Background
Elia J. Duh, M.D., is the G. Edward and G. Britton Durell Professor of Ophthalmology at the Wilmer Eye Institute. He has a joint appointment in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Whiting School of Engineering. He specializes in diseases of the retina, including diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Duh actively researches the molecular mechanisms underlying diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration, particularly the process of ocular neovascularization and excessive retinal vascular permeability. His research has helped determine the role of the major antioxidant regulator, Nrf2, in retinal diseases, and also connected Nrf2 to lifespan. His work has also provided insights into the involvement of the eye in COVID-19. Dr. Duh’s interest in developing new treatments for retinal diseases includes nanomedicine approaches for targeted drug delivery to the eye.
Dr. Duh graduated summa cum laude from Yale University and obtained his medical degree from Harvard Medical School. He completed his ophthalmology residency and medical retina fellowship at the Wilmer Eye Institute. He was elected to the American Society of Clinical Investigation in 2016.