
Director’s Message

We hope this webpage introduces you to our faculty and their research programs. Feel free to contact any faculty member or me if you have further questions.
Mohamed Al-Shabrawey, MBBCH (M.D.), M.Sc., Ph.D.
Professor in the Department of Foundational Medical Studies
Professor in Eye Research Institute and V. Everett Kinsey Endowed Professor
Founding Director, Eye Research Center, OUWB
Director, Eye Research Institute, Oakland University
Contact Us
Kathy Wolosiewicz
Operations Coordinator
422 Dodge Hall
118 Library Drive
Rochester, Mich. 48309
Email: kwolosiewicz@oakland.edu
- Dopamine and dopamine neurons in normal and diseased retinas.
- Elucidating photoreceptor biology to understand (and combat) retinal degenerative diseases (RDDs).
- Molecular and cellular mechanisms of age-related macular degeneration e.g. Role of hyperhomocysteinemia.
- Molecular and cellular mechanisms of microvascular dysfunction (hyperpermeability and neovascularization) in diabetic retinopathy in particular role of bioactive lipids, homocysteine and bone morphogenetic proteins.
- New therapies for retinopathy of prematurity.
- Traumatic optic neuropathy.
Our Research Roots
Co-founder and first director of the ERI, Dr. V. Everett Kinsey was the recipient of the 1956 Albert Lasker Clinical Medical Research Award from the Lasker Foundation for his outstanding work as coordinator of the National Cooperative Study of Retrolental Fibroplasia.
With the help of 75 ophthalmologists and pediatricians in 18 hospitals, this study confirmed conclusively earlier observations that the incidence of blindness among premature babies increased with the duration of exposure to oxygen.
Previous research had eliminated other possible etiologic agents, such as virus infection, lack of hormones in the infant, exposure of the premature infant's eyes to light, lack of vitamin A in the mother, the administration of various vitamins and iron, blood transfusions and cow's milk. Dr. Kinsey, a biochemist, had participated in many of the studies on these possible agents.
Within a period of six months, data were accumulated through the cooperative study that would have taken a single hospital several years. Among babies weighing less than 1500 grams at birth, 25 percent of the infants receiving routine oxygen developed cicatricial retrolental fibroplasia, while only 6 percent of the infants on curtailed oxygen had the condition. The study showed that limiting the oxygen was without effect on survival.
In the United States alone, putting into effect the results of this coordinated research should prevent blindness in several hundred premature infants each year.
![]() V. Everett Kinsey Endowed Professor, Department of Foundational Medical Studies, OUWB Founding Director, Eye Research Center, OUWB Director, Eye Research Institute, Oakland University malshabrawey@oakland.edu |
![]() Professor of Biomedical Sciences goldberg@oakland.edu |
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![]() Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Biomedical Sciences giblin@oakland.edu |
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![]() Professor Emeritus of Biomedical Sciences winkler@oakland.edu |
Antonio Capone, Jr., M.D.
Dr. Capone is an internationally recognized clinician, surgeon and educator. He has authored or co-authored over 300 publications in peer-reviewed medical journals, book chapters, and publications from clinical trials. He is currently a Professor of Ophthalmology at Oakland University William Beaumont Hospital School of Medicine. He served as Co-President of ARC from 2015-2021, and currently serves as Chairman of the Medical Executive Board for EyeCare Partners and President of the Pediatric Retina Research Foundation. He has been dedicated to education throughout his career, has served as Director/Co-Director of the Associated Retinal Consultants Vitreoretinal Fellowship Training Program, and has trained many domestic and international thought leaders in adult and pediatric retinal diseases and surgery. Dr. Capone is a member of many professional organizations, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, American Society of Retina Specialists, Club Jules Gonin, Macula Society, Retina Society, Association for Research in Vision in Ophthalmology, and the International Society for Eye Research, and serves on the Executive Committee of the Retina Society. |
Tarek S. Hassan, M.D.
