Steven J. Fliesler PhD
Steven J. Fliesler
PhD
SUNY Distinguished Professor; Meyer H. Riwchun Endowed Chair Professor, Vice-Chair and Director of Research
Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Specialty/Research Focus
Apoptosis and cell death; Inherited Metabolic Disorders; Metabolism; Molecular and Cellular Biology; Molecular Basis of Disease; Neurobiology; Transgenic organisms; Vision science
Professional Summary:
Our lab is focused on studies of retinal degenerations caused by metabolic defects in isoprenoid biosynthesis, particularly dyslipidemias involving defective cholesterol metabolism (e.g., Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome) as well as defects in dolichol synthesis (e.g., RP59). Ww employ pharmacological and genetically altered animal models of human hereditary diseases. Current studies are focused on the role of lipid and protein oxidation in the underlying mechanisms of photoreceptor cell death in such retinal degenerations, using a combination of genomic, proteomic, and lipidomic approaches. We also study the effects of acoustic blast overpressure on retinal structure and function, and possible therapeutic interventions for blast-induced retinal injury. Research supported by NIH and VA grants.
Education and Training:
- Fellowship, lipid metabolism and biochemistry of the retina, Baylor College of Medicine (1982)
- PhD, Biochemistry, Rice University (1980)
- BA, Biochemistry, University of California, Berkeley (1973)
Employment:
- SUNY Distinguished Professor, Ophthalmology, SUNY- University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2018-present)
- Health Systems Specialist, VA Western NY Healthcare System (2008-present)
- Professor, Ross Eye Institute, University at Buffalo (SUNY) Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2008-present)
- Vice Chair for Research/Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology, University at Buffalo/SUNY Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2008-present)
- Vice-Chair/Director of Research, Ophthalmology, UB, JSMBS (2008-present)
- Professor, Saint Louis University Eye Institute, Saint Louis University School of Medicine (1994–2008)
- Associate Professor, Bethesda Eye Institute, Saint Louis University School of Medicine (1988–1994)
- Assistant Professor, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine (1985–1988)
- Research Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology (Cullen Eye Institute), Baylor College of Medicine School of Medicine (1983–1984)
Awards and Honors:
- ARVO Foundation 2024 Honoree (Annual Meeting; Seattle, WA) (2024)
- Plenary (Keynote) Lecture: (2024)
- Plenary (Keynote) Lecture. Symposium: “When Clinic Meets Science: An Interdisciplinary Dialogue.” (2024)
- Distinguished Professor Lecture (2023)
- Distinguished Lecture (2023)
- Keynote Lecture: European Frontiers in Neurosciences (EFN23) Meeting (2023)
- The 7th Robert Eugene Anderson, MD/PhD Lecture, OU Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Fellow Vision Workshop (2023)
- Chancellor’s Award Lecture in Ophthalmology and Neuroscience (2023)
- Retina Research Foundation (RRF) Paul Kayser International Award in Retina Research (2023)
- The Retina Research Foundation’s Paul Kayser International Award in Retina Research (2023)
- The “DOC Lecture 2022”: Closing Keynote Lecture (2022)
- Distinguished Postdoc Mentor Award 2021-2022 (2022)
- Chair Professor of Ophthalmology (2021)
- Distinguished Lecturer, Stephenson Visiting Professor Series (2020)
- John L. Montgomery, Sr., M.D., Distinguished Visiting Professor (2020)
- Distinguished Lecturer, Dean’s Lecture Series (2019)
- The Sydney Futterman Memorial Lecture (2019)
- Distinguished Lecturer, Grand Rounds (2019)
- The Nanqiang Memorial Lecture (2019)
- Distinguished Visiting Lecturer (2019)
