Faculty

Bio

Dr. McLoon received her PhD from the Department of Anatomy at the University of Illinois Medical Center, followed by postdoctoral studies with Dr. Ray Lund at the University of Washington and Medical University of South Carolina. She is a tenured Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences. She studies pharmacologic approaches to the treatment of eye movement disorders in children, specifically strabismus and nystagmus. She is focused on the cell biology and muscle stem cell populations within the muscles that move the eyes in the orbit, the extraocular muscles, to understand their sparing in diseases such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy and what goes awry in eye movement disorders. Recently she has added an interest in sex differences in retinal function and how this relates to neuropsychiatric disease.

Expertise
Strabismus, nystagmus, muscle stem cells, muscle injury, muscle regeneration, craniofacial muscles, neurotrophic factors

Research Summary

My laboratory focuses on understanding the potential mechanisms for two types of eye movement disorders: strabismus and nystagmus. Untreated these result in decreased visual acuity. Both involve the ocular motor system and the specialized skeletal muscles that move the eye, the extraocular muscles (EOM). We focus on the ability of retrogradely transported neurotrophic factors to alter the function and structure of the ocular motor system with the goal of developing a permanent therapeutic approach for these movement disorders. We have used RNAseq data to identify potential new therapeutic targets for development of treatments.

A second focus is the study of the muscle stem cell populations in the EOM that cause their differential sparing in degenerative disorders such as muscular dystrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We have identified a specific stem cell, expressing Pitx2, which we have implicated in this differential sparing. Further work will focus on using these stem cells to prevent limb muscle degeneration in these currently untreatable diseases.

Finally, we have started a new project looking at the electroretinogram (ERG) in various mouse models of disease. Our recent studies show a significant difference in ERG characteristics in a mouse model of schizophrenia compared to controls, suggesting a specific method by which differences in the brain can be measured in the retina.

Research interests:
Development of pharmacologic treatments for strabismus and infantile nystagmus syndrome
Extraocular muscle cell biology
Sparing of the extraocular muscles in muscular dystrophies
Molecular control of extraocular muscle properties and how these are affected in strabismus and nystagmus
Sex differences in the electroretinogram

Teaching Summary

Courses
NSC 5203 Neuroscience of Vision
NSC 8321 Career Skills for Neuroscientists

Bio

Awards & Recognition University of Minnesota Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences Fellow Research Award (2014-2015) Fairview Champions of Care: Recognized by a patient who made a gift to the Fairview Foundation through the Champion of Care Program. (2015) Resident Representative (Chief Resident) – University of Minnesota Department of Ophthalmology (2010-2011) University of Minnesota Department of Ophthalmology Harry Plotke Award for the resident best exemplifying clinical skills, compassion and concern for the patient (2010-2011) Oculoplastics Award Recipient – recognizing outstanding surgical skills and aptitude in oculoplastic and reconstructive surgery (2010)

Research Summary

Eyelid and orbital disease

Bio

Sandra R Montezuma, M.D, is a Professor in Ophthalmology at the University of Minnesota.  She earned her medical degree from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia. She did her first residency training in ophthalmology at the Fundacion Oftalmologica de Santander, Colombia in 2001. She was a fully trained ophthalmologist before coming to the United states. She completed 10 more years of training at Harvard Medical School. In 2001 she joined the Boston Retinal Implant Project at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/ Harvard Medical School, where she performed basic science research for nearly 4 years. After her Research fellowship, she completed a second surgical internship at Brigham and Women’s hospital in 2005, a second residency in ophthalmology in 2008 and a Surgical Retina fellowship in 2010 at Massachusetts Eye and Ear infirmary/Harvard Medical School. She joined the University of Minnesota in 2010. She was awarded a Distinguished Teaching and Service Award at Massachusetts Eye and Ear infirmary/Harvard Medical School, she received the 2010 Gilligham Fellowship Award at The Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology, the 13th Fellowship Research Award at the Retina Society, the Distinguished Mentoring Award at the University of Minnesota Medical School in 2017, The Knobloch Chair Professorship in 2018, and the 2022 VSY Biotechnology Ophthalmology Star Awards among other awards. She has been  selected as the 2022 America’s Most Honored Doctors  by the American registry.  She is the current chief of the retina department at the UMN. Her research interest includes translational research in Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Inherited Retinal Diseases, retinal implants, retinal prosthesis and retina surgery. Being a part of discovering cures for blinding conditions is Dr. Montezuma’s passion. She believes the ability to apply her clinical and surgical knowledge to help patients with all types of blinding conditions is truly a privilege. Dr. Montezuma has subspecialty expertise in providing medical and surgical care for all retina diseases in adults and children, including macular degeneration, inherited retinal dystrophies, diabetic retinopathy, retina detachments, macula holes, eye trauma and retinopathy of prematurity. The incredible advances in technology and research in the ophthalmological field keep her profession fresh and exciting. Dr. Montezuma finds interacting with patients and the ability to improve patients’ vision the most rewarding aspect of her job. She appreciates the long-term relationships she has with her patients and being able to meet their needs with the highest quality of eye care available.

