Martha Neuringer, Ph.D.

  • Professor, Oregon National Primate Research Center
  • Research Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine
  • Neuroscience Graduate Program, School of Medicine

Biography

Dr. Neuringer’s major areas of research include 1) the development and characterization of nonhuman primate models of retinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss in the elderly, and photoreceptor degenerations; 2) preclinical studies of gene and cell-based therapies for retinal disease; 3) the role of nutritional factors – particularly omega-3 fatty acids and carotenoids – in retinal and brain development, aging and disease; and 4) cognitive development and aging.

Dr. Neuringer’s laboratory has done pioneering work on the roles of nutritional factors in visual system development, aging and retinal disease, including the actions of carotenoids and omega-3 fatty acids. The current primary focus of her research program is the creation of translational nonhuman primate models of retinal degenerative diseases to facilitate better understanding of disease mechanisms and preclinical testing of potential gene and cell-based therapies. Her laboratory has identified and characterized naturally-occurring nonhuman primate models of retinal disease including age-related macular degeneration, Batten disease and Bardet-Biedl syndrome. Her preclinical studies of retinal gene therapy for several inherited retinal diseases have helped to provide the basis for human clinical trials.

Education and training

  • Degrees

    • B.A., 1966, Harvard/Radcliffe
    • Ph.D., 1971, Harvard University
  • Fellowship

    • Postdoctoral Fellowship, ONPRC

Memberships and associations:

  • Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
  • Society for Neuroscience
  • International Society for Eye Research
  • American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy
  • American Society for Nutrition
  • International Carotenoid Society (Fellow)

Areas of interest

  • Nonhuman primate models of retinal disease
  • Gene and cell therapies for retinal disease
  • Nutritional factors in development and aging of the retina and brain
  • Cognitive aging

Honors and awards

  • OHSU Distinguished Science Educator Award, 2003
  • International Life Sciences Institute: Certificate of Achievement for one of 20 most cited papers in 70-year history of Nutrition Reviews
  • OHSU Technology Innovation/Industry Collaboration Award, 2012 and 2014
  • Fellow, International Carotenoid Society, 2017
  • Stein Innovation Award from Research to Prevent Blindness, 2018
  • Helen Keller Vision Award from Pacific NW Lions Club, 2019
  • OHSU Research and Innovation Award, 2020, 2023

Publications

Publications