He has been an investigator in more than 150 national trials and has authored more than 230 peer-reviewed papers and 9 books and book chapters. He presently serves as Senior Associate Editor of the Journal of Vitreoretinal Diseases and as an editor of several other leading journals. He has given over 750 national and international podium presentations on numerous retinal topics. He has been awarded the AAO Achievement Award, ASRS Senior Honor Award, and AAO Senior Achievement Award, and was elected as an inaugural member of the RHOF. He has been honored to train 54 clinical and 25 international research vitreoretinal fellows in his active academic clinical practice. |
Alon Kahana, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Kahana completed his undergraduate studies in Biochemistry at Brandeis University, graduating Summa Cum Laude and with Phi Beta Kappa honors. Dr. Kahana received his M.D. (with Honors) as well as a Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology from The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. He completed his residency in Ophthalmology and fellowship in Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. In 2007, completed his undergraduate studies in Biochemistry at Brandeis University, graduating Summa Cum Laude and with Phi Beta Kappa honors. Dr. Kahana received his MD (with Honors) as well as a PhD in Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology from The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. He completed his residency in ophthalmology and a prestigious ASOPRS fellowship in oculofacial plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Wisconsin under the preceptorship of Dr. Mark Lucarelli. He simultaneously completed a facial cosmetic surgery fellowship under the preceptorship of Dr. Bradley Lemke. Dr. Kahana’s fellowship thesis won the prestigious Marvin Quickert Award from the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS). In 2007, Dr. Kahana was recruited to the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center, where he rose up the ranks to Associate Professor with Tenure. At the University of Michigan, Dr. Kahana led a research lab studying embryonic development of the eye and orbit, cancer stem cells and inflammation, using a zebrafish model alongside a primary human tissue culture model. A recipient of multiple grants from the National Eye Institute, Institutes of Health, as well as Research to Prevent Blindness and other philanthropic organization, Dr. Kahana has authored over 80 peer-reviewed publications, multiple book chapters and reviews, and has given >100 lectures throughout the United States and internationally, including several endowed lectures and visiting professorships. Dr. Kahana also completed a major prospective clinical trial on the treatment of advanced orbital and periocular basal cell carcinoma. In 2020, Dr. Kahana left the University of Michigan to join the Department of Ophthalmology at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine as Professor. In 2022, Dr. Kahana was named Vice Chair for Academic Affairs in the Department of Ophthalmology. |
Tamer Mahmoud, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Mahmoud graduated Valedictorian from Ainshams University, finished his internship, residency and vitreoretinal fellowship at the Duke University Eye Center. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), the Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), the American Society of Retina Specialists, the Club Jules Gonin, the Macula Society, the Retina Society, and the United States Masters Swimming Association. He is a reviewer for many Ophthalmology journals and a principal investigator on many clinical trials sponsored by the industry and the National Eye Institute. He has been invited as a guest speaker all over the world. Dr. Mahmoud is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is licensed in the states of California, Michigan, and North Carolina. Dr. Mahmoud received the Edward K. Isbey, Jr., M.D. Resident Award for "Excellence in Clinical Care, Ethics, and Research" from the Duke Eye Center, the Retina Research Foundation/"Joseph M. and Eula C. Lawrence" award from ARVO, the "Senior Honor Award" from the American Society of Retina Specialists, The “Achievement Award” from the AAO, the prestigious Robert A. Machemer research award from the Duke Eye Center, the "Distinguished Teacher of the Year Award" from the Kresge Eye Institute and the “Golden Globe Award” for residents’ education from the Duke Eye Center. Dr. Mahmoud is a co-founder of the Arab-African Society of Retina Specialists (AASRS), and founder of the Duke Surgical Rounds Courses launched at national and international conferences in 2013. He served on the national Therapeutic Safety Committee (TSC) for monitoring of drugs and devices, and founded the North Carolina Retina Club (NCRC) in 2012 to allow interaction and collaboration between retina specialists in the state of North Carolina. |
Rajesh Rao, M.D.
He teaches ophthalmology residents from Beaumont Eye Institute, Henry Ford Hospital, and Kresge Eye Institute, and has won the resident teaching award from Beaumont. His clinical interests include the practice of comprehensive pediatric ophthalmology, including conditions such as strabismus, amblyopia, tear duct obstructions and pediatric cataracts. He has a special interest in the management of complex strabismus, including adult strabismus and double vision. He is a member of the American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, Michigan Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Dr. Rao and his wife have two children. He enjoys playing tennis and golf, and is an avid football fan and proud University of Michigan alumnus. |
Alan Ruby, M.D.
