Frans Vinberg, PhD
Dr. Vinberg has over 10 years of experience in ocular research, specifically in retinal (patho)physiology. He has developed and commercialized a novel instrument to measure electrical activity of the retinal cells from ex vivo animal or human donor retina samples. He is currently tenured Associate Professor in the department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the Brunson Center for Translational Vision Research, UC Irvine. His research is focused on understanding the mechanisms in the photoreceptor cells that enable vision over a wide range of light intensities from a cloudy moonless night to a sunny day on the powdery slopes. Furthermore, his goal is to elucidate how these mechanisms are affected in the major blinding diseases including Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Retinitis Pigmentosa
In his free time, you can find Frans skiing, swimming or watching Formula 1 races.
Email: frans.vinberg(at)uci.edu
Sama Saeid, PhD
Postdoc
Dr. Saeid has experience in biophysics and ocular research, specifically in the molecular mechanisms of photoreceptor cell signaling in the retina. She worked on enhancing transretinal electroretinography (tERG) as a preclinical drug testing platform by studying how selected drugs affect retinal function, first using mouse retinal tissue as a model. She also developed a closed-perfusion tERG system to enable long-lasting and stable retinal recordings while requiring only small amounts of test materials. Her research was further extended to postmortem human retinal tissue, providing a more physiologically relevant approach for evaluating drug safety. She now aims to apply her experience to better understand retinal mechanisms and support translational research toward safer drugs and improved treatments for vision-related diseases.
She enjoys rock climbing, playing a traditional string instrument, and building puzzles.
Micah Feri, PhD
Postdoc
Dr. Feri has experience in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration, with a specialized focus on multiple sclerosis (MS). Her doctoral research explored the therapeutic potential of novel estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) ligands, aiming to promote functional remyelination while modulating immune responses in mouse models of MS. Additionally, she investigated the inhibition of SARM1, a key mediator of axonal degeneration, demonstrating its potential to reduce neurodegeneration and enhance visual function. Her work collectively advances dual-target therapeutic approaches that both facilitate remyelination and provide neuroprotection, with the ultimate goal of preserving neurological function and improving the quality of life for individuals with MS.
Dr. Feri is now eager to apply her expertise to studying the mechanisms underlying retinal remodeling and its impact on vision, particularly in diseases involving photoreceptor degeneration. She seeks to further understand these processes and develop innovative strategies to preserve vision in individuals affected by retinal degenerative conditions.
In her free time she likes to make pottery and spend time with her dogs.
Lee Sturgis
Neuroscience graduate student
Lee
Zia L’Ecuyer Morison
Neuroscience graduate student
Zia
Min Hyung Kang, PhD
Project scientist
Dr. Kang brings extensive expertise in molecular and cellular biology across a range of model systems including plants, E. coli, yeast, viruses, mammalian cells, and human disease models such as autoimmune disorders, glaucoma, and CRISPR-Cas9–based gene editing. This diverse background has enabled him to employ a wide array of research methodologies and translate fundamental biological insights into public health applications. His strength lies in bridging basic research with innovative biological solutions to improve health outcomes. In addition to his research capabilities, he have successfully managed comprehensive lab operations—overseeing procurement, budgeting, animal inventory and protocols (IACUC), and ensuring compliance with EH&S regulations. He also takes pride in mentoring junior colleagues, including undergraduates, medical students, and research staff, and fostering collaborations with other laboratories. Throughout his career, he has learned that teamwork is the cornerstone of scientific progress. He firmly believe in the philosophy: “Work together, make together.” He is also guided by a proactive mindset: “Let it happen? Make it happen!”—a reflection of his commitment to driving research forward with purpose and passion.
Lab alumni
Deepa Mathew, PhD, Postdoc 2022 - 2025; Current position: Postdoc, in David Krizaj lab at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Silke Becker, PhD, Postdoc 2017 -2021; Research Assistant Professor 2021 - 2025 - Current position: Assitant Professor, tenure track at the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Marianna Mathison, BS, Lab technician and promoted to Lab specialist 2023 - 2025 - Current position: Ophtalmic image analysis at the Moran Reading Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Jordan Allen, MSc, Undergraduate and Graduate Student 2020 - 2024 - Current position: CTO at Eyescreen, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT
Fatima Abbas, PhD, Postdoc 2017 - 2022 - Current position: Researcher at Genentech, San Francisco, CA
Nguyen Pham, BS, Graduate Student - Current position Clinical Application Specialist at BioFire, Salt Lake City, UT
Chidi Ahanonu, Undergraduate Student - Current position: MD student at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Taylor Boyd, Undergraduate Student - Graduated with honors in 2021 from the University of Utah, Current position MD student at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Albert Kemp, Undergraduate Student - Graduated from Biomedical Engineering at the University of Utah in 2021, Currently studying to become an Optometrist in Arizona College of Optometry, Glendale, AZ