At large academic medical centers like the University of North Carolina, the spotlight shines on basic and physician scientists who advance translational breakthroughs in improved patient care. Without learners involved in the work of basic science labs and clinical trials, however, faculty P.I.s would face a near-impossible task in keeping up with the multi-layered, requisite steps of NIH-funded and industry-sponsored studies. At UNC Ophthalmology, learners play a vital role in helping Carolina Eye Research Institute (CERI) basic scientists and faculty clinical researchers lead today’s translational discoveries that are tomorrow’s medical and surgical solutions for preventing and treating worsening vision.
UNC Ophthalmology Associate Professor Zongchao Han, PhD, leads large-scale studies that advance development of nanoparticle-mediated retinal drug/gene delivery therapies. From undergraduate to post-doctoral lab members, skilled learners are integral to the scholarly achievements of Dr. Han’s lab. In May 2024, Han lab member Yong-Su Kwon, PhD, finished his post-doctorate fellowship, returning home to accept a faculty position after leading authorship of several published Han lab studies.
Dr. Kwon noted: “During my post-doctoral years, Dr. Han’s mentoring and expertise helped me build skills to conduct independent research and contribute meaningfully to major lab studies. By my last two years in fellowship, I’d acquired the competence to merit a $200,000 award to conduct pioneering research in age-related macular degeneration.”
Second-year UNC medical student Mary Kaufmann (School of Medicine Class of 2026) is a student research assistant in Dr. Han’s CERI lab. Mary is an exceptional student scholar, winning top poster honors at the institutional [Annual UNC] John B. Graham Medical Student Research Society), regional (Association of Women Surgeons Regional Conference) and national (Association of Women Surgeons National Medical Student “Data Mania”) levels. She also earned top honors for poster presentations of Han lab studies she supports. Mary continues to 1st-author and co-author Han lab manuscripts aimed at future development of melanin-based nanotechnology for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Through UNC’s Medical Students Training in Aging Research (MSTAR) Program, Mary helps lead facilitation of studies addressing age-related retinal degeneration and AMD drug delivery projects. Her skills in conducting research acquired over 12 months in Dr. Han’s lab exceed those of many student research assistants. She has led lab experiments in catalyzing melanin-based nanoparticles as anti-oxidative drug-delivery systems for AMD treatment. She also conducted hands-on, in vitro studies evaluating nanoparticle function in RPE cells, helped establish an AMD mouse model using high-intensity blue light, and evaluated the impact of the particles via intravitreal injection.
Mary stated: “The Han lab gave me invaluable, hands-on exposure to the entire drug-delivery molecule development process, from synthesizing a drug-delivery molecule, to testing it in vitro, to finally evaluating its effect in vivo. I saw how lab bench advancements directly translate to better patient outcomes, in part via the potential of technology to revolutionize the treatment and prognosis of degenerative eye diseases. I plan to pursue ophthalmology and am extremely grateful for the opportunity to learn from researchers who are pioneering this work.”
Dr. Han reflected: “Student research assistants are invaluable to my lab’s work. They contribute significantly to translational studies aimed at improving patient care for retinal diseases. The hands-on and bench experiences they gain in cutting-edge gene and drug therapies provide a strong foundation for their future medical practice, as demonstrated by achievements like Mary Kaufmann’s multiple awards for her innovative research in AMD treatment.”
During his last two years of college, Trey Barlow (UNC Class of 2024) worked as a student Clinical Research Coordinator on UNC Ophthalmology’s Clinical Research team. During this period, Trey assisted with clinical research studies conducted by UNC Ophthalmology Chair Dr. Don Budenz (Glaucoma), Dr. J. Niklas Ulrich (Vitreoretinal Surgery), Dr. Kathy Whitfield (Pediatric Ophthalmology), and Dr. Michael Mendsen (Comprehensive Eye Care). Collectively, these studies introduced Trey to present-day, innovative approaches to treating various eye conditions, including pediatric amblyopia (near-sightedness), adult glaucoma or retinal diseases such as diabetic retinopathy.
Assisting faculty P.I.s with clinical trials based at UNC Kittner Eye Center, Trey learned the critical steps involved in human subjects research, including the consent process, eligibility criteria, and patient enrollment steps. Valued as an effective, experienced team member, Trey collaborated with physicians, ophthalmic technicians and other staff, ensuring accurate data collection and management, documenting regulatory compliance, and performing visual assessments, medical histories and venipuncture when required.
Student research assistants like Trey routinely work over 12-24 months with UNC Ophthalmology Clinical Research Specialist Elizabeth (Eliza) DuBose, MPH, lead coordinator of departmental clinical research trials in close partnership with physician research P.I.s.
Trey noted: “Eliza DuBose was the biggest mentor in guiding me through this role. She was extremely supportive in my training. Dr. Whitfield and Dr. Budenz were additionally supportive and offered professional guidance when discussing my goal of attending medical school.”
As an aspiring medical student, my clinical research experience at UNC Ophthalmology was essential to my understanding of medicine. In earlier college, I acquired interpersonal skills working in basic laboratory research that I repurposed in a clinical research environment, such as discussing research participation and specific ocular conditions with patients. Observing UNC ophthalmologists demonstrate how research findings and outcomes correspond with evidence-based medical practice instilled a desire in me to do the same.”
Eliza noted: “It’s a win-win each time our clinical research team onboards a UNC undergraduate or medical student research assistant. Motivated research assistants help us grow and sustain our clinical trial portfolio and funding. In turn, we aim to facilitate a practicum experience that provides an understanding how pre-clinical discoveries of novel methodology and therapeutics ultimately lead to improved patient eye care.”