Dr. Ruby has a special interest in diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. He is actively involved in a wide array of both basic science and clinical vitreoretinal research studies, and currently serves as principal investigator for multiple NEI studies. Dr. Ruby has been named to The Best Doctors in America is actively involved in fellow and resident education. He is a member of the American Society of Retina Specialists, Retinal Society, The Michigan Society of Eye Physicians & Surgeons, American Academy of Ophthalmology, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, American Medical Association, Michigan State Medical Society, and Oakland County Medical Society, and is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. |
Marshall N. Cyrlin, M.D.Clinical Professor |
Kimberly Drenser, M.D., Ph.D.Clinical Associate Professor |
Bruce Garretson, M.D.Clinical Associate Professor |
Robert Granadier, M.D.Clinical Associate Professor |
John Hart, Jr., M.D.Clinical Associate Professor |
Michael Trese, M.D.Clinical Professor |
George Williams, M.D.Clinical Professor |
Mohamed Al-Shabrawey, MBBCH (M.D.), M.Sc., Ph.D. |
Andrew F.X. Goldberg, Ph.D. |
Kenneth Mitton, Ph.D. |
Amany Tawfik, M.D., M.Sc. |
Dao-Qi Zhang, Ph.D. |
Laura Gunther, Ph.D. | Digital Imaging Research Assoc. |
Breyanna Cavanaugh, M.S. | Lab Manager |
Xiao Zhang, M.S. | Lab Manager |
Naomi Haque | Masters student, OUWB M1 |
Amy Perfetto | Office Assistant |
Kathy Wolosiewicz, M.A. | Operations Coordinator |
R. Casey Boucher | Ph.D. Student |
Khaled Elmasry, M.D. Ph.D. | Post-Doctoral Fellow |
Noureldien Darwish, Ph.D. | Post-Doctoral Fellow |
Ryan Tomaszewski, B.S. | Research Assistant |
Sabine Duvall, B.S. | Research Assistant Technician |
Mohamed Moustafa, M.S., Pharm D. | Research Assistant, Ph.D. Student |
Michelle Milstein, Ph.D. | Research Associate |
Wendy Dailey B.S. | Research Manager |
Elizabeth Alessio | Research Technician |
Mei Cheng, M.S. | Research Technician |
Emilio Romano | Student Research Assistant |
Olivia Hannawa | Student Research Asstant |
Jonah Sta. Monica | Undergrad ERI Core Assistant |
Dylan Heer | Undergrad Lab Assistant |
Wagdy El-Kalawozg | Undergrad Research Assistant |
Suhani Gupta | Embark Student |
Min Young Kim | Embark Student |
Yunjoo Shin | Embark Student |
Jonathan Blake | Embark Student |
Michael Sun | Embark Student |
Andrew Santos | Embark Student |
Mary Drekh | Embark Student |
Konstantinos Koustas | Embark Student |
Lance Jones | Embark Student |
Daeun Jeong | Embark Student |
Keaton Schmitz | Embark Student |
In addition to individual investigators' labs, the ERI and OUWB-ERC have a core facility that contains the necessary equipment for morphological, molecular, and functional studies. There are currently four modules and one director for each module:
Microscopy Module: The Ocular Structure and Imaging (OSI) facility is supervised by Andrew Goldberg, Ph.D., and is staffed a full-time M.Sc.-level digital imaging associate supported by the university. It offers instrumentation and expertise in support of electron and light microscopy studies.
In Vivo Imaging Module: Directed by Amany Tawfik, M.D., M.Sc. This module allows for studying changes in retinal structure and vessels by the fluorescein angiogram and the Optical Coherence Tomogram (OCT). It also allows induction of experimental choroidal neovascularization using laser source (Phoenix Technology Group).
Retinal Function Assessment Module: Directed by Daoqi Zhang, Ph.D., it contains:
- Diagnosys Celeris Electrophysiology System: It provides a full-field dark-adapted and light-adapted electroretinogram (ERG) testing, flash visual evoked potential (VEP) testing, simultaneous ERG and VEP protocol provided, both eyes can be tested individually and automatically, and an anesthesia machine specifically designed to safely deliver isoflurane to mice.
- Cerebral Mechanics OptoMotry-AT System: It provides real-time behavioral testing of optokinetic response for small laboratory animals (rats and mice), spatial frequency and contrast sensitivity testing and manual and automatic trial control and tracking assessment.
- NeurOptics A-2000 Small Animal Pupillometer System: It provides pupillary evaluation in small laboratory animals (rats and mice) in real-time, the binocular dual-camera system measures both eyes at once, four ultra-bright color light stimuli (white, green, blue, and red), and light intensities defined in lux or pure radiometric units (W/m2), stimulates direct, consensual, or both eyes simultaneously and automatic tracking and pupil detection.
Molecular and Cellular Biology Module: Directed by Kenneth Mitton, Ph.D., it provides dedicated suites for tissue culture, gene-expression, and genomic analyses.
In addition, a Pediatric Retinal Research Laboratory suite, also supervised by Mitton, is occupied by two physician scientists: Michael Trese, M.D., and Kimberly Drenser, M.D., Ph.D. It houses a full ocular phenotyping and surgical suite used for characterizing rodent disease models. This includes an additional set of FA/OCT (Bioptigen’s OCT 3).