Message from the Chair
- Bradley R. Straatsma, M.D., Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology
- Chair and Executive Medical Director, Department of Ophthalmology
- Director, Jules Stein Eye Institute
- Affiliation Chair, Doheny Eye Institute
As we start a new academic year, I want to take a moment to share our achievements and look ahead to the exciting work we have before us. Our faculty and staff have attained impressive accolades and the Department’s educational events have been a resounding success. These successes are not just milestones—they represent the growth, resilience, and forward momentum of our department. The collective efforts of our faculty and staff have directly contributed to our department's growing reputation for excellence, and I am incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished so far.
We started off the year with the exciting news that our Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) Unrestricted Grant in the amount of $115,000 a year to support eye research conducted by the department was renewed. This funding was awarded based on a thorough review of the department’s research activities, laboratory environment, and clinical and scientific staff, as evaluated by RPB’s renowned Scientific Advisory Panel. The funds are being deployed to provide maximum flexibility in developing and expanding eye research programs, and to provide opportunities for innovative research. We are so thankful for the continued support we receive from RPB, BrightFocus Foundation, and our private donors, who support our mission in the preservation and restoration of vision through research, quality patient care, and multidisciplinary, integrative education, all with community outreach.
In March 2025, we had our first Organized Research Unit (ORU) review in 15 years and received an extremely positive review. In 1977, the Jules Stein Eye Institute was designated an ORU of the University of California, allowing an integrated framework for the pursuit of the science of ophthalmology and vision. ORUs are entities created within the university that “serve to strengthen interdisciplinary programs of research and teaching conducted by the faculty, as well as to provide graduate and postdoctoral students with added research opportunities, facilities, and assistance.” ORUs form bridges across the entirety of the UCLA campus, creating space and connections for groundbreaking research with public impact. The review committee described us as visionary leaders in ophthalmology and vision science research!
We are thrilled to have so many new faculty who have joined the department in the past few years. Since I became Chair in 2022, we have recruited 29 faculty to the department! Each of our new faculty brings unique expertise, energy, and perspectives that are enriching our academic, clinical, community outreach, and research missions. Welcoming such a talented group of faculty is a testament to the continued growth and excellence of our department. We live by our motto: “The best get better together”!