Abstract: Lymphatic research represents afield of new discovery in recent years. Lymphatic network penetrates most tissues in the body and it dysfunction is associated with a wide array of diseases and disorders, which include but are not limited to transplant rejection, cancer metastasis, diabetes, inflammation, infection, and immune diseases. The cornea offers an ideal site for lymphatic research due to its accessible location, transparent nature, and lymphatic-free but-inducible features. Once induced, corneal lymphatics enhance high volume delivery of antigens and immune cells, and accelerate transplant rejection. Our research goal is to elucidate the molecular and cellular mechanisms of corneal lymphangiogenesis and to identify new targets for therapeutic interventions. This talk will provide an overview of several recent advances in corneal lymphatic research and the implications inside and outside the eye.

Biography: Dr. Chen graduated from Shandong Medical University (six year program; instruction in English) and performed her ophthalmology residency training at Shandong Eye Institute & Hospital. She then received her Ph.D. in Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences from University of Louisville, Kentucky (the only program that offered Ph.D. in Ophthalmology in the United States at the time). This was followed by a postdoctoral training at Schepens Eye Research Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School where she became a junior faculty in 2004. Dr. Chen was recruited to University of California at Berkeley in 2007 as an Assistant Professor and Morton D. Sarver Endowed Chair where she is now a full Professor with tenure. Dr. Chen also holds joint appointments at University of California at San Francisco (since 2007) and Harvard Medical School (2008-2016).

Dr. Chen’s research mainly focuses on the mechanisms of lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis and therapeutic implications in relevant diseases inside and outside the eye. Compared to blood vessels that have been studied extensively in the past, lymphatic research denotes an explosive field of new discovery in recent years. Lymphatic dysfunction has been found in a wide array of diseases and disorders, which include but are not limited to transplant rejection, cancer metastasis, diabetes, inflammation, infection, and immune diseases. The eye offers an ideal site for lymphatic research due to its unique features. Results from Dr. Chen’s work have been published in high impact journals in basic and ophthalmic research, and her research has been well-funded by federal and private agencies. Dr. Chen is a recipient of many awards, such as the Best Paper Award at Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School; Harvard Scholars in Medicine; Hellman Faculty Award; National Research Service Award, National Eye Institute; Presidential Award, International Society of Lymphology; and Translational Research Award, Department of Defense. Dr. Chen is an invited speaker at many national and international conferences and she has served as a reviewer for National Institute of Health study sections and around 40 scientific journals.