My lab is interested in studying the immune regulation of ocular inflammation and autoimmunity. We have generated multiple animal models that mimic human eye diseases. These include corneal injury caused by infectious (microbial keratitis) or chemical agents (chemical burns); autoimmune uveitis with acute, chronic, and recurrent characteristics; and laser-induced choroidal and retinal neovascularization, which is a hallmark of wet age-related macular degeneration. If left untreated, these common eye diseases can lead to blindness. Currently, there are few effective treatments for these conditions due to an incomplete understanding of their pathogenesis. The goal of our research is to use these animal models to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in disease pathogenesis and to design specific immunotherapies to treat conditions such as keratitis, uveitis, and age-related macular degeneration.