Our Scientific Advisory Board
All of our funded research projects undergo a stringent vetting process by the Foundation Fighting Blindness' Scientific Advisory Board. Additionally, we benefit from the expertise of a small yet extraordinarily experienced and diverse board of researchers and clinicians. Throughout the year, this talented group assists us in identifying and reviewing potential new funding targets.
They are instrumental in the preliminary auditing of projects and research teams for Save Sight Now. Their deep understanding of our USH1B challenges, roadmap, and funding priorities is invaluable, and we are profoundly grateful for their ongoing support as advisors.
Mark Pennesi, M.D., Ph.D., FARVO
Dr. Mark Pennesi is a distinguished ophthalmologist with a dual focus on genetic eye diseases. As the Director of Ophthalmic Genetics at the Retina Foundation of the Southwest, he is committed to expanding research and clinical capabilities in inherited retinal degenerative diseases. Concurrently, he serves as an Associate Professor and the Division Chief of the Ophthalmic Genetics Service at the OHSU Casey Eye Institute, where he holds the Kenneth C. Swan Endowed Professorship.
Dr. Pennesi's pioneering work includes leading first-in-human clinical trials and applying novel CRISPR gene editing techniques to treat inherited forms of blindness, significantly advancing the field of ophthalmic genetics and impacting patient care through innovative treatments. His research and clinical efforts continue to shape the field, aiming to transition novel treatments from the lab to clinical application, significantly impacting the management of retinal diseases.
David Gamm, M.D., PhD.
Dr. David Gamm is a distinguished figure in the field of ophthalmology, particularly recognized for his expertise in pediatric ophthalmology. He serves as the RRF Emmett A. Humble Distinguished Director of the McPherson Eye Research Institute and holds the Sandra Lemke Trout Chair in Eye Research at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Dr. Gamm's research focuses on retinal degenerative diseases, leveraging human pluripotent stem cells for disease modeling and developing cell-based therapies. He was a pioneer in using human pluripotent stem cell technology to derive retinal cells and tissues and patented human retinal organoid technology. His groundbreaking work, primarily conducted in Madison, Wisconsin, has profound implications for treating conditions like retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration. His contributions to medical and biological engineering have earned him a prestigious position in the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering's College of Fellows, underscoring his significant impact and leadership in the field.
Omid Karkouti
Omid Karkouti is a seasoned patient advocate with an extensive background in biotechnology, where he focuses on developing therapies for rare genetic diseases. He holds a Master's degree in Molecular Virology from Baylor College of Medicine.
His career includes founding roles in several innovative biotech companies. He was the co-founder and CEO of Perception Biosystems before becoming a co-founder and the COO of Rarebase, a company committed to identifying treatments for rare genetic conditions. Most recently, he has taken on the role of COO at Eigen Therapeutics. Across these positions, Omid has consistently demonstrated leadership in spearheading efforts to advance medical solutions in the biotechnology sector, particularly for underserved genetic conditions.
Brett Crawford, PhD
Brett Crawford is a prominent figure at BioMarin Pharmaceutical, where he serves as the Executive Director and Head of the Musculoskeletal Therapeutic Area. He has over two decades of experience in the preclinical development of therapeutics targeting rare genetic diseases. Dr. Crawford's career includes founding Zacharon Pharmaceuticals in 2004, where he focused on developing glycan-targeted therapeutics for rare genetic disorders.
His educational background includes a BS in Biological Sciences from UC Davis and a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from UC San Diego. At BioMarin, he has been instrumental in advancing multiple programs to clinical trials, including treatments like Voxzogo for Achondroplasia. Additionally, Dr. Crawford is noted for integrating his passion for art, particularly ceramics, into his scientific work, highlighting a unique blend of creativity and scientific rigor in his approach to research and development