Josy Augustine

My research interests are focused on examining the role of neurovascular unit in the retinal homeostasis and how diabetes induced dysfunction of neurovascular unit leads to the pathogenesis of Diabetic Retinopathy.  In addition, I am also involved in pre-clinical evaluation of novel drugs and oligonucleotide therapeutics for the treatment of retinal neurodegeneration, inflammation and vascular dysfunction using both in vivo and in vitro models.  My current postdoctoral research explores the role of lipoxidation in the diabetic retina with special focus on neurodegeneration and vascular dysfunction. I am also investigating novel treatments for Diabetic retinopathy by gene therapy and novel compounds using in vivo and in vitro functional techniques. During my PhD, I investigated the role of Interleukin-33 (IL-33) and inflammation in Müller cells, and the role it plays in the pathogenesis of retinal degenerative diseases using in vivo models and in vitro models. My PhD titled "The Role of Interleukin-33 in retinal degenerative diseases" was submitted in 2019.  Prior to my PhD, I completed a MSc in Biomedical Science from Ulster University, UK with an integrated work experience as a Research Scholar in Eugene and Marilyn Glick Eye Institute, Indiana, USA.  I am also a member of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) since 2017.