, and brain computer interfaces.

Selected Publications:

J. Zhu, J. Bakdash, D. Koller, T. Banton, D. Proffitt, G. Humphreys. (2008). Quantifying Usability in Secure Graphics: Assessing the User Costs of Protecting 3D Content. Proc. of APGV, p. 91-95.

Stefanucci, J.K., Proffitt, D.R., Banton, T., & Epstein, W. (2005). Distances appear different on hills. Perception & Psychophysics, 67 (6), 1052-1060.

Banton, T., Stefanucci, J., Durgin, F. A., Fass, A. & Proffitt, D. (2005). The Perception of Walking Speed in a Virtual Environment. Presence, 14(4), 394-406.

Ridder, W. H. I, Borsting, E. & Banton, T. (2001). All developmental dyslexic subtypes display an elevated motion coherence threshold. Optometry and Vision Science, 78, 510-517.

Banton, T., Dobkins, K. & Bertenthal, B. I. (2001). Infant direction discrimination thresholds. Vision Research, 41, 1049-1056.

Contact Information:

Tom Banton, OD, PhD
Research Scientist
Department of Psychology
University of Virginia
Room 117 Gilmer Hall
Charlottesville, VA 22904
Tel: 434-982-4744
Email: tab2v@virginia.edu

Additional Members

Thomas A. Mendel

Current Research Interests: Retinal stem cell therapy and retinal camera development

Tom Mendel is currently a resident in UVA Department of Surgery. He began his study of optics while at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, where he helped develop both polarimetric and infrared sensors at the U.S. Army Night Vision Labs at Ft. Belvoir, VA. He received his undergraduate degree from Duke University. His current research interests focus on stem cell therapy for different forms of retinopathy, including diabetic retinopathy and retinopathy of prematurity. He is also working on low cost retinal cameras.

Contact Information:

Thomas A. Mendel
Email: tam8d@virginia.edu

Cale Palmer, PhD

Postdoctoral Resident in Psychology
Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, Box 800223
University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908
Tel: 434-924-5314
Fax: 434-924-0185
Email: CDP6G@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu

Mary E. Smith, MPH

UVA Department of Ophthalmology
1300 Jefferson Park Avenue
Charlottesville, VA 22908-0715
Post Office Box 800715
Charlottesville, VA 22908-0715
Tel: 434-982-0855
Email: mesmith@virginia.edu

Brian Conway, MD

UVA Department of Ophthalmology
1300 Jefferson Park Avenue
Charlottesville, VA 22908-0715
Post Office Box 800715
Charlottesville, VA 22908-0715
Tel: 434-924-5653
Email:BPC@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu