Associate Professor of Ophthalmology
Campus mail:
Box 3802 Med Ctr, Durham, NC 27710
Phone:
(919) 681-2793
As a physician-scientist investigator, Dr. Challa has a special research interest in the genetic basis of inherited eye diseases. He has active projects investigating the genetics of Pseudoexfoliation associated glaucoma and the cellular basis for glaucoma development. He also studies ocular drug delivery and is involved in developing long-term delivery devices for glaucoma medications. He also investigates novel compounds that may eventually be used for treating glaucoma. In addition to basic science research, he also has clinical research interests including evaluating the effectiveness of new glaucoma therapies.
Education and Training
- University of Florida, M.D. 1993
Selected Grants and Awards
- The Role of GDF-15 in Aqueous Humor Outflow and Glaucoma
- Trabecular Meshwork Cytoskeletal Signaling-Regulation of Aqueous Humor Outflow
- Lysosomal Enzymes in Outflow Pathway Physiology and Pathophysiology
- Novel Experimental Model for Pseudoexfolliation Syndrome
- Optimization of a Cell Culture Model for Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome
- MicroRNA-directed modulation of intraocular pressure
- Mechanisms in Exfoliation Glaucoma: Effect of Genetic Risk Variants and Ocular Cell Stressors on LOXL1 Expression
- Exosomal RNAs and Aqueous Humor Dynamics in Exfoliation Glaucoma
- Cellular Senescence and Glaucoma
- The Molecular Basis of Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome
- Genetic Studies of POAG in Ghana, West Africa
- Healthy Vision 2010 Community Awards Program