Choroideremia, Ocular Genetics and the Importance of Great Mentors – Dr. Ian MacDonald

Dr. Ian MacDonald, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Alberta, provides a detailed overview of the current state of genetic therapies for degenerative retinal diseases. Dr. MacDonald further describes Choroideremia, including disease pathology, prognosis, and potential treatment avenues. Finally, Dr. MacDonald explains his reaction to being nominated for a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Canadian College of Medical Geneticists, pointing out some of his own remarkable mentors throughout his career.
About the guest:
Dr. Ian M. MacDonald is a Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Alberta, and past Chair. Dr. MacDonald completed residency training in Family Medicine at McGill University, Ophthalmology residency training at the University of Ottawa, and Clinical Genetics fellowship training at the University of Ottawa, Queen’s University, Kingston and the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto. Dr. MacDonald is a member of the International Society for Genetic Eye Diseases & Retinoblastoma, the International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology and Vision. He is an Editor Emeritus for the Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology and currently serves on the Editorial Board of Survey of Ophthalmology for Genetics.
Dr. MacDonald has maintained continuous external grant funding throughout his career. His areas of interest are inherited retinal disorders, in particular, maculopathies and choroideremia. In 2009, in recognition of his work in Canada to foster the development of academic Ophthalmology, he was elected to as a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.
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