Presenter Biography

Eric Pierce, M.D., Ph.D.

Director of the Berman-Gund Laboratory and Ocular Genomics Institute
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary

Eric Pierce, M.D., Ph.D., is director of the Ocular Genomics Institute and the Solman and Libe Friedman Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (MEEI) and Harvard Medical School. The goal of Dr. Pierce's research program is to identify the genetic bases of, and develop therapies for, inherited retinal degenerations through the use of Exome sequencing techniques and laboratory research. Dr. Pierce received his B.A. and his Ph.D. in biochemistry from Dartmouth College and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, respectively. He received his M.D. from Harvard Medical School, in the joint Harvard-M.I.T. Division of Health Sciences and Technology. He was on the faculty at Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School from 1996 until 1999, when he joined the F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology in the Scheie Eye Institute at the University Of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Recruited to his current position in 2011, Dr. Pierce continues to see patients as an associate surgeon of ophthalmology and serves as chair on the Foundation Fighting Blindness' Scientific Advisory Board.

Meet our other presenters:

Keynote Speaker

• Michael Hingson, The Michael Hingson Group, Inc.

Presenters

• Isabelle Audo, M.D., PH.D., Quinze-Vingts Hospital
• Benjamin Bakall, Ph.D., University of Iowa
• William Beltran, D.V.M., Ph.D., School of Veterinary Medicine
• Eliot Berson, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
• Kathy Blake
• Shannon Boye, University of Florida
• Rusty Bromley, Translational Research Acceleration via Consulting
• Tiffany Chan, O.D., Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University
• Charlie Collins, Vision Dynamics, LLC
• Stephen Daiger, University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston
• Arlene Drack
• Jacque L. Duncan, M.D., University of California, San Francisco
• Timothy Elder, TRE Legal Practice, LLC
• Gerald Fishman, M.D., The Chicago Lighthouse for People Who are Blind or Visually Impaired
• David M. Gamm, M.D., Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Duane R. Geruschat, Ph.D., Salus University
• Douglas Goist, National Industries for the Blind
• Michael Grassi
• James T. Handa, M.D., Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University
• Rod Haneline, Leader Dogs for the Blind
• Brian Hurley, National Industries for the Blind
• Christine Kay, M.D., University of Florida
• Mark E. Kleinman, M.D.
• Craig MacFarlane, Edward Jones Company
• Toni March, Office of Blindness and Vision Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services
• Michel Michaelides
• Muna Naash
• Mark Pennesi, M.D., Ph.D., Casey Eye Institute
• Darlene Peregoy, Office for Blindness and Vision Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services
• Eric Pierce, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
• Dan Roberts, Macular Degeneration Support
• José-Alain Sahel, M.D.
• Philip Saunders
• Hendrik Scholl
• Everett T. Shupe II, MBA, CAE, CMP, Shupe Plans
• Janet Sunness, M.D., Hoover Low Vision Rehabilitation Services, Greater Baltimore Medical Center
• Karmen M Trzupek, MS, CGC, Informed Medical Decisions, Inc.
• Dawn E. Turco, Hadley School for the Blind
• Lou Tutt, Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired
• Luk H. Vandenberghe, Ph.D., HMassachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and Harvard Medical School
• Douglas Walker, Hadley School for the Blind
• Richard G. Weleber, M.D., Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health and Science University
• Dan Wenzel, Blind Industries and Services of Maryland
• Kim Walker, Tennessee School for the Blind
• Sandy White, Blind Sports Organization
• Paul Yang, M.D., Ph.D., University of Utah
• Donald Zack
• Michael Zuber