ENGINEERING AND CONTACT LENS LEAD

Lina’s educational background is in the field of polymer and biomaterial engineering. She has extensive knowledge and work experience in designing novel biomaterials, performing synthesis experiments, and evaluating new materials using different characterization methods. Lina has ongoing collaborations with many leading industry partners. Her expertise includes contact lens surface modifications, nanoparticles for drug delivery, and various material characterizations, including mechanical and morphological property tests. Lina is also responsible for training students and trainees in lab techniques, equipment use and maintenance, and SOP best practices.

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IN VIVO LEAD

Ben obtained a PhD in Biomedical Engineering, producing several peer-reviewed papers on ocular drug delivery. He has specialized in animal modelling and in vivo biomaterial assessment, which he employs to create and evaluate preclinical animal models being treated with different technologies. Ben has worked on internal and external projects both in the anterior and posterior segments of the eye.

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RESEARCH COORDINATOR

Jon obtained a B.Sc. in Biomedical Science from the University of Guelph. He has since gained experience working with various animal models in the fields of cardio-respiratory physiology and ophthalmology. Jon’s current focus is on the in vivo assessment of ophthalmic biomaterials.

PROJECT OFFICER & GRAPHIC DESIGNER

With a background in graphic design and project management, Ben spent 14 years working for an events company as Head of Creative in London, England before moving to Canada. Since joining McMaster, Ben works closely with colleagues in the Faculty of Engineering on all things operational, including but not limited to conference logistics, grant submissions & reporting, along with any graphic design requests.

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PRECLINICAL SUPPORT

Emily Anne is completing her Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering with a focus on protein-drug delivery to the posterior chamber for the treatment of retinal diseases. She continues to work as preclinical support for the C20/20 Innovation hub, well versed in both in vitro and in vivo techniques, including developing and testing in vivo/ex vivo models. Emily Anne has experience working with the anterior and posterior segments of the eye for both internal and industry-led projects.

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CHEMISTRY LEAD

Abdullah obtained a PhD in Polymer Chemistry from the University of Waterloo, gaining expertise in polymer synthesis and characterization. He has expertise in synthesis of small molecules and macromolecules. He is currently working on obtaining a postgraduate diploma in Professional Regulatory Affairs in Pharmaceutical Industry, to leverage his scientific background in the realm of regulatory compliance.

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ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

Ryan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and associate member in the School of Biomedical Engineering and the Centre for Discovery in Cancer Research (CDCR) at McMaster University. He was a co-recipient of the University of Toronto Inventor of the Year for his work on controlling extracellular matrix mimics with polymeric materials based on work published in Nature Materials, which will be crucial for screening NP penetration. His expertise in clinically relevant biomaterials for local delivery and immunotherapies was recently recognized and led to his membership in CDCR.

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ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, CHEMISTRY & CHEMICAL BIOLOGY

Katherine is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology at McMaster University. Her principal research interests reside in oligonucleotide chemistry, DNA self-assembly, and drug delivery. Her research group at McMaster focuses on the synthesis of oligonucleotides and nucleic acids nanostructures with modified backbones to modulate their interactions with living systems for applications in precision medicine.

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PROFESSOR; SCHOOL OF OPTOMETRY & VISION SCIENCE, UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO

Lyndon Jones is a professor at the School of Optometry and Vision Science, University Professor and director of the Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) at the University of Waterloo. He has authored over 500 refereed and professional papers, one text-book and given over 1200 invited lectures at conferences worldwide, in over 40 countries.on goes here

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PROFESSOR, CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

Todd received a B.Sc. (Eng.) in Engineering Chemistry from Queen’s University in 2001 and a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from McMaster in 2006. He returned to McMaster in 2008 to join the faculty after a two-year NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada)-sponsored post-doctoral fellowship in Robert Langer’s laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dr. Hoare’s work has been profiled by Popular Science, Maclean’s, and BBC for its potential in solving clinical challenges through innovative smart materials design.

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PROFESSOR, PATHOLOGY & MOLECULAR MEDICINE

Judith is an experienced Professor with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. Skilled in Animal Models, Life Sciences, Confocal Microscopy, Fluorescence Microscopy, and Genetics. Strong education professional with a PhD focused in Biology/Vision Science from University of Waterloo.

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ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, OPHTHALMOLOGY & OCULAR SCIENCES AT MCMASTER UNIVERSITY

Aftab is an Assistant Professor with the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine at McMaster University. With an aging population, ocular diseases such as Glaucoma and Cataract have become more prevalent leading to gradual increase in blindness in several parts of the world. The theme of Aftab’s research is based on understanding the mechanism behind the initiation and progression of Glaucoma and Posterior Capsular Opacification (Secondary Cataract) by employing various model systems in conjunction with cell, molecular, biophysical and engineering techniques.

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PROFESSOR, SURGERY

Varun is Professor of Surgery at McMaster University and Chief of Ophthalmology at St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton and Hamilton Health Sciences. He is current President of the Canadian Retina Society and Editor-in-Chief for the Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology. He is passionate about evidence generation in the field of retina. He has over 90 publications and as Principal Investigator he has secured over $40 million in research grant funding. He serves as Member/Chair on multiple clinical and medical advisory boards and global steering committees for retina endeavors spanning from basic science research to multi-national clinical trials in the field of retina.

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, TEMERTY FACULTY OF MEDICINE, DEPARTMENT OF OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISION SCIENCES

David is a vitreoretinal surgeon at St. Michael's Hospital. He is an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto and oversees the Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences' residents and fellows at St. Michael's. As well, he is a board member of 20/20: NSERC Ophthalmic Materials Network.

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PROFESSOR, FACULTY OF APPLIED SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING AND APPLIED CHEMISTRY

Frank is an NSERC Senior Industrial Research Chair Professor in Nanotechnology Engineering in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry at the University of Toronto. Prior to joining the University of Toronto in July 2018, Dr. Gu was an Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in Nanotechnology Engineering at the University of Waterloo.

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PROFESSOR, BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Maud Gorbet is a Systems Design Engineering Professor and is cross-appointed with the department of Biology and the School of Optometry at the University of Waterloo and also a collaborator with the Centre for Ocular Research and Education.

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UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO, SCHOOL OF OPTOMETRY & VISION SCIENCE, GRADUATE STUDENT

Chau is the co-founder of two tech-based startups, OcuBlink Inc. and Tricolops Technology, while also serving as a research assistant professor at the Centre for Ocular Research and Education (CORE) at the University of Waterloo, and co-PI at the Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR) in Hong Kong. My interests are centered around innovation and commercialization of new products, and my research focuses on 3D printing, 3D bioprinting, lab-on-a-chip, in vitro models, and fabrication of biomaterials for ocular drug delivery.

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