Postdoc: Neuroscience (University of British Columbia)
PhD: 2007, Medicine - Neuroscience (Leiden University)
BSc: 2002, Molecular Biology & Biochemistry (Durham University)
Dr. Kaja is an expert in ocular pharmacology with more than fifteen years' experience in the academic, biotech and pharmaceutical industry setting. Dr. Kaja holds an academic appointment at Loyola University Chicago, where he serves as the Dr. John P. and Therese E. Mulcahy Endowed Professor of Ophthalmology and Director of the Ocular Pharmacology and Drug Discovery Laboratory.
Research in the laboratory is currently funded by the National Institute of Health, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness, Fight for Sight, and industry funding.
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PhD Candidate, Molecular Pharmacology & Therapeutics
BS: 2015 (Loyola University Chicago)
Sana is a third year graduate student in the Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics track in Loyola University Chicago's Integrated Program in Biomedical Sciences. Sana joined the Kaja Lab in 2021 after several years as Clinical Research Coordinator at in the Clinical Research Office at Loyola University Chicago and successfully completing the Graduate Certificate Program in Pharmacovigilance in 2021
Sana is investigating the mechanisms of urban pollution and particulate matter on ocular toxicity and evaluating novel drug candidates for their ability to provide relief from ocular irritants and allergens.
Research Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology
PhD: 2007 (University of North Texas Health Science Center)
Dr. Vidhya Rao is Research Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology and joined the Kaja Lab in 2021.
Vidhya completed her graduate and postgraduate training at the University of North Texas Health Science Center, the University of Illinois at Chicago, the Colorado University Anschutz, and the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital.
Vidhya contributes a wealth experience in vision and cancer research. Her current research focuses on repurposing drug strategies for ocular surface disease.
MS Student, Molecular Pharmacology & Therapeutics
PharmD: 2019 Kakatiya University (Major: Pharmacology)
Bhuvanachandra joined the lab as MS Pharmacology student in 2023. Her research focuses on drug discovery for ocular surface disease and developing novel therapeutic approaches for antibody-drug-conjugate (ADC)-associated corneal toxicity.
MS Student, Neuroscience
BS: 2021 Illinois State University (Major: Biology)
Cassidy joined the lab as a MS Neuroscience student in 2023. Her research focuses on the role of calcium signaling in reactive astrocytosis in optic nerve head astrocytes.
MS Student, Neuroscience
BS: 2022 Loyola University Chicago (Major: Neuroscience)
Candace joined the lab as a MS Neuroscience student in 2022. Candace is investigating the role of endothelin-1 in reactive astrocytosis in optic nerve head astrocytes.
Research Assistant III
BS: Biology (Northern Illinois University)
Mel joined the Kaja Lab in the Fall of 2023. She supports all aspects of the research operation.
MS1 Medical Student
BS: 2021, Rochester Institute of Technology (Biomedical Sciences)
Maha joined the lab in the fall of 2023.
MS3 Medical Student
Abhi joined the lab in 2022. His interested are in anterior segment ocular disease.
Affiliate Research Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology
Director, Veterinary Ophthalmology (Experimentica Ltd.)
DVM: 2007 (Tuiuti University of Parana, Brazil)
MS: 2009 (Federal University of Parana, Brazil)
PhD: 2017 (Michigan State University)
Marianna is the Director of Veterinary Ophthalmology at Experimentica Ltd., where she oversees preclinical safety and efficacy for ophthalmic drug discovery.
Marianna serves as Affiliate Faculty member in the Department of Ophthalmology and member of the Graduate Faculty at Loyola University Chicago.
Her research interest lies in development and refinement of large animal models for ophthalmic indications.
Anita graduated from the Lab with her Masters Degree in 2019, and her PhD in 2022. She is now Associate Director of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology at Experimentica Ltd.
Harsh graduated from the Lab with his Masters Degree in 2020. After 2 successful years as Research Associate at Herophilus in San Francisco, Harsh recently joined the PhD program at Arizona State University.
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