New Moorfields Eye Charity chair in advanced ocular imaging
University College London (UCL) | GR001115
2 March 2021
We’re funding a joint chair combining world leading engineering and vision science, created in partnership with the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and the UCL Department of Medical Physics & Biomedical Engineering.
This new ‘Moorfields Eye Charity chair in advanced ocular imaging’ role is part of UCL’s strategy to boost excellence in multidisciplinary research and innovation in healthcare engineering - applying it to ophthalmology. It will provide a direct link between UCL’s Faculties of Brain and Engineering Sciences and Moorfields Eye Hospital, via the UCL Institute of Healthcare Engineering.
Our investment in the chair, which is a long term role, is £1,500,000 – the largest single investment from the charity.
Appointment of Professor Sarunic
We’re pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Marinko Sarunic in this new role. Professor Sarunic will join UCL from 1 September 2021 from Simon Fraser University where he is currently professor at the School of Engineering Science.
Professor Sarunic brings extensive experience in the development of new ophthalmic instrumentation and techniques. He will deliver on ambitions for imaging of the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) at Moorfields Eye Hospital and the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology.
Leadership role
The chair will lead in the development of new ophthalmic instrumentation and techniques such as adaptive optics, optical coherence tomography and functional imaging.
Professor Sarunic will develop collaborative research programmes in the field of vision and ophthalmic research, maximising opportunities within communities at UCL. He will also join a team of academics delivering high-quality teaching in vision and ophthalmology and in engineering.
He will be a key player in this exciting, collaborative network delivering on Moorfields and UCL’s ambitions for imaging.
Bridging physics and engineering with clinical science in the heart of London, the combined strengths of UCL and Moorfields Eye Hospital are uniquely positioned to impact ocular imaging research. I am excited to join the team at UCL and grow my research through new collaborations at Moorfields Eye Hospital to help in the fight against vision robbing diseases.
Professor Marinko Sarunic
This role marks an important development in the way we work, to bring our strengths in healthcare engineering into practice and build closer bonds with healthcare professionals. UCL believes that in working across disciplines and working closely with practitioners, we can make a tangible difference to patients’ outcomes and a valuable contribution to human wellbeing.
UCL Vice-Provost (Research) Professor David Price
We’re delighted to fund the Moorfields Eye Charity chair in advanced ocular imaging. This important new role brings together innovative imaging engineering and eye research. Increased integration will equip Moorfields and UCL to respond to future challenges and deliver quicker diagnoses and new treatments for patients.
Robert Dufton, Chief executive, Moorfields Eye Charity
We support Moorfields and UCL to share their knowledge, educate and develop people’s expertise, and collaborate - benefiting patients in the UK and across the world.
Project Details
Research - strategic initiative
UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, UCL Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering
Imaging, retinal/vitreo-retinal
£1,500,000
September 2021
GR001115
