Colleen McDowell, PhD

Biography

Keywords:Ocular hypertension, glaucoma, trabecular meshwork dysfunction

Education:
BS 2004, Cell & Molecular Biology/Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, WI
PhD 2009, Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
Postdoc 2013, Visual Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX

Research Interests:
Dr. McDowell’s laboratory focuses on the development and regulation of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), as well as the effect of elevated IOP on RGC survival and ONH damage. They currently utilize primary human and/or mouse optic nerve head cells, optic nerve head astrocytes, RGCs, and TM cells in culture. They have multiple mouse model system of ocular hypertension and glaucoma. Her lab also has a perfusion organ culture system for human donor eyes. Research in Dr. McDowell’s laboratory addresses both the role of pressure on RGC survival as well as the development of ocular hypertension due to trabecular meshwork dysfunction.

Publications

McDowell Lab