About
Beginning in 1993, the Loris and David Rich Lecture Series in Vision Science seeks to energize scientific discovery by bringing to UAB top-notch vision scientists from around the US and beyond. Speakers from a range of disciplines are chosen to sample cutting-edge topics from across vision science and ophthalmology.
Lectures routinely spark intellectual discussion and collaborations. Faculty, students, and others interested in visual science are welcome to attend in-person or virtually with Zoom.
We sincerely thank The EyeSight Foundation of Alabama for their continued generosity in supporting the Rich Lecture Series, which enables us to bring invaluable insights and discussions to the field of ophthalmology.
2026 – 2027 Lecture Series
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Rachel W. Kuchtey, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
Chief, Glaucoma Division
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Vanderbilt Eye Institute
Research interests: Mechanisms, genetics, and treatment of glaucoma
Hosted by Gianfranco Bianco, Ph.D.
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Felipe Medeiros, M.D., Ph.D.
Rodgers Endowed Professor of Ophthalmology
Vice Chair, Research
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
Research interests: Artificial intelligence, imaging and biomarkers, neuroprotection
Hosted by J. Crawford Downs, Ph.D.
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Leopold Schmetterer, Ph.D.
Professor
Senior Scientific Director
SingHealth Duke-NUS Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Programme
Singapore National Eye Center
Research interests: Imaging, optical coherence tomography
Hosted by Rafael Grytz, Ph.D. and Paul Gamlin, Ph.D.
Wednesday, February 3, 2027
Silvia Finnemann, Ph.D.
Professor
Bephler Chair in Biology
Fordham University
Department of Biological Sciences
Research interests: retinal neurobiology, age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
Hosted by Tylor Lewis, Ph.D.
Wednesday, March 10, 2027
Daniel Saban, Ph.D.
Joseph A.C. Wadsworth Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology
Vice Chair, Research Strategy
Duke University School of Medicine
Research interests: ocular immunology, neuroimmunology, retinal degenerative diseases
Hosted by Oliver Gramlich, Ph.D.
Thursday, April 8, 2027
Dimitra Skondra, M.D., Ph.D.
Terry and Mel Karmazin Professor of Ophthalmology
Vice Chair, Research
NYU Grossman School of Medicine
NYU Langone Health
Research interests: systemic biology, retinal diseases
Grand Rounds: Friday, April 9, 2027