- Roski Eye Institute Distinguished Lecturer (2018)
- Jules and Doris Stein Distinguished Lecturer (2018)
- ARVO President (2018)
- SUNY Distinguished Professor (2018)
- Dean's Award in Ophthalmology and Neuroscience (2017)
- ARVO President-elect (2017)
- Research Career Scientist Award (RCSA) (2016)
- 2016 ISER Special Recognition Award (2016)
- Dowling Society Member (2015)
- 2015 ProRetina Keynote Lecturer (2015)
- UB Distinguished Professor (2014)
- SUNY Chancellor‘s Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities (2014)
- Fellow (Gold Tier) of ARVO (2014)
- Member (elected), Board of Trustees, ARVO (2014)
- 2013-14 Cell Biology Invited Lecture, OUHSC (2013)
- 2013 Vanzant Lecture series, Rice University (2013)
- 2013 Chairman's Lecture series, Duke University (2013)
- 2013 Anwar Shah Endowed Lecture (2013)
- Fellow (Silver Tier) of ARVO (2009)
- Senior Scientific Investigator Award (2007)
- Chancellor's Award in Neuroscience (2002)
- Scientist of the Year Award (1999)
- James S. Adams Research Scholar Award (1992)
Research Expertise:
- animal models of human retinal degenerations
- cholesterol metabolism
- lipid / membrane biochemistry
- vision research
Grants and Sponsored Research:
- October 2023–September 2027
“Injuries of the Corneal Endothelium”
VA
Role: Co-Investigator
$543,160 - October 2021–September 2026
“Research Career Scientist Award (GS-15)”
Dept of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Role: Principal Investigator
$637,073 - April 2019–March 2024
Clinical Translational Science Award (CTSA)
National Institutes of Health/NCATS
Role: Co-Investigator
$22,698,278 - January 2019–September 2023
“Ocular Sequelae and Intervention in a Rat Model of Blast Overpressure Polytrauma”
Dept of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
$682,781 - July 2021–June 2023
“Studies on the requirement of dolichol synthesis-dependent N-glycosylation during photoreceptor development: Insights into autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa-59”
Knights Templar Eye Foundation
Role: Principal Investigator
$70,000 - April 2019–March 2023
“Deciphering Genetic and Environmental Influences on Visual Disorders in the Million Veteran Program”
Dept of Veterans Affairs, Million Veterans Program (MVP)
Role: Co-Investigator
$591,512 - September 2018–June 2022
Development and characterization of mouse models of RP59 DHDDS deficiency
National Eye Institute/NIH
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
$2,208,923 - January 2012–December 2015
Isoprenoid Metabolism in the Retina
NEI/NIH
Role: Contributor
$1,955,213 - December 2009–November 2014
Role of Caveolin-1 in the Maintenance of Blood-Retinal Barrier Integrity(1RO1EY019494)
NEI/NIH
Role: Contributor
$94,500 - January 2007–December 2011
Isoprenoid metabolism in the retina(2RO1EY007361)
National Eye Institute
Role: Principal Investigator
$1,375,000
Journal Articles:
- Gorman BR, Voloudakis G, Igo Jr RP, Kinzy T, Halladay CW, Bigdeli TB, Zeng B, Venkatesh S, Cooke Bailey JN, Crawford DC, Markianos K, Dong F, Schreiner P, Zhang W, VA Million Veteran Program, International AMD Genomics Consortium (IAMDGC), Hadi T, Anger MD, Stockwell AD, Melles RB, Yin J, Choquet H, Kaye R, Patasova K, Patel PV, Yaspan BL, Jorgenson E, Hysi PG, Lotery AJ, Gaziano JM, Tsao PS, Fliesler SJ, Sullivan JM, Greenberg PM, Wu W-C, Assimes TL, Pyarajan S, Roussos P, Peachey NS, Iyengar SK. (2024) Distinctive cross-ancestry genetic architecture for age-related macular degeneration. Nature Genetics (Dec), 12(56): 2659-2671. doi:https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-024-01764-0
- Monsoon E, Cideciyan AV, Roman AJ, Sumaroka A, Swider M, Wu V, Viarbitskaya I, Jacobson SG, Fliesler SJ, Pittler SJ. (2024) Inherited retinal degeneration caused by DHDDS mutation – Effect of an ALG6 modifier variant. Int J Med Sci (Dec), 2(25): 1004.