Research Summary

Stem Cell Research for Age Related Macula Degeneration Retina Imaging Retinal implants Age-related macular degeneration Angiogenesis research

Clinical Summary

Sandra R Montezuma, M.D, is a Professor in Ophthalmology at the University of Minnesota.  She earned her medical degree from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia. She did her first residency training in ophthalmology at the Fundacion Oftalmologica de Santander, Colombia in 2001. She was a fully trained ophthalmologist before coming to the United states. She completed 10 more years of training at Harvard Medical School. In 2001 she joined the Boston Retinal Implant Project at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/ Harvard Medical School, where she performed basic science research for nearly 4 years. After her Research fellowship, she completed a second surgical internship at Brigham and Women’s hospital in 2005, a second residency in ophthalmology in 2008 and a Surgical Retina fellowship in 2010 at Massachusetts Eye and Ear infirmary/Harvard Medical School. She joined the University of Minnesota in 2010. She was awarded a Distinguished Teaching and Service Award at Massachusetts Eye and Ear infirmary/Harvard Medical School, she received the 2010 Gilligham Fellowship Award at The Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology, the 13th Fellowship Research Award at the Retina Society, the Distinguished Mentoring Award at the University of Minnesota Medical School in 2017, The Knobloch Chair Professorship in 2018, and the 2022 VSY Biotechnology Ophthalmology Star Awards among other awards. She has been  selected as the 2022 America’s Most Honored Doctors  by the American registry.  She is the current chief of the retina department at the UMN. Her research interest includes translational research in Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Inherited Retinal Diseases, retinal implants, retinal prosthesis and retina surgery. Being a part of discovering cures for blinding conditions is Dr. Montezuma’s passion. She believes the ability to apply her clinical and surgical knowledge to help patients with all types of blinding conditions is truly a privilege. Dr. Montezuma has subspecialty expertise in providing medical and surgical care for all retina diseases in adults and children, including macular degeneration, inherited retinal dystrophies, diabetic retinopathy, retina detachments, macula holes, eye trauma and retinopathy of prematurity. The incredible advances in technology and research in the ophthalmological field keep her profession fresh and exciting. Dr. Montezuma finds interacting with patients and the ability to improve patients’ vision the most rewarding aspect of her job. She appreciates the long-term relationships she has with her patients and being able to meet their needs with the highest quality of eye care available.

Bio

Dr. Nazari treats patients with simple and complex vitreoretinal issues such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinal diseases, retinal detachment and retinal holes, inherited retinal diseases, and retinopathy of prematurity.

Bio

Dr. Olson practices Comprehensive ophthalmology at the University of Minnesota. He accepts new patients for surgical evaluations and routine eye care. He is known for his expertise in cataract surgery and glaucoma treatment including the latest technologies of premium intraocular lens implants and microinvasive glaucoma surgery. He has been commended for his ability as a surgical instructor, being awarded the Krachmer Surgical Teacher of the Year for the past three years. Dr. Olson has been recognized locally and nationally for his expertise, including awards for Top Docs Rising Stars, Castle Connolly Top Doctors, Consumers' Research Council of America Top Ophthalmologists, and Named Amongst the Leading Physicians of the World. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two boys climbing, hiking, boating, snowmobiling, and relaxing on the lake.

Research Summary

Dr. Olson is involved in the clinical and surgical education of our medical students and residents. He also participates in the recruitment and evaluation of patients for various clinical medicine trials.

Clinical Summary

Cataract Surgery Oculoplastic Surgery (Eyelids) Glaucoma Comprehensive Eye Exams

Bio

Dr. Rashidi is a comprehensive ophthalmologist currently accepting new patients at the Twin Cities Campus. He sees patients in the general ophthalmology clinic performing annual eye exams and treating various adult eye diseases including cataracts, dry eyes, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic eye changes. Dr. Rashidi offers advanced intraocular lens implant technology for cataract surgery.

Bio

Dr. Sheheitli treats patients of all ages with glaucoma.

Bio

Dr. Strul provides compassionate, state-of-the-art medical and surgical eye care to all children and to adults with strabismus. A dedicated patient advocate and educator, Dr. Strul emphasizes the critical role ocular health plays in child development and involves her patients and their families throughout the medical decision-making process.