Keynote Session: The Needs and Challenges of Using Ocular Tissue and Cells in Cell-Based Therapies

Only available as part of a package

Stem cell-derived products have the potential to provide ocular tissue and therapeutic factors to treat a variety of ocular diseases. Steven Becker, PhD, Associate Director of the National Eye Institute (NEI) Office of Regenerative medicine will highlight NIH-funded regenerative medicine programs and will discuss the implications they may have for vision research and the development of future therapies. A Q&A session will be moderated by Jennifer Li, MD.

Steven Becker

Associate Director

NEI Office of Regenerative Medicine

Steven Becker, PhD, joined the National Eye Institute (NEI) in 2014. He currently leads several regenerative medicine programs as the Associate Director of the Office of Regenerative Medicine. Dr. Becker participates on a number of other projects including the NIH Regenerative Medicine Innovation Project (RMIP), the BRAIN Initiative resource dissemination team, and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Forum on Regenerative Medicine. Dr. Becker has a BA in biology from the University of Virginia and a PhD in cell biology from Yale University.

Jennifer Li, MD

Medical Director

Sierra Donor Services Eye Bank

Jennifer Li, MD, is a Professor of Ophthalmology at the UC Davis Eye Center where she is the Director of the Cornea and External Disease Service and the Fellowship Director. Dr. Li received her medical degree and completed her residency at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas and subsequently completed a fellowship in Cornea, External Disease and Refractive Surgery at UC Davis. She is also the Co-Medical Director of Sierra Donor Services in Sacramento, California. Dr. Li is the Chair of the EBAA Board of Directors and has served on various EBAA committees including EBAA Accreditation Board, the Scientific Programs Committee and as Chair of the Medical Advisory Board. Dr. Li received the R. Townley Paton Award in 2021 for her contributions to the EBAA, sight restoration and corneal transplantation.