- (2024) (Dec)
- Nguyen MN, Chakraborty D, Messinger J, Sherry DM, Fliesler SJ, Pittler SJ. (2024) Modeling Retinitis Pigmentosa 59: Dhdds T206A and Dhdds K42E knock-in mutant mice are phenotypically similar. Disease Models & Mechanisms (Dec)
- Ramachandra Rao S, Fliesler SJ. (2024) Bottlenecks in the investigation of retinal sterol homeostasis. Biomolecules (Mar), 3(14): 341. doi:10.3390/biom14030341
- Ramachandra Rao S, Fliesler SJ. (2023) A simple, rapid fluorescent reporter-based method for detection of ectopic cre recombinase expression in presumed retinal cell type-targeted mouse lines. Experimental eye research (Oct), 235: 109637.
- Skelton LA, Ramachandra Rao S, Allen RS, Motz CT, Pardue MT, Fliesler SJ. (2023) Retinal gliosis and phenotypic diversity of intermediate filament induction and remodeling upon acoustic blast overpressure (ABO) exposure to the rat eye. Experimental eye research (Sep), 234: 109585.
- Fliesler SJ, Steiner RD. (2023) In Memoriam: G. Stephen (Steve) Tint, PhD (1935-2022). Journal of lipid research (Aug), 64(8): 100421. doi:10.1016/j.jlr.2023.100421
- Nguyen MN, Chakraborty D, Rao SR, Onysk A, Radkiewicz M, Surmacz L, Swiezewska E, Soubeyrand E, Akhtar TA, Kraft TW, Sherry DM, Fliesler SJ, Pittler SJ. (2023) A Dhdds K42E knock-in RP59 mouse model shows inner retina pathology and defective synaptic transmission. Cell death & disease (Jul), 14(7): 420. doi:10.1038/s41419-023-05936-4
- Zhang H, Guo Y, Yang Y, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Zhuang J, Zhang Y, Shen M, Zhao J, Zhang R, Qiu Y, Li S, Hu J, Li W, Wu J, Xu H, Fliesler SJ, Liao Y, Liu Z. (2023) MAP4Ks inhibition promotes retinal neuron regeneration from Müller glia in adult mice. NPJ Regenerative medicine (Jul), 8(1): 36. doi:10.1038/s41536-023-00310-6
Books and Book Chapters:
- Pfeffer BA, Fliesler SJ. (2024) Transcriptomic analysis of genes associated with nucleic acid and histone methylation, and one-carbon metabolism, in a mouse cone photoreceptor-derived cell line treated with 7-dehydrocholesterol-derived oxysterols. Implications for retinal and CNS health and disease. In: Advances in Vision Research, Vol. IV. From Basic to Translational Research? Developing Diagnostics and Therapeutics for Genetic Eye Diseases. (Prakash G and Iwata T, eds.). Springer/Nature, 157-185.
- Ramachandra Rao S, Pittler SJ, Fliesler SJ. (1900) Perspectives on retinal dolichol metabolism, and visual deficits in dolichol metabolism-associated inherited disorders. In: “Retinal Degenerative Diseases XIX - Mechanisms and Experimental Therapy.” (Ash J, Pierce E, Anderson RE, Bowes-Rickman C, Hollyfield JG, Grimm C, Eds.). Springer/Nature, Basel
- Pfeffer BA and Fliesler SJ. (1900) Transcriptomic analysis of genes associated with nucleic acid and histone methylation, and one-carbon metabolism, in a mouse cone photoreceptor-derived cell line treated with 7-dehydrocholesterol-derived oxysterols. Implications for retinal and CNS health and disease. In: Essentials in Ophthalmology (Prakash G and Iwata T, eds.), Springer, Tokyo, Japan.
- Pfefer BA, Fliesler SJ. (1900) Transcriptomic analysis of genes associated with nucleic acid and histone methylation, and one-carbon metabolism, in a mouse cone photoreceptor-derived cell line treated with 7-dehydrocholesterol-derived oxysterols. Implications for retinal and CNS health and disease. In: Essentials in Ophthalmology (Prakash G and Iwata T, eds.), Springer, Tokyo, Japan. Springer
Abstracts:
- Rao RJ, Kim H-JJ, Jiang S, Tai Y-Y, Wang B, Tang Y, El Khoury W, Kirilova A, Xie R, Al Aaraj Y, Watson AM, Creager M, Sharma AX, Kelly NJ, McDonald J, Wu H, Chan ZM, Francis K, Ramachandra Rao S, Fliesler SJ, Bertero T, Sun W, Harvey LD, Chan SY. (2024) Genetic and acquired DHCR7 deficiency upregulates 7 -hydroxycholesterol to drive pulmonary hypertension. American Thoracic Society International. Conference. San Diego, CaliforniaUnited States (Dec), (A7133) Poster
- Fliesler SJ. (2024) A detour on the mevalonate pathway: Dolichol metabolism and the curious case of RP59. ISER 2024, XXVI Biennial Meeting of the International Society for Eye Research. Buenos Aires, Argentina (Oct), (487) Oral
- Ramachandra Rao S, Weiss G, Rao BM, Ashok S, Skelton LA, Allison K, Owen L, DeAngelis MM, Fliesler SJ. (2024) Short-range geometric packing of rod and cone photoreceptors in the human retina. 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting. Seattle, WashingtonUnited States (May), (6706) Poster
- Fliesler SJ, Ramachandra Rao S, Skelton LA, Li A, Xu L. (2024) 7-Dehydrocholesterol (7DHC)-containing lipoproteins provoke cytological and autophagic flux defects in RPE in Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome (SLOS) models in vivo and in vitro. 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting. Seattle, WashingtonUnited States (May), (1694)
- Skelton LA, Ramachandra Rao S, Fliesler SJ. (2024) Mitochondrial function comparison in iPSC-derived RPE cells from normal and Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS) patients. 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting. Seattle, WashingtonUnited States (May), (1290) Poster
Professional Memberships:
- American Oil Chemists' Society; Professional society devoted to academic and industrial studies and usage of oils, lipids, surfactants (2025–present)
- Association for University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO); Member, Research Directors Council (2023–present)
- International Society for Eye Research (ISER); Co-Organizer, Retinal Cell Biology Section, 2023 Biennial Meeting; Session Organizer (2021–2022)
- American Soc. for Biochemistry & Molec. Biol. (ASBMB); Member (2000–present)
- American Soc. of Cell Biology (ASCB); Member (1988–present)
- International Society for Eye Research (ISER); Councilor for North America (2004-07) Treasurer (2007-11) President-Elect (2010-11);President(2012-14) (1985–present)
- Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) (1974–present)
Presentations:
- "“Mevalonate pathway defects and retinal degenerations: Insights from the lab.”" Research Seminar Series, Department of Biochemistry, Saint Louis University, School of Medicine (2024)
- "A detour on the mevalonate pathway: Dolichol metabolism and the curious case of RP59.”" , XXVI Biennial Meeting of the International Society for Eye Research. (2024)
- "Introduction of Abbott (“Abe”) C. Clark, the 2024 Ernst H. Bárány Prize recipient." XXVI Biennial Meeting of the International Society for Eye Research (2024)
- "“Mevalonate pathway defects and retinal degenerations: Insights from the lab.”" 2024 Annual Research Day, Dept. of Ophthalmology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, SUNY- University at Buffalo (2024)
- "Team Science" 2024 Annual Meeting, Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO) (2024)
- "“Cholesterol Pathway Defects: Impact on the Structure and Function of the Retina.”" Mount Sinai / NYEE Eye and Vision Research Institute (2023)
- "“Cholesterol Pathway Defects: Impact on the Structure and Function of the Retina.”" North Texas Eye Research Institute, The University of North Texas Health Sciences Center at Fort Worth (2023)
- "“The Long and Winding Road: Impact of Mevalonate Pathway Defects on Retinal Structure and Function.”" European Frontiers in Neuroscience (EFN23) Meeting (2023)
- "“Advice for Emerging Early-Stage Vision Scientists: Do THIS, Not THAT!”" OU Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Fellow Vision Workshop, Dean A. McGee Eye Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (2023)
- "“The Long and Winding Road: Impact of Mevalonate Pathway Defects on Retinal Structure and Function.”" .” The 7th Robert Eugene Anderson MD/PhD Lecture, Dean A. McGee Eye Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (2023)
Service Activities:
- ; Member, Committee on Academic Freedom and Responsibility (CAFR) (2024–2026)
- Topic: “Annual Performance Evaluation and Academic Advancement of Faculty”; Moderator, Breakfast Roundtable Discussion, 2024 AUPO Annual Meet (2024)
- Research Directors Council; Moderator, Quick Exchanges, 2024 AUPO Annual Meeting (2024)
- ; Editor-in-Chief, Experimental Eye Research (2024–2026)
- Committee selected the 2024 Prize recipient (presented at the 2024 ISER Biennial Meeting, Buenos Aires, Argentina); Chair, The Ludwig von Sallmann Prize Selection Committee (2024)
- ; Judge, JSMBS GGBR Annual Research Day; Judge, 14th Annual Postdoc Symposium (2024)
- Leadership group, Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology,; Member, AUPO Research Directors Council (2024)
- Grant Review Panel; Member, BrightFocus Foundation/Macular Degeneration Panel (2024)
- Committee selected the 2024 Kayser Award recipient (presented at the 2024 ISER Biennial Meeting; Buenos Aires, Argentina); Member, Selection Committee, 2024 RRF/Paul Kayser International Award in Retina Research (2024)
- ; Member, Student Appeals Committee (JSMBS) (2024)
- ; Peer Reviewer, ; Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience (2024)
- ; Peer Reviewer, Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology (2024)
- ; Peer Reviewer, International Journal of Molecular Sciences (IJMS) (2024)
- ; Peer Reviewer, Journal of Clinical Investigation (JCI) (2024)
- ; Peer Reviewer, Journal of Lipid Research (JLR) (2024)
- ; Peer Reviewer, Molecular Psychiatry (2024)
- ; Peer Reviewer, Molecular Vision (2024)
- ; Peer Reviewer, Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2024)
- ; Member, JSMBS Faculty Awards Committee (secondary delegate, Ophthalmology) (2024–present)
- ; Member, JSMBS Faculty Council Bylaws Committee (2024–present)
- Selection Committee, Distinguished Postdoctoral Mentor Award; Member (2023–present)
- JSMBS Faculty Awards Committee; Secondary Delegate (Ophthalmology) (2023–present)
- VA BLR&D Research Career Scientist Program, Midterm Review; Panel Member (2023)
- ); Special Emphasis Panel/Scientific Review Group 2024/01 ZRD1 RCSR-N (01) 1 Research Career Scientist (VA BL/CS RCS); Panel Member (2023)
- VA BL/CS.SEP 2023/08 ZRD1 RCSR-N (01) 2; Panel Member (2023)
- SUNY Chancellor's Advisory Committee (CAC); Appellant's Designee (2023)
- ARVO, Session with an Expert: Lab Management- Advice for the inexperienced; ADVANCE: Research Career Development Conference; Session Moderator (2023)
- Cell Reports Medicine; Experimental Eye Research; Food and Chemical Toxicology; Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology; Frontiers in Neuroscience; International Journal of Molecular Sciences (IJMS); Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences (IOVS); Journal of Lipid Research (JLR); Molecular Vision; PNAS Nexus; Reviewer (2023)
- DoD/CDMRP Vision Injury Research Forum (VIRF); Session Co-Chair (TBI-associated Visual Dysfunction); Member, Organizing Committee, and Session Co-Chair (2023)
- Search for new junior tenure-track faculty; Chair, Faculty Search Committee (2022–2023)
- Faculty appeal to PRB; Advocate (2022–2023)
- evaluation of potential candidates worthy for being nominated for special awards, recognition, etc.; Member, JSMBS Faculty Awards Committee (Dept of Ophthalmology, primary representative) (2022–present)
- evaluation of current Bylaws and assess need for proposed revisions; Member, JSMBS Faculty Council Bylaws Committee (2022–present)
- Platform Session, ISER Biennial Meeting, Australia; Session Organizer and Co-Moderator (2022–2023)
- Cell and Developmental Biology Section, ISER Biennial Meeting, Australia; Section Organizer (2022–2023)
- Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology; Associate Editor (2022–present)
- Handle reviewer assignments in various topics under my section of the journal; Associate Editor, Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology (2022–present)
- ; Associate Editor, Frontiers in in Cell and Developmental Biology (2022–present)
- In 2022 alone: Biomolecules; Experimental Eye Research; Food and Chemical Toxicology; Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology; Frontiers in Neuroscience; Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences (IOVS); International Journal of Molecular Sciences (IJMS); International Journal of Clinical Medicine; Journal of Lipid Research (JLR); Laboratory Investigation (Nature); Molecular Vision; Translational Visual Science and Technology (TVST); reviewer for multiple journals (2022–present)
- Oversee handling of all manuscripts submitted to the journal. (This is a Springer/Nature journal); Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Eye and Vision (2021–present)
- fundraising for eye research in WNY (Ross Eye Institute); Treasurer, Board of Directors, Western NY VisionQuest (2021–present)
- ; Emeritus Board Member , NAEVR (National Alliance for Eye and Vision Research) (2021–2025)
- ; Emeritus Board Member, AEVR (Alliance for Eye and Vision Research) (2021–2025)
- help devise and implement guidelines for faculty and student activities during the COVID-19 pandemic; Member, UB COVID Campus Planning Committee- Faculty & Staff Subcommittee (2020)
- as per role; At-Large Member, JSMBS Faculty Council Steering Committee (2020–2022)
- selection of candidates for entry into the JSMBS MD/PhD Program; Member, MD/PhD Admissions Committee (2020–2022)
- televised fundraising event (Senecas Niagara Casino, March 1, 2020); Volunteer, 58th Variety Kids Telethon- The Children's Charity of Buffalo and Western NY (2020)
- Sheep eye dissection and lecture about ocular anatomy and eye diseases; Lecture/Demo- STEM Program, The Research Lab of Lewis J. Bennett School of Innovative Technology, Buffalo, NY (2019)
- review and make recommendations regarding candidates for SUNY level awards/appointments; Member, SUNY Distinguished Ranks and Chancellor's Awards Selection Committee (2019–present)
- Midterm and new candidate evaluation for awards as RCS and Senior RCS appointments; Member, Research Career Scientist (RCS) review committees (VA BLR&D) (2019–present)
- fundraising event to support FFB Research; Volunteer, Western NY Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB) "Vision Fest" (2019)
- Lipids and Lipid Metabolism in the Eye (2010); and Lipids and Lipid-Soluble Molecules in the Eye (2020); Thematic Review Guest Editor, Journal of Lipid Research: (2019–2020)
- evaluate candidates for UB internal awards; Member, UB Internal Awards Committee (2018–present)
- President, ARVO Board of Trustees, and of the world's largest eye and vision research professional society; ARVO President, and Member, Executive Committee, ARVO Board of Trustees (2018–2019)
- I oversee the receipt and review of >800 manuscripts per year submitted to this journal. The journal is the 2nd highest rated (impact factor) subspecialty journal devoted to eye and vision research in the world.; EIC for Experimental Eye Research (the official journal of the International Soc. for Eye Research (ISER)) (2018–present)
- SUNY Distinguished Ranks, and Chancellor's Awards; Member of Selection Committee (2018–present)
- evaluation of grant applications (graduate/post-graduate and faculty levels); Member, Fight for Sight grant review committees (2018–present)
- evaluate candidates for academic promotion/tenure; Member, President's Review Board (PRB) (2017–2020)
- FFB fundraising event to support eye and vision research; Medical Co-Chair, FFB WNY Vision Walk (Buffalo, NY- May 2017 and 2018) (2017–2018)
- National agency advisory for policies and priorities in support of eye and vision research; Member, Boar do Directors, National Alliance for Eye and Vision Research (NAEVR) (2017–2020)
- National agency devoted to educating the public about issues relevant to ophthalmology and eye/vision research; Member, Board of Directors, Alliance for Eye and Vision Research (AEVR) (2017–2020)
- Career advancement guidance; Faculty Mentor (multiple faculty; multiple departments) (2017–present)
- Retinal Cell Biology (RC) Section Trustee; Member, Board of Trustees, ARVO (Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology) (2016–2020)
- evaluation of candidates for Ophthalmology Residency Training Program; Member, Residency Program Selection Committee (intermittent; not every year) (2015–present)
- review applications for funding from postdoctoral trainees and faculty members pertinent to macular degeneration; Member, Macular Degeneration Subgroup, BrightFocus Foundation (2015–present)
- scientific program reviews and grant funding reviews; Member, Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), Foundation Fighting Blindness (2015–present)
- PPBS, Neuroscience Graduate Program; Judge, Annual graduate student research forum (2015–present)
- FFB VisionWalk fundraising events. (annual); Team Captain, "ROSS EYE INSTITUTE ROLLERS" (subsequently "ROSS EYE INSTITUTE ILLUMINATORS" (2012–2018)
- overview of all research protocols conducted at or under auspices of the VA Western NY Healthcare System; Member, Research and Development Committee (RDC), Buffalo VAMC (2011–present)
- review all safety protocols for research studies performed by VA-affiliated researchers; Member/Chair, Subcommittee for Research Safety (SRS), Buffalo VAMC (2011–present)
- Neuroscience Graduate Program; Founder and Coordinator, Pioneers in Neuroscience Lecture Series (2011–2019)
- Along with Dept Chair, evaluate the faculty academic performance of faculty in the department; Annual Faculty Performance Evaluation (2010–present)
- assist in preparation of UB's CTSA application; co-Direct the CTSA Pilot Studies Program; Member/Key Function Director, CTSA Steering Committee (2010–2018)
- annual program of lectures (7-8 per year) highlighting leaders in vision research and academic ophthalmology; Founding Coordinator, Distinguished Lectures in Vision Sciences series; co-Coordinator since 2019 (2010–2019)
- a philanthropic organization that raises funds to support services to aid visually handicapped individuals in WNY; Member, Board of Directors, Buffalo Eye Bank Foundation (2010–2014)
- evaluate faculty being considered for academic promotion and/or tenure; Chair, Departmental Academic Promotion and Tenure Committee (2009–present)
- programmatic reviews of the foundation activities; Member, Medical Advisory Board, RSH/Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome Foundation (2009–present)
- faculty mentoring toward academic promotion and/or tenure; Member, Faculty Mentoring Committees (multiple departments) (2009–present)
- intermittent, as new positions become available; Member, Faculty Search Committee; Chair (as needed) (2009–present)
- Dept of Biochemistry, and Neuroscience Graduate Program; Member, PhD Thesis committees and qualifying exam committees (multiple) (2009–present)
- peer reviewer; Ad hoc and Regular Member, multiple NIH and VA study sections, SEPs (2009–present)
- ; Member, Editorial Board, Journal of Lipid Research (2004–present)
- I serve on these EBs: Exp Eye Res; J Lipid Res; Molec Vision; Eye and Brain; Eye and Vision; Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology,; Review and/or handle reviews of submitted manuscripts (1995–present)
- 1st Annual JSMBS Community Research Day; Facilitator
- 13th Annual Postdoctoral Scholar Research Symposium; Judge
- ; Member, Medical Advisory Board, SLOS/RSH